Rejected Once, Now Claimed By The Lycan
The word landed in my chest like a stone dropped in still water, sending ripples I didn't want to examine too closely.
"I'm a man, Ava," he said. "Surely you didn't expect otherwise."
My cheeks went hot. I looked away from him quickly.
"I'm a Lycan King," he continued, his voice measured. "It is expected of me to take women. I didn't have a mate. It was —"
"A way of keeping busy," I said flatly. "Yes. I heard you."
He stepped closer. His hand found my waist, drawing me in with a certainty that made my pulse do something completely against my will.