Page 15 of Cursed Wolf

“Absolutely,” Crius adds. “But we should leave soon.”

Leaning forward, I embrace them both, inhaling their addictive scents—musk, pine, and wolf. “I can’t thank you both enough for looking after me.” My stomach grumbles for food, and I frown, trying to remember the last time I ate.

“Are you kidding?” Crius pulls back with a slight pinch on the bridge of his nose. “I’d fight an army of zombies to keep you safe. Anything for you.” Suddenly standing, he twists away. “While you get ready, I’m going to get us breakfast.” He marches out of the room before any of us can respond.

It takes me a second to work out what just happened, then I burst out laughing.

“He had an erection, didn’t he? He’s insatiable. You all are.”

Nikos chuckles. “As are you.” He kisses me, and I lean in, wanting his touch, his warmth. He carefully pulls away from me, and I groan, pawing him to come back.

“You’re so warm,” I whine.

“And you’re a temptress,” he says in a low, firm voice.

I hold on to his hand to keep him by my side.

“What’s going on?” he asks as if bracing for an unpleasant conversation.

“What were you and Crius arguing about earlier?”

Nikos sighs, his shoulders curving forward. “Nothing important.”

He starts to get up again, but I squeeze my hand slightly, holding on.

“I have a right to know if it impacts me.”

“Crius is worried,” he says, sitting down in front of me. “I’m worried about how we’re going to deal with Lyra when we catch up to her. Neither of us wants you to confront her, but we don’t stand a chance. Crius suggested he could use his power, except he’s only able to draw a large amount like that once, and it would most likely kill him. His power is so intense, the one time he tried to use it, he barely survived.”

I gasp, and my chest squeezes. “Then no, he can’t use it.”

“That’s what we were arguing about. He’ll do anything for you, Narah, but he needs to understand we’re a team now, and we all need to survive this.” His lips press together. “He absolutely adores you. I’ve never seen him this way with anyone before. I told him to think about a future with you, not to give his up for yours.”

Hardness settles in my chest at the thought he’d do anything so stupid. “I’ll speak with Crius.” I need him not to play the hero this time.

With a serious expression, Nikos’ gaze never leaves me, most likely trying to work out what I’m thinking.

“We just have to keep a close eye on him.” I throw my arms around Nikos’ neck, embracing him and pressing closer. “Thank you.”

My pulse is frenzied, and my body is a live wire. I don’t know if I should cry or beg Nikos to make love to me. I’m so messed up right now.

Large hands, hot as fire, run across my bare back as he embraces me, holding me tightly. It covers me in tingles, and warmth rushes to my face. I look up at Nikos, at this rugged, tattooed Viking, and my heart thumps louder. I trace my fingers over the rune-patterned ink on his shoulder.

“I’ll always take care of you, Narah. I’ll destroy the world if it puts a smile on your face, but I know your temptation is my weakness,” he says. “Unless we get you dressed, even a man as strong as I am will break.”

A fire curls low in my stomach, my mind filling with all the naughty things we could do. As the sensations perk up, I quickly pull away from Nikos.

“Yep, you’re right. I gotta get ready and take a super-cold wash.” Pulling away from Nikos, his eyes lower to my breasts. I climb out of bed and saunter to the bathroom. When I glance over my shoulder at him, he’s staring at my ass.

“Narah, you’re going to destroy me.”

6

NARAH

We’ve been traveling nonstop for most of the day.

Panic thunders in my chest the farther we travel up the mountain path. Lofty pines suffocate the mountain, and shrubs pepper the terrain, as do fallen logs and branches. With the sun already dipping behind the crest of the hill, the night is crawling over the landscape. The few weak torches dotting the dirt path barely do anything to cut through the coming dark.

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