Page 76 of Kai's Hunger

Beside me, a comforting presence stirred. Kai was there, his warm gaze focused on me, concern etched into the lines of his face. “Are you okay?” he murmured, his voice a soothing balm against the lingering echoes of my nightmare.

I managed a shaky nod, my throat constricting as I fought to calm my racing heart. I struggled to shake off the remnants of the dream, and hearing Kai’s voice dragged me back to reality.

A gentle stream of light spilled into the room, casting a golden glow that gently pushed back the darkness. I swallowed, my voice barely a whisper as I croaked out, “What time is it?”

Kai shifted slightly, his gaze still fixed on me. “It’s two in the afternoon.”

My eyes widened in disbelief. I’d slept for hours, the weight of emotional turmoil pulling me into a deep slumber. I couldn’t believe I’d slept so long, losing track of time in the process.

As realization settled in, the conversation we’d shared before I’d drifted off flooded my mind. The revelations Kai had shared about hisYucilonheritage, his family, and the intricate details of the mating bond. It was a lot to process, but strangely, the fear that had initially gripped me had softened. There was intrigue now, a growing fascination with this world beyond the ordinary.

He watched me. “You’ve been through so much,” he murmured, his voice gentle. “Rest was what you needed.”

I nodded, my head a swirling mess. “I ... I appreciate you being here.”

A glimmer of affection lit his gaze. “I’ll always be here for you, Lily.”

The sunlight streaming through the window infused the room with hope, a fresh start after the trials of the past. I took a deep breath, allowing myself to bask in Kai’s presence.

His voice was soft. “You know, we have a cabin not too far from here. It’s a private place, away from the world. I thought, if you’re up for it, we could go there. Spend some time away, just the two of us.”

My heart skipped a beat. The idea of a secluded escape sounded tempting, a chance to explore the bond we shared without the prying eyes of the outside world. Without the interruptions of his family.

I peered into his eyes, then proceeded to take the plunge. “I think I’d like that.”

A genuine smile blossomed on his lips, and he reached out to gently brush a strand of hair from my face. “You know what this means?”

As I nodded in agreement, a sense of possibility bloomed within me. “I do, and I’m ready.”

“I don’t want to rush you. If you need more time I—”

“I don’t,” I interrupted him. “The world is always going to be a place of uncertainty, but with you by my side, the journey ahead seems less daunting. I won’t let Patterson steal another moment of my life.”

His grin widened. “You amaze me. With everything that happened, I wouldn’t blame you if you wanted to lock yourself away and never leave.”

As the sunlight danced on the edges of their shared space, I thought of Kai’s words, his praise. “I could do that. But the whole reason I left my life behind was to start a new one. On my terms. I want to do that with you, Kai.”

“No more waiting,” he murmured, cupping my cheek in a gentle hand.

“No more waiting,” I repeated, lifting up so I could feel his lips against my own.

Our mouths met in a soft, lingering kiss. The tenderness was a balm for the wounds we both carried, physical and emotional. Kai’s hand gently grazed my cheek, as if he was worried about opening the wound in my lip. I leaned into his touch. I needed more. The world around us faded and our closeness provided solace.

As the kiss grew more passionate, a fire ignited between us. But just as our bodies responded to the rising heat, a flash of memory pierced my mind.

Gasping, I pulled away, my eyes wide with realization. The room blurred around me as the memory resurfaced, horrifying. I’d learned something during my captivity, something that could tilt the balance in our favor, something about Patterson that could lead us to him.

I pushed back a few inches, my heart pounding, lips tingling from the feel of Kai’s mouth against mine. I met his concerned gaze, my voice trembling as I found the words to speak. “I remember something,” I whispered, my voice barely audible above the rush of blood in my ears.

His worried gaze lingered as he reached out to me. “What is it?”

“Patterson,” I began, steadier now as the importance of my revelation sunk in. “I got him talking at one point. He revealed something I don’t think he intended to tell me. It might help find him, and, hopefully, Trakker.”

Kai’s eyes widened, shock mingling with caution. “Are you sure?”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Yes, I think it could be essential. We should tell your family.”

“You need to get dressed first,” he said, staring at my nightgown. “No one gets to see you this way. Except me.”

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