Page 11 of Kai's Hunger

I jumped off the table but tripped over the fallen Creeg and tumbled headfirst instead. My forehead connected with something sharp on my way down. When I landed on the floor, groaning, I saw blood dripping onto the white tile. I pressed a palm over the stinging pain. When I brought my hand away there was blood coating my fingers.

“Ow,” I whimpered as my vision blurred. I tried to stand, but a big powerful arm came around my back, then another reached behind my knees.

“Lily?”

Blinking rapidly, I tried to focus on Kai’s handsome face. His voice filled with concern as he watched me with those whiskey eyes of his. I sighed. “We seriously need to stop meeting like this.”

Kai brought me to the table and placed me on top of it. He glared at Creeg. “Get your ass over here!”

Creeg jumped to his feet. I could see him moving around the room. When he approached me, he glanced at Kai. “May I?”

“Yes, but carefully,” Kai replied.

Creeg nodded, then placed a cloth over the wound in my head. “It may require stitches, Lily. Can I give you something to numb the area?”

“No.” When Creeg started to argue, I bit out, “I’ve had them before. I can handle it.”

Creeg still didn’t budge. His gaze landed on Kai. “It will hurt,” he explained.

Kai scowled down at me. “Allow him to give you something, Lily. Please,” he pleaded softly.

I reached for his hand and squeezed. “Just do it. I don’t want drugs.”

Kai sighed. “Fine.” To Creeg he said, “You will be as gentle as possible, brother. I will have your word.”

He placed his fist over his chest. “As if she were mine.”

Kai waved at him. “Get it done. The blood is making me...”

“Yeah, it’s having that effect on us all,” Creeg grumbled as he went to retrieve a tray filled with metal instruments and sutures.

“As soon as she’s finished, we’re having words, Kai.”

It was the first time that I realized the other brother was still in the room. He stood near the door with an undeniable air of authority, his stance lending to the impression that he was used to being obeyed. His powerful physique, emphasized by a fitted black t-shirt that clung to his frame, showcased impressive biceps. Straight black hair, as dark as a raven, was pulled back in a tight ponytail, accentuating the angular planes of his face. His deep-set eyes strayed toward me for a moment, brooding and intense, piercing clear through me. A perpetual scowl appeared to have etched lines across his forehead.

His gaze landed on Kai again, dismissing me entirely. Kai didn’t respond, only offered a brisk nod. The brother quietly left the room.

I watched the closed door for a few seconds. “I could’ve sworn I saw...”

“What did you see?” Kai asked in a rough voice.

“Glowing eyes and ... teeth,” I answered, as I closed my eyes and let out a heavy breath. “This has been the strangest day of my life.”

****

Kai

Twice. Twice Lily was injured because of me. My control had slipped when I’d seen her touch my blood. The action had wrenched myYuciloninstincts to the surface. I’d already been drawn to Lily. Her scent, like a drug-induced euphoria that I couldn’t shake. But seeing my blood against the tip of her delicate finger had cinched it. It wasn’t a blood exchange, but for me, it was enough. She was my mate. A human. Never in my existence had aYucilonmated a human. And if my brother had his way, none of us would break that tradition.

But I knew that instincts rarely listened to reason. All I wanted to do was get her alone. Complete the ritual. As quickly as possible so she couldn’t leave me.

“Kai, I’m ready,” Creeg cautioned.

I stared at Lily. Her gaze was on me. I didn’t see fear there. She was strong. Stronger than I’d first imagined. “You’re certain?”

She nodded, then gritted her teeth. “Don’t let go of my hand,” she muttered.

“I’m right here,” I promised as I brought her hand to my lips and brushed a kiss on her knuckles. I nodded toward Creeg. “Do it.”

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