Page 65 of Echo
Echo wouldn’t let anything hurt me.
“Good, Rabbit.” A sense of pride filled his growl, like I had the perfect reaction.
“I won’t run,” I promise him.
“I know you won’t.”
Shadows moved in strange ways and I remembered what Echo said about the hunting hours. Were there really more monsters in these woods?
Strange chittering came from the trees that carried a sense of urgency.
“This Rinah Witch is mine.” The snarl that ripped out of his chest soothed the nerves that were starting to jump under my skin.
His heavy hand landed on my ass, where he’d carved some symbol into my hip that I still hadn’t gotten a good look at. The sting from the swat burned enough to make me hiss.
My skin turned hot with embarrassment, realizing I had no clue how many monsters were feasting their eyes on me.
But Echo’s proud walk and smirk, as if he loved how he had a prize no one else could have, made me feel like the sexiest woman in the world.
I found myself at odds with myself on how to respond. He was parading me like a show dog, but I’d never felt so desirable before.
He tied me to a tree, but I could see the barn in the distance.
“Such a good, Rabbit.”
“Echo,” I whined, rubbing my thighs together for some kind of reaction. “Tell me what you want.”
“Be you,” he answered so gently, that I could swear I heard the man beneath the monster. “Always.”
I wrapped my thighs over his hips and yanked him close. He was too big to get my legs around his waist, but he wasn’t exactly fighting me.
The rope burned and rubbed the skin on my wrists as it bore my weight for a moment, until Echo grabbed under each thigh.
I sunk onto him, taking what I wanted.
And I wanted it from the monster.
I wasn’t a victim of circumstance. I loved being hunted and taken. This was who I was, and while it wasn’t exactly my shining glory, I wanted the monster.
Always did.
“You're mine now,” I told him.
It was time to admit that it was my own fault I was burned, because I willingly stepped into the smoke and flames.
Epilogue: One year later
Iranthroughtheforest, running my hands along the brush on each side of me. The moonlight illuminated my skin as if I was an ethereal goddess. The white sundress on my body added to the gorgeous effect. This was where I was the most beautiful.
The sun would rise soon. I’d spent a healthy portion of the night running. Sweat glistened on my skin, but I knew that would make me a tastier snack forhim.
“Madison?” Van breathed as I cleared the trees. His hunting rifle was propped over his shoulder and his reflective orange vest nearly blinded me.
“What are you doing here?” I blinked in surprise.
“I could say the same for you. It’s not safe out here.” He put his arm over my shoulder, squeezing me uncomfortably close to him. “I was going to hunt with Aaron, but I can help you get home.”
“You shouldn’t be here,” I warned, and ducked out from under his arm.
