Page 97 of Ruled By The Alpha

"She will. She does not like me going on hunts."

"But why?" It's a great privilege to be chosen. The fact Hensta is picked so often shows the elders consider him a strong and accomplished hunter. I know there are women among our people who whisper to one another about it and greet him with big smiles when he returns. He never seems to pay them any mind.

Because of me?

"My father was killed in a hunt. She hopes I will find an omega and have children—she longs for children."

I wrinkle my nose. Perhaps he sees it in the darkness.

"You will never want children?" he asks me earnestly, and I know the question is laden with his own hopes.

I sigh. "Honestly, I do not know. In the future, perhaps, but only with a good man. One who will help me. Too many of our men put a baby in a belly and then move to the next woman."

"I would not do that." His voice is quiet.

I chew my lip. His body is so close to mine I can feel his warmth, and I long for him to rest the weight of his hand on my waist and pull me against his strong body.

But if he does, things between us will change forever.

"What if we don't find them—our people?" I whisper.

"Then we will start our own people, you and me."

"Just the two of us?"

"I have always liked it best when it is just the two of us."

My heart flutters into my throat and my cheeks warm. "Me too," I admit. I have always preferred his quiet, reassuring company to anyone else's.

His hand finds my waist, resting gently there, and a shiver skates across my skin.

"What is it about the hunt you like so much, Nafia?"

I close my eyes and try to think. "The freedom. The excitement. The way my heart drums in my ears and my blood pounds."

Hensta leans forward and presses his warm lips against mine. They are soft and a little wet, and they glide over mine, capturing my breath. I begin to open my mouth, but he leans away, and removing his hand from my waist, rests it lightly upon my chest.

"Your heart is hammering now," he whispers. "In fact, it's pounding. Are you afraid?"

"No." Usually I am the hunter, stalking, chasing, catching. But here in this cave, I feel like the prey, only I want to be caught. Because he is right; this chase between us feels more exciting than any hunt.

I lean in and press my lips to his, and for a heartbeat we are still, sharing a breath. Then I move my mouth against his, and he mirrors the movement until we caress each other's lips. Something in my belly swoops low, and I sigh silently.

Our lips grow more wild. He presses his mouth firmly against mine, opening wide to taste more of me, and his hand skims up my body to tangle in my hair, crushing our mouths together as his jaw works hard and I slide my tongue against his.

My body grows hot with need, and I pull his body against mine, the friction of our movements sending pleasure darting across my skin. I hook my leg over his hip in a bid to drag him closer, and the hardness that lies at his groin presses betweenmy legs, where I ache for something. He rubs against me, and I feel his own heart pounding against my chest and hear his breathing turn ragged and desperate.

I didn't expect it to feel like this—for the movement of his mouth against mine to light me up like one of the stars above, so that every part of me buzzes and sings. I am more alive than I have ever felt, more alive than when my feet pound the earth, my spear held aloft.

But I have also never felt such a need. A pulse pounds between my legs, and the brush of Hensta there only teases it.

I need more.

Now I am frightened. Where will our actions lead?

I pull away, panting.

"Hensta," I plead, uncertain whether I'm asking him to stop, or give me everything.

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