Page 4 of Cruel Devotion

With an extended claw, I dragged it down the front of her chest. The green material gave way. It fell and hung from her body. My greedy eyes feasted on her naked flesh. I lowered my snout to her breast. Finally. I licked her, tasting her, but it was inevitable. I took a bite. An ear-piercing scream filled the night air. Weak fists pounded on my shoulders and face. There was no escaping me.

The sweet metallic taste of blood filled my mouth. She struggled as warm liquid slid down my throat. I’d taken a larger bite than I meant to, and the chunk of meat in my mouth was gummy like candy. I ruined her. I’d have my cake and eat it too. Before I could finish the rest of her, I straightened and held her open. She cried and attempted to push me off. Angling my top cock, I slammed it into her heat.

Her purity was mine. I pulled out of her and stared at the blood that coated my cock. An animalistic groan reverberated through the cool night air. Holding her by her hips, she fell back, her neck exposed. I dragged my snout through the blood thatspilled down her neck, reaching for the ground. Impaling her as I lapped at her wound. She whimpered and jerked with each thrust. Lowering her to the grass, fingers curled around fur, and I stared into conflicted green orbs that begged to be released and pleasured.

My second cock leaked—begging for heat. Trailing the pad of my paw down her chest until it was crimson red, I rubbed it along my lower cock. Withdrawing, I lined them both up and she shook her head.

Her cheeks red, blood pooling at the base of her neck, and tears in her hair, my instincts told me to breed her. Knowing she wouldn’t live to see the morning, I obeyed. Slamming into her, her body curled and warmth pressed against my chest. Her heartbeat thumped against mine. She threw her head back and screamed as she stretched around me. Again and again.

Lifting off, her bloodied flesh shone in the moonlight. I licked it clean as the other breast bounced and her screams weakened. Her head fell slack, her throat offered as if in tribute. She was bathed in red. Chasing the need to fill her, I took another bite. Her blood quickly soaked my fur. Writhing in pain, her nails dug into my arms. This was when they were the most beautiful. Delirious from blood loss and mad with the need to cum. Burying myself deep, she took my knot and shrieked as she tensed. She squeezed me as ropes of come filled her. She convulsed as death finally came.

Her body sagged—lifeless.

Still locked, I licked and bit. Crunching as teeth met bone. I fed. Muscles squelched and bones cracked as I tore through meat. When my knot deflated, I pulled the bulb from her still warm body. Thrusting in and out as I ate. Opening wide, I removed her head. Muffled cries reached my ears as I chewed. Dropping it, I dragged my tongue over my lip, savoring the taste.

“I’m sated and feeling merciful, child. If you wish to leave, do so now.” She didn’t move or say anything as I lapped at the carcass.

“Stay here and I’ll take you home.” She whimpered at my words and stood on wobbly feet.

“Don’t run because I’ll give chase,” I warned. With another bite, she slowly inched away. One step at a time. Blood gushed as I listened to the snapping of twigs beneath her feet. One step at a time. I could hear her heart pounding, her sobs, and whispers of a prayer.

When I was full, I stood, straightening to my full height. Running along the woods, I ran toward the castle. The trees drew me in, luring me with the promise of freedom. Something sweet reached for me and I came to a halt. Lifting my snout in the air, I turned in the direction of the scent. It called me toward the human realm. It was right there—raspberries, elderberries, and decay.

I can’t ignore it.

Monster

Eloise

This is the part in the movies where the nightmare ends and the female lead wakes up screaming. Needing reassurance, she jumps out of bed and rushes to the kitchen. Where she’ll find her family and tell them about how horrible it was. I want to do the same now that I’m awake. But this isn’t a movie and this monster is still here. Blood pounds in my ears, my heart races, and a shiver runs down my spine.

I’ve read almost every monster romance from accountant gargoyles to billionaire krakens. The ones who profess their undying love and then claim her. But that’s fiction and I’m very much in danger. I could smell him. Sweat and something familiar—blood. The shadows shift, almost bowing to make room as it moves closer. Its claws scraped the floor and I held my breath as it took one last step toward me.

Its face became visible in the moonlight that filtered in. The head of a wolf connected to a furry body. Black eyes, sharp teeth, and unlike the books I’ve read, this one isn’t staring at me with anything but primal hunger. He might also be cute—if not for the sharp teeth protruding from his jaws. My lips parted as he straightened. Up, up, up he went until I had to crane my neck. His ears just about touched the ceiling.

Frozen, I struggled to figure out how I’m going to survive. He could end my life without even trying. Inhaling a lungful of air,I scream. Louder than I have in my entire life. Any second now, my dad would hear me, burst through the door, and come to my rescue. We had guns. My only chance of survival hindered on if he remembered to grab one. The monster opened his massive jaws and saliva dribbled down in thick ropes.

“Useless. No one will hear you,” a low, gravelly voice filled the room. My scream died and I gagged. His breath was foul. I might have actually gone insane. The monster just spoke and I’m more worried about how bad his breath is. Of all the things to focus on, my brain latches onto that. Crazy. This may not be the charming monster I’ve fantasized about, but if he can talk, maybe I can reason with him.

Wait.

“What do you mean? Wh-what did you do?” My voice cracked.

Having a conversation with a monster seemed like the last thing I should be doing. But I needed to get away. A small voice, probably my conscience, urged me to prepare to make a dash for the door. Fear for my family made me do the last thing I wanted. As unnatural as it felt, I forced myself to scoot closer, and did everything I could to avoid looking toward the exit.

Before I could even attempt an escape, I was shoved down and the monster swooped down on me. With nowhere to look but up, I stared into the face of death. The bed creaked beneath his large frame. I was powerless.

At first, I’d assumed he was a four-legged monster. I’d been wrong. He stood on two, and it somehow made this scarier. A normal woman would have begged for her life and made promises to do anything for the chance to live. I had a feeling my pleas wouldn’t make a difference. He wouldn’t let me go. If anything, they’d egg him on. The rumors of monsters had been real. And I had one in my bed. I had to be smart—smarter than the women who came before me.

“My family,” I rasped. The monster snarled and I flinched. He snapped his canines only inches from my face. Bits of spittle hit my cheek. Maybe it was the years I dedicated to reading monster smut, but I felt prepared for this moment: I stilled. It was the right thing to do. He lowered his head and seconds later, his muzzle brushed against my face.

“Dead,” he growled.

My heart sank into my stomach. That couldn’t be possible. I refused to believe it. And yet, I’ve never felt as afraid as I did at this very moment. Not for myself, but for Archie. I opened my mouth and closed it. Wheezing as his weight pushed down on me, the stench of death filled my lungs as I desperately pulled in air. I grasped at his furry biceps, squeezing as hard as I could.

“Should kill you. I know what you are.” At his words, tears blurred my vision. The thought of dying without knowing if my baby brother still lived haunted me.

“Please.”

---