Eirika shut her eyes tightly, pressing her lips together to prevent them from trembling. Her heart clenched painfully at his cold tone. The memory of him caring for her at his pack flashed in her head and it was almost her doing. This was not the Arric she left behind at the Steelclaw pack. This was a cold stranger helping her to live so she could face his wrath. Aria whimpered at his detachment. After Arric finished helping her to clean and redress her wound, he found one of his shirts for her to wear. It was a soft, worn cotton, and it hung loosely on her slender frame. He helped her into it and tucked her into the warm covers. He then left, making his way to the kitchen to prepare a meal for her. He rummaged through the cabinets, searching hurriedly for something that would be both nourishing and appetizing. And doing his best not to think of her. Finally, he settled on some fresh cuts of steak, which he seasoned with herbs and grilled to perfection. He paired the steaks with a
Arric shut his eyes to take a deep breath and heard it, her steady breathing – albeit labored and knew she was somewhere in the room. He went to check the bathroom and the closet, a deep frown furrowed his eyebrows before he walked gingerly to the other side of the bed and found her curled up on the lush area rug on the floor. His heart shook hard in his chest at the sight of her. The image of the cold, damp cell she had spent the past days playing in his head, and a low growl vibrated deep in his throat. With jaw clenched, he took off his clothes, almost tearing them off of his body as he allowed Steelclaw to connect with her beast causing him to feel the pain in her body and heart. Left in his boxers, he went to scoop her up, startling her awake, she flinched delicately and the thought that she may have been abused hit him like a wrecking ball. But he knew if she had, Ghost would have told him, and he was certain the guard wouldn’t have lived to see the next day. Eirika had no
Arric picked his boxers from the floor and slipped them on, ignoring his pulsating need. He couldn't even remember when he pulled them off. That was how intense loving her felt and he already wanted her again. He used to love and reveled in the insatiable desire they shared but now he just hated himself for his weaknesses. He shouldn't have given in and made love to her. He shouldn't even allow himself to be this close to her and he hadn't planned to. Seeing her like that on the floor had gotten to him. He imagined the hell she must have been through in the past months and he just reacted, wanting to comfort her. He could lie to himself and say it was the mate bond. But it wasn't. What they both shared was way past a mere bond. And how dare she mess that up by throwing unnecessary hurdles in their path. As if it wasn't bad enough that their enemies were abundant. He went back down the stairs to seek the comfort of another kind. He was surprised but glad that his cabin was still
He picked her up and she pressed her lips to his. Arric visibly shook. He opened his mouth for her and she dipped her tongue into his mouth, tasting and exploring every corner as her arms wrapped around his neck and her fingers tangled in his long hair. Steelclaw gradually calmed down as Eirika's scent overpowered Rubella's. Arric let out a shaky breath and went to sit down on the bed, making Eirika straddle him. Breathing hard Eirika stopped and held his gaze, giving him keen scrutiny. "Better?" she asked with a frown. Arric nodded as he framed the side of her face with his left hand. Using his thumb to gently stroke the corner of her full lips. The feral look in his eyes was gone now and was replaced with naked desire. "Thank you…" he rasped. She nodded when she tried to get off of him, he used both hands to hold her by the waist to keep her in position. "I thought you said you felt better…" Eirika said. Arric nodded. "I do feel better. Only you have created another probl
Eirika's heart thudded faster than usual and it was not just for the apparent danger outside the cabin but for the way Arric reacted despite his anger and his determination to punish her for his brother's death. She took steady breaths, taking in his scent. Her face was pressed against his massive chest and he was literally wrapped around her, eclipsing her with his massive body. His muscles flexed against her body and she could feel almost every ripple of it. His heartbeat was going a mile per minute. She could smell his fear and she could tell it was for her. When he drew back slightly to hold her gaze, his irises flashed dangerously making it obvious his beast was only skin deep. She adored him with her eyes: his perfectly formed face, his squared jawline, his straight nose and those arresting eyes, and then his lips. She swallowed. Arric made a low deep sound that sounded like a purr. "Really? Right now?" he said, making her meet his gaze. Eirika's cheeks grew pink. "W-what?"
"What the hell?" he said. "Good day, alpha," Bishop greeted. "Alpha," the others acknowledged. Arric saw that Nigel was with them and he merely nodded when their eyes met. "What happened?" he asked. "A bounty hunter slipped through security, I think he may have seen her come out of your cabin and thought she was luna?" Bishop supplied. "Shit!" Arric cursed, wiping his face with the palm of his hands, and then swept his fingers through his long hair. "He tried to run, but his luck ran out. York gutted him," Caineghis said. Arric moved closer to the body of the assailant, crouching beside it. He was clean-shaven with low cut and his leather getup was all black. A tattoo peeked out of the base of his neck and Arric brought out a pocket knife to slash open the neckline down one sleeve. A tattoo of a python slithered from his neck to the wrist. Bishop cursed. "This is no ordinary bounty hunter…." Arric said. "You know the tattoo?" Nigel asked, everyone, directed their ey
Eirika took a moment to survey her surroundings. The kitchen was spacious, with sleek, modern appliances and an impressive range hood. The white cabinets contrasted beautifully with the dark wooden floors, and natural light streamed in from the floor-to-ceiling windows. A large island in the center of the room provided ample space for food preparation, while a row of high-end cookware hung from the ceiling above the stove. Eirika rummaged through the kitchen cabinet and pantry then started to gather the ingredients and began to assemble her menu. She roasted a tray of vegetables in the oven, the vibrant colors of carrots, zucchini, and eggplant brightening the kitchen even further. Moving on to her main dish, she made a savory pasta dish with a rich tomato sauce and tender chunks of meat. The aroma of garlic and herbs wafted through the kitchen as she stirred the simmering sauce. She then made a decadent chocolate cake after leaving it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. She
As the bus continued its journey, Eirika watched the landscape change again. The hills became more rugged and the forests grew denser. She listened to music and dozed off for a while, only to wake up as the bus stopped at another small town. This time, Eirika decided to explore a bit more. She walked around the town, admiring the historic buildings and charming storefronts. She stumbled upon a local coffee shop and ordered a latte. "Where are you headed?" the barista asked. "I'm heading to visit a friend at a university on the East Coast," Eirika replied. "Wow, that sounds like a fun trip! I hope you enjoy your visit." Eirika took out her phone and called her friend to let her know where to pick her up. "Hey, it's me!" Eirika said when Toby picked up. "I'm at a bus stop about two hours away from your university. Can you pick me up?" "Of course! I'll be there as soon as I can," he replied. Eirika smiled and thanked the barista before heading back to the bus. As the bus approac