Pushing her up against a tree, I press my solid length into her stomach, my thin pants the only thing separating her from getting fucked.
“Who said I was frightened?” Evolet places her arms over my shoulder and tilts her head. “My mate could never scare me.”
I grin at her, my fangs on full display as I lift her in my arms and bring her close. “I think I very much enjoy it when you call me that.”
She slides a hand in my hair, then clenches her fist and tugs, surprising me.
“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”
I chuckle, running a clawed finger over the mark on her arm. “Our deal was never for me to protect you. Mates cannot make deals with each other. This mark was always the thread of our bond, binding us to one another.”
Bending down, I press my lips to it. “Now, I believe you said something about a prize?”
“I hate you,” she says with a scoff, shaking her head. But I can taste the truth, and she knows it.
“Pretend all you need to, Love. I can smell how turned on you are.” Her naked flesh is pressed against me, and I retract my claws to move a hand between us.
“I can feel it too,” I say as I stroke her clit and watch her back arch against the rough bark.
But that’s the thing about Evolet. She was honest with me about who she was, and she’s not someone who needs to be shielded from the pain of this world. She thrives on it.
“Besides, we both know that I just saved you. You cannot truly hate me.”
With a single hand, I undo my pants, allowing them to fall to the ground beneath us.
“Oh, I can, and I do.”
Pulling her back off of the tree, I land a smack to her ass, loving the way her sass riles me up.
“Well then, I hate you too, Love.”
She tries to wiggle herself down onto my length, but I halt her. “Rule number five: I will always come for you.”
She presses her forehead to mine, tears swimming in her eyes as she begins to process everything.
“Why me?” The vulnerability in her question causes my heart to ache.
I shrug, bringing back some banter so that I can see that smile on her face again. Waving a hand in the air, I look around.
“I guess finding someone else to hate is too much work. Teleporting here while consuming every soul I came across felt easier.”
“You’re impossible.” She smacks my chest as a sliver of joy emanates from her.
I settle her against the tree again and she lets out a long breath.
“This life is like a nightmare and a horror story all rolled into one.”
“Eh, I feel like this is just a normal Tuesday.”
Evolet tilts her head so she can look me in the eyes, her brows furrowing. “It’s Wednesday.”
“See, this is why I hate you.” I nip at the skin on her neck. “All the nitpicking.”
She moans in my hold, pulling me closer, her nails digging into my flesh. The most delicious kind of ache comes from her being rough with me, but I feel like there is more that needs to be said between us. I need her to know how I feel.
“Evolet,” I say seriously.
“Eryx,” she mocks, but I keep my expression firm.