Page 69 of Catch a Tiger

It was sickening that he’d truly thought his own mate would be someone he could manipulate just like he did everyone else. Somehow the universe had given him exactly what he needed even if he fuckinghatedit.

Mylo hated it so much he considered killing her all over again, but his monster refused. The damn thing even tried to take over just to make sure he wouldn’t.

Protect what is ours, that hellish tiger roared, rattling his bones.

“All the monster wanted was someone to love him exactly as he was,” his vixen told him, as if she had the wisdom of a thousand lives. “That book was a tragedy, not a horror. Frankenstein deserved to die for what he did, and if your monster thinks I deserve to die…then I suppose I do. It would mean he doesn’t think I’m capable of loving you the way you need to be loved, and I’d rather die by your hands than fail you.”

Mylo gritted his teeth, hating that he’d been right.

He knew exactly why his monsterneededthis dark creature full of chaos and pain. She didn’t care if he was falling apart or just barely human. No, this vixen somehow understood exactly what he needed like she’d beenmadefor him.

He saw the same need he had reflected in her eyes – the need to be loved for the monster she was after she’d been tossed aside by the man who’d created her, the man who’d made her into thishorrible thing who didn’t belong anywhere, stuck in her human skin when she had no humanity.

His vixen had been cast out of heaven, but not even hell would claim her. She had nothing and could give him nothing.

A shifter who couldn’t shift.

A fox without fur.

A raven without wings.

A witch without a coven or clan.

Despite all that, she’d been made to withstand his pain and violence. She’d been made to lovehim…the monster they’d turned him into.

That truth threatened to pull him apart until he was nothing but a pile of perfectly cut meat, ready to be devoured by hungry little goblins who didn’t care if he tasted a little off. It shook him all the way down to his soul, or what was left of it.

All that remained of his doubt was the fear of what she would make of all his extra pieces.

Mylo wasn’t positive he could handle this evolution that would alter his entire body and mind just as those people had done to him when they’d forced him to become a true alpha, just to see if they could.

But she didn’t push or pull at him while his thoughts devoured him, like she could see everything he’d rather she didn’t. Despite how feral she’d been earlier, she seemed content to bear his weight, her arms back around his waist to hold him together.

Her slick heat still taunted him though, and his cock flexed at the reminder of how badly he wanted her, but she didn’t react to it this time other than her pupils dilating until they’d nearly eaten up all the blue.

Vix was holding back forhim, waiting to see what he would decide to do with her and completely satisfied with his choice because he was an alpha – her mate. The power she gave himso willingly was almost as unnerving as how easily that horrible creature they’d made him into purred just for her.

Mylo had been positive they’d somehow removed his ability to do so.

What was he supposed to do now? His human compass had been smashed to bits and even his monster didn’t want to destroy her. Every time he searched for it in the darkness, he found her waiting to guide him.

She was his north star.

Help me, his wildness whispered to hers.What am I supposed to do?

There wasn’t a single drop of judgment or disgust in her eyes, and Mylo felt the overwhelming urge to claim her right then and there. It hit him so hard and fast he nearly lost himself to it, but her soft voice slipped into his mind like a gentle caress.

Does your monster want to kill me?she asked, sounding so serene despite the topic.

No. Mylo closed his eyes so he didn’t have to see her smile when she realized she’d won.He wants to protect you. I don’t…

He didn’t know what to do with such an unusual response. That horrible thing had only ever been a creature of death and destruction. Mylo had never feltthis—this need to belong to someone.

“I was made for you,” she reminded him, the arms around his waist disappearing. It forced his eyes open again just to see what she planned to do next. “There is nothing you could show me that would disgust me. There is nothing you could do to me that I wouldn’t want. Tell me what you need, and I’ll find a way to give it to you.”

There was no way he could take what he needed without hurting her.

It’s been a very, very long time since I’ve fucked anyone without breaking bones,he warned her.Even if I don’t want tokill you, I might just tear you apart. You may not mind, kitten, but I do.

---