Page 28 of Beta Hybrid

I hurry to the stream, where Cai is looking around for me. ‘Hey,’ I say, a little breathless.

Cai smiles, pressing his impressive torso into me for a hug. ‘Where have you been?’

‘Took the long way, I guess.’ I wave around. ‘All looks the same,’ I add. ‘Trees, dirt.’

He chuckles, then lowers himself to the ground. ‘You have quite a way with kids. I had no idea.’

I snort. ‘Thanks.’

A hearty laugh. He pulls me playfully to the ground, into his lap. ‘Not what I meant, gorgeous.’ He kisses all over my face until I relent my glare and start to giggle. ‘I meant, that was impressive.’

I sit up a little. ‘I’m still surprised. But Cai, listen. I feel like my training has sort of… hit an impasse. And I want to move other things along. I want to get this… this war or whatever over with. I don’t want to have to worry about all these things anymore.’

Cai sobers, his hand absently running through my hair. ‘I know,’ he says. ‘But these things shouldn’t be rushed. I tell you what, let’s try not to focus on the whole, messy big picture. Let’s you and me take this one day at a time, okay?’

I reach up, pressing my lips to his, wondering if I’ll set him off. He kisses back, tenderly, without too much heat. He really is normal in human form, compared to his wolf form. It’s like he was high on lust.

I stare up into his silver eyes. I love watching them change, depending on his mood. Sometimes they’re soft, like clouds. Other times, they’re hard as steel. I touch his cheek with a finger, guilt dominating my insides. Damn it. ‘I have to tell you something, but promise you won’t get all control-y.’

Cai raises a brow. ‘I don’t do that.’

I scoff.

‘Okay, I sometimes do that just a bit.’ At another glare, he concedes. ‘Okay. No control-y here. What is it?’

‘I let Callen go.’

Cai rockets to his feet. ‘WHAT?’

I cringe. ‘Uh, I just—’ Cai, I say gently in his mind. Please listen.

He calms, then returns to me. Fine. Talk.

It’s more intimate this way, talking mind to mind. I couldn’t stop worrying about Aidan, Evelyn, even Will, maybe. Godric, too. They’re all being punished, tortured, because of me. And we weren’t gaining anything from having Callen here. I watch, feel, for his reaction.

‘He could hurt someone here, Zen.’

‘Believe me, I made sure he won’t.’

Cai meets my gaze levelly. For a few long moments I think he’s angry with me again, and perhaps I shouldn’t have told him. Then he hugs back, pulling me smoothly back onto his lap. He nuzzles into my neck again. I understand why you did that. And thank you for telling me.

I blink and twist to stare at him.

He offers a shy smile. Shy.

We’re both trying here. So I lean forward and kiss him, and he kisses me back.

As the kiss deepens, I think I can feel a spark of his need, raging through the bond, but it doesn’t dictate his actions. It’s just a little bit more fuel to his already-burning fire. He kisses me calmly, in total control, and leans me up against the tree on the bank of the stream.

Cai smiles against my skin in between soft kisses and gentle, nipping bites. We haven’t had sex all week. A ridiculous lack of communication. His hands roam over my body. I’m in jeans and a t-shirt, still using a community-based wardrobe. Those big hands slide up, over my breasts. He’s in my mind, keeping every one of my thoughts open.

I lean forward, into his touch. I want this.

What I can only describe as a happy-growl pours from his mouth as his fingers slide under my shirt. ‘Up,’ he looks at me, eyes hard.

I raise my arms, like a good girl.

Shirt comes off, tossed aside. The night breeze dances over my bare stomach and arms. I try to sit up a little straighter so I don’t feel self-conscious about my belly. But Cai sets a hand on my shoulder, stopping me. He shakes his head. You are perfect.

---