Page 43 of Oath of Revenge

Two hours later, he trotted back into the clearing with a lynx slung over his back. It was the biggest he could find, and it had almost taken him out. The further he’d gotten from Scarlet, the more his stomach had rebelled and his vision blurred. Weakness had made him stumble, letting the lynx get in a good swipe of the claws.

But he’d triumphed in the end. He shifted with the cracking of bones by the back door, dropping the corpse to the ground. Then he stepped inside to find a knife to finish the job.

Scarlet glanced up, one boot laced up and fire in her eyes as she glared at him from a kitchen chair. “Where have you been?”

His heart pounded at her tone, the ferocity of her expression, and he paused just to soak up her presence. She was such a beautiful vengeful goddess, and she was all his. He wondered if she could see the adoration in his eyes, if she’d take advantage of him in this state. He’d never fallen so easily or so completely.

He froze, remembering his past dead wife. At least, he didn’t think he had. Guilt licked his spine, making his frustration come back full-force.

Her eyes scanned up and down his body, and awareness made him grow hot as the memories of the past faded.

She stomped to him, grabbing his arm and turning him this way and that. “Are you hurt? Is this your blood?”

“No, I’m fine. Just a few scratches from our breakfast. Do you like lynx?”

“Of course, I like lynx, but that doesn’t excuse you for disappearing.”

“Aw, were you worried about me, bunny?”

His lips twitched with a smile, but he knew better than to let her see. So he stepped close and pulled her into his arms.

She scowled, stiff and unyielding. “Not on your life, wolfie. But you heard what Grandma said. We’re not supposed to be apart.”

She muttered and cursed as she pushed away from him. His chest hurt from the rejection as she stalked to the sink with one shoe on. His precious, fierce fighter was hurting them both by fighting this bond.

Why couldn’t she see it and accept him? If she hated Growlers for what they did to her mother, perhaps he’d never be good enough for her. His emotions threatened to choke him at the thought.

Unease slithered along his spine like cold water.

She dunked a rag into the water bowl and rang it out as she spun on her heel. “Imagine my surprise when I woke up alone, feeling like I was being torn in two.”

He frowned and stepped toward her. “Are you alright? What happened?”

She punched him in the non-injured shoulder and glared. “It’s the fucking tea we drank. You went too far away just like Grandma told us not to do. Didn’t you feel it?”

She started to run the wet rag over the bloody streaks on his chest. Her dainty hands made his spine tingle with desire, and his dick lengthened while his tail twitched.

He growled, his hands sliding up her biceps in a caress. “I felt it. It’s why I got scratched in the damn hunt. The lynx almost got me when the dizziness hit, but I’m fine. See? The scratches are already closing.”

If she was worried about him, perhaps there was hope for them yet.

She harrumphed and scowled up at him, her eyes big and showing her hurt and pain. “Why did you leave? Stupid Growler. If you’d waited, I would’ve made breakfast. There’s more than enough provisions here.”

He had to fix this sad look on her face. “I will never leave you again,” he murmured, turning and trapping her against the counter once more. He gently tugged her closer, hugging her tight and stroking the back of her head.

“Don’t be ridiculous,” she whispered, not returning the hug. But at least she wasn’t fighting him. At least she melted into his arms and let him hold her. It was like a salve to his soul, being pressed up against her. Some of the heartache and chaos of the morning eased.

His head dipped to nuzzle her neck. “I need to provide for my mate, Scarlet.”

“You don’t have to take care of me. I can’t take care of myself.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to.” He ran his nose down the side of her head, avoiding her antlers and nuzzling her jaw.

“Oh really?” Her words were a breathless whisper, her tone softening from anger to desire. As he kissed along her neck, she tilted her head back and let out a sigh of surrender. Her hands gripped his back, pulling him closer.

“Really.” He continued kissing, moving up to her earlobe where he gently tugged on it with his teeth. She shivered in response, and the intensity of their connection deepened.

“I want to take care of you, but it’s more than just a normal want. It’s something deeper, something I can’t ignore or deny. I might want wild blackberries, but if I don’t have them, I’ll be fine. What I feel with you is so much more.”

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