Page 25 of Smoke and Blood

‘Ways.’Plural.

“Will it hurt?”her voice held the same tremble that rocked her body.She wanted him, but she would be a fool not to recognize the trepidation that tightened her rapid-beating heart.

“Which part?My cock stretching your tight virgin walls or my claiming bite?”

He’ll have to bite me?She recalled the moment she met him at the preternatural council meeting and the feel of his tooth piercing her skin.It had shocked her and burned for some time after, even if she didn’t know what indeed happened until she saw the small hole above her white tattoo mark.

“I guess both.”She pressed her palms to the door, hoping to draw some of its solid strength.

“Sometimes you need a little pain to enjoy the pleasure that follows.”There went the tug of her hair again.“And I promise I’ll make it good for you after.”

She yearned for him.Morlie wanted to know the truth that lay in his words.Not wanting to wait any longer, she tipped her head back and offered her mouth to him.

Chanin’s growl split the air, making her toes curl in her shoes.But he stepped back, releasing her hair this time.He placed more than a foot of space between them.“Not yet.I must shower first.I don’t want anything between us when I claim you.And especially not the fucking blood of a traitor.”

A traitor.She understood more about what possibly had been urgent enough for Chanin to leave her.However, she would have plenty of time to ask him later.

He held his hand out to her.“Come with me, little bunny.I’d like you to bathe me.”

Morlie stepped away from the door and let him take her hand.She’d never washed a man before, but she desired a reason to put her hands on Chanin and learn his body.When they had been out in the woods, he’d controlled their time and kept her from touching him the way he touched her.It seemed this time would be different.

As they headed through the living room and kitchen toward the hallway to the primary bedroom, eager shivers danced over her spine.There was fear, but being in Chanin’s arms would be another way she really lived her life.

Yes, she missed her sister and being around her, and she would call Kai one day soon.But not until she was confident in her place here.

It was dark when they walked into the room, unlike the front part of the house.She couldn’t see anything.She may have tripped or run into something had Chanin not led her.

Finally, he paused and flicked a switch.Light filled the space and illuminated the gray and black pattern with gold splashed here and there within the décor.The area was clean, but like the rest of the house, this space declared a man lived there.There was nothing soft or feminine about fixtures, towels, or tile.

He stroked his thumb over the back of her hand.

She stared at him.Unsure why he delayed.

“Chanin?”

“There’s one more thing I need you to know, mate.”

Anxious, she tapped the outside of her thigh with the fingers of her free hand and waited.

“After I claim you, you will change.”He held her gaze.

She stared into his eyes, trying to read the message in his words and ensure she fully comprehended them.“Change...as in—”

“Becoming Lupine.”He pulled her in and cupped her cheek, the heat of his hand sinking into her skin.“A claimed mate.My she-wolf.”

Her breathing picked up as she stood close and stared at his towering frame.

“If I could take that pain away from you, I would.It is something you can’t avoid.”He bent his head forward but didn’t touch her more than he already was, ensuring he kept the taint off her.“But I’ll be with you the whole time.You’ll not be alone.”

“Will it happen immediately?”Her body shook inside, but she hoped it wasn’t evident to Chanin.

He shook his head.“No.But within the first twenty-four hours after the bite.”

“I understand.”She didn’t want him to see her as weak or think she couldn’t handle his life or stand at his side.Especially after what happened with Minsi.“I’m ready for you to be my Alpha, mate.”

~YH~

“Undress me, little bunny.”Chanin took Morlie’s hands and placed them on the fastening of his jeans.He stared into her lovely, innocent brown eyes in the bright glow of the bathroom lights.There was a hint of green in them and still only a few amber flakes.He couldn’t wait to see them go completely amber.

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