She couldn’t understand what to make of the expression in his eyes, or the way he was looking at her.“Isabella… it’s happened many times with me,” he said, his voice low and steady. “When they learn about the curse, some try to take advantage of it. But I know better than to believe their lies. I don’t have a mate… because I can’t.”Isabella’s heart sank. Her last hope of him accepting her as his mate seemed to die in that moment. If she tried to tell him that they were fated mates and that she had felt the bond after turning eighteen, he would probably think she was scheming, trying to lie to claim him.When he noticed Isabella suddenly fall silent, he tucked a finger under her chin, lifting her head so she looked at him, even as her head still rested on his broad chest. “Are you upset that I couldn’t let you attend your sister’s wedding?” he asked.He wanted to know her feelings, even as he wrestled with whether he could tell her the truth about George and Linda not being her real
He was momentarily speechless, staring at her with conflict flickering in his green eyes.“Do you love Maya?” she murmured again, her eyes fixed on his face, a mix of hope and fear in them, searching for an answer.She needed to know. After what had just happened between them—the longing in his touch, the way his words had burned with desire for her—her heart and mind were left in a whirl of confusion. If he loved Maya, then what was that emotion he had shown her? She couldn’t be wrong. She had seen something close to love in his eyes.But Killian remained silent. Isabella’s face fell, and she lowered her gaze, the truth settling in her chest. Perhaps what he felt for her was the pull of their mate bond. And she couldn’t blame him if he loved Maya while still desiring her.But Killian remained silent for another reason. After everything that had happened lately, he couldn’t quite figure out what he felt for Maya—whether it was love, or simply gratitude and a sense of responsibility.W
He stayed perfectly still, his lust-filled gaze locked on her flushed face, her lips parted as she panted for breath. When she gave no response, he began to pull his fingers out—only for her hand to shoot forward, clutching his wrist.“No… please, Killian. Don’t stop. It feels so good… uh,” she whimpered, her voice breaking with need. Her inner muscles throbbed around him, her thighs trembling as her slick heat clenched tight on his finger, refusing to let him go.A dark smirk curved his lips. Now he wouldn’t stop, not even if the world burned down around them. He began pumping his finger deep inside her warm, tight core, his thumb brushing over her clit in slow, deliberate circles. She bucked her hips forward, moaning loud and desperate.“More… Killian… please… ahh…”The sound made his chest rumble. His eyes devoured her, flushed and trembling, so fucking beautiful—and all his. Bending over her, he slammed his mouth to hers. Her moans tangled with his groans, the muffled sound of the
His lips left hers, pressing wet, teasing kisses along her cheek and jaw, lingering on her neck. Then he found her marking spot. He pressed his lips there, leaving a deep, lingering kiss, sucking just enough to leave a visible hickey—for everyone to see.Suddenly, he again felt the sharp surge of his canines, aching to sink into her skin, to claim her, to make her his forever. He had never felt it for any other she-wolf. But with her, he had felt that urge more than he could count. Instead, he let his teeth graze her skin gently, teasing, and she tightened her grip on him, sending a shiver straight through him.Her nails dug into his skin, leaving scratches that bled. Her moans grew louder as she writhed beneath him, grinding against him in a way that made his body react fiercely.When it was almost impossible for him to stop himself from sinking his teeth into her neck and he had to hold back, he bit down on her shoulder to stop himself from biting elsewhere. She cried out—more from
“Goddammit, Isabella. What’s wrong with you? Why won’t you talk to me?” Killian’s voice carried a sharp edge of impatience.“Why do you care?” she snapped. Her tone was sharp, but even in its harshness, it brought a strange relief to Killian’s heart. He had been longing to hear that sweet voice.“I asked for an answer, not a question, Isabella. And for the Goddess’s sake, I do care about you. Can’t you fucking see it?” His voice rose with frustration, sharp and raw. How could she think he didn’t care? He had left everything behind—his pack, his duties—just to be there for her.“Of course, you don’t care. You keep rejecting me every single chance you get, and you never even think about how it hurts me,” she said, her voice breaking on the last words. Tears glistened in her eyes, threatening to fall.Killian’s chest tightened. Seeing her like this always left him raw and vulnerable, like he had no defenses at all. He hated that feeling—the ache of helplessness whenever she cried.“I hav
Isabella sat sulking beside Killian in his car. He had stormed into her room early in the morning and ordered her to pack her things—they were leaving immediately. She had argued, insisting she wanted to stay a little longer, but the look he gave her was strange, unreadable, something she couldn’t quite name. He hadn’t bothered to hear her out, only stated that he would be waiting in the car and that she had twenty minutes to pack and be ready.Now, as he drove in silence, Isabella stared out the window, fuming with anger.After making her want him, he had left her last night, lying in her bed, aching for him, her body still trembling with need—as though he had never wanted her at all. She had been so lost in that moment with him, ready to give herself completely, ready to do anything he asked of her. But he had walked away, as if none of it mattered, as if only she had wanted him, while he had simply taken pleasure in her misery.He was her mate—the one she had waited for her entire