Page 16

L ily

When we arrived at the remote cabin, a sense of tranquility enveloped the surroundings. The small, intimate building nestled amidst the trees, with wisps of smoke spiraling from the woodburning stove’s chimney. Kai held the door for me as we stepped inside, the scent of pine and the crackling warmth of the fire immediately embracing us.

The interior of the cabin exuded rustic charm. A king-sized bed with a log headboard dominated one corner, dressed in soft white linens. A small kitchenette stood against one wall, complete with a stove and a small fridge. A cozy seating area by the fireplace was adorned with a large white rug, inviting us to unwind and revel in the peaceful atmosphere.

“It’s beautiful,” I praised, charmed by the romantic vibe. My nerves tingled beneath my skin as my blood raced. My feelings for Kai had deepened, my heart confessing a love I hadn’t anticipated. I wanted to be his mate, to embrace the connection we shared, but the unknowns cast a shadow of uncertainty over me. What did it entail? Would there be pain, a transformation, or something else entirely?

The questions churned in my mind like a slowly building thunderstorm, and as Kai’s gaze met mine, my stomach filled with anticipation.

Kai seemed to sense my unease. The fragile bond between us had somehow revealed my emotions to him. His fingers reached out, gently intertwining with mine. “Lily,” he said, his voice a soothing murmur, “I can feel your questions, your worries. I understand this might be overwhelming for you.”

I didn’t know how to put it all into words so I stayed silent. Unwilling to say the wrong thing. Again Kai understood my unease, and led me to the seating area by the fire. We sat next to each other, our eyes locked. “Being a mate, sealing our bond,” he murmured, “it’s a profound step. It won’t be without challenges, but we’ll face them together.”

My gaze softened, my heart finding solace in his words. “I want this, Kai. I want to be with you, to be yours. But I’m scared. You have to understand that, right?”

He cupped my face in his hands. “I won’t lie to you. There might be moments of discomfort, of change. But remember I’ll be right here. Me. You trust me. I know you do.”

My fears began to melt, replaced by a growing sense of security. Kai’s touch, his words, reminding me that we were in this together. I leaned into his touch, my eyes searching his for certainty.

Kai’s gaze held unwavering determination. “Our bond will only enhance what we already share. And when it’s done, you’ll feel the depth of our love on a whole new level. Trust me, Lily.”

A smile tugged at the corners of my lips, my heart fluttering as his words resonated within me. Having Kai by my side, the romantic setting, and being surrounded by nature’s serenity allowed me to let go of some of my uncertainties, replaced by a profound yearning for the future we would forge together.

As the flickering fire bathed us in a warm glow, my gaze wandered around the cozy space, taking in the rustic charm and the inviting atmosphere. I turned to Kai, my curiosity piqued by the unexpected comforts that greeted us. “How is there already a fire?” I asked, my voice tinged with surprise. “Did you set it up earlier?”

Kai’s eyes twinkled. He followed my line of sight, then a soft smile played on his lips. “No, I didn’t. It looks like my sister must’ve been here.”

My brows furrowed in confusion. “Your sister? But why...”

Kai gestured to the wine bottle that graced the small table along with a set of glasses. “It seems she anticipated our arrival. She must’ve cleaned up, changed the sheets, and even left us the alcohol.”

Understanding slowly dawned. “She did all this for us?”

Kai nodded, a fondness in his expression. “Seems so. She has a way of knowing things. She’s always been perceptive.”

As I absorbed the thoughtful gestures, a warmth spread through my chest. I glanced around the cabin, the touches of consideration making it even more inviting. And as my gaze returned to Kai, gratitude swelled within me. “It’s really sweet of her,” I murmured, a smile tugging at my lips. “It’s like she knew we needed this.”

Kai entwined his fingers with mine, his gaze tender. “Yeah, but if you thank her she’s liable to say something sarcastic.”

I turned my attention to the crackling fire, the flames flickering with a gentle, almost ethereal grace. I let out a soft sigh, then leaned into Kai’s side, contentment settling over me. “Well, I’m grateful for her thoughtfulness. It’s made this moment even more special.”

Kai wrapped his arm around me, pulling my body closer. My curves fit neatly against the muscular length of him. Like fitting pieces of a puzzle together. “I’m glad. I want you to feel special, Lily.”

