Page 65 of Dark Flame

“What haveIdone toyou?” He laughs again, running a finger through the blood on my neck, smearing it. He gathers a few drops before drawing a circle around a nipple, my body heating with his sensual touch. “What the fuck haveyoudone tomeis the better question. Was it you or your ancestors who thought to curse me?”

“I still have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“That’s the problem.” With a gentle tap to my chest, Alec knocks me back to the mattress. “You don’t know, and you haven’t run. You haven’t begged for your freedom.” Two fingers stroke over my panties, heat building in the base of my stomach as my insides come alive. He nudges them aside, finding me ready. “For freedom, for me to stop…you haven’t pleaded to the side of me that’ll protect you above all else, which means I now get to act on my basest desires. The instinct that demands Iclaimyou.”

I’m still processing his words when he shoves two fingers inside me, and my back arches off the bed.

Twenty-Five

ALEC

Take her.Claim her. Make her ours.

Instincts consume, battling with my inner demons—the desires that have driven me to this point.

Kill her. End her. End all this.

If only I didn’t bite her, I’d never know what I believe I’ve suspected all along. Looking back, it all makes so much fucking sense. The way her blood—cure aside—smelled so delectable. The way I couldn’t truly harm her. The numbness I felt when finding her lethargic in the cell. Reflexes buried knew I had to protect her…even if I didn’t understand why.

My fingers sink inside her, and her back bows with a guttural sigh. She’s unbelievably tight. A virgin? Fuck, I hope so. To find out my Bride will know me and me alone satisfies the basest parts of the monster within. And to taste virgin blood…that would be a first.

Even the thought makes me groan, my hunger for her never to be satisfied.

“Beg,” I command, stroking two fingers inside her core, stretching her.

Beg me to stop.

Beg me to save us.

“Please,” she murmurs, not at all understanding I needed her to beg to end this.

Hatred and lust pour into my touch as her legs fall farther apart. It’s like this I study my Bride; the blood painted across her chest, the bite marks on her neck, everything declaring her asmine. Everything that’ll ensure she never leaves.

Fuck, I hate you.Even thinking the words makes my head ache, because the drive to keep her safe and protected won’t allow me to hate her. But it’s notherI hate. Not anymore. Maybe not ever. She’s always intrigued me above all others of her family.

“Say no.”

Her shattered breathing tells meyes, which only pisses me off.

“Tell me no,” I demand.Tell me no so I can stop this before you hate me. Before you believe I’ve forced you.

“No…don’t stop.”

Damn you, Hellion.

An emotion weaves through me, one that’s new, drifting along the connection—the bond—that’s fragmented but slowly linking into place between Harlow and me, like a ribbon being laid, a spell being cast. Slow and steady, the mating bond forms.

From it, emotions that are not my own drift towards me. It’s her—her feelings that, when I focus, I’ll be able to feel as though they’re my own. The link that’ll allow me to sense her, to know when she needs to be cared for or protected. For now, only one-sided.

I search through the wave coming from her unknowingly into me, seeking distaste, hatred, or some other negativity, but find nothing. A fact as troubling as everything else. Uneasiness, uncertainty, but not fright as her craving grows as strong as mine is.

That, too, satisfies me. Last thing I want is for her to be with me out of fear.

“Alec, please.” She bucks into my hand, and I’m utterly fucked. The sight of her, all sprawled open, her skin darkening as the blood rushes through her body…it’s heady. She’s beautiful, her expression twisting as she chases pleasure.

So I stop thinking about the past and present that got us here, the bond being positioned between us. Stop considering anything butherand her pleasure. And my own desire to taste her everywhere.

“Please what?” I ask, settling into position. “You asking to come, Hellion? Is that what you need?”