Page 18

K ai

My heart raced as I looked into Lily’s eyes, the threads binding us together stronger than ever after she had witnessed my true form. I could feel her presence in my mind, her thoughts like a gentle caress against my consciousness. The barriers that had once separated us were now nothing more than fragments.

I could sense the changes within her, the subtle shifts in her body as my DNA coursed through her veins, bringing with it the healing she so badly needed. The bond we shared was unlike anything I had ever experienced, a merging of souls.

I stared at her, desire coursing through me as I took Lily’s hand in mine. “Lily,” I said, my voice barely a whisper, “My world is yours now. The good and the bad.”

A wealth of anticipation gleamed in her eyes. “When I left Walnut Ridge I wanted to start fresh somewhere. Be my own person for the first time in my life.” Her smile lit me on fire. “Then I met you and everything changed. I don’t regret a second of it.”

I traced the curve of her jaw with my fingertip. “Let’s go back inside,” I urged, my cock hardening at the prospect of getting her beneath me. “I want to make love to you again.”

Lily’s cheeks flushed and I found her utterly intoxicating. “Kai,” she whispered my name, her voice filled with a raw emotion I could feel echoing within me.

I leaned in, my lips grazing her forehead in a gentle touch. “You’re fully healed now. I need you under me, my love,” I said, unable to contain the passion riding me. “I want to claim you properly.”

Lily’s fingers intertwined with mine, her touch a silent affirmation of her feelings. “But you did that, right?” she asked.

“In the way of my kind, I mean,” I explained, a surge of emotion swelling within me, my heart overflowing with a love I hadn’t expected to feel. I guided her back toward the cabin, our steps slow. The air around us thickened with anticipation, the world narrowing to the shared space between us.

As they entered the cabin, the warm glow of the fire was dimming, but I didn’t care. All that mattered was Lily. I closed the door behind me, then turned to her.

“Lily,” I whispered, my voice a low, sensual murmur. Hunger crashed through me as I closed the distance, capturing her lips in a kiss. I craved her. Ached for her. As our bodies pressed together, our breaths and heartbeats merged into a symphony of shared desire.

At her delicate moans, a low growl emanated from deep in my chest. I put one hand on her waist and walked us toward the bed. When the backs of my knees hit the side of the mattress, I allowed myself to fall backward, dragging Lily on top of me. I adjusted her until I had her right where I wanted her, pressed up close, my cock nudging that tempting V between her legs. My hand went to her hair, wrapping a fistful of the dark red tresses, and tugged. The instant our mouths touched, I knew I’d do anything to keep Lily. No one would ever separate us.

Lily...

Her name echoed in my mind just before my mouth crushed against hers, forcing her lips apart. I took possession of the sweet interior. Lily moaned and moved her hips in little circles, teasing and pushing me to the edge of control. I sucked at her lower lip and probed her mouth, tasting the sweet flavor of her arousal. I inhaled and knew Lily was close. Her scent had changed to a warm, spicy aroma that I would no doubt thirst for the rest of my life.

I pulled my mouth off her and growled, “Any pain?”

“None,” she groaned, then she drifted her lips over my jawline. “Please, Kai,” she begged.

“I’m here,” I assured her, then I caressed my way down her neck, nipping at the vein I found there. She breathed my name and it spurred me on. I let my tongue tease the delicate skin behind her ear. But another part of her body called to me.

I pulled my mouth free, then took hold of the hem of the shirt she’d thrown on. “Off with it,” I ordered. When she sat up, her soft wet pussy pressed against my cock, I was enthralled. Couldn’t move, could barely breathe as I watched her slowly lift the fabric, revealing her belly and ribcage. Bruises and cuts gone. All that remained was Lily’s silky ivory flesh. “My beautiful Lily,” I praised.

She never spoke, merely tossed the shirt over her head and let it fall to the floor. I knew I’d been given the greatest of gifts. I would never let her go. Never let her regret choosing me. Choosing our bond. I cupped both precious swells, then lifted my head and nibbled at her, my need for her uncontrollable. I moved my arms around her, mashing my face against the round orbs. My legs spread wide and I pushed my aching erection against the plush cushion of her ass, letting her feel what she did to me. Lily writhed shamelessly atop me, her moans turning to cries of need.

I hummed my approval, then released her nipple and let my hands skate down her body until I reached her mound. I cupped her there, enjoying the feel of her juices against my palm. Fuck, I was done being gentle. The predator in me was ready to take her. Mark her. I needed my scent covering her. Inside of her.

When her pussy slid over my cock, I bit back a curse. She was already so hot and wet. It wasn’t enough. I wanted her begging. My Yucilon needed it. Craved it.

