Page 33 of Stolen By Dragons

I watched her go before returning to Zephyr, a new hope burning within me. I’d explain everything, and just pray she still felt something for me. That’d she’d forgive me and truly understand.

And maybe…

No, I wouldn’t get ahead of myself. One step at a time.

My wolf grumbled at this, but I pushed it down. I had training to focus on, but I couldn’t help how I counted the minutes down.

As our training session wound down, I made my way over to Aria. Lydia arched a knowing brow at me before bidding us farewell, and Zephyr was dragged off with her.

“Mind if I walk with you?” I asked Aria carefully.

She looked up, a mix of emotions flashing across her face – hope, nervousness, and something else I couldn't quite identify. "Of course, I’ll need to shower first before we chat, I’m a mess.”

“You look fine to me,” I said earnestly, and a smile spread across her face, lighting her up in such a way that my wolf whined once more.

“Says you, you shifters don’t even work up a sweat doing that stuff, look at you,” she said as she indicated at me. “It’s unfair. I feel like I’m the only one who really gets all sweaty and yuck doing it.”

“You’re doing incredibly well for a human if that’s any consolation,” I said, and she rolled her eyes, but her smile didn’t falter.

I was just grateful the tension between us was lifted.

We walked in silence the rest of the way to her room. My mind raced, rehearsing what I wanted to say, then discarding the words as inadequate. How could I explain the depth of what I was feeling? How could I make her understand that she hadbecome my anchor in this strange new world? My hope? It was a lot for her, considering she’d only really just met me, and yet here I was feeling things that one would feel after dating someone for weeks if not months. Not a mere few days.

Once inside her room, I turned to face her, my heart pounding in my chest. Aria stood there, her brown eyes wide and expectant, and I was struck anew by her beauty – not just physical, but the inner strength and kindness that radiated from her.

"Aria, I... I wanted to apologize properly, I know I tried to before, but… I pushed you away when we kissed, and I regret it.”

“Chris, it’s okay. I get it. Just let me shower, I’ll be quick. Then we can talk this out, okay?”

I nodded, my jaw hardening as she turned and headed for the bathroom.

I went over how I wanted to explain it all to her as I listened to the running water.

Too bad I found myself distracted, gazing at the closed door, wondering just how she looked naked. My wolf whined as my cock twitched, and I scolded myself. Considering the way I’d messed with her emotions, I had no right thinking of her like that. I needed to win her favor back, not expect her to offer it freely.

But still, the memory of her lips flooded my mind, and I wished I’d seized the moment more, kissing her deeper, feeling her body more, maybe even…

I banished the thoughts away as I glanced down at my arousal. Great. That had to leave, right now.

I willed it down, hating that it took a solid moment, and it was barely flaccid by the time the shower shut off.

When she stepped out, her hair wet and falling down to one side of her face messily, it took every ounce of willpower to keepmy dick from standing to attention once more. Not to mention the casual clothes she wore did little to hide her figure from me.

“Okay, let’s talk,” she said as she moved to the bed, sinking onto it and crossing her legs as she watched me expectantly.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. "The truth is, I was scared. When we kissed, I felt something. Something intense and profound. And it terrified me."

She frowned at me, studying me hard as I ran a hand through my hair.

“Like what? What did you feel?” she finally asked.

“A connection, something deep, primal. Something shifters feel when…”

Her eyes widened as it sunk in.

“Like a shifter bond?” Her voice was so soft, anyone else might not have heard it.

“Yes. The inkling of one,” I said as I moved to sit beside her, watching her face for her reaction.

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