Page 8 of Their Fated Magic

He holds me tighter. “Did you not feel safe and protected back home?”

My mind flashes to the discomfort I always felt at home and how I always felt like I didn’t belong because I wasn’t good enough. My body is suddenly cold. I didn’t feel protected or safe. I felt like a burden. “Not at all,” I admit to him.

Here, the wolves don’t necessarily like me, but they keep me safe. They’re so serious about it too. It’s like they’re the only ones that have a right to hurt me, which seems strange.

He sounds surprised. “Really? I’m sorry.”

I shrug. “That’s life.”

I look back at him and see that there’s something I can’t read in his face. “I’m happy you feel safe. That’s all I want for you,” he whispers.

Garrick brushes his lips against the hollow behind my ear, making me sigh again and relax back against the bed. Then he gently kisses my neck. He travels down my neck with feather light kisses. Moving back up with the same gentleness, he kisses along my jaw, forcing me to face him.

“Do you like this?” he whispers.

I like it very much. “Yes.”

I lean forward, pressing my lips against his, breathing more rapidly when his tongue darts into my mouth. His hands slowly slide from around my waist to my breasts. A soft moan escapes my mouth as I take in all the sensations I’m feeling. Sensations I like. Garrick’s in control, not moving fast or being rough. He wants me to feel good, and he’s doing a damn good job of it.

I never want him to stop.

He pulls my lip in between his teeth and nips me. Heat rises from my body, and I moan again. I love every single thing he’s doing to me.

“You feel amazing, Tara.” His gruff voice in my ear melts me even more.

I open my eyes to look at him, see Rinan’s large back behind Garrick, and remember we aren’t alone. I reluctantly pull away, silently sighing and wishing Garrick had been the only one in my bed.

“Tara?”

My gaze flickers to the wolf.

He follows my gaze and groans, followed by a soft mutter. “Damn wolves.”

I turn away from him, and Arlys’ angry face is the first thing I see. How long has he been awake? Arlys is many things, but not usually angry, and that’s definitely what he is now.

Have I made this even worse? First Drogo, now Arlys. What have I gotten myself into?

FIVE

Tara

It’s later that morning, and I’m dressed for traveling. There are two parties heading out from the castle today: our small group of five, and Scarlet’s much larger one that’s heading off on her own adventure.

There’s no sleepiness in the air, just excitement, and I look on at everything, feeling out of place. I know that the moment the guys join me here, we’ll be leaving the shifter castle behind, and it makes me a little sad. Especially since I’ll be leaving Scarlet, who has been so wonderful to me.

I watch her directing her group and giving orders. She’s wearing a pale pink dress, her hair braided down one side, and traveling boots. She looks every bit the princess she is.

When she sees me staring, she walks away from her shifters and over to me. Her movements are graceful. Her beauty is impossible to ignore. I wonder if my husbands wanted someone more like her. I wouldn’t blame them if they did.

“Isn’t it exciting?” she asks.

Before I can answer, Scarlet pulls me into a tight hug, and I feel my eyes burning. It’s weird to finally make a friend and lose her so quickly, at least for a while, although I don’t want to show how upset I am. She deserves better than that.

She releases me, and her smile is wide. “I’m so excited to finally be exploring and adventuring. I know it’ll be in the company of a dozen of my father’s finest shifters, but I won’t let that ruin anything.” Then she winks, grinning wildly.

“I hope when you get to anywhere that you can send word back, you will.”

Grabbing my hands, she squeezes. “Absolutely. You’ll be hearing from me so much I’ll be annoying.”

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