We sat and listened to the crackling fire, and I couldn’t help but feel a renewed sense of connection—not only to Kai, but to his family as well. The cabin, Fostine’s gestures, and the promise of sealing our bond all converged to wrap around my heart.

Kai pulled back a fraction and stared down at me. His eyes filled with concern. “Are you hurting? Do you need any more pills?”

I was touched. Despite his hunger for me, he still prioritized my well-being. It was a testament to the depth of his feelings for me, and it warmed me the way nothing else could.

I let a soft smile play on my lips. “No, Kai, I’m fine. Really. No pain, and I don’t need any more pills.”

He exhaled a breath he seemed to have been holding, easing the lines of his masculine features. “Good,” he murmured, licking his lips. “You’ve been through so much. I don’t want to add to your pain. Ever.”

I reached out, my fingers finding Kai’s cheek, the warmth of his skin beneath my touch grounding me. “I appreciate your concern. It means a lot to me.”

His hand covered mine, his gaze unwavering. “I’ll always worry about you. You mean everything to me.”

When had I ever heard those words? No past boyfriend had ever expressed such emotion. Certainly not my own family. The sincerity in Kai’s statement sent a rush of excitement through me. I leaned in, our lips meeting in a gentle kiss.

As we pulled apart, our foreheads touching, I whispered, “You know, all I need, all I want is you.”

Kai’s eyes deepened. “Lily...”

I silenced him with another kiss, our lips meeting in a flash of longing. It was a kiss that held the promise of our future, a future filled with challenges, yes, but also with love that could conquer anything. As our lips parted, we remained close, our breaths mingling, hearts beating as one.

****

K ai

As I stared down at Lily, the air itself felt charged with rabid energy. Our fingers were intertwined and my damn fingertips itched, a sign of my growing hunger for Lily.

“Lily, there’s something I want to talk to you about. It’s about the mating, about sealing our bond,” I warned, my voice taking on a predatory edge.

The curiosity in Lily’s wide gaze gave way to trepidation. “Okay, what is it?”

“What we’re doing isn’t simply making love. It’s a primal connection between mates,” I explained, unable to keep the possessiveness from my tone. “And then there’s the exchange of blood.”

Lily’s brows furrowed. “Yeah, this is starting to sound a lot like a movie scene, Kai.”

My fingers trailed a teasing path up her arm. “It’s a way to merge our essences, to bind us on a soul-deep level. Our desires, our passions, all mingled together.”

Lily’s doubts lingered, and she swallowed hard. “I’m a little scared.”

“I know.” My hand cupped her chin, even as I tried to hide the blaze of hunger engulfing me. “My desire for you, my need to claim you, runs deep. I’m drawn to every part of you, body and soul.” My lips brushed against her ear. “But when the time comes, I’ll make sure you’re well prepared, that you’re ready for the wild intensity of our bond. Each time we take from each other will feel like an inferno.”

Lily met my gaze, her apprehension dissipated, replaced by something else even more tangible. Arousal. I could smell the scent of it, and it brought out my Yucilon like nothing else could. A red flag in front of a bull.

The tension in the room thickened, even the air between us sparked like a live wire. She nodded slowly. Nervousness, as well as a budding sense of surrender shone in her eyes.

Surrender. Yes, I needed that from her.

“All right,” she said. “As long as it’s with you, I’m willing to ... explore.”

I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading across my face if I’d tried. “You won’t regret it, Lily. I’ll make sure of that.”

I glanced toward the small window, my thoughts momentarily distant. The predator in me prowled, and my fingers tapped an impatient rhythm against my thigh. All signs of the mounting tension that coiled within me. Patterson. That bastard was still out there. As long as Lily was with me, then she would always be in danger. The thought threatened to destroy the moment. I stood and paced the room, agitated all over again that Patterson still lived. I could feel the ache of desire, the urgent need to claim, to complete the bond that had been growing between me and Lily. The scent of her fueled the beast that lurked just beneath the surface. But what cost will she be forced to pay as my mate?

With each turn I took, my agitation intensified. A wild frenzy resonated with the cabin’s rustic surroundings. A reflection of the untamed energy that surged within me. My gaze darted toward Lily. So beautiful. So innocent. Our eyes locked, and a growl of hunger escaped.

“Lily,” I began, my measured words heavy with the presence of the creature riding me. “I’m desperate for you. Our connection, it’s become a fever, an ache that refuses to be denied, but you’ll be tying your life to someone with a target on their back. You understand this, right?”

