Page 27

The shadowmire suddenly whips its head around, its crimson eyes glinting like embers in the darkness. It locks its eyes with mine with intensity. It lets out a low, harsh growl, resonating with a menacing power that booms in the stillness of the night.

Panic surges through me, and I scream. Adrenaline propels me forward as I sprint away. I barely evade the razor-sharp swipe of its claws, feeling the rush of air as they cut through the space where I stood. Fear pulses through my veins as I run, gasping for breath.

I dash through the tangled undergrowth, my heart pounding like a relentless drum in my chest. With each step I take, the forest floor is a chaotic mosaic of crunching leaves and snapping twigs. Somewhere behind me, the creature growls with a deep, menacing rumble like a warning bell .

The fog swirls like ghostly fingers, shrouding everything in an oppressive gloom.

Visibility shrinks to a mere hazy outline of trees, their twisted branches reaching out like skeletal hands eager to ensnare me.

Just as hope flickers that I might escape, my face collides full force with a thick tree branch, stunning me into disorientation.

I tumble backward onto the damp earth, the coolness seeping into my skin as my vision spins and fades into a muddled haze of greens and grays.

“Get up! Get up, Dani!” The woman from the crime scene the other day, Suzanna, is leaning over me.

She reaches down for my hand, but when I take it, her hand goes right through mine.

“Get up! Run, Dani! Run!” she urges, fear shining in her eyes.

Green eyes that look creepily similar to mine. Why didn’t I notice that before?

Just as I am about to push myself off the ground, she disappears into thin air, and the shadowmire stands above me.

Heavy, thick drool trickles from its snarling maw and splatters against my face as it looms over me.

This is it. This is how I die.

I take a deep breath and whisper, “I love you,” hoping my demons will hear my last words...

I jam my knife upward as hard as I can. I pierce the throat of the shadowmire, and its blood spews onto my face as it whimpers.

Before I can get to my feet, the shadowmire takes one last swipe, its claws shining from the rain.

All I can do is hold my arms up, covering my head.

I love you. I love you. I love you. I repeat in my head for all three of my mates.

I take a deep breath in, and prepare myself to die.

In an instant, Dax materializes from the shadows.

His mask glows with an intense, molten brilliance.

A low, menacing growl rumbles from his throat, and with swift precision, he draws forth two gleaming daggers and swipes both of his arms down, removing the head of the shadowmire.

Its body falls to the ground with a loud thud.

The fog that surrounds us quickly dissipates.

Dax turns to me and grabs my face in his hands. “Dani! Gods, Dani, are you okay, baby?”

I am speechless. Words are failing me as my body trembles.

I grab Dax and throw myself in his arms, hugging him tightly. “I-I... You saved me...” I manage to say through my tears. Dax holds me tightly and I sob into his embrace.

As I pull myself back to look into his eyes, I feel the wetness from his chest. Dax is bleeding.

I gasp as I see the very large wound scratched on his chest. The missing flesh makes my stomach curl, and I fight the urge to throw up. “Dax, you’re hurt!”

“I’m fine, Dani. Let me look at you!” He takes a slight step back and examines me frantically. He rubs his thumb over the gash above my eyebrow, and I wince, “Ouch. Tree branch.”

His hands roam down my arms, and his eyes widen once he sees my side. He rips my shirt off, sending the fabric to the ground in shreds.

“Knife wound,” I say. Dax searches my body frantically for any wound from the shadowmire. “Dax, I'm fine. It didn’t touch me."

“I have to be sure!” he insists while examining my body. “Seriously! I’m okay. I mean, my side fucking kills but—” My side starts to warm and tingle as Dax runs his hands over my wound, healing me immediately.

Amazed, I exhale the breath I was holding and look down to see my skin is healed and… glowing. All that’s left is my blood.

Dax quickly licks the blood from his palm and then presses a gentle kiss to my lips.

My heart warms .

Without warning, he pulls my pants down and goes to his knees.

