Page 32 of The Reaper's Vow

“It's not like that. It doesn't mean anything.”

“Doesn't mean anything?” I laugh, the sound harsh even to my own ears. “Your body responds to me. Your wolf recognizes me. And you want to tell me it doesn't mean anything?”

She shifts beneath me, her thighs pressing together in a futile attempt to ease the ache I can smell building between them. Her wolf is closer to the surface now, golden flecks dancing in her eyes as she stares up at me.

“I barely know you.” Her pulse hammers at her throat, a rapid flutter that makes my mouth water with the need to press my lips there. “This is just biology. Chemistry.”

“Then let's talk chemistry.” I lower my face until our lips are mere inches apart, drinking in her scent like the finest whiskey. “Because right now, every molecule in my body is screaming to claim you.”

Her breath hitches, the sound sending a jolt of electricity straight to my groin. “Damien...”

The way she says my name—half plea, half warning—nearly breaks my control. I pull back slightly, fighting the urge to crush my mouth against hers.

“What happened with Anselm?” she asks, clearly trying to change the subject, to diffuse the tension crackling between us.

“We aren’t finished with our current discussion, kitten.”

Her brow furrows. “Elias was protecting me, at your request, remember? That’s all.”

I let out a harsh breath, trying to cage the growl building in my chest. “My wolf doesn’t care about logic.”

“He didn’t touch me, Damien.”

“I know.” The words scrape out like gravel. “But knowing doesn’t stop the part of me that wants to rip out the throat of anyone who even looks at you too long.”

She stares at me, chest rising and falling fast. “You think that’s fair?”

“No,” I admit, voice low. “It’s instinct. Irrational. But when it comes to you, kitten…” I lean in, close enough to feel her breath tremble against my lips. “…my wolf doesn’t understand reason.”

She frowns, confusion cutting through the heat between us. “You’re acting like I did something wrong. You said I shouldn’t be alone while you met with the alpha here.”

“I know what I said.”

“Then why are you acting like I fucked your friend the second you walked out the door? I know him even less then I know you.”

“Elias might be my best friend, but he’s still a dominant male. His wolf would’ve reacted, even if he didn’t mean to. And mine…” I shake my head, forcing down the growl building in my throat. “Mine didn’t like it.”

“You’re jealous of him? Of Elias?”

I meet her gaze, no use hiding it now. “My wolf is.”

She studies me for a long moment, something like understanding flickering behind her eyes. “But he didn’t touch me, Damien. We talked. That’s it.”

“I know,” I answer, running a hand down my face. “But knowing doesn’t quiet him. He still sees Elias near you. Smelling you. Protecting you. It feels like a challenge, even when it’s not.”

Her lips curve faintly, a breath of humor slipping through the tension. “So, your wolf’s an overprotective idiot.”

A low sound rumbles in my chest—half laugh, half growl. “Yeah,” I admit. “But he’s my idiot. And right now, he’s losing his mind over you.”

She blinks, still catching up. “I don’t understand. Why does it matter what anyone thinks if nothing happened?”

“Because it’s not just about what happened,” I say, forcing my voice level. “It’s about how they see you. How they see us.” My wolf bristles again at the thought of Anselm, the man already circling like a vulture. “And how little protection you have right now. It’s the only reason why I agreed to the alpha’s demands.”

“What demands?”

I straighten, giving her space to breathe. “He won’t extend his protection unless you’re wearing my mark and he gets to meet you.”

Her face drains of color. “What does that mean?”