The fingers of her right hand reached out and stroked slowly over my pectorals, back and forth, her green eyes drawn by some imaginary force to the path her hand made over my body. As her fingers drifted lower over my abdomen, I flung my head back with a groan. Desire and pain mingled, pushing me precariously close to the edge. I was strung too tight. I forced myself to concentrate. I couldn’t afford to lose control. Lily was too new to my world. She wouldn’t understand if I became too aggressive. When Lily dipped her head and placed a gentle kiss on my left nipple, then nipped it with her teeth, a dark haze of lust engulfed me.

I took hold of a lock of hair and tugged until she was staring down at me. Her surprise reminded me that she was human. Had no idea how close I was. “Hands and knees, Lily,” I murmured.

Shock registered in her pretty gaze. “Is this the claiming you talked about?”

“Yes,” was all I could manage. My animal was in control now. I patted the bed beside me. “I won’t hurt you,” I vowed, hoping it was true.

“I trust you, Kai.” She licked her lips, then moved off me, going to her hands and knees beside me. “Like this?”

I couldn’t breathe, let alone speak. I sat up, then moved behind her. Her sex glistened from her arousal. I inhaled, enjoying the sweet scent. I nudged her legs wider, then dipped my finger inside her. “Are you sore?”

“No, oh, God,” Lily moaned as she flung her head back and gripped the blanket with both fists.

“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” I bit out. My mouth watered for a taste of her, right between her supple thighs. Using my thumbs, I spread her open, exposing her clitoris. I leaned forward and sucked it into my greedy mouth. Fuck, I was starving for her. My tongue dipped inside, tasting her tight channel. Lily cried out and pushed her hips against my face. I gave her what she needed, teasing her and flicking my tongue over and around her clit. Again and again, I played with her. When her thighs began to quiver and her body bowed, I suckled her clit once more, then watched in awe as she screamed my name and came for me.

I lifted my head from between her thighs, then positioned my cock at her entrance. “Now, Lily.”

She flung her head back. “Yes, please, Kai!”

I slid my dick in a few inches, careful not to hurt her, but Lily surprised me when she slammed her ass against my hips, seating my cock deep inside her tight sheath. “Fuck,” I growled.

“I need it,” she whimpered.

I lowered my body over hers, caging her in, then began a slow, easy rhythm, allowing her to get used to the feel of me deep inside her body. We fit perfectly. “Mate,” I whispered against her neck.

“Yes,” Lily agreed, her voice husky from her cries of pleasure. She turned her head and stared at me. Her eyes full of heat. Her hair soaked in sweat.

“So, damn pretty,” I praised, moving one hand to her hip and holding her still while I made love to her. I ached to draw out our pleasure, measure by measure. Make her aware of each stroke of skin, each time her body clutched around me. As if we’d done it a thousand times.

My hands found their way over her silken body, like a blind man committing each piece of her to memory. When I found the tiny nub of her desire, Lily breathed out my name. It was the sweetest sound I’d ever heard. As I pushed her closer to the edge, her movements became more and more frantic, driving my cock farther into her dripping pussy. Soon there was no separating us. Without warning, Lily flew apart. Her pussy clutched me in a tight fist as her fingers dug into the bedding. When her thighs clenched tight, I lost what little control I had left.

I thrust hard, pumping faster, deeper. Wrapping my arm around her lower belly to keep her still, I pulled all the way out, then slammed deep again. Over and over, my hips nearly shoving hers to the mattress until my balls drew up tight, and I stiffened.

I lowered my head to Lily’s shoulder, my teeth elongating, and I bit down hard. Blood flowed over my teeth and tongue. Lily moaned and slammed her ass backward, then screamed as yet another climax sent her careening over that imaginary cliff. The slick walls of her pussy gripped me. I sealed the wound with a swipe of my tongue, then the familiar sensation of my cock swelling began, locking us together, and it caused Lily to cry out my name. I allowed my teeth to retract. Damn, she tasted sweet. As I placed little kisses along her spine, intent on soothing her, I swelled further, until a knot formed at the base of my cock. I wrapped my body around hers and joined her, Lily’s tight, slick passage milking me dry.

I kept her beneath me another moment, allowing the swelling to ease. When it was safe, I pulled my cock free and sat back on my haunches. Lily whimpered and collapsed against the mattress.

“What was that?” she asked in a breathless whimper. “I’ve never ... wow.”

“It’s the mating,” I explained, laying down beside her and stroking the sweat-soaked hair from her face. With her pretty green eyes on mine, I continued. “A knot forms at the base, locking us together.”

“Why didn’t that happen the first time?”

“I held back,” I replied. “You were injured, Lily. I didn’t want to chance hurting you until you were fully healed.”

“Oh.” She smiled at me, sending my heart racing with her beauty. “So, now it’s official official.”

I chuckled. “It was official official before. But now it’s possible for you to...” Shit, I hadn’t even realized what I’d done.