Lily’s eyes widened, as if recognizing the storm of passion that raged within me. “You’re talking about Patterson, and I think you’re wrong. I think he’s done with me. And besides, we aren’t letting him decide our future for us. Right?”

The room was charged with a magnetic pull that tried to draw me closer to her. I held back. Barely. I fought to contain my Yucilon nature, keeping my voice even. “You aren’t afraid?”

Lily rose from her seat and closed the distance separating us, her gaze unwavering as she reached out to touch my arm. “Kai,” she murmured, her voice a soothing melody, “I’m safe as long as I’m with you. I know that. I’m not afraid.”

I cupped her cheek. “Then no more waiting.” The Yucilon within me roared for release, beating at an imaginary cage binding him, but Lily’s presence reined in the savagery that threatened to consume me.

“I’m ready,” she assured me, moving backward a few feet, then stripping out of her clothing. “Make me yours, Kai.”

The cabin’s warm firelight cast an enchanting glow, illuminating the room in a dance of shadows and softness. In its center stood Lily, bathed in the golden radiance, a vision of vulnerability and raw beauty. Her body, stripped of all barriers, was a canvas of truth, adorned with a constellation of healing bruises and bandaged cuts.

My eyes traced her form, every curve and contour a testament to strength. The genuine reverence in my voice broke the hushed silence. “Lily, you’re breathtakingly beautiful to me.”

Lily’s gaze met mine, a teasing smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she gestured to her injuries. “Oh, really? Even with all these imperfections?”

My steps brought me closer to her, my eyes burning with intensity as I replied, “Especially with those imperfections. ” My voice was a low, seductive murmur. “They tell a story of your strength, of the battles you’ve faced and the courage you’ve shown.” I reached out, letting my fingers trace a path over her skin with featherlight touches. “To me, every part of you is a masterpiece, a testament to the remarkable woman you are.”

The teasing facade in Lily’s expression gave way to vulnerability. My words seemed to wrap around her like a comforting embrace, dispelling the doubts that had lingered. “You make me feel ... seen,” she whispered, “cherished, in a way I’d never experienced before.”

As my fingers lingered on her skin, Lily’s gaze shifted, taking in my presence. She bit her lower lip and frowned. Concerned she’d changed her mind, I asked, “What is it?”

“You’re so powerful,” she admitted in a soft voice. “So intense, as if barely containing the desire to make love to me.”

“I am,” I groaned. “You go to my head, Lily.”

“I like that.” Her smile teased my senses. And she watched as I removed my shirt, the fabric falling away to reveal my chest and abs.

“You like what you see?” I asked, my gaze fixed on hers as I continued to undress, my movements unhurried. One by one I unlaced my boots, and they dropped to the floor, followed by my jeans. I stood before her nude and let her eyes journey over me.

I reached out, my arms circling her waist, and lifted her effortlessly into my embrace. Cradling against my chest, her skin pressed against mine, I could feel the heat of her body, an undeniable force drawing me to her.

I carried her to the large bed, its inviting expanse adorned with crisp white linens that contrasted against her flushed skin. Gently, I placed her in the center, the mattress cradling her form as I stepped back, my gaze fixed on her.

My chest rose and fell with a deep breath, my eyes watchful. “The silky cascade of your long red hair against the white bedding, and your pretty green eyes set my body ablaze.” I took another breath, making a conscious effort to steady the torrent of desire that roared within me. “I need you, Lily.”

“Take me then, Kai,” she murmured, her arms outstretched.

I approached the bed, each step a measured choice. My fingers grazed her cheek, my touch both tender and possessive. “Sweet Lily,” I whispered, “you’re a flame that ignites my soul, a force that consumes me. I want this to be perfect for you.”

“It will be,” she assured me.

Her words hung in the air, a testament to her trust in me. I intended to make every moment meaningful, but I knew that as soon as she was beneath me the chain on my beast would snap. With the fire’s gentle crackle as our backdrop, my fingers brushed against her skin, our connection deepened.

I joined Lily on the bed, keeping my movements easy, though the simmering hunger gnawed away at my control. As I lowered myself onto the mattress, Lily’s legs widened in invitation. An invitation impossible to resist.

I crawled toward her, my hands tracing the contours of her body as I closed the distance between us. And as our lips met, a tantalizing press that sent shockwaves of sensation through me, I knew Lily had the upper hand. I would do anything for her. Kill for her. Her soft touch ran along my biceps to my shoulders, a gentle exploration that sent me into overdrive.

