Page 25 of The Highseer's Mate

“But I have you.”

Varek’s words are thick with emotion as he lovingly caresses me from my ear to my collarbone.

The attention and desire in his gaze is so evident that I can’t think clearly. Finding out more about him, more about his home, just confuses me more.

I feel for him. I want him and his people to be happy. He’s not evil and he’s definitely not the terrifying monster I thought he was when he tore off the door to the ship and kidnapped me.

But he did kidnap me.

And I’m not so sure I’m meant to help him repopulate and ensure the future generation of Vruts.

But then when he leans in and wraps his arms around me, crushing me to his chest and hugging me like he’s found something he’s been searching for for his entire life, I can’t help but feel whole.

I feel wanted. Special. Like I was meant for something bigger than myself.

I melt into him and let him hold me, unsure of what any of this means, but unwilling to peel myself away.

Chapter 11

Paige

We sit perched on the rocky mountainside until even Varek’s warmth can’t stop me from shivering. He wraps me up in his arms and carries me against his chest, and for the attention I'm thankful.

He walks us back through the glowhollows to the leather I've come to recognize as the opening to his chamber. We pass through and my heart stops.

“Where is the hammock?” I ask.

Instead of the leather stretching longways across the cozy chamber, there's a bed of furs.

“The hammock was made for one. A single male’s bed. It doesn't suit mates.”

Warmth spreads through me as he sets me down on my feet. He nudges me forward toward the furs and a deep rumbling sound comes from somewhere deep in his chest.

I spin around just as his leathers slide down his thighs and he kicks them to the side.

I swallow hard. “Um, I–”

Varek approaches me, his eyes darker than I've seen him. His chest is glowing bright as he stares at me, his manhood long and thick between his legs.

“It is our first true night together, Mate.”

Okay well, I wasn't expecting it to be that big of a deal. I wring my hands in front of me as Varek stands naked, unabashed and waiting.

He sees me as his mate. His female. His. In his eyes, I am who he has been searching for–the answer to his longing and loneliness. I can help him help his people.

But to me, he is an alien I just met. One that stole me away from my friends.

I don't hate him. I don't think I fear him either. But I'm not ready to crawl underneath him and let him do all the dirty things Vruts do with their mates.

Even if there is a little part of me that wonders.

He approaches me slowly, reaching out and gripping my hips. I startle, but his rough fingers caress the curve of my waist and the tension melts away as fast as it appeared.

“You want me,” he rasps.

My stomach dips and arousal pools between my legs.

His nostrils flare. “You cannot hide it, Paige. Your body yearns for mine.”

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