Her head is tilted to one side. “To what?”

“Uh, I wasn’t fully aware.” Or was I? “Damn it, maybe I was, it’s just—”

“Kai,” she warned, “you’re starting to scare me.”

“The knot is different for a Yucilon . I can make love to you without the knot, but I can’t get you pregnant. With the knot...”

She stiffened beside me, her gaze widening. “You tried to get me pregnant?” she asked, leaving the bed and slipping into my shirt, covering herself from my view. “We just mated and you want to get me pregnant already?”

“Not intentionally,” I groused, sitting up. “It’s ... it’s instinctive, Lily.”

She bit her lip, her arms wrapping around her body. “But you came the first time. I know you did.”

“Yes.” I got off the bed and moved toward her, grateful when she didn’t back away from me. “The thing is, without the knot forming, there’s no chance of you ending up with child.”

“Okay, okay,” she said, pacing the room. “I’m an adult so it’s as much on me as you. It isn’t like I insisted on protection. And I’m not on the pill because, well, it always made me feel horrible, so—”

“Lily, breathe, my love,” I urged her. I could see her spiraling and it was the last thing I wanted.

“Right,” she mumbled, taking a deep breath. “So, how does this knot thing work?”

Never in all my years did I think I’d be having a birds-and-bees conversation with my very-human mate. “Many animals are similar to us. A knot forms to seal the male inside the female. But with a Yucilon , the knot is a thousand times more—”

“Potent,” she helpfully supplied, crossing her arms in front of her. “You kicked it up a notch.”

“I did, but I didn’t do it on purpose. I wasn’t trying to trap you or deceive you.” I ran a hand through my hair. “I think the animal in me chose for us both.”

“To ensure the continuation of your race,” Lily said, her voice steady. She stared down at herself, a hand pressing to her belly. “A baby,” she whispered, as if in awe of the idea.

I went to her, taking her into my arms and holding her close. “I wouldn’t be upset by that. Would you?”

Her arms wound around my middle, and she nuzzled her nose to my chest. “No. I don’t think I would.”

I pulled back a few inches. “Are you angry?”

“No,” she grudgingly admitted, “just trying to take it all in, I guess.”

Something else struck me. “I should probably warn you about going into heat.”

Lily’s face reddened. “Heat?”

“Yeah.” I licked my lips, my dick hardening all over again. “It might not happen for you, but for one of my kind it lasts about two weeks,” I explained. “Your sex drive kicks into overdrive. You won’t be able to get enough. Until it’s over, of course.” Damn, I wanted to experience that with her. Just the thought had me ready to jump her.

She quickly glanced away, as if finding the subject embarrassing. “That’s very ... I don’t know what to say to that.”

My phone rang and I cursed the damn thing. “I need to get that. It could be about Trakker.”

“Of course.” She stepped out of my arms, then sat on the end of the bed. I picked up my cell and checked the screen. “Wyatt,” I muttered as I answered. “What’s going on?”

****

L ily

I was freaking out a little as I watched Kai. The warmth of our shared passion still lingered in the air, but my thoughts were consumed by the revelation Kai had dropped like an unexpected bombshell. I looked at him, my eyes narrowing in anger. And love.

Kai’s gaze shifted from the phone in his hand to my face. Oh, he was feeling all sorts of self-reproach. It was clear in his expression. “We’ll leave now,” he said into the phone.

My fingers clenched into fists as I tried to process what had just happened. He’d kept something from me. Intentional or not, I still felt betrayed.

Kai sat down beside me, his hand reaching out to gently cup my cheek. “I understand your anger, Lily. And I take full responsibility for not telling you,” he said, his eyes locked onto mine. My anger was tempered by the raw vulnerability in his gaze. I sighed, as anger gave way to a sense of unease. “I don’t truly think you were trying to trick me,” I admitted. “I just never imagined being a mother before.”

Kai nodded, then began playing with a lock of my hair. “Honestly, I never imagined being a father,” he admitted. “But pregnant or not, we’ll handle it together.”

Just as the tension between us began to ease, Kai’s gaze landed on his phone, his expression shifting from concern to urgency. “We’re needed at the house,” he said, his voice tense. “Wyatt has news about Trakker.”

My eyes softened as I realized the gravity of the situation. “Of course. Family comes first.”

“You are my family.” He pressed a quick kiss to my forehead, then got up and put his clothes on.

I took a deep breath. My mind was still reeling from the news of the potential pregnancy, but I knew that we had other pressing matters to attend to.

I got to my feet and followed suit. Soon we were out the door and on our way back to the house. As I glanced over at Kai, seeing the worry on his face, I knew that the path ahead wouldn’t be easy, that our life would be fraught with trials, the likes of which I couldn’t even fathom. But despite the challenges I would be there for Kai. As his mate. His equal. Through the good and the bad.