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I stepped a little closer. "What?"
"I got you something."
Shock, hope, and fear beat hard in my chest. I thought of the bracelet Rowan got Lily, and I wondered if this was a gift from Mina's heart or something less personal.
Moving slowly, I sat at the edge of the bed, careful to keep a respectable distance between us. I couldn't take my eyes off her blushed cheeks or her bottom lip captured between her teeth.
"What did you get me?" I asked. My voice was deep, almost too deep, and she swallowed hard at the sound.
Slipping off the blanket, then her coat, Mina pushed her hand into the inside pocket. She pulled out a small rectangular box with a thin red ribbon wrapped around it. Leaning forward a bit, she set it just in front of me.
It wasn't for Ari.
I picked it up as if it were a precious gem. Pulling at one end of the ribbon, I slipped it off, then lifted the lid. A small square of fabric lay at the bottom. It was embroidered with a dark red rose and bright green leaves. The intense scent of vanilla and lavender hit me hard, filling my lungs and swirling in my head.
"I put a drop of my blood in the red thread," Mina whispered, her cheeks and neck a fierce crimson.
"It's so potent," I growled, picking up the small square of fabric and sniffing it again.
"I, um…" Her eyes were locked firmly on her hands. "I pricked my finger during my last heat so it would smell the best for you."
My beast roared, and I reacted without any thought. Wrapping my hand tight around her soft throat, I pulled her to me, crashing my mouth to hers. I wanted to devour her. Claim her. Mark her.
Mina swallowed, the movement of her throat tight against my palm. Slowly, my grip on her neck fell away as I kissed her soft and slow. Her breath came out in little pants, her inexperience clear in the trembling hands resting on my shoulders.
I needed to stop, but her intoxicating scent and delicate whimpers were fucking with my head. Her fingers curled slightly into my skin, and she moaned. My wolf reared his ugly head, ready to take what was mine.
Using every ounce of strength I had in my body, I broke the kiss, forcing myself away from the bed. Rejection clouded her pretty face, her eyes glassy.
"I apologize," I said, trying to collect myself. I stared at her wet puffy lips, and pride swelled in my chest at making them that way. "I shouldn't have touched you without permission. I should have asked…." I paused.
"Asked my father for permission to pursue me?" She finished my thought for me. A sad smile pulled at her lips.
I instantly felt horrible for reminding her of his death. It must be hell to be an omega without an alpha to guide her through picking a mate.
"I should probably speak with your brother." I crossed my arms to keep my hands from finding their way back to her long tresses. Her hair was far softer than I had ever imagined, and the way it smelled…I pushed out a long sigh, trying to ignore the throb at the base of my engorged cock.
"Nix only just turned of age," she said flatly. "He still relies on our mother to wake him in the mornings so he can make it to his patrols on time." Her voice dropped to a whisper, "But if you wish to speak to someone about placing a proper claim on me, you could always talk to my mother."
I snorted at the thought. Mina glared, and I cleared my throat roughly, trying to pick my next words carefully. The last thing I wanted was to offend her. "With your mother being an omega, it could look to some as if I forced her permission."
"But you thought Ari asked my mother." Mina tipped her head up at my tone; her brows pulled together in vexation. "Or did you think he just decided to take me without any respect for tradition?"
I wasn't sure if she was being serious or not. She knew the rules of romantic engagement. "Ari is high enough that he doesn't have to ask your mother." My words reminded me just how lowly I was in comparison. "Mina, you know that I don't have the standing Ari does. You would probably do better—"
"I have no interest in Ari," she said, her chin jutting out slightly. "I," her pulse thumped wildly in her throat as she tried to keep her fierce expression in place, "I wantyou."
Desire and elation washed over me. "Well then," I puffed out my chest, "I look forward to speaking with your mother."
Surprise lifted her brows, and it took a moment before she finally blinked, speaking softly, "That would be lovely."
The wind howled, and so did my wolf.
I prayed the storm would let up soon. I wasn't sure how much longer I could control myself around her. The urge to claim Mina was so overpowering, and I wanted to let it consume me…so that I could consume her.
My sweet omega.
Mine.
