Page 15 of Not a Gift

“What the fuck?”I mumble, thinking my mind has finally snapped and I am now officially imagining things.

I don’t move from my spot on the floor, but I do stare at the door.Did Thomas find out about this place?Does he think I told Malichai what happened all those years ago?The man is an Elite Alpha of the highest rank, the head of the fucking Black family, and will most certainly have me killed if he ever thinks I told anyone his dark, dirty secret.His dragon is also known to be just as ruthless and violence-prone as he is.

More banging, more insistent.“Lyrik!”

That can’t be right.What would Malichai be doing here?

“Lyrik!”There is a hint of panic in his voice.

Lifting from my seat on the floor in front of the fire, I step up to the door, unlatch the deadbolt, and slowly open it.I do it cautiously.If the wind slams it open, I could hurt myself or, worse, not be able to close it again.

Thankfully, I am not going crazy.Malichai steps inside before slamming the door closed and relatching it.I’m at a loss for words.His being here right now just doesn’t make sense.

“Thank fuck,” he breathes harshly before wrapping his arms around me.

I allow him to hold me for a moment, breathing in his scent mingled with the cold, fresh smell of the storm outside before speaking.“Why are you here, Malichai?”

He stares down at me, not releasing his hold.Something in his gaze has changed, but I can’t put my finger on it.He smiles, and my thoughts are momentarily scattered.

“I was worried about you.”

“I’m perfectly safe.”

“Lyrik,” he sighs.“It’s the worst snowstorm in ten years.I couldn’t just leave you up here alone.”

There it is.Malichai, the savior, the fighter, comes to his little stepsister’s rescue.Like I can’t take care of myself.It seems things really don’t change.He will always see me as the little sister he never wanted.Just like his father.

“How did you even find me?No one knows of this place.”I face him with my hands planted on my hips.

“My dragon tracked your scent.”

My scent?Thank God I forgot to remove my suppression patch.This cabin is tiny, and my true scent would send his dragon into a spiral of lust.

“I told you I could take care of myself,” I retort, turning away from him.“You can leave now.”

“Like you did with my father?”he asks softly.

His words dump ice in my veins.“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” I hiss defensively, although I can already feel the tears gathering.

“He told me,” Malichai replies in the same soft tone.He is watching me like I am a scared animal and isn’t sure how I will react.

I need to put some space between us.I shouldn’t be angry at him.He isn’t at fault for how I feel.But my heart hurts, even all these years later, knowing I will never have the one man I have always loved.I’m damaged, broken.And now he knows it.I can’t stand to see the pity in his gaze.

No Alpha—no dragon—wants a damaged woman.I can’t expect him to claim me, much less love me now that he knows what I’ve been through.Not that I ever expected him to.

“I don’t want to talk about this,” I say, walking into the kitchen area.The lights flicker, drawing my attention.“Fuck.”

“Where’s the generator?”he asks, changing the subject and taking charge of the situation.

“In the outbuilding.”

He stares at me.“We’ll have to wait for the storm to calm down,” he says just as the lights give a last flicker and remain off.

It may only be noon, but the clouds have darkened the world around us.The only illumination in the cabin comes from the fireplace and a few candles.In any other situation it could be considered romantic.

“Looks like I am going to be here for a while.”

“I want you to leave,” I demand, trying to keep my cool.“I don’t want you to be here.”

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