Page 102 of Tharn's Hunt
Tharn strides toward the tunnel leading to his alcove, his steps sure and steady. He doesn't look at anyone but me.
And in the stunned, watching faces of my friends and his entire clan, I realize what he's just done.
He didn't just kiss me.
He claimed me.
Chapter 29
ALIEN ANATOMY 101: EXTRA CREDIT
JACQUI
Ibarely register the journey to Tharn’s alcove.
His arms are warm and strong around me, his chest a solid wall of muscle against my side. Each step he takes sends a faint jolt through me, and I’m acutely aware of the steady rise and fall of his breathing, the heat of his body, the possessive way his claws curl just enough to hold me securely but not hurt me.
The world feels distant, muffled. All I can hear is my own heartbeat pounding in my ears and the echo of his voice in my mind.
Mine.
It wasn’t just the word itself—it was the way he said it. Like a vow. Like a promise.
And now here we are. Alone.
He steps into the alcove, the dim light casting shadows across his sharp features.
He lowers me gently onto the fur-covered platform, his hands lingering on my waist for a moment before pulling back.
I sit up, my pulse racing as he steps back, those intense eyes scanning me like he’s committing every inch of me to memory.
"Tharn," I whisper, but it comes out shaky.
He doesn’t answer. He doesn’t need to.
The intensity in his gaze says everything.
He’s not just looking at me. He’s devouring me, his gaze sliding over my body like he’s stripping me bare with his eyes alone.
It should feel intimidating. Overwhelming.
Instead, it’s thrilling.
Because for the first time in days, I don’t feel lost or unsure. I feel wanted.Needed.
And then he moves.
Tharn crouches in front of me, his massive frame making the small alcove feel impossibly intimate. Slowly, so slowly, he reaches out, his clawed hands skimming over the fabric of my top—which is really just a bandeau cut from my skirt—before curling around the hem.
There’s no hesitation in his movements, no uncertainty. He pulls the top over my head in one swift motion, leaving me in just my bra.
His breath hitches, his eyes locked on me like I’m the only thing in the universe.
"Tharn," I murmur again, watching as he leans in, his nose brushing against the curve of my neck as he inhales deeply, a low growl rumbling from his chest.
The sound sends a shiver down my spine, heat pooling low in my belly.
His hands move to my waist, his claws grazing my skin as he explores my body with a reverence that leaves me breathless. Every touch feels like he’s savoring the moment, committing it to memory.
