Page 37 of Elas

“What do you want, baby?” He’s so close his breath blows over my lips, mingling with mine in this charged atmosphere around us. “Tell me what you want.”

“I… I want—”

“Elas!” A fist thunders on the door and we pop apart. Elas stands tall while my hands fall to my crotch, covering the indecent bulge against my pants. “We have to get moving!”

A bark of a sheepish laugh, the closest thing I’ve ever heard to embarrassment out of Elas, diffuses some of the tension in the room. “Fuck me,” he mutters, dragging his hand over his face. “Talk about awkward timing.”

“I’m… I’m sorry,” I stutter with a nervous smile, and the humor slides from his expression.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, August,” he says gently. “But I came here for a reason before I got… sidetracked.” My quiet, huffing laugh makes him grin. “I’ve been put on a new watch rotation for the next few days. Once I deliver you home, I won’t be back until morning.”

“Oh.” Disappointment coats my words, erasing the last of the embarrassment between us. He offers me a sweetsmile—one I’ve never seen him share with anyone else. I force one in return and nod towards the door. “I’m assuming that means I need to pack up for the day?”

“I’ve already cleared it with the chief.” He notices my apprehension, because he steps closer again, seeming to realize that his presence calms me. “It’s just for a few days, August. There’s food at home, and a few books, so you’ll have something to do. Once I leave, you aren’t to go anywhere or open the door for anyone, alright?”

“I wouldn’t—”

“Anyone,” he stresses, and glances over his shoulder at the door with a scowl.

“I don’t want him, Elas,” I whisper, and he freezes. It’s a reminder of his monstrous, primal nature—a stillness so complete that it’s unnatural, as if even the air around him is holding its breath. The level of control he has over every single muscle in his body is astonishing.

“Maybe not, but he wants you.”

“Well, he can’t just proclaim that I’m his and make it true.”

His eyes find mine, a warning written in the lines of his face. “We’re monsters, August. Never underestimate what we’ll do when we decide something belongs to us.”

August

Wewalktothebarracks with another soldier in tow. He’s my height with a rich, midnight blue skin that compliments the dustier hues of Elas’s complexion beautifully. My boring beige suddenly seems very dull in comparison, and insecurity creeps into my thoughts.

What would Elas ever see in me?

How could I ever compete with others that are so extraordinary when I’m just… me?

“Give me a moment,” Elas says before shutting the door behind us, leaving the other soldier in the hallway. “Are you alright?” His voice is gentle as he steps forward, gripping my hand with a softness that contradicts his size and power.

“Fine.” I force a smile, but he shakes his head.

“You’re not. Something is wrong.”

“What makes you think anything is wrong?”

“I can feel it.” He releases my wrist and rests his palm on his abdomen, and my stomach tightens at his words.My tongue is as jumbled as my thoughts, though, and he doesn’t push me to talk. My body compels me to step into his arms, and the urge is so intense that my middle compresses like a string is tugging me forward. Elas meets me halfway and pulls me in for a hug, and his giant hand cups the back of my head.

“There’s plenty to eat in the fridge,” he says after a long stretch. My nose is shoved into his chest as I breathe in his scent, having another mini meltdown as I realize how much it calms me. “It will be close to morning when I return. Take the bed and get comfortable, okay?”

“Don’t let me kick you out of your own bed. When you get back, move me out of the way.”

“You want me to join you?” The low pitch of his voice is barely more than a growl, and I bite my lip as I nod. Elas pulls away to look me in the eye. “Last time we shared a bed, we ended up in a… precarious situation.”

I say nothing, just nod again, and the darkness in his eyes seems to expand. “Playing with fire, doc,” he murmurs, reaching up to stroke his thumb over my bottom lip. His ears perk up at a sound from the hallway, and he sighs as he releases me. “Be safe. Don’t open the door for anyone.”

“Yes, sir,” I mutter under my breath, adding a touch of sarcasm to my tone. He chuckles again as his eyes fall to my chest… to where that light shines under my skin, calling me to him.

“Elas, comeon!” a voice shouts through the door.

“Oh, my gods!” he bellows back, and I jump at the shift from sweet softness to burning irritation. “I’m coming! Hold your fucking breath!”

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