Page 97 of Burn for Her

“What happens if their mate hasn’t been born yet?”

Good question. “I believe their longing intensifies as their Deesha draws closer to being primed to turn Lycan. It’s just a theory, but it’s solid. A Lycan’s soul would reach a fever-pitch with its need to be completed by a mate’s bond. If they feel ready, then it’s time to drink the silver water because their Deesha is out there already. If not…” he shrugged, “I suppose they just stay suspended in longing, as if its a chronic ailment, until the degree of emptiness they feel deepens.”

Lena swallowed hard. “What happens if they find their mate on the last day?”

He didn’t want to answer. The brutal truth wasn’t something he was willing to unleash. But she got it. He watched her face pale and mouth slacken as the progression of events pieced together for her. It was life or death. A lifetime of joy or torment.

If it got down to the last day, there was no time to court or explain or coerce. It was bite or run. Sacrifice or surrender.

Dorian might not know when he’d burn to ashes, but he was giving Lena a chance to run. Pushing the limits of his curse to allow her time to make an educated decision. Lycan normally had a similar luxury. Their time on earth ticked down to a predetermined endgame. The shifters knew exactly how long they had, from the second they saw the vision of their mate, to the night the next full moon swung into that fatal position in the sky.

Tonight, five Lycan from the surrounding area were taking the leap.

Protectively, Dorian pulled Lena back to cover them in shadows. “Can you hear it?” he whispered against the shell of her ear. “Life, fear, hope—it’s everywhere in these woods tonight.”

Animals scurried. Fire crackled and popped. Those prepared to drink the liquid silver closed into a tight circle, praying for fate to guide them safely towards their mate, their Deesha. The rest of the Lycan? Well…

Dorian tucked his hand under Lena’s chin and turned her head towards the direction of three Lycan fucking under a tree. He loved her gasp. Enjoyed how her pulse sped up. “Our curse is to always be in constant longing, remember?” His hands fell to skim along the sides of her breasts. “The satisfaction is temporary without a true mate.”

But damned if Lycan and vampires alike didn’t chase those little moments like a pack of ferocious beasts.

Dorian nipped under her ear and pressed his body flush against her back. She leaned into him, eager for what he had to offer. Savoring this tension, he ran his fingers across her belly in light strokes, relishing her fluttering muscles. “So responsive,” he growled.

“Your hands are shaking,” she whispered.

He didn’t want to think about that right now. All he wanted was to be inside her in every way possible. Unhooking her bra clasp, Dorian ran his thumb across one of her hardened nipples and pinched it.

“Mmm.” Lena’s head hit his chest and she ground her ass against him. Fevered, he clamped both of her nipples this time and gave a twist. Then a tug. She let out a half-cry, half-grunt that got him ten kinds of worked up. “Are you going to turn me here?”

“I’m going to fuck you here.” He maneuvered to block the view of the threesome behind him. “Turning will still take time.”

“Time is something we don’t have.”

“Then stop wasting what’s left of it.” He playfully tugged the button on her jeans and unzipped them. Dropping down on his knees, he peeled her pants off slowly, then buried his face in her pussy. “No panties,” he growled. “Are you trying to kill me, woman?”

“I wanted the friction,” she confessed while threading her hand in his hair, guiding him back towards the joining of her thighs. At the last second, he turned his head and nipped her inner thigh playfully. “I want to drink from you again.”

“Will I turn vampire this time when you do?”

He hated how she kept pushing this. “No. You’ll need to drink from me for that to happen.” Dorian peppered her skin with kisses. “I need to be in a better mindset before I turn you or I could damage your transition. I’m being careful so I don’t destroy you, Lena. I just want to offer you what I can for now.” He coaxed her body to melt under his touch easily. Her thighs were already quivering. Damn, how he wanted to bite her again.

“Do it,” she begged. “Do whatever it is you want to me.”

Those were dangerous words.

“I want this.” He scraped one of his fangs against the tender flesh of her inner thigh. “Say yes to me, Lena. Tell me I can taste you again.”

Her grip tightened on his hair. “Will it feel like it did the last time?”

“Do you want it to?” Running his hands up and down her thighs and cupping her ass, he waited for her answer.

“Not this time. No.”

He pushed his hair away from his eyes and looked up at her. Holy Hell, what a vision she was. Completely unabashed. “What would you like from me, Lena? Say the word and it’s yours.”

“I want to be turned.”

“Soon,” he growled, and kissed her thigh again. “I promise.”

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