Jackson looked at his boss’ face. He could tell that Nuka was a little annoyed at yet another delay to his plan, but he was managing to appear calm.
“Ok. Ciaran, take us home.” Nuka’s face remained unemotional, but Jackson knew that when they returned home, the polar bear would erupt in a furious rage. “We’ll return with Katia Morgan in a few days.”
Ciaran placed his hand in Nuka’s, and as Jackson walked over to join the pair of them, he couldn’t help but shudder at the look Nuka gave him. Something told him he’d soon be returning to the Glacial Blood lands and not leaving them again Katia in his possession.
Chapter One
Katia watched as Kas finished off the plate of seal blubber in front of him. She didn’t think she’d seen her polar bear alpha eat anything else lately. It was his comfort food just as the slice of steak currently sitting on the table in front of her was hers. They both needed the reassurance as a result of the worries that constantly plagued their minds and tormented them. Kas was weighed down trying to ensure the Glacial Blood pack survived everything Nuka, his twin brother, was throwing at them. She was trying to forget her past, which was being repeatedly brought to the surface every time one of the happy couples now living in the mansion walked into the room. It was something she’d never have, because she’d never allow anyone near her body. She couldn’t—it brought back too many memories, ones she didn’t want to face.
“Earth to, Katia?” Kas spoke, and she pulled herself out of her reflection.
“Sorry.” She stabbed at the steak in front of her not really interested in eating it.
“Are you really ok?” he questioned as he placed his knife and fork down and reached out to touch her hand. He was one of the few people she never shied away from.
“I’m fine, honestly,” she answered him. “I didn’t sleep too well last night after a bad dream. Nothing to worry about…just unpleasant memories.”
A cold chill swam over her body, but she suppressed it and forced the piece of steak into her mouth. She felt it stick a little in her throat when she swallowed.
“My offer stands if you want to get away for a while?” Kas reiterated the words he spoke to her every time they were alone together. He cared for her a great deal—she’d always known that.
“No, it’s fine. I promise.”
“Just tell me if it isn’t.”
“I will.”
They both continued to eat their meals in silence. The steak went down a little better this time until a crash came from the room above, followed by the sound of giggling from Isobel. The rhythmic noise that could then be heard, coming through the ceiling, told Katia exactly what Zain was doing to elicit such loud and happy sounds.
Kas looked up to the ceiling, and a low growl reverberated from his throat. He got to his feet and grabbed a broom. Katia watched as the polar bear knocked the end of the broom against the ceiling.
“I’m trying to eat in peace,” he shouted at the white plaster.
The sounds of sex immediately ceased, and a few seconds later, a disheveled Zain appeared in the doorway.
“Sorry.” He lowered his head. “We got a bit carried away.”
“Not when I’m eating,” Kas growled again, and Katia tried to suppress the little laugh that wanted to escape from the back of her throat.
As far as Katia was aware, there was no reason Kas shouldn’t be out there sowing his own wild oats with as many women as he wanted, but the polar bear chose to remain celibate. It was reassuring to have someone else in the house who felt the same way as she did, even if their reasons were vastly different.
“We’ll take it outside. One of the cabins?”
“No, you don’t have to. Just not on the floor above where I’m eating, ok?”
“Sure thing.” Zain gave a cheeky grin and disappeared back upstairs. Katia was happy for her friend. For so long, they’d been single, but Zain had finally gotten the woman he’d always wanted, and it warmed her heart. She’d even noticed that the bear shifter was not eating as much honey now. It would be good for his teeth.
“It’s not only you, Katia. The noises bother me too, at times, and Jessica finds it frustrating when she’s trying to concentrate on her spells,” Kas interrupted her thoughts again.
She’d never be able to eat this meal. Getting to her feet, Katia put the steak back in the fridge. It was raw, just as she liked it, so she’d try again later. Kas looked at her, waiting for her response.
“It’s not so much the noises. I’m truly happy for them. I guess it’s the sadness I feel, knowing that I can never be that joyful. I’ll never be so carefree with sex as they all are. It’s tainted for me after what happened. Sex isn’t something I think of as pleasurable. It hurts, and it’s degrading.” She leaned back against the fridge, determined that the images which would stay with her forever didn’t surface today. It was a constant battle to keep them hidden.
“You can’t say it will never happen. Things change.”
“Not this.”
“Katia.” Kas got to his feet and came over to her. She let him put his arms around her for comfort. “You can never say never. It could happen. Don’t give up.”