Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69711 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 349(@200wpm)___ 279(@250wpm)___ 232(@300wpm)
Krav folds up his wings and rolls to his back beside me, a content smirk on his face. He keeps one huge hand resting on my belly.
A part of me likes his possessiveness. A part of me wants to punch him. “Did you… did you actually bite me?”
“Yes.” He doesn’t sound the least bit sorry.
“Unbelievable!” I say. “I mean, I get that you got carried away, and I know I seem to get off on pain these days, but that freaking hurt!”
“Allow me,” he murmurs, leaning down. His breath tickles my shoulder and then his tongue is on me, laving the sore spot. The sharp sting fades instantly.
The humming in my chest resumes. “Thank you.”
He caresses my cheek with a long, thick finger. “Do not look so cross, little Omega. Don’t you realize what I just did?”
“Of course I do. You tied me to the bed and fucking left me alone! For hours! With that thing on me… driving me crazy!”
His chuckle rumbles through me. “Was it not worth it in the end?”
“Not really. I mean, it’s not like I have any trouble getting off with you without being edged for a million years first.”
He snorts. “It wasn’t a million years, nor was it even a single hour. You exaggerate, as you so often do.”
“I do not exaggerate!”
“In any case, that wasn’t what I was referring to. I meant the bite. It has significance. Great significance.” His hand splays wider over my abdomen, warming me.
“Which would be?” The humming in my chest is weirdly soporific, like Krav’s purr. I smother a yawn.
“It’s called the claiming bite,” he explains, his rainbow topaz eyes gleaming. “When an Alpha and Omega are destined to be mates, the Alpha claims her by giving her that bite. It joins them together… forever. They are now not only lovers; they are soul-bonded.”
I’m so exhausted, it takes a moment for his words to fully sink in. “Huh?” I manage.
“You are now mine, Renee. Fully. Completely. As if you were a part of me. We share a bond that can never be broken.”
I slump back against the cushions, staring at the ornate ceiling, my mind whirling. The trilling music in my chest has quieted, but it’s still there. “But… you already said you own me. Several times. Before… this.”
“Of course, and I did. You were mine from the first moment I saw you, tied to that cex, your bare flesh glistening in the sunlight…”
“I was there. I remember,” I mutter wryly.
“But now you’re more than my pet. You’re bound to me, for always. The bond runs so deep, it is said that the couple can feel each other’s emotions.”
“Assuming they have any,” I mutter. Then I feel bad. He’s opening up to me without any prompting. I should encourage it. “Sorry. I think I’m just tired.”
“You’re right. We should rest for a while.” He settles himself back down, nuzzling my shoulder. Weird how it’s become second nature to dodge his horns whenever he puts his head near me.
Is he crazy? I can’t sleep now! I have to know: is this weird new melody in my chest something to do with the bond? Why did he decide to do it? Does it have anything to do with the collar he made for me? What’s going on? I need him to answer my questions. “So is this bond thing like a marriage?” I ask.
“Marriage?” He stumbles over the English word.
“Back home, it’s a ritual we have to bind couples—usually, it’s couples—together for life. They exchange vows, rings, their families and friends join them for a big celebration, the bride tends to wear a white dress, there are flowers, a cake…”
“Sounds complicated.” Now it’s Krav’s turn to yawn. I peek at him while he does so, admiring his pointed canines and long, long tongue.
“It can be complicated, if you make it so. But the point is that the people who are in love are then considered joined together for life. Forever.” Should I bother explaining divorce? He doesn’t know about Phillip yet—or much about my life in Houston at all. He never asks about my past.
“Then yes, I would say it is similar. And much simpler. Your wound will heal, although your shoulder will bear the mark forever.”
“You freaking scarred me?” I move to sit up, hot outrage washing over me, but then the fucker begins to purr, and his rumble joins the hum in my own chest. It’s like being shot up with a million ccs of valium. My body grows heavy. Calm. At ease. “Don’t pull that sneaky little trick on me now, Krav, we need to talk about this!”
The hand not on my belly finds my hair and strokes the top of my head, melting me the way it always does. “Hush, sweet thing.” His words are like crashing waves I can’t battle. “What’s done is done. You’re mine—my pet, my Omega, my gift. Surely you’ve realized by now that I can do whatever I like with you. What’s more, you enjoy it. Whether you admit it, or squeak in feigned outrage.”