Page 65 of Kai's Hunger

I nodded, my fingers lacing through his as I found myself drawing strength from him. “Where’s Creeg?” I asked.

“He was just here. Checked on you, then stepped out,” Kai replied, his gaze unwavering as he studied me. “He’ll be back with something to eat.”

My mind wandered, thoughts drifted back to the painful memories that lingered just beneath the surface. Fingers that caused pain, a diabolic mind that enjoyed hearing my pleas. Images that were like ghosts haunting my consciousness. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath in an attempt to steady myself.

But the memories were relentless, clawing at my mind, threatening to engulf me in their darkness once more. The violation, the loss of control, it all came rushing back, as vivid and painful as if it were happening all over again.

Kai’s hand tightened around mine, his touch holding me in the present. “You’re safe now,” he murmured, his voice filled with empathy. “You’re not alone in this.”

Tears welled in my eyes. “I feel so ... violated,” I confessed, my voice quivering with the weight of my words.

Kai leaned in closer, his eyes filled with fierce determination as he looked at me. “You’re not defined by what happened to you. You’re strong, and you’re a survivor. You’re already taking steps toward healing by sharing your feelings with me. And I’m here, every inch of the way.”

His words gave me courage.I’m not alone in my pain.“You saved me.”

“We’ll face this together,” he continued, his voice unwavering.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my voice filled with emotion. Kai had found me. Against all the odds, he’d found me.

Kai flinched, then looked away. “Don’t thank me. It never should’ve happened.”

As we sat in the dimly lit room, our hands intertwined, a renewed sense of strength filled me. There was still so much left unsaid between us. And I knew it was now or never.

“Kai,” I began, my voice carrying a firmness that mirrored my resolve, “we’ve both talked about not keeping secrets anymore. It’s time for you to tell me everything. I need to know what you’ve been keeping from me.”

Kai’s expression flickered with apprehension.And is that guilt I’m seeing?He sighed, his fingers tightening around mine. “You’re right. I should’ve been honest with you from the start.”

I nodded, a sense of validation washing over me. “Start with Patterson. Why did he target me? Why is he so interested in you and your family?”

Kai took a deep breath, his eyes clouded with anger. “He’s not just some random psycho. He used to be part of Cedar Haven. Government experiments. Top secret type shit.”

“He asked me odd questions. Wanted to know if you and I had ... mated. He used that term. Why, Kai? What is Patterson to you?”

“Patterson has it in his head that my DNA holds the key to something he’s been after for years.”

DNA? I couldn’t have heard correctly. But something Patterson had said weaved its way through my mind.I’m on the brink of something profound, he’d said. “What is he after?”

“Immortality,” Kai answered, a crease forming between his eyebrows. “Lily, you’ve been pulled into this because of me.”

I didn’t have time to be angry with Kai. Yet. “Patterson is insane. Immortality isn’t possible. Why would he think your DNA holds the answer, Kai?”

He ran a hand over his face and sat back in the chair, his legs spread wide. “My family ... we aren’t like you. We’re different.”

I watched him carefully, noting the fear in his gaze for the first time. I would’ve thought Kai impervious to such emotions. “You’re survivalists. That’s a very different way to live, sure, but nothing about that would make someone like Patterson so obsessed with you.”

“We aren’t survivalists. We’re ... not human.”

My brow furrowed as I processed the information. “Kai, you aren’t making any sense.”

He took a deep breath, then held up his hand, spreading his fingers wide. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t hurt you.”

I swallowed hard, apprehension swamping me. “Okay.”

Kai flicked his wrist and claws appeared at the ends of his fingers. They were long and lethal talons, appearing as sharp as blades.What is happening?Had I somehow lost my mind? Was I still in that cell, unconscious, my brain misfiring? “What...”

“Easy.” He groaned. Another flick and the claws disappeared. “I won’t harm you.”

“What are you?”

---