Page 18 of The Accidental Assassin's Mate

“You’re nothing like him,” I said firmly. “I couldn’t choose. I wasn’t. I was getting worse and worse. I was scared I’d never wake up again, that I’d never be okay. The pain… It hurt so bad, I kind of wished I wouldn’t wake up.”

“But—”

“But nothing. Now I don’t feel that way, and it’s because of you. You were nothing like him. Nothing. He did it to hurt me. You did it to remove my pain.”

I pressed my forehead to his.

“I wish you saw yourself the way I see you. I wish you understood.”

I pressed my lips to his.

“Alpha,” I murmured against his lips, “I came here for you. Hear it again—I came for you.”

“But I wanted you to have the choice.”

“And fate didn’t.”

Understanding crossed his eyes.

“I could never be mad at you for doing what you did. Never. And you are not allowed to be mad at yourself, either.”

“Yes, boss. Any other commands.”

“Just one. Kiss me, alpha mine. Kiss me.”

Chapter Thirteen

Sutton

It was difficult to believe that only yesterday, Raven had woken up from the torture that was breaking our bond. He was doing better than I’d ever seen him. Gone was the exhaustion. Gone was the weird hunger in an attempt to keep his beat sated. Gone was the pain.

Raven was glowing and happy, and somehow mine.

I was making us some scrambled eggs as he finished up his shower. We were having a lazy start to the day, both of us watching a silly superhero movie before even pretending to get ready for the day. It had been a silly one from back in the campy days of made-for-television superhero shows, the kind where you could see the cables they used to help the characters fly. It was exactly what we needed on this rainy day.

Our original plan had been for the two of us to shift together, to let our beasts play. Mother Nature put a stop to that. The storm was slamming into us, the rain coming down in sheets. Most days I’d have minded being stuck inside, and especially the earlier thunder, but today? Today I was thankful for it.

When I heard the shower turn off, I poured the egg mixture into the skillet and pressed the toaster down. If I timed it as well as I suspected I had, they would be done about the time my mate came out. And I was close, nearly having everything plated as he came out of the bathroom with nothing but a towel wrapped around his hips.

“You’re distracting like that.”

“Like what?” He walked over and took the plates out of my hands then set them on the counter.

“Damp hair. A towel your only clothing. Your abs begging me to lick them.”

“You’re going to make me have cold eggs, aren’t you.”

“They are hot. I just finished cooking them.”

“That’s not why they’ll be cold.” He grabbed the waistband of my pants and yanked me to him. “This is.”

Raven slammed his lips to mine, kissing me until my knees nearly caved.

“Take me to bed, alpha. Make me yours and let me make you mine.”

I scooped Raven into my arms and carried him to the bedroom. His lean body pressed against my chest, his tongue darting out and flicking my nipple. The scent of his desire, sweet and musky, filled my senses.

My bear rumbled with need, hungry to claim what was mine. This time, the right way.

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