Page 18 of Siren in the Rain

“How do you feel?”

I touch my face with my free hand, surprised to discover my lip is healed and the bruise on my cheek is gone. Looking down, I watch as I move my ankle, relieved to find it healed as well.

Wolf Boy moves in closer.

The guy definitely has no concept of personal space.

And why the hell does he have to smell so damn good? His scent is something I want to roll around in for days.

When he lets go of my hand and reaches up to softly caress my neck, I don’t pull away. No, I fucking sigh like some smitten fool. Seriously, I’ve known this guy for three minutes and I’m already starting to crave his touch. It makes no sense whatsoever.

“Ruby was able to heal the worst of this, but…” Tears start to well in his big, beautiful eyes again. “Because you were forced to wear the collar for so many years, the iron has created a permanent scar. I’m so sorry.”

I still completely when he leans in closer.

He peeks up at me under long blond lashes. “May I?”

I give a brusque nod and he grins. “Thank you, Shae.”

For a second, as his face moves closer to mine, I think he’s going to kiss me on the lips. But instead, his mouth brushes over the mark of my suffering that is permanently etched on my throat. The whisper-soft touch of his lips against my scarred flesh sends a strange current of electricity racing across my skin, and I gasp.

“Does it still hurt?” he asks softly, his fluffy ears flattening with worry.

I start to lift a hand but stop myself.

Fucking hell. Was I just going to pet him?

He’s giving me those puppy-dog eyes that put the cutest anime character to shame. It’s like this guy knows all of my biggest and most secret weaknesses—and he’s using them to his advantage.

“No,” I grunt. “It doesn’t hurt anymore.”

Not physically anyway.

He takes hold of both of my hands, clutching them tight. “Shae Silverstorm. My one true mate. I vow to protect you from now on. No one will ever hurt you again. I swear it.”

He’s giving me the most earnest look I’ve ever had directed at me in my life.

Admittedly, it’s been a forcibly cloistered life, but still.

His ears are at attention and his ridiculously big amber eyes study me as if I’m the only thing he sees.

And there goes his fucking tail again.

The cuteness overload is sapping my sarcastic willpower. How am I supposed to fight against this?

And how the hell am I supposed to get him to stop with this fated-mates nonsense?

Seriously, what in the Inuyasha alternate world have I entered into?

Chapter

Four

Griff: Are you a good magic coin or a bad magic coin?

Coin: Answer hazy, please try again.

Griff: Are you messing with me?

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