Red and Her Wolf (Kingdom, #3)

Later in her room, when the rest of the world was silent as the grave, she punched a fist into her pillow and wondered what she’d say to him tomorrow.

How could she explain that she hadn’t run from him, but from herself? From the madness spreading through her brain screaming that he was hers as much as he’d let the whole world know she belonged to him?

Violet stared out the window, at the sky bejeweled with silver stars, but all she could see was the memory of his golden gaze flashing with hurt when she’d run away.

Chapter 15

Ewan said goodbye to the Hatter and his Alice and then taking a hold of Red’s elbow, guided her into the spiraling blue tunnel.

Last night had been a nightmare. He’d gone to bed harder than a rock. Her teeth on him, gripping him. Tiny nails clawing into his flesh, she mated like a wolf.

He glanced at Violet, she was silent, pale. They hadn’t spoken after last night.

Sighing, he looked away. She didn’t need to worry that he hadn’t liked it. He’d loved it. Gloried in it. A wolf mated violently, it wasn’t softness and rose petals. It was soul to soul, striped, bare, and raw. A melding of two like hearts. To an outsider it might even appear brutal, but it wasn’t. It was passion at its very essence. Untamed and wild.

But she’d think he was lying, he knew that. Was coming to know her more and more each day. His Red was perfect for him, if only she could see that.

“Where are we going?” she asked, still not glancing at him.

He cleared his throat. “Beyond the Misty Isle, where the kraken roams.”

She shuddered. “A kraken? My Aunt hates me.”

Ewan laughed and was delighted to note her answering grin.

“Nay, Red. She only wishes to prepare ye.”

Blue light sped past in a dizzying arc; millions of silver bursts studded the ever revolving tunnel of blue. It was surreal and yet lovely. Violet’s gold blond hair almost seemed to sparkle.

She was trying to make peace; he knew this wasn’t easy for her. There were dark rings beneath her eyes; she’d slept very little last night, if at all.

“So what this time? Do I have to suck that things soul out too? Because I draw the line at squid. I’m allergic to shellfish.”

His laughter echoed hollowly, booming long and loud down the distant span of space and time. “Shellfish? Don’t they have soft bodies?”

She shrugged and finally glanced at him beneath long, thick lashes. “About last night--”

He shook his head. “It shouldn’t have happened. Ye were nay ready.”

Violet placed her finger on his lips, stopping him. The soft weight of it tugged on his heart.

“If you keep talking, I’ll lose my nerve, Ewan.”

She took a deep breath, and all he wanted to do was pepper the tip of her upturned nose--covered in a fine smattering of freckles--with kisses.

“I like you. A lot.” She licked her lips.

If he knew she wouldn’t bolt, he’d lean down and taste her, lick at the seams of her closed lips until she parted for him.

“I like that you’re always naked around me. I like that I can look as much as I want. I like that you want to be around me. I like that you’re a killer. I like the darkness in you. I like that you’re big and bad and scary. I like that you make me feel small and safe and special.” She sighed. “I like you.”

All the blood rushed to his head, making it hard to hear as his ears buzzed with the hot rush.

Her eyes were wide and frightened like a hare caught in a snare. The pulse at the base of her throat jumped, and it was all he could do to pretend her words hadn’t given him a painful erection. One he’d barely been able to stop sporting a few hours ago.

“If I survive whatever comes with Malvena--”

“Ye will,” he growled, knowing in his soul he’d do whatever it took to make it so. Even if that meant betraying all of his kind, killing them mercilessly and ruthlessly, he’d do it. He’d move heaven and earth to keep his Red safe.

She shushed him again. “If I do, then I think… maybe…”

Narrowing his eyes, his brogue grew thick when he said, “Aye?”

“Maybe…” She leaned up on tiptoe, their breaths mingling.

Tiny pink tongue darting out the corner of her mouth, so close, all he’d have to do was stick his own out to taste it. Small hands roamed the breadth of his chest as her nails began that delicious sliding scrape against his flesh.

He was only a man, a wolf one at that, she tempted him beyond reason. And all the promises he’d made to himself last night to be good, to keep his hands off--they melted into the ether. Ewan gripped her luscious bottom and lifted her, forcing her to open her legs and straddle him.

He hissed when the rough texture of her jeans slid along his shaft.

“Ewan,” her voice broke, and then she claimed his lips.

Ewan had no idea where they traveled, they should have exited long ago, but none of that mattered. He couldn’t think around the passion burbling through his brain.