Page 4 of The Beast's Obsession

I reach out, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. My fingers graze her cheek, impossibly soft. Lily's breath hitches, her eyes going wide.

"Shh," I soothe, even as every cell in my body screams to claim her. "Don't overthink it."

My touch lingers, tracing the delicate curve of her jaw. She trembles beneath my hand, lips parting on a silent gasp.

Fuck. I'm losing control.

I jerk back, clenching my fists to keep from reaching for her again. What the hell is wrong with me? She's just a girl. A pawn. Nothing more.

But my body disagrees. My cock strains against my zipper, aching to bury itself in her warmth. To mark her asmine.

Lily's cheeks are flushed, her chest rising and falling rapidly. I can see the pulse pounding in her neck. She looks...aroused. Frightened. Confused.

"I...I need time to think," she whispers.

I want to roar my frustration. To grab her and show her exactly why she belongs to me. Instead, I force myself to nod.

"Of course," I say, my voice rough with suppressed hunger. "Take all the time you need."

But we both know it's a lie. She's already mine. She just doesn't know it yet.

I lean back in my chair, fingers steepled under my chin. Every muscle in my body is coiled tight, ready to spring. To pounce. Topossess.

"But let me be crystal clear, Lily." My voice comes out as a low growl. "This offer won't be on the table forever."

Her eyes dart to mine, then away. Like a frightened doe sensing a predator. It makes something primal stir in my gut.

"I...I understand," she murmurs.

"Do you?" I press, leaning forward. The air between us crackles with tension. "Because once you say yes, there's no going back. You'll be mine. Completely."

A shiver runs through her slender frame. I can almost taste her indecision, her fear...and underneath it all, a hint of desire that makes my blood sing.

"Your family's debts. Your future. It all rests on this decision." My gaze bores into hers, willing her to submit. "What's it going to be, little one?"

Lily takes a shaky breath. Her voice is barely audible when she finally speaks. "Yes. I...I accept."

Triumph surges through me, hot and heady.Mine. She's finally mine.

I stand, circling my desk. Lily shrinks back in her chair, but I cup her chin, forcing her to meet my eyes.

"Smart girl," I purr. "You won't regret this."

I watch Lily rise on trembling legs, her eyes downcast as she backs toward the door. Every fiber of my being screams to yank her back, to crush her soft body against mine and claim those tempting lips. But I force myself to remain still, gripping the edge of my desk until my knuckles turn white.

She fumbles with the doorknob, her delicate hands shaking. The sight of her vulnerability sets my blood on fire. I want to soothe her fears, to wrap her in my arms and promise that I'll take care of everything. But that's not who I am. I'm the wolf, and she's my prey.

As she slips out into the hallway, I catch a final glimpse of her face. There's fear there, yes, but also a flicker of something else. Excitement? Anticipation? The thought makes my cock throb painfully against my zipper.

The door clicks shut, and I let out a ragged breath I didn't realize I'd been holding. The air feels charged, electric, as if Lily's presence has left some tangible mark on the room. Her scent lingers—a maddening mix of vanilla and warm skin that makes my head spin.

I stalk to the window, watching her hurry down the path toward the staff entrance. Even from this distance, I can see the tension in her shoulders, the way she keeps glancing back as ifshe expects me to come after her. Smart girl. She has no idea how close I came to doing just that.

The countdown has begun of having her under my roof, at my mercy. The possibilities are endless, and my mind races with all the ways I plan to break down her defenses. To mold her into the perfect companion. The perfect possession.

I press my forehead against the cool glass, willing my racing pulse to slow. This obsession is dangerous. Lily Hart is nothing but a temporary distraction, a plaything to amuse myself with for a few weeks. I can't afford to let her become anything more.

But even as I form the thought, I know it's a lie. The way she affects me—it's like nothing I've ever experienced. She's awakened something primal in me, a hunger that won't be satisfied until I've claimed every inch of her.

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