Page 31 of The Reaper's Vow

I walk out before I say something I’ll regret. The door clicks shut behind me, but the tension stays lodged deep in my chest.

The hallway is quiet, cold. But in my blood, everything is loud.

Because no matter what I tell him, no matter what I tell myself, I don’t know if Karina will survive this world.

And worse, I don’t know if I’ll survive what I’ll become trying to protect her.

Damien

Ismell Elias on her before I even open the door.

My wolf claws under my skin, snarling with territorial fury as I turn the key in the lock with more force than necessary. The door flies open, slamming against the wall with a crack that makes both occupants of my cabin jump.

Karina sits perched on the edge of my couch. Elias sprawls in the armchair across from her, posture deceptively casual, his smile a little too familiar.

“Well, that was fast,” Elias says, rising with an easy grin that can’t quite hide the tight coil in his shoulders. He knows he’spushing it. “Your girl here was just telling me about her life among humans. Fascinating stuff.”

“Out.” The word grates from my throat like broken glass.

Elias lifts his brows, glancing between us. “Is that any way to thank your faithful guard dog? I kept the wolves from your door, literally.”

My fingers curl, claws threatening to break skin. “I said, out.”

Karina shifts slightly, watching the standoff with wary attention. Her pulse beats fast at her throat, chest rising and falling with quickened rhythm. The sight of that delicate skin, the scent rolling off her in waves sends another surge of hunger tearing through me.

“Don’t make me drag you out,” I growl, the words meant for Elias even as my focus is pulled inexorably toward her.

“Jesus, Dom.” Elias shakes his head but moves toward the door. “Ask nicely.”

“Nicely?” I slam the door behind him with enough force to rattle the windows. The lock clicks with finality, and suddenly the cabin feels impossibly small with just the two of us inside. “Since when do I ask for anything nicely?”

Karina flinches at the violence in my tone, pressing herself deeper into the couch cushions. Her scent wraps around me like a drug, making my wolf pace frantically beneath my skin.

“You didn't have to be so rude to him. He was just keeping me company. Like you asked him to, remember?”

I move closer, unable to stop myself from prowling toward her. “Why is his scent all over you?”

Her cheeks flush pink. “We were just talking. He sat across the room the entire time.”

“Talking about what?” I stop in front of the couch, towering over her seated form. This close, her scent is overwhelming, which makes my mouth water.

“Nothing important. My job, my life...” She trails off, her attention flicking to my hands where claws have begun to edge through. “Why are you so angry?”

Because another male scent clings to you. Because I can taste your arousal in the air, and it’s driving me insane. Because every instinct I possess is screaming to claim you. Right here. Right fucking now.

“Because you’re mine,” I growl, the words ripping free before I can stop them. “And I don’t share.”

Her breath stutters at the declaration, her scent shifting.

“I’m not yours,” she manages, but the protest trembles at the edges. “And I wasn’t doing anything wrong.”

I lean down, planting my hands on either side of her against the couch, caging her in. The move brings me so close I can feel the warmth radiating from her skin, close enough to catch every shiver in the air between us.

“Your scent says otherwise, kitten.” My nostrils flare as I inhale deeply, drowning in the honeyed vanilla that's now sharp with arousal. “You're practically dripping.”

She gasps, her cheeks flushing crimson. “That's not—I can't help?—”

“Can't help what? Getting wet while talking to another male?” The words taste like poison on my tongue, but I can't stop them from coming.