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Just as I reach the elevator, I hear a thunderous growl behind me. My stomach plummets to the floor and I freeze, too afraid to turn around.
I would know that growl anywhere.
Sometimes I hear it in my quarters when Brute isn’t around. I hear his growls in my head from afar, a phenomenon that started the day he’d noticed me in the mess hall.
He doesn’t know about the random growls I keep hearing. I’ve managed to keep it a secret, managed not to think about it in his presence. If I tell him, he’ll just proclaim it’s due to our growing bond and think it’s another sign he’s meant to claim me.
The last thing I want to do is encourage him.
Another growl vibrates through me, and a chill rushes down my spine. Because I can sense Brute’s displeasure. I’m not supposed to walk in the corridors alone, and he just caught me.
Slowly, I turn to face him, and my guts turn to water when our eyes meet. I quiver at the fury in his purple gaze. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen him so livid.
As he approaches me with rapid steps, I tremble in place and pray he doesn’t start thrashing me in the middle of the corridor. There’s no one around at the moment, but we’re near the elevator, and it’s only a matter of time before someone comes this way.
He grabs my neck, though he doesn’t squeeze. Shivers rush through me, and a second later, my breath catches and heat undulates between my thighs. I’m a little afraid of him, yet I’m also aching for his touch, and the urge to surrender to him keeps growing stronger.
His nostrils flare, and his eyes flash with increasing fury. “Why are you in the corridor alone?” He glances at the elevator. “Where were you going?”
I try very hard not to think about Angelo. I doubt Brute will react well if he learns I was planning to visit a male friend in his quarters. Yeah, pretty sure he’ll freak the fuck out if he discovers the truth.
I picture a blank screen and try not to think at all.
But apparently, I fail, because Brute growls and his grip on my throat tightens, though not hard enough to cut off my air.
“A human male?A human male?”He releases my throat only to grab me and roughly haul me down the corridor. Toward the alcove that apparently belongs to us. “You were on your way to visit a human male? After I deal with your disobedience, I will find this male called Angelo and end him.”
“Brute, please,” I beg. “Please stop. You don’t understand. He’s just a friend. There’s nothing romantic between us.” But I once again fail to shield my thoughts, and Brute’s next words fill me with terror.
“Just a friend? You have considered marrying this male. You have considered having children with him.” His fingers dig into my arms. A few security officers approach us in the corridor, though they quickly glance away and make no move to help me when they notice Brute’s furious expression. They soon disappear around a turn in the corridor.
“I haven’t seen Angelo around since the rebel attack and I was worried about him. That’s all. I just wanted to stop by his quarters and make sure he was okay.You’ve met him. He was the doorman at the bar you followed me to. Goddammit, Brute, stop acting like a deranged beast!” Tears flow down my face, and I try to brace my feet against the wall so Brute can’t drag me into the alcove, but he knocks my knees upward and then hauls me inside. He immediately closes the curtain.
Trembles besiege my body, and I struggle to remain standing as he towers over me. My mouth goes dry, and I wrap my arms around my center as I swallow hard.
Will he listen to me?
Will he allow me to explain, or will he continue picking random thoughts he happens to hear and jumping to conclusions?
Fury continues radiating from his huge, muscular form.
He grasps my chin in one hand, jerking my face upward as he forces me to hold his furious gaze. His anger surges between us, and I feel a violent tug in my chest that causes me to gasp for air.The bond. The fucking bond that I never wanted.
I stop trying to hide my thoughts, and as I peer into his eyes, his expression becomes less severe. Slowly, very slowly, the rage dims from his glowing purple orbs. He releases my chin, and his hands drop to his sides. I draw in a deep, much-needed breath, as I marvel at the new emotions that are flowing between us.
Understanding, regret, and ravenous need.
“You never voiced your thoughts about marriage and children to Angelo,” he says in a tone filled with disbelief. He swallows hard, and for the first time since I’ve met him, I glimpse a hint of remorse in his eyes. “You aren’t physically attracted to him, you don’t crave him the way you crave me, you simply thought him a kind male who might make a good husband and father.”
My knees go weak, and I start to sink down on the bench, unable to stand any longer, but Brute is quick to catch me. He scoops me into his arms and sits down, holding me on his lap.
“They were passing thoughts, Brute. Everyone has them.” I try but fail to keep my voice steady. “I won’t apologize for them.”
He takes a deep breath and meets my eyes. “You believe I overreacted.” Regret tinged with warm affection flows between us, and though he hasn’t apologized yet, I find I’m inclined to forgive him even if he doesn’t voice the words.
“Yes, I do.” As I hold his gaze, I become very aware of his hardening appendages beneath me, and heated spasms affect my core. “You’re not going to hurt Angelo are you?”
He sighs and caresses a hand through my hair, and his gentle touch elicits goosebumps all over my body. “As long as he doesn’t attempt to claim you,” he says carefully, “I will not harm the human male.” He suddenly stiffens and his huge form vibrates with tension. His eyes flash. “Jenny, I am sorry for… overreacting. Logically, I know I cannot fault you for thoughts you had about another male before we met. But I will not allow you to visit another male’s quarters. I forbid you from doing so.”
