Page 59 of The Hunt of Night

“You did,” I whisper, my eyes searching his as he tilts his head back.

“Did I?”

I frown, beyond confused, and he must sense it.

“Do you want to admit it, too?”

My eyebrows furrow even deeper. “I…”

“I can’t hear you,” he says with a smirk, dropping his gaze from mine as he takes a deep breath. When his gaze meets mine again, I exhale, noting the shift in his stormy eyes.

“Let’s get you cleaned up, shall we?” I offer, silently pleading to change the subject, and he offers me a small smile as he nods.

“Whatever you say, Alpha.” He stands, leaving me rooted to the spot as he slips into his bathroom, reappearing moments later with somewhat of a first aid kit.

“Stop calling me that,” I mumble, pressing my fingertips into my temples as I try to ease the tension that’s rising in me.

He shrugs. “No. It’s true,” he states, all matter of factly like there’s no question to it at all.

“What is?” I persist, and he gives me a pointed look as he retakes his seat on the bed, caging me in with his wide-spread thighs once again.

“I feel like we just agreed that we’re not admitting anything right now.”

“We’re not,” I agree, an ache in my chest growing against my will as my stomach ties itself in knots.

He nods, a knowing glint in his eye that confirms he knew I would say that. “When you’re ready, we’ll get into it properly, but for now, you can help patch me up.”

“What makes you think I’m any good at that? Why didn’t you just ask Brody to heal you with his powers?” I ask, more than happy to change the subject.

“I don’t know if you’re any good at this, but I needed a minute, and I wanted that minute with you. Don’t ask why; you don’t want to get too deep. I just did, and I don’t need Brody all up in my space about this. It will do more harm than good,” he adds with a grunt, nudging the first aid kit toward me.

Wordlessly, I pry it open and glance at the supplies. Running my fingers lightly around his open wounds, I cringe when the blood continues to drip down his cheek, running over my fingers.

“It’s deep,” I admit, pushing at his chin to tilt his head back to give me better access.

“Does it make me look all rugged and shit?” he asks, and I snicker at him.

One stupid question and the tension coiling in my muscles eases enough for my shoulders to relax.

Unable to keep the soft smile from my lips, I look closer, slowly running my fingertips down the side of his face. “I think it makes you look?—”

“Why is your touch so warm?” he asks, making me freeze as my eyes narrow on him.

“I don’t…” My words trail off, taking any kind of rationale with it as I gape in shock.

“Oh my gosh,” I breathe, my eyes so wide they’re on the verge of pain. I’m too scared to blink for fear of missing it.

“It’s healing, isn’t it? I fucking knew it would.” Cassian’s grin spreads from ear to ear. I’m sure I’ve never seen him look so pleased, and I can likely count on one hand the amount of times I have, so there’s not much to go off.

“You knew it would?” I whisper, watching as the holes in his flesh knit together beside my fingertips. I can’t decide if I’m impressed or creeped the fuck out, but I couldn’t move my hand away even if I wanted to.

“I hoped,” he admits with a shrug, and I shake my head in disbelief.

“How?”

“Because you’re my Alpha.” My gaze darts to his as my heart races so fast I’m sure I’m going to pass out.

“Cassian.”

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