Page 13 of Kept By Her Obsessed Minotaurs

Without a second thought, I'm on my feet. "I'll find water," I say, my voice cutting through the night air. Garron shoots me a questioning glance, but I'm already stepping away from the camp, my mind set on a singular purpose.

The forest is alive in the darkness. The whispers of the wild brush against my senses. I move with a predator's grace as my eyes pierce through the shadows.

It takes some time, the moon climbing higher in the sky, but then I hear it—the gentle rush of water. My heart beats withsatisfaction as I push through a thicket of underbrush and find myself standing at the edge of a small clearing. A waterfall, no more than a stone's throw in height, spills into a serene pool, its surface shimmering under the moon's silver gaze.

A smile tugs at my lips as I take in the sight. It's perfect—a hidden sanctuary in the midst of our rugged journey. I make my way back to camp, the anticipation of Mara's reaction fueling my steps.

"Come with me," I tell her, extending my hand. Her eyes flicker with curiosity, and she places her small, trusting hand in mine. The others watch as we depart, but their scrutiny is a distant concern.

We navigate the forest in silence, the sound of the waterfall growing louder with each step. When we finally emerge into the clearing, Mara's gasp is music to my ears.

"It's beautiful,"she whispers, stepping closer to the water's edge. Her eyes are wide, reflecting the moonlight, and her smile is genuine. It's a rare sight, one that sends an unexpected jolt through my chest.

My breath catches as Mara's fingers suddenly grab the hem of her tunic and pulls it up over her head. I tear my gaze away, fixating on the mossy ground beneath my boots. It's not that I don't want to look—I want to.

"You don't have to—" I start, my voice rough, but she cuts me off with a laugh that carries the weight of secrets.

"Join me," she says, her tone light, teasing, as she steps out of her boots and begins to shimmy out of her trousers. The moonlight caresses her skin, and for a moment, I forget how to breathe.

I shake my head, stepping backwards. "I'll guard you from here," I tell her, my voice firm, trying to ignore the way my heart pounds in my chest.

She shrugs, a small, playful smile tugging at the corners of her mouth, and then she's gone, swallowed by the dark water with a splash that seems to echo through the entire forest.

I stand there, my senses on high alert, as minutes stretch into an eternity. The water falls deathly still.

Fear, cold and sharp, lances through me. "Mara?" I call out, my voice too loud in the quiet night. No answer. My heart is in my throat, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios as I rip off my boots and dive into the pool, the icy water enveloping me.

I swim with powerful strokes, my eyes scanning the depths for any sign of her. My lungs burn, screaming for air, but I don't stop. I can't lose her—not when I've finally allowed myself to feel something more than duty.

When I surface,gasping for air, I see her. Mara is there, right beside me, her laughter piercing the veil of dread that had settled over me. Relief floods my senses, but it's quickly replaced by a surge of anger.

"Why didn't you say anything? I thought you were—!" My voice breaks, betraying the fear that still lingers in my chest.

Her smile fades, her eyes softening as she reaches out to touch my arm. "I'm fine, Calo. You don't have to worry so much," she whispers softly.

"Don't do that again," I snap, the adrenaline still coursing through my veins making me terse. "If you do, I won't come with you next time."

I look away, the weight of my emotions too heavy to bear. But before I can swim away, she's there, her fingers wrappingaround my arm, pulling me back to her. Her lips suddenly find mine in a kiss that is both a question and a revelation.

The softness of her mouth against mine ignites something primal within me. My hands go to her waist, pulling her closer, feeling the heat of her body through the wet fabric of her panties. The kiss deepens, my tongue tentatively meeting hers, and a low growl rumbles in my chest.

I tangle my fingers in her wet hair, tilting her head back to deepen the kiss further, claiming her mouth with an urgency that frightens me. The world around us fades into nothingness, the only sound the pounding of my heart and the rush of the waterfall.

12

CALO

The taste of Mara's lips lingers on my tongue as we break apart, our breaths ragged in the cool night air. My heart hammers against my ribcage. The moonlight dances across Mara's face, making her look ethereal—untouchable. But here she is, in my arms, grounding me in this moment of madness.

I'm no stranger to desire, but there's something about Mara that makes me feel like a stumbling youth, unsure and hesitant. She seems to sense my unease, and her lips curl into a knowing smile. I watch, frozen, as she sinks deeper into the water, her hands gliding over the planes of my chest, her touch light as a feather.

"Mara—" Her name escapes my lips in a breathy whisper.

She silences me with a fingertip pressed gently against my lips. "Let me," she says, her voice barely above the sound of the waterfall. It's not a request but a command, and the alpha in me thrills at the authority in her tone.

Her hand trails lower, slipping beneath the surface of the water. My breath hitches as her fingers find the laces of my trousers. With deft movements, she loosens them, her gaze never leaving mine. I'm torn between the urge to stop her andthe desperate need to feel her touch. The latter wins, and I lift my hips, allowing her to pull the soaked fabric down.

My member springs free, large and throbbing with need. The cool air of the night makes me shiver, but it's nothing compared to the heat that flares in Mara's eyes as she wraps her fingers around my shaft. A groan escapes me, the sound echoing off the rocks surrounding us.

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