I cursed, then parted her lips with my eager tongue, tasting her delicate flavor until I was starved for her.

Lily’s fingers found their way into my hair, her breath hitching as I explored the sweet recesses of her mouth. My senses were overwhelmed by the intoxicating blend of sensations—the taste of her lips, the warmth of her body pressed against mine, and the knowledge that this moment was a culmination of our desires.

My hand traversed her body, a careful journey that avoided the tender remnants of her injuries. She shivered and moaned my name. My fingers skated over her skin, eager for the sounds of her pleasure.

The teasing glint in her eyes, gave me permission to skate my fingertips to circle her breasts, which made her arch into my touch with a gasp of pleasure. I watched her, the dark hunger in me increasing.

Lily’s desperate cries of pleasure spurred me on. Every sound, every quiver of her body, had my cock dripping.

My touches grew bolder, more insistent, fingers traced a path of pleasure that had her gasping for breath. Her responsiveness, the way she embraced the intoxicating rush of pleasure we shared did it for me. That it was Lily, my mate, sent me over the edge. My Yucilon predator roared for release, driven by an instinctual craving, and Lily was my willing prey.

As my fingers teased and played, an electrifying current skated along my spine, a feral energy that pulsed with restless anticipation.

Senses sharpened as my gaze locked onto Lily’s. One finger brushed against her neck, my touch teasing her pulse. It quickened and my teeth elongated, the glint of moonlight slipping through the opening of the curtains. “Lily,” I growled, entranced by Lily’s irresistible allure. I lowered my head toward her neck. My voice, a deep rumble charged with a brutal edge, reverberated in the intimate space. “Surrender to me.”

Lily’s breath hitched. Her pretty eyes darkened until all I wanted to do was drown in their green depths. I let my fingers graze her satiny skin, teasing her with what was still to come. In a heartbeat, I claimed her with my lips, tasting the delicate length of her neck. Without hesitation, my teeth sank into her flesh with a fierce hunger that sent shockwaves of sensation through me. Lily gasped, a reflexive reaction to the sharpness of my bite? I attempted to pull back, but her moans of pleasure gave testament to the intoxicating pleasure blazing through her veins.

A primal growl echoed deep within my chest. I let down my guard and indulged in the connection. The taste of her intoxicating blood sent a savage hunger ripping through me. My grip on her tightened, possessive in its intensity, as my mouth mapped a trail of feathery kisses over the newly created mark.

Lily’s fingers curled into my hair, her lower body pressing upward, as if seeking release. I eagerly wanted to give it to her. A thousand times over. The sweet warmth of her blood, and the raw edge of my unrestrained desire threatened to send me way the hell over the edge. Lily had no idea just how dangerous I could be. The need I had for her. Only her.

As I lifted my head, I watched Lily, the unquenchable fire filling her green eyes. My lips parted to reveal my canines, still stained with the remnants of her essence. Would she hate me now? The idea pulled a growl of rage from within. I swept my hair aside, then used one long razor-sharp claw to make an inch-long cut along my neck, blood dripping down. “Take from me, love. Do this for us.”

Lily didn’t hesitate. She lifted her head and kissed my neck, then teased the tip of her tongue over the cut. “It’s ... sweet,” she murmured.

“Fuck,” I muttered. “Do it, sweetness.”

And with a sigh, Lily wrapped her lips around the slice and drank. A moan escaped as she drank from me. My temperature rose, dick hardening and thickening. I groaned her name, eager to drive my cock deep. Aching for her.

“My body is yours and yours is mine,” I instinctively whispered, my hand pressed to the back of her head. “Our souls entwined. Your happiness, health, and comfort will forever be my priority. I exist for you.”

The words sent us both into a tailspin of desire. Lily pulled back and stared at the mark on my neck. I could feel the cut sealing closed. As if it’d never been. She swiped her tongue over her lips, tasting me there still. “What just happened?”

“We’re bound now,” I growled. “By the time the night is over there will be no separating us.”

I could hear the rhythm of her heart. Faster and faster. Her breath coming in ragged pants. “Forever,” she mumbled. “We’re together forever.”

“Yes,” I confirmed, my gaze locking onto hers. “Forever.”

There was no going back now. I was glad. But would she regret it? That question weighed heavy on my mind.