Page 17 of Savage Giant

He growled and shook his head, and I followed his gaze to the window. The snow was coming down faster now.

“I wish I could claim you now,” he said in a regretful tone, “but we are so far away from my tribe that they wouldn’t hear my mating call. If they don’t hear my mating call, then they won’t dance and beat sticks on the trees and make enough noise to invite the Great Spirit to bless our mating union. I cannot believe I am asking this of you, pretty human, especially since I can smell the slickness of your arousal growing between your thighs, but please do not offer me the use of your mating hole until we have reached my people’s cavern. For the time being, I would ask that you endeavor to control your desires.”

I stared at him for a moment, thinking he must be joking. Endeavor to controlmydesires? But he didn’t crack even a tiny smile. He was entirely serious. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing or offering an overly sarcastic reply. Finally, I said, “I promise I’ll keep my pants on.”

Chapter 10

GORRAN

I was a fool.After catching her, I shouldn’t have brought Cari back to her cabin. Instead, I should’ve taken her directly to my people’s cavern.

To my personal alcove.

We could be mating right now. Maybe.

There was no mistaking the sweet, pungent scent of her arousal, which lingered in the air and increased every time she moved the slightest bit.

It made me ravenous to claim her.

When her stomach abruptly growled, I jumped to my feet, keeping low so I didn’t bang into the ceiling. “You are hungry, pretty human. I will feed you.” I headed for the door. Traveling in the snow would be treacherous, but the river was nearby. I could catch a few fish and prepare them for her consumption. I’d watched Brutus cook fish for his mate more than once, and I thought I could manage it. More than anything, I wanted to provide for my soon-to-be mate.

“Wait! Gorran! Stop!”

I halted and peered over my shoulder at her. “I will return soon. I’m just going to the river. I will bring you back several fish.”

“The snow is coming down so hard there’s practically zero visibility out there. You can’t go out. Stay here.” She shot me an incredulous look.

“But you are hungry,” I protested. “Your stomach is growling.”

“I have plenty of food in the cabin, Gorran. Truly, I do. Yes, I haven’t been eating much since I came here, but that’s only because I was trying to ration my food so I could stay here as long as possible.” She lowered her head, and I sensed shame in her heart. “I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I don’t have any money. I can’t go into town and buy supplies. So that’s why I’ve been eating very little, even though I still have enough food and supplies left to last me another four months. Perhaps even five months if I’m careful.”

I moved away from the door and knelt before her. An ache pierced my chest upon learning how dire her situation had been before my arrival. I clasped her hands in mine. “From this day forward, pretty human, you will always eat your fill. There will be no more rationing. Once the weather permits it, I will bring you fish, berries, nuts, and the fattest slugs I can find. Well, on second thought, maybe not slugs—Brutus says his human lifemate will not eat slugs, though I have a hard time believing it because they are so delicious—but I will learn what foods you like and provide for you. I swear it.”

Her eyes glistened with tears, and she blinked rapidly. Gratitude radiated from her, but so did sorrow. I didn’t understand the sorrow, just as I didn’t understand the humiliation that abruptly burned through her.

Wasn’t she happy she would no longer need to worry about starving? Wasn’t she happy that I’d promised to take care of her needs?

When she tried to look away, I released her hands and cupped her face, forcing her to hold my gaze. “What has saddened you, my sweet mate? Have I said something wrong?”

“You haven’t said anything wrong,” she was quick to assure me. “It’s just that… well, I’m a bit overwhelmed. I don’t think anyone has ever been so nice to me before. And while I appreciate your offer to take care of me, I’m terribly ashamed that I ended up in this situation and need the help in the first place.”

I considered her words, wishing I could conjure some magical response that would cleanse the sadness from her soul and remove the glimmer of tears from her eyes.

“The events that caused you to flee your city and come to the cabin were not your fault, Cari,” I said in a gentle tone. I brushed my thumbs over her cheeks, caressing her soft skin, ready to catch any tears should they fall. “Please do not be ashamed that you need help. As your mate, it will be my honor to provide for you. There is no greater purpose in a Montikaan male’s life than providing for and taking care of his lifemate and their children.” I stroked her hair, reveling in the silky strands.

Her eyes went wide, and she gasped. I peered at her in confusion as I wondered what had caused the sudden, deep shock that was reverberating through her.

“Cari? Are you all right?”

She placed a hand on her chest. “Are you doing something to me, Gorran?”

“What do you mean?”

“I can feel you,” she said, eyes still wide, “in here.” She patted her chest. “It’s like you’re inside me. I-I know this might sound crazy, but I swear I can feel your emotions right now. Warmth.You’re filling me with literal warmth. Affection and longing. Not carnal longing, but the longing for a mate and a family. It’s quite intense. Are you… doing it on purpose?”

Stunned, I dropped my hands from her hair and moved away from her. “I wasn’t doing it on purpose,” I said. “That has never happened before.”

“It’s gone now,” she said, touching her chest. “The feeling went away the second you stopped touching me.”

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