Page 45 of Grim

Patience. I had to have a lot of it to continue this gentle claiming. Journey had been through much. She didn’t have my scars, the signs of the outward torment I’d experienced. Hers was inward, inside her mind. She felt used and broken, but I would be sure she would no longer feel that way when she was with me.

The bond that we now shared was stronger than the one I’d shared with my first mate. If Journey rejected me, I would die for sure. I would go rabid, taking everything I could with me into the bowels of hell.

I may have told her she had a choice, that she could leave when we found out who was behind these clubs and cam girl operations. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a choice. I would never let her go, never let her near the presence of another male until my knot, my teeth, had claimed her.

She was mine. Mine to take, hold, take care of, provide for and, most of all, love.

Love like my parents had with each other. Only this time, I was strong enough to keep the harsh world away from her. I would destroy all those that had harmed her. My wolf growled in agreement.

Mine, mine, mine.

My grip tightened around her, my fangs lengthening, wanting to sink into her neck.

Journey shifted, her leg entangling within mine. Her shift came with a breeze that wafted to my nose. Her arousal.

Fuck.

I had smelled her on the couch earlier. It smelled like sweetness with a tinge of spice that held my attention. Licking my lips, I dragged my finger down her neck, feeling her warm skin. My mate didn’t move, didn’t shy away from my touch, but longed for it. Her body firmly pressed up against me, craving me.

She wants me.

Even with all that she has been through.

Maybe it wouldn’t be so long after all until I had her. Until then, I would slowly work my way into her heart like a human would for their partner. Give her what she wanted, take care of her, pamper her, love her. Rejection wasn’t an option.

Curling up against her, my head resting on top of hers, I pulled the blankets over us. Burying us deep in the safety of our nest.

She said she liked it.

I hummed contentedly, my purring keeping her in a deep sleep until morning.

Chapter Sixteen

Grim

Mywolfwasbusythrough the night. His constant prodding of his nose to the side of my head kept me stirring constantly. It didn’t help that my cock was placed between my mate’s supple ass while she breathed tenderly against the pillow.

My body stayed around her all night, holding her in place. Keeping her safe in the nest I’d prepared.

My heart sailed, liking how she needed me, even if she didn’t realize it. A bond that was meant for supernaturals and us alone had now been gifted to humans. She wouldn’t understand the pull, the continued desire to be around me. It made my life much easier, not having to force myself upon her.

Because now, I knew I couldn’t live without her. And I hope she felt the same way about me.

I saw the shoddy job the fae did trying to heal the wounds inflicted on her. Some were claw marks, others—prods that pierced the skin.

The fae were vain creatures, so they created magical creams to dilute scars, and they’d been used on Journey. Unfortunately, they didn’t give her enough, so her scars were merely faded instead of erased.

But I could see the suffering she had endured. Yet she trusted me, believed in me, believed I would protect her.

I nuzzled into her neck, smelling her brightening chocolate colored hair. Each day her skin, her hair, her eyes grew more vibrant despite being sick. Our bond would heal not just her wounds, but her mind as well. I could feel my depression and the dark images of my previous mate fading faster by the day.

I couldn’t help but drag my finger down her bare thigh. My warmth kept my mate from needing the blanket. My dark tattoos were a contrast against her milky white skin. Her body let out an involuntary shiver, her ass backing up toward me for more warmth. My wolf half purred, half growled, feeling her ass against my shaft. She wiggled, and my groan could not be suppressed.

Her thick lashes fluttered. Her hand rose from the mattress and settled on top of my hand, resting on her thigh. My heart stopped, hoping she wouldn’t be angry with me, but all I heard was a contented sigh.

Journey’s scent intensified, and my wolf prowled closer to the window that held him back. “Grim?” she said, her voice raspy from her long night’s sleep. “Did I keep you awake?”

“No,” I said louder than I intended. Her shiver, her heartbeat raced to the surface, pushing fiery blood to her core, her arousal surrounding me. My purrs turned to growls, my wolf prodding for me to make a move.

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