Page 23 of Kai's Hunger

Kai retaliated by teasing my clitoris with his thumb. Sharp sparks of arousal zipped through me, and I felt a bead of moisture gather at the tip of his penis. My body began its wild climb toward rapture, when suddenly a hand shook my shoulder, jarring me from my sensual haze.

I blinked, the forest around me coming back into focus as reality crashed in.

Kai stiffened, his head lifted and his hold on me tightened almost painfully.

“Kai?”

“Clothes,” he quietly urged. “Quickly, Lily.”

We both fumbled around until we were dressed. My fear ratcheted up. “Kai?”

He turned his head to the right, and ignored me completely. He slowly got to his feet and took hold of my hand. “Stay close,” he ordered, his voice rough and cold. He’d gone from practically devouring me to a steely calm in a heartbeat. The swift change stunned me to silence.

When he started walking out of the clearing, with me tucked close to his side, I jarred myself out of my shock and yanked on him hard enough to earn a glower. I ignored it and bit out, “What’s gotten into you?”

He sniffed the air, a frown marring his handsome features. “We aren’t alone,” he answered. “Someone else is out here with us.”

“Someone? Like one of your brothers?”Please, say yes.

He shook his head. “I need you to stay quiet, Lily.”

It wasn’t so much the words as the way he spoke. As if my very life depended on cooperating. We walked swiftly down the path, heading back to the house. I had to jog just to keep up with him. When Kai went rigid, then glared over his shoulder, my fear soared through the roof. Without warning, he shoved me behind him, one arm around my back to anchor me against his body.

“Step out now or you will die!” Kai raged at the dark forest beyond.

I worried he’d lost his mind. Nothing was out there. Hell, I couldn’t even hear the crickets anymore. It was as if the entire forest had gone silent. I couldn’t see anything or anyone in sight. When I was about to insist he bring me back to the house, a low rumbling came from his chest. From one breath to the next a huge four-legged beast leaped from the woods, landing directly in front of us. Thick white fur and glowing eyes.Jesus, what the hell is with the teeth?Big, sharp canines protruded from the beast’s mouth. Like a saber-tooth tiger had just emerged from the past. I trembled and wrapped my arms around Kai’s middle, praying he had some way to defend us. To keep us both from being torn to shreds.

“Fostine?” Kai’s voice held a wealth of anger and I was tempted to peer around him to see for myself how the animal reacted to the single word, but fear kept me from making that idiotic decision.

A loud howl rent the air and I couldn’t tell if it was a happy response or a deadly one. I loved animals, but I’d never even owned a pet. And the wild variety was way out of my comfort zone.

“I know it’s you, damn it. Stop,” he ordered, “you’re frightening Lily.”

A sound, much like a disgruntled snarl, sent shivers down my spine. Kai turned toward me, cupping my chin in his steady, warm palm, and said, “She won’t hurt you.”

“She?” I did sneak a peek at the furry animal this time. It stared back at me with eyes that glowed green in the darkness, all the hair on its back standing on end. And it definitely wasn’t a happy stare. “Please tell me that thing is apet.”

Kai’s lips kicked up sideways. “Uh, not exactly,” he answered, turning his head toward our unscheduled visitor. “Wyatt will be expecting you. Go now.”

As if Kai had so much control, the animal took off at a sprint. After it disappeared out of sight, I let out a heavy breath. “What in holy hell was that?”

“It’s a long story.” He took my hand in his. “Come on. I’m going to need to meet with my brother.”

“Whoa!” I pulled out of his grasp and pointed a finger at him. “A huge wolflike creature bounds out of the woods and just when it’s about to devour us, you call it by name and control it like it’s a trained puppy. Answers, Kai. Now!” I paused, then thought to add, “And don’t tell me you’ll explain later. I want to know now.”

He bent close, nearly nose to nose. “It’s no longer safe out here, Lily. I need you back inside.” He shoved his fingers through his unruly hair. “I swear you will get your answers, but I need you away from here first.”

Safe, yes. That was the important thing. But once that was established I’d damn well get my answers. Or I was leaving. Him. His house. The beast. All of it.

****

Kai

The timing couldn’t have been worse. Lily had just agreed to stay, to get to know me, then my sister popped up out of nowhere. And where had she been for the last two years? That was a question I needed answered immediately. My brothers and I had thought she’d been captured by another clan. Or died, much like the rest of the females of our kind. But there was no mistaking her scent. It was definitely Fostine. Back from the dead, more or less.

When we reached the front of the compound, I stared down at Lily. She was pissed and had a right to be. I was keeping things from her. I’d planned to bring her into my world slowly, but thanks to my sister’s untimely arrival, I wouldn’t have that luxury any longer. But how would Lily handle the truth?

As we stepped inside the foyer, I helped Lily with the coat, putting it back on the hook. “Wyatt will be waiting for me. I know it’s asking a lot, but please go up to the guest room. I’ll find you when I’m through and we’ll ... talk.”

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