Page 72 of Brody
“I meant what I said last night,” he continued, his expression solemn.“You’re still you—talented, fierce, independent—even if you let someone in occasionally.Even if that someone is me.”
The sincerity in his voice made my chest ache with longing for something I’d convinced myself I didn’t need, didn’t want.I pulled my hand away, needing distance from the dangerous temptation he represented.
“We should eat quickly,” I said, deflecting.“If we want to reach the COL by midday.”
“It’s getting stronger, isn’t it?”Brody said.“The partial bond.”
Damn.We’re going there… right now.He wouldn’t be Brody, allowing me to avoid this long-overdue conversation.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I lied, though we both knew better.
“You do,” he insisted gently.“That’s how it works, Rozi.First comes recognition, instant and undeniable.That’s what happened in the savanna between us.Then, with proximity, the partial bond forms naturally, connecting us even without our permission.”
“And then comes the third stage…” I said.
His gaze dropped to the spot between my neck and shoulder.“The mating bite.The conscious choice that seals everything.Makes it permanent.Unbreakable.”
A shiver ran through me at the naked hunger in his eyes.“That’s not happening,” I said firmly, though my cheetah hissed in protest.
“We’ll see,” was all he said, with that infuriating confidence that made me want to both slap him and pull him closer.
“You rejected me,” I said, needing to remind us both of that unforgivable fact.“You walked away when we first met.Why should I ever trust you with the final claiming?”
His eyes met mine, filled with regret so genuine it made my chest ache.“Because I’ve spent a long time paying for that mistake.Because I’m not running this time.And because this partial bond forming between us now is just a shadow of what we could have if we completed it.”
“Or what we could lose,” I countered, “if things went wrong again.”
He didn’t deny it.“The strongest bonds come with the greatest risks,” he said simply.“That’s the price of truly connecting with someone.”
I looked away, unable to hold his gaze without revealing too much.“I need time.”
He arranged the sliced bread on a platter.“We have time,” he replied, though we both knew that wasn’t entirely true.The expedition had its limits.My time in the Ridge had an end date.
I didn’t want to talk about us—not when my heart and head were waging their own private war.I deliberately steered us to safer waters.
“I think the Swarmers’ hunting behavior yesterday could be influenced by environmental factors,” I said, setting two plates on the small table.“Seasonal changes or reproductive cycles can cause territorial behavior in apex predators.”
“But Swarmers are different,” he said, bringing coffee to the table.“They’re Fae creations, not natural evolution.Their behavior follows patterns even the Bane pack hasn’t fully decoded.”
“So you’re saying they’re mysterious, dangerous, and potentially misunderstood,” I summarized, taking a sip of my coffee.“Sounds like someone else I know.”
He threw his head back and laughed.“Are you comparing me to a venomous six-limbed predator?”
“If the fangs fit,” I replied innocently.
As we ate, I found myself stealing glances at him, the way his hand wrapped around his mug, the shadow of stubble darkening his jaw, the play of muscles beneath his shirt.Each observation sent a fresh wave of awareness through me, my body responding to his proximity in ways my mind couldn’t control.
The food was indeed extraordinary, berries that burst with flavor more intense than seemed possible, bread with texture like a cloud and taste like honey and spice.Under different circumstances, I might have collected samples for analysis.Today, I was content to simply enjoy the experience.
“The COL is likely a full day’s round trip from here,” Brody said, rising to clear our plates.“We’ll need to make it back to this cabin by nightfall.”
I nodded, mentally calculating distances and terrain.“No dawdling in the spring, then.Just sample collection and observation.”
His eyebrows rose in mock surprise.“You?Not wanting to spend hours lost in scientific discovery?Who are you, and what have you done with Dr.Dhahabu?”
I threw a napkin at him, which he caught easily.“I’m being practical.We’ve already encountered Swarmers once.I’m not eager to face them in darkness, regardless of how magnificent the COL might be.”
“Wise decision,” he agreed, his expression sobering.“I’d rather not test my fighting skills against nocturnal predators if we can avoid it.”
