Page 8 of Beta's Virgin Bride

“Get the milk,” I said as I pulled out a pot.

We worked in silence, falling into the familiar rhythm of making homemade cocoa. I was just pouring it into mugs when there was a knock at the door. I knew who it was. Felt it as if he were standing beside me. I glanced at Jasmine and wondered what to tell her about Cyan, because despite my best efforts, they were going to meet.

“Here. Drink your cocoa while I get rid of whoever’s at the door.” I pointed to the chair then headed toward the front door.

There was a briskness to my step, and I knew as much as I wanted to deny it, I was glad to see him. How had he managed to get under my skin so quickly? And how did I get him out?

“What do you want?” I said as I opened the door a scant few inches. He easily pushed past.

“You left.”

I shoved the door closed and turned to face him. He towered over me, and somehow, our height difference was more distinguishable this time. Perhaps because I wasn’t over his shoulder or sitting on the hood of a vehicle.

“The night was over,” I assured him.

He shook his head, and his lips tugged up at one corner. “Our night was just beginning.”

“No, it wasn’t,” I disagreed. “You need to leave.”

He crossed those massive arms over his broad chest. I’d known it wouldn’t be that easy.

“Listen, Cyan. Now, isn’t the time for whatever you have in mind. I—”

“Ivy.” My sister poked her head out of the kitchen. She took one look at Cyan and darted around him to cling to me.

I swear I felt him catch his breath as he stared at her. His glance bounced between the two of us, then he stooped down, one knee touching the floor while the other pointed toward us, sort of in a half squat. His muscles bulged, and I did a little breath catching of my own, though I’m sure it wasn’t for the same reason.

“You must be Jasmine,” he said, and I wondered how he knew my sister’s name. “Well, now, you’ve made me think I need to reconsider why I’m here.”

“Why’re you here?” Jasmine asked, tilting her head to look at him.

“Your sister’s my mate. She ran, so I had to chase her.”

Jasmine giggled, and it startled me, stopping the sharp rebuke on my tongue.

“You’re the big, bad wolf?” Jasmine asked around another giggle.

“Only when I need to be,” he vowed, and he looked far too serious to me.

Before I realized she was moving, my sister was across the room, standing in front of Cyan. She reached out and touched his forearm.

“You’re really big.”

“And strong,” he added.

She glanced at me then back to him and nodded. “Can you keep the monsters out of my dreams?”

Her words were a soft whisper, but they hit my heart with a mighty blow.

“That’s my specialty,” he assured her. He brushed a finger under her eye, and I knew he was noting the dark circles there. “Are there monsters in your dreams, Jasmine?”

She nodded. “Fire monsters.”

“I’m especially good at dealing with those,” he promised.

I hurried over to her. “Jasmine.” I pulled my sister into my arms and held her tight. I knew what those fire monsters were about.

“I’m okay,” she swore, shaking me off. “I’m okay.”

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