Page 30 of Wilder Obsessions

“I did.You will be my wife, Starlight, but in my mind, you already are,” I admit.A tear streaks down her face before I catch it on my tongue.

“Is this you asking me?”she taunts with a smile.

“No, baby.This is me telling you it’s a done deal.You and me...”I pause, trying to find the right words.“We were two lost souls who wandered way too long looking for our other piece.I found you and I’ll never let you go.You became a part of me the moment I saw you.Your shattered songs filled the cracks in my heart without knowing it.I love you, my little Starlight.Today.Tomorrow.Forever.” I press my lips to hers, tasting the salt of her tears.

A radiant smile breaks through her pain as she melts into my embrace.In this moment, the echoes of the arena, the scorn of the fights, and all I’ve sacrificed blur into insignificance.The fierce love that envelops us feels like an impenetrable shield against the darkness of my past.I no longer want to be the “Notorious Black.”I want to be everything to Arwen, the protector of her heart, the sanctuary where she finds peace and happiness.I’ll be the harmony to Arwen’s melody.

Chapter Nine

Arwen

My mind is whirlingwith everything that’s happened in the last week.After that man was carted away, Wilder received a flood of information about him.Nox Tenebris, a notorious Shadow Demon, had been terrorizing the city for years.His lair was a dilapidated mansion in a shady part of town, a place where no one dared to venture.When the Shifters Relations Agency (SRA) searched his home, they uncovered a chilling sight: other rare magical creatures he had imprisoned, their powers siphoned for his dark purposes.

Among the prisoners was a delicate fae with wings that shimmered even in the dim light, a young vampire who hadn’t yet tasted blood, and a shape-shifter who could barely hold their form.Each had a story, a life disrupted by Nox’s cruelty.Wilder volunteered to head the rescue operation.I think almost losing me shifted something inside him.

“What are you thinking so hard about, Starlight?”he asks, pulling me back against his chest and nuzzling into my neck.His intoxicating woodsy and leather cologne assaults my senses in the best way as I breathe him in.

“Just thinking of Nox,” I murmur, hating the way my voice trembles.He spins me around in his arms, cupping my cheeks in his large, calloused hands.

“Listen to me.He will never hurt you again.No onewill ever hurt you again,” he clarifies, swiping a small tear from my face.I nod, unable to trust my voice with the rising waves of anxiety.Wilder moves his hands to my waist, lifting me in one swift motion then sits on the couch with me on his lap.I’m still amazed at the muscles on this man and the fact he can throw my chunky body around like a rag doll.I secretly love it.Wilder lifts my chin, forcing me to see the determination etched into his face.A wave of anxiety rolls through me not knowing what he’s thinking about.I can feel tension coursing through us but I don’t know if it’s my feelings or his.

“I’ve let you have a few days to calm down from the shitshow of the other night, but there are some things we need to discuss,” he implores, his gaze steady on mine.My cheeks flame, and I know it gives away my guilt I’ve been holding since running from that arena.

“I—”

“No, let me start.I want to know why you disobeyed me and ran.”His voice is low and dangerous but not tinted with anger, more annoyance.His focus remains on me, expecting an answer.Suddenly my throat feels dry and my first instinct tells me to run and hide.I guess Jarrod did more damage to my psyche than I thought.

I blow out a deep breath, then begin, “I was scared,” I admit, trying to pull my eyes from his.The intensity is too much for me to handle.

“No, you don’t get to look away,” he says, pulling my chin back.“Why were you scared?”

“I was so overwhelmed and never in a million years would I have expected that you would take me to an underground fight club.I hate violence,” I say a little too loudly as my hands begin to tremble.Flashbacks of my whole life come crashing into my mind one by one.“That’s all I’ve ever known and then seeing you in that ring, the raw savage energy surrounding you freaked me out.I can’t do it.I don’t want to see you like that.It all hit so close to home, I felt like I was suffocating and my mind told me to run, so I did.”Everything spilled out so quickly that I have to suck in a deep breath of air.Wilder continues looking at me with a hard expression and it makes me feel small and vulnerable.Maybe I’m too damaged for him?Maybe I’m not worth the hassle with all the extra mental baggage that comes with me.

He sighs, running his hand down his face.“First, I want to tell you I’m sorry.I never would have taken you had I known it would be triggering,” he admits with a solemn face.“Secondly, I gave you strict orders to stay with Kody.He was meant to protect you while I couldn’t.When I looked up and saw you dashing through the crowd, a terror I’ve never felt before paralyzed me.I can’t lose you, Arwen.I won’t.”Wilder closes his eyes for a moment, leaning his head back on the sofa.Time seems to tick away slowly as I wait for him to continue.A lump forms in my throat because I know I scared him but at the same time, I was terrified.It was a lose-lose situation.

“I know I messed up.If you want me to go—” His head snaps up, as heat radiates off of him in waves like the sun breaking through the clouds.

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