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Aric.
I’d read the letter a thousand times.
The gauntlet had been thrown, and there was no turning back now. I should know better than to fall prey to his games, but with Lexie on the line, I had to. It was a reckless move, but I had no choice.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was a trap. Aric was cunning, and I knew he wouldn’t play fair. He’d done so in the past, time and time again.
And then there was Lexie, my precious mate, who had become my entire world. I couldn’t risk her safety. She was everything to me, and the thought of losing her sent a sick feeling down into the pit of my stomach. Deep down, I couldn’t shake the feral need to protect her, the possessiveness that had taken root in my heart since the moment I’d found her. I vowed to do whatever it took to keep her safe, even if it meant facing Aric’s trap head-on.
I wasn’t going to put her in danger ever again, which meant I couldn’t leave her alone unprotected, even in the highly secure walls of my mansion. I was afraid that Aric might send his men after her, to either kill her or use her as leverage against me. I couldn’t allow that.
Instead, I decided to hide her away in my cabin deep in the woods.
This morning, we’d set out together. I’d take her there and spend the night, and then I’d leave the next morning to go meet Aric.
The path we followed was a hidden trail, known only to me. It wound its way through the dense woods, occasionally obscured by undergrowth that we had to carefully navigate.
“I come here sometimes to clear my mind,” I explained to Lexie as we walked, my voice a soft, low murmur. “It’s a place where I can truly be myself, where the world can’t touch me.”
“I’m glad you’re sharing it with me, but I wish it was under different circumstances,” she said, her voice carrying a warmth that touched my soul.
As we continued our journey, the surroundings gradually changed. The forest seemed to thin out, and we emerged into a small clearing, bathed in dappled sunlight. At the edge of this clearing stood a rustic cabin, its timeworn logs exuding a sense of history and solitude.
I’d built it several hundred years ago.
“This is it,” I said, my voice tinged with a small sense of pride and an even bigger sense of nostalgia.
“It’s beautiful,” she remarked, her eyes widening as she took in the rugged beauty of the small clearing.
We approached the cabin, and I produced a key from my pocket, unlocking the door. The scent of aged wood greeted us as we stepped inside, the interior cozy and welcoming. A large stone fireplace dominated one wall, while a pair of comfortable brown leather armchairs faced it, inviting us to sit and unwind.
A large, comfortable-looking bed dominated one corner, adorned with rustic, plaid blankets that added a touch of warmth to the space. A pair of nightstands with dim, antique-style lanterns sat on either side of the bed, casting a soft, ambient glow when evening fell.
The kitchen area, nestled against the far wall, was equipped with the essentials. A vintage wood-burning stove stood proudly, a kettle resting on top as if waiting to be used for a cup of tea. Wooden shelves held an assortment of mismatched dishes, and a small round table sat nearby, accompanied by two wooden chairs.
Lexie put down her backpack and turned back to me.
Her blonde hair, tousled from our hike, framed her face like a shimmering halo. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of blue, held depths of intelligence and passion that drew me in with an irresistible magnetic pull.
What captivated me most were her delicate features, a perfect blend of strength and vulnerability. Her lips, softly parted as she looked back at me, seemed like an invitation to explore the depths of her soul. She was the embodiment of everything I had ever longed for.
I would never want any woman ever again. I had her and she was everything I’d ever needed. She would be safe here. No one knew about this place but me.
The cabin was cloaked in the stillness of the remote woods, the only sounds the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. We settled in, and I could sense Lexie’s growing unease. She fidgeted with her fingers, her eyes occasionally darting to the cabin’s small, curtained window.
“Kane, I appreciate everything you’re doing to keep me safe, but I can’t help but feel vulnerable out here. I think I should have a gun to protect myself if something were to happen,” she began, her voice hesitant.
I considered her request carefully. I understood her fear. Aric was a skilled hunter. I used to fear him for his skill with a bow and arrow, but his ability to operate a gun far outweighed that.
Finally, I nodded, my expression solemn. “Do you know how to use one?” I asked.
“You just pull the trigger,” she quipped, but her expression was grim.
With a sigh, I reached into the waistband of my jeans, revealing a compact semi-automatic pistol. I handed it to her with a stern look.
“There’s so much more to it than that, little one,” I murmured, and the resulting blush that painted her cheeks was adorably tempting.
“Teach me,” she said quietly, and I nodded once.
