He eyed me, his arrogant smile still on his lips. “Will you be good from now on?”
Of course, I wouldn’t. Especially if I got punishments like this. I kept telling myself that this was all just me making the best out of a scary situation. I wasn’t getting caught up in these fae. That’s what I told myself because sometimes it was hard to remember that I was actually trapped. Of course, it could also be the magic of the fae world. It made non-fae a little off-center the longer they were in the realm. I couldn’t forget that. Then again, they had not asked anything of me other than my presence. They seemed to really like me in their own way. Was it just because I was an ice mage from the human realm that made them take an interest? Xander was scary but vulnerable with his emotions for me. Yosef was more reserved, but there was no denying it in his face, he wanted me. And that time by the water cemented that.
Maybe I didn’t want to go home right that second. But the mischievous part of me liked making them sweat, especially Yosef. I got off a little, knowing how desired I was by him. Looking into Yosef’s passion-filled eyes, glowing a brilliant golden, I decided to put any less horny concerns to the side and enjoy the moment.
I stood upright, lowering the hem of my knee-length dress. Yosef gave me a look of disappointment, brows furrowing together, and I smiled in triumph. “I can’t promise I’ll be good. I do what I want.” I backed away to the kitchen entrance.
Yosef rolled his shoulders back. “Where do you think you’re going? I’m not done with you. You threw food at me.”
I shrugged. “So, you’re not going to do anything.”
Something dark slid through his eyes, and my stomach instantly clenched. Seeing that sliver of danger in his eyes kind of turned me on. What would he do?
He flexed his hands at his side, face still deceptively calm. “Do you really want to test me on that, human?”
I licked my lips, wondering how far I wanted to taunt him. I had room to go. “I’m not scared of you.”
“Then why are you backing away?”
“Because I don’t want to stick around and get spanked again.” Yes, I did.
He smiled, knowing I was lying. “You shouldn’t run from me today, Lila. I will chase you.”
Today? What was so special about today? I took another step back, my heart beating wildly in my chest. I definitely wanted to be chased by this man. And more. “What would you do if you caught me?”
Yosef lowered his head, eyes still burning into me. “I’d fuck you senseless.”
I think the world tilted, or I’d gotten dizzy. At this point, my panties were no longer doing what they needed because they were no longer holding in any of my dampness. I think my pussy actually throbbed.
“Will you run from me?” he asked. His body looked tensed, ready to pounce like a lion.
He asked it like a favor, rather than a threat. This was new. He was really on edge. It must have been a while for him. He was an alpha. A predator in need of hunting. How long had it been since he was able to go after what he deemed prey? Well, I could pretend to be the gazelle. He would devour me. And I wanted it.
I took another step back, turned around, and ran.
CHAPTER14
YOSEF
Lila’s scent was bringing out my most primitive self, and this was one of my weakest times of the year. The alpha rut. It was very close to an omega heat, except we had more control over ourselves. Well, the ones who chose to have that control. The ones who gave in could be very dangerous. In some societies, the rutting times of year required the alphas to be locked away. Or they would be presented with omegas and betas to fulfill their needs.
I prided myself on maintaining control. I wasn’t driven by a need to have an omega or let my baser needs rule my actions. However, this woman, a beta human, had gotten under my skin, and I wanted her all, mind and body. She was strong, a fighter just like us, and intelligent in ways I had not originally guessed. She matched me. Matched Xander. Tamed him better than I ever could. I would not take such chemistry for granted. She wasn’t an omega, but she felt right. Natural.
However, in my current state, if she ran from me, it would only excite me, and my control would be flimsy. I gave her the rules. Told her what I would do. Yet, she still ran. She would learn from that mistake when I caught her and took her. Had her begging. She could not hide from me. Not with all the magic in the world.
I found myself growing harder just thinking about catching her as I listened to her run through the house. She opened several doors, probably trying to confuse me. It would not work. I’d be able to smell her arousal wherever she went. I gave her time to hide, savoring the upcoming hunt.
When I thought enough time had passed, I left the kitchen. I could smell her everywhere. She was smart to scatter her scent. However, I had no concern that I would not find her. Lila’s vanilla scent was strongest near the front door. The glamour had made her smell less human but that natural scent to her was still there. I left the house, greeted by one of my guards. The day was bright, the sky paler today. She would have no cover of darkness to hide within. I still had the wards up, so there was only so far she could go.
My guard nodded his head but gave no hint regarding where Lila had gone, which was what I wanted. I went to the lake but didn’t see her. Not surprising, there was really nowhere to hide unless she went underwater. Her scent seemed to dissipate in the cool air. I had forgotten to factor in the competing scents of the earth and flowers. Hiding among the many fragrances of the garden would be a smart move.
I quickly picked up my pace in that direction, excitement growing in the pit of my stomach. I felt like a child, ready to open a present. Her scent was strongest in the center of the garden behind several thick bushes of flowers. I walked on light feet behind the bushes, seeing her hunched down to the ground. Although I prided myself on my ability to move silently, her hearing was sharper than expected because she instantly jumped up and ran away. She didn’t even look behind her until she cleared more distance between us. She stuck her tongue out at me but slowed down her pace. Oh, she wanted to get caught.
I ran for her. I was going to have her. Something about the chase was sending me into a frenzy, my hardness refused to die down. Her scent was stronger than ever, filling my nostrils and clouding my mind. I licked my lips, dying to taste her. My need was overpowering me. My focus was only on her. Kissing her, licking her, being in her. Burying my knot deep within her walls. Her arousal was thick in the air. She was just as turned on as me. Who knew she loved being the prey so much? I would make it all very much worth the wait.
I was gaining ground, almost able to reach out and touch her. She turned slightly and yelped when she saw I was so close. My inner predator took over, and my legs moved faster than ever. I grabbed her by the waist, yanking her to me. She screamed but only gave a weak struggle. I nipped the back of her neck, and she instantly relaxed in my arms.
“What are you going to do to me?” she asked in a breathy voice that vibrated straight to cock.
