Page 56 of Cursed Magic

He paused and examined my reaction.

I struggled to swallow, and I tried to school my expression, but my heart was breaking for him. I squeezed hishand tighter, wanting him to know I was on his side. “Is it still affecting you?”

“Yes, but it’s getting weaker.” He licked his lips. “And I think I know why.”

His gaze burned into mine as I breathed, “Why?”

“Because you’re my fated mate, Ember. That trumps everything, even this spell.”

My heart stilled. I waited for disbelief to hit, but it didn’t. Somehow, some way, Ryker being my fated mate made sense. But at the same time…it didn’t. “Reid’s rejection—”

“Doesn’t matter. You’re mine, Ember. I don’t understand it either, but I’m so fucking glad you’re the one made for me,” he said fervently. “I should’ve realized it sooner. No matter what I do or how far you run, we’re drawn back to each other.”

The truth of his words resonated deep within me, and the walls I’d built to protect myself crumbled when they should’ve gotten stronger. But with Ryker, I wasn’t scared. The fated-mate bond with Reid had never felt this secure.

He tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear, his touch gentle despite the tension between us. “If we have each other, the rest doesn’t matter.”

All