I flush since I'm not wearing any panties. He carefully looks at the front and back of my legs. Once he realizes I don’t have any wounds from the beast, his gaze falls between my legs.

He closes his eyes and pushes his face in between, taking in a large inhale.

Oh my damn... is he smelling me?

Dax removes the mask from his face. His eyes close as he presses his face right to my crotch once again. His nose swipes me as he lightly nudges me. A sound rumbles from his chest, and he looks up at me. His pupils are huge, and I can’t see the gold flecks in his eyes.

Why am I so turned on right now?

“You smell divine right now.” Without warning, his tongue dips between my legs, and he presses his lips against my folds.

I grab his wavy hair, and my body shudders.

“Dax...”

His fingers roughly sink inside of me as his tongue works my clit. I throw my head back in pure bliss as I hold myself steady by his hair.

I can feel the fresh blood still dripping down my face, but I don’t care. Not right now. All I want is Dax.

“Mmmm, you taste so good,” he pauses and withdraws.

He looks down at the webbing of my arousal around his fingers, and his lips curve up in a half smile.

“Such a filthy, filthy woman, Dani,” he says while bringing his fingers up to his mouth.

He licks my arousal off his index and middle finger, putting on a seductive show.

He pulls me tightly against him, so I feel just how hard he is. “You have so much flavor from your run. Have a taste,” he says, and then his lips are on mine.

My mouth opens for him automatically, and I let his tongue swirl around my mouth .

He then sits down on a fallen trunk and looks up at me. His cocky smile showcases his dimples, and I just want to get lost in him right now.

He slowly trails his hand down my leg and calf and never takes those eyes off me. “Step out,” he says, and I realize he is taking one foot out of my pants.

I am so turned on right now . I’ve never been so close to death and yet so turned on in a matter of seconds. It’s like Dax flipped some internal switch.

His smirk widens, “Little dove, you are soaked for me,” he says as his hand cups my pussy.

“Did me killing that beast turn you on, Dani? Or is it because you could almost taste death? Perhaps, it’s the pain,” he pushes his finger against the cut above my brow and I wince while a little moan escapes my lips.

“I heard what you said… when you thought you were going to die. You think I’d let you die, little dove?” He pulls my hair down from my ponytail. Leaning in close, his lips touch my ear and he whispers, “You are mine.”

I whimper. He pulls away but stays close enough so I can see that the gold flecks have returned to his eyes. “I could feel you were in trouble. Feel you through our bond.” He grabs my chin softly and leans down, placing his lips on mine. “Say it. Say it to me, Dani.”

“Fuck me, Dax. Take me right here, right now,” I beg as I throw my legs over his lap and grind myself onto his hard cock.

He chuckles, “That’s not what I wanted to hear. But your wish is my command.” I kiss him hard like I’m starving for him. Our teeth clank, and I grind him harder.

I could combust right now just by dry-humping him.

I roam my hands over his chest and grab the bottom of his shirt, ripping it over his head quickly. His large gash is still there bleeding but I can tell it’s healing .

I push my hand against his wound, smearing his blood on his chest and then rub my hand up, leaving my bloodied handprint on my neck.

“You're so sexy, Dani. I have to have you right fucking now.” He takes his hand and wipes it down my face and down my body, smearing more blood all over me. I know it’s not just my blood, but I don’t care.

I unzip his pants and quickly spring him free. My thumb swirls over his piercing, and I grip him tightly, “This is my fucking cock, Dax. I own you... You are mine!” A possessiveness washes over me, and I just want to get lost in Dax forever.

I love him so much it fucking hurts. He is all that matters in this moment.

Before Dax can say a word, I sink myself on his cock. “Fuck! Dani. Gods… you feel so good,” he moans beautifully.

Our sounds of pleasure surround us, bouncing off the forest trees, as I start rocking my hips and moving up and down.

I run my thumb over my brow, collecting some of my blood, and smear it over Dax’s mouth. His tongue darts out, sucking my finger clean.

The feeling of him inside of me was like fireworks going off.

A hot rush washes over my entire body as our bloodied hands roam over one another.

It’s like we don’t know where to touch. I don’t know where his blood begins and mine ends, but we keep at it—giving ourselves to one another in the forest right next to the dead creature’s headless body.

Something about this is so hot. So dark. So wrong but yet so fucking right.

Dax stops my movements, and holds me steady. His eyes search mine lovingly, and he gives his beautiful cocky grin that I love so much.

“You’re perfect, Dani. In every single way.” He reaches for my face and I rest my cheek in his palm, closing my eyes to savor this moment. Savor this feeling. He quickly heals my brow and seductively says, “Now fucking ride me, little dove.”

I push my palms on his thighs to stand up slightly, never taking him out, and turn around so my back is now facing him. I place one hand on his thigh behind me, and the other holds his hand, gripping my throat.

I start to lift my body up and down, enjoying the feel of this new position. I throw my head back and moan.

“Dani,” he moans my name. “You feel so fucking good. I told you we would fuck in each other’s blood, didn’t I?” He licks my neck and then roughly wraps my long hair around his hand and pulls.

As I start bouncing up and down quickly, Dax bucks into me wildly and harshly. “Yes, Ahhh, Dax!” I scream out, and my body starts to shake.

“Tell me I’m yours, Dani.”

“You are mine, Dax!” I helplessly grunt.

“You want me to bite that pretty little neck of yours while you come? Mark your body over and over again just to remind you who belongs to you?”

“Yes, oh yes, do it!”

“Where are your manners? Did I hear a please, little dove?” He squeezes my neck harder and wraps his other arm tightly around my stomach as he drives into me with remarkable speed.

“You’re so godsdamn eager to come while my teeth sink into that delicate little neck of yours, you forgot your manners. ”

“Yes, Dax. Yes, please! Bite me! Mark me! Fill me with your cum!” I scream hopelessly as my body starts to shake from the orgasm forcefully coursing through me.

He sinks his sharp teeth into my neck while sliding his hand under my sports bra to grasp my breast.

As he drinks my blood, his fingers come to my mouth, and I start to suck. The tangy taste of his blood overloads my senses as I ride out my orgasm .

Dax groans, making the sexiest sounds, “Uhhh. Fuuuuck,” and finishes inside of me. My feelings for him are overwhelming, surrounding my heart like burning flames. As I come down from my high, I rest the back of my head on his shoulder.

I can feel a delightful tingle spreading across my skin, a warm sensation dancing along my neck as his healing hands delicately skim over my body.

Each gentle caress is infused with intensity—so much love, passion, and heat—transforming the air around us into an electric atmosphere.

It’s as if he weaves an enchanting spell with every tender touch, every soulful interaction draws me deeper into his embrace.

“I love you… like, a lot, a lot.” I blurt out.

Dax freezes underneath me. A low chuckle escapes his lips and I can feel his chest vibrating against my back.

Crap, crap, crap! I blew it.

“Little dove...” He picks me up, turning me so I am facing him.

Pressing his forehead to mine, he says, “The moment you summoned us and I placed my hand over your screaming mouth, I knew what this was.” He gestures between us.

“That night, I was filled with unexpected magic. I expected fear and chaos from you, but instead, I was met with your wide-eyed wonder and a heart full of curiosity. When I first wrapped my arm around you, touching you, feeling you… I felt our bond immediately. I knew what you were to me then. Then, a little dove landed nearby, cooing softly as if acknowledging the bond that was forming between us.”

Little dove ... my heart is melting.

He continues, “I found it enchanting—this idea of you, someone so brave, innocent, and pure, summoning three demons and binding them to yourself. I nicknamed you after that little dove to remind me of that magical night when you made me believe again. I want to cherish you forever because you bring light into my dark world. I love you ‘a lot, a lot,’ too, Dani. More than that… and I always will, no matter what choice you make.”

A tear rolls down my blood-stained face.

When did I become such a fucking baby?

Dax wipes it away. “Now, let’s get you home and cleaned up.” He tenderly kisses my lips once more, and then darkness washes over me.