Page 34 of Kai's Hunger

“Well, Kai doesn’t speak for me,” Lily replied, as she snatched my plate and headed toward the sink.

I was too distracted by the way her ass moved in the leggings to care about her frustrated response. When Fostine strolled into the room and headed for the refrigerator, I stiffened, waiting for another jibe from her. She only flipped me off and sauntered out, carrying the half-full jug of apple juice.

I stood and moved up behind Lily, placing my hand on her shoulder to gain her attention. When her pretty gaze landed on me, I said, “I need to take care of a few things. I’ll meet you in the clinic.”

She nodded. “I hope I’m not keeping you from anything.”

I cupped her cheek, anxious to kiss her, every bare inch of her, but I knew better. I’d take her to bed if I let our mouths touch. “The only thing on my agenda is spending time with you.”

She blushed and my body hardened. “I’m looking forward to our trip into town.”

“Me, too, Lily,” I murmured, meaning it. I wanted to show her around, and if I was being honest with myself, I was anxious to show her off a little.

I forced my feet to move, putting distance between us, then gave Creeg a nod and left the room. The first order of business was Fostine. She needed to tone it down or she’d wish she’d never come back. I found her in her room. I didn’t bother knocking.

“Gee, come on in,” she grumbled.

I slammed the door behind me before closing the distance. “Stop with all the shitty comments toward Lily. She is not to blame for what Patterson did to you.”

“She’s human,” she spat back. “They’re all the same. We’re nothing but animals to them.”

I got close, nearly nose to nose. “Beat on me if you need a punching bag. I won’t mind. But Lily isn’t your enemy. I promise you. She’s not like Patterson.

Her eyes widened. “You care about her, don’t you?”

“Yes. More than I ever thought possible.” I took a few beats to keep from losing control. The need to destroy any and all threats toward my mate was paramount. “Cut her some slack, yeah?”

She swallowed hard and looked away. “I’m sorry. I’ll be nice to Lily.”

I’d expected a fight. Maybe bloodshed. Her apology took me by surprise. “You’ll back off?”

Fostine curled her lip. “She’s actually kind of sweet. Like a puppy.”

I cursed under my breath and tried to remember that Fostine wasn’t in her right mind. “See, that’s the kind of shit that needs to stop. Like now. I’m barely in control here, sis.”

She let out a heavy sigh. “Jesus, what’s her deal anyway?”

I explained why Lily had left her hometown and the family that treated her like dirt. Fostine’s gaze softened and she dropped into the oversized chair near her dresser. “Damn, her mother and sister sound like real bitches.”

Finally, something we agreed on. “So perhaps you could give her a break. I don’t think she deserves to have another female in her life treating her with such disrespect, do you?”

She crossed her arms over her chest and narrowed her gaze at me. “How are you going to make this work?” Before I could answer she added, “And I’m not trying to be an ass here. She’s human. The minute she sees you shift...”

I ran a hand through my hair. “I have no idea. But the tie is there. Even without the blood exchange. It’s strong. She’s mine.”

“I don’t envy you, brother.”

“You’ll go easy on her?”

“Sure. Just don’t expect us to braid each other’s hair.”

I chuckled. “Yeah, that’s just too weird to even imagine.” I turned to go, but Fostine called my name and I turned. “Yeah?”

“Wyatt is going after Dad, isn’t he?”

I shoved my hands in my front pockets. “He is.”

“We exchanged blood, you know.”

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