“No.” I underlined that word with power, my growl so deep that her knees buckled in the next breath.
I caught her before she hit the ground and set her quivering form on the bed. Fear and anger seemed to be battling for purpose inside her.
I’m weak, she whispered to herself.No. No, fuck that. I’m not weak. I’m… He… This… Ugh!
“Kyra.” I stood beside the bed, careful not to touch her. Because I heard the trajectory of her thoughts, the ominous expectation for what would come next.
She expected me to punish her, and she had several creative methods in mind. Most of them were sexually violent.
I might enjoy sparring as foreplay, but I certainly didn’t enjoy any of the twisted scenes sprouting in her thoughts. I assumed her former mate was the inspiration for many of those savage concepts.
“Kyra,” I tried again. Only for her to launch herself at me with renewed vigor.
This time, I had no choice but to pin her to the mattress again. I followed the move with a growl meant to force supplication.
Her wolf whined in response, then Kyra completely shut down beneath me.
I sighed, hating this.
“Look. If you keep fantasizing about killing me, I’m going to have no choice but to lock you in a cage,” I told her.
I wasn’t sure if I really meant that, but thinking about how Cillian would handle this situation inspired my commentary.
She must not have heard that part in my mind, just the words from my mouth, because she blinked as though waking up. And then she hissed.
Or maybe she considered that little hissing rumble a growl.
Regardless, my wolf answered in kind.
This was fucking ridiculous.
I pushed away from her, needing space. Especially since I was in the middle of her damn nest—a fact my inner wolf was far too pleased about. He didn’t care that she’d tried to kill me in the most spectacularly stupid way possible. He just saw it as a seduction tactic.
And now that we were in the heart of her territory, he wanted to intimately introduce himself to his Omega.
But that wasn’t happening.Ever.
“I have no desire to consummate our mating bond,” I informed both Kyra and my inner beast.
This female didn’t want me. That much was very fucking clear. And I wouldnottake her or any other female by force.
Just because an Alpha could do something didn’t mean he should do it or that he was entitled to it.
“I haven’t remained here to kindle a relationship with you or to find another potential mate. I’m here for Kieran and Quinnlynn. And I’m here because this island is officially under Blood Sector protection. That’s it.”
She stared up at me from her nest of sheets, her petite form appearing that much smaller while engulfed in her fragrant blankets.
My wolf purred at the welcoming sight.
I ignored both him and the alluring scent of spiced blood oranges.
“Once Quinnlynn and Kieran are ready to return to Blood Sector, I will go with them,” I added flatly. “Our interactions going forward will be minimal.”
She gaped at me, a note of surprise fluttering through her mind. I didn’t really understand why. I’d made my intentions clear from the beginning—I didn’t want a mate, and I only wanted to stay for Kieran.
“What about my heat cycle?” she asked, the question one I hadn’t anticipated.
My eyebrow inched upward. “What about it?”
