Page 21 of Crescent Warrior

“Out,” she enunciated as if he were a child.

“Lyta,” his voice turned stern and he knew it was a mistake.

The fury in her eyes was swift, along with the knee that she lifted. He tucked his hips back while grabbing her knee and yanking it to the side of his leg, throwing her off-balance. She used her free hand to grab his shoulder but wobbled dangerously on her heels.

He reached forward, steadying her with an arm around her waist. Their bodies were now flush against each other and he felt the crush of her breasts on his chest.

She’s so soft.

His mate was a battle-hardened warrior, but she was still 100% perfectly female. Her skin flushed with color and he could see the vulnerability in the emerald flecks of her eyes. She was scared.

She was afraid to be with him. After breaking her heart, he couldn’t blame her, but he wished there was a way he could prove to her that he would never hurt her again.

“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured, “you’ve always been.”

Her eyes narrowed with renewed fury and she used her free hand to yank at his head, pulling him toward her before she head-butted him hard, his nose crunching under the force. He groaned, pulling away to tilt his head forward. “Lyta, what the fuck?”

She didn’t bother responding, walking away from him. He re-set his nose quickly, grunting at the sharp pain while keeping an eye on her. He was about to hurry in her direction when Ambrosia walked past him, dressed similarly to his mate.

“Are you alright?” she asked, watching him cup his nose to stop any blood from falling. “You should go see Harmonia.”

He looked up at her from his position, his gaze sweeping over her black dress that was covered in colored gems. “Where are you going?”

“To visit a friend,” she said, distractedly with rummaging through her tiny clutch to grab napkins.

She shoved them under his nose and he took them from her, grateful.

“Did you want to come?” she asked, giving him a look that said she was just being polite and he should probably say no.

“Yes,” he said right away. “Is it the same place as Lyta?”

“Well, yeah.” Her eyes were narrowed on him now. “It’s really her friend. I’m just tagging along because I’ve been to a couple of his events.”

His. My unclaimed mate’s going to see another male.

It was everything he could do to hold back the growl. He watched Ambrosia’s face slowly transform into a smile.

She leaned forward to whisper, “Not that kind of friend. Lyta doesn’t have those kinds of friends.”

He eyed Ambrosia questioningly, but she rolled her eyes. “Yeah, you couldn’t be more obvious if you tried. She’s your mate, isn’t she?”

He hesitated before nodding slowly. He would never deny her as his mate. Never again. “She wouldn’t want you to know.”

Ambrosia hummed her agreement before shaking her head at him.

“You’re doing this the wrong way. Lyta isn’t the kind of girl that you can follow around and expect anything to happen. You have to woo her.”

Clenching his teeth, he felt the bleeding in his nose slow down. “She won’t talk to me.”

Ambrosia’s gaze flickered between him and where Hippolyta had disappeared. “If you tell her I told you this, I will fucking gut you.”

Intrigued, he nodded agreeably.

“She wants a man who can handle her.” She shrugged. “Lyta is so much more badass than any guy here. I’m sure you know that by now.”

He nodded, hoping she would continue.

“That’s the thing. She wants someone who can overpower her. Make her submit.” She grabbed his hand, hurrying forward. “Come on. You’ll see what I mean. Watch how she acts with the guys who throw themselves all over her.”

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