Page 70 of When Ashes Fall

Hope bloomed in her eyes as she took a small step toward me. Unwilling to let her get any closer, I retreated a little further.

“You have?” she asked.

“Yes. You have use to us.”

She recoiled a little as hurt replaced the hope. “I have use,” she muttered.

“And you will tell me what you’re hiding from me.”

Briar crossed her arms over her chest. “You can command me all you want, but I’m not telling you anything.”

“Then you admit there’s something more going on since your Needing and that you lied to me before?”

“You love twisting everything I say back to me being a liar. Yes, there is something more going on. No, I didn’t tell you the truth because I have no intention of telling you anything. I’m of use to you, but you’ve done nothing to earn my respect and trust. Maybe, if you ever do, I’ll reveal my truth to you, but until then, you’ll have to accept that you won’t know.”

“You just love pushing me,” I growled.

I stepped toward Briar but didn’t go any closer. I didn’t trust myself near her; every part of me wanted to grab her and bend her to my will, to show her I was the dominant one. But I was frightened of what I’d unleash to do so.

“No, you wanted the truth, and I’m giving it to you. It’s not my fault you don’t like it,” she replied.

I dug my claws into my palms as my fangs extended. The beast swelled within me, and orange fur spread across my arms. When Briar’s eyes fell to my arms, she edged away.

“You should fear me,” I told her. “I’m not one to fuck with.”

She wisely refrained from saying anything more. My gaze fell to her breasts again as the beast rolled within me, seeking to break free and claim what belonged to us.

When my cock swelled, Briar gulped and edged farther away as she eyed it like a poisonous snake.

“I’m not willing,” she whispered.

“Neither was I.”

“Knox—”

Before she could say anything more, I was on her. She gasped as my hand encircled her throat.

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

Briar

I didn’t see him move and didn’t know he was before me until his claws pricked my skin. They didn’t pierce it, but they pressed deep enough that I was aware he could tear my throat out before I blinked.

I didn’t dare move. Any movement might trigger an explosive response from the beast… or the man.

I’d pushed him too far; it was something I never did with Seth, but we’d never argued. Now all I did was fight with this looming, overpowering, overbearing asshole of a man.

A part of me hated him for having replaced Seth, but I couldn’t deny that another part craved him. I could tell him, and myself, I wasn’t willing, but his touch, while bordering on lethal, also set fire to my blood.

Knox’s orange eyes burned as they filled my vision. I missed the Caribbean blue color they used to be, but this fiery orange was also beautiful, even if it was a constant reminder of everything I’d lost and everything he’d never be again.

His face, only mere inches from mine, was different than the boy I’d loved. Age had matured it into that of a cold, unrelenting man. The black stubble covering his head and jaw only added to his aura of dangerousness.

When his gaze fell to my breasts, hunger prickled along my skin as quick, small breaths caused my chest to rise and fall. His nearness, his scent, and the power emanating from him hardened my nipples. My breasts begged for his touch.

“Do you know what I want to do to you?” he growled.

As he leaned closer, his erection made that clear as it prodded my belly. My stomach fell at the same time as a fierce ache spread between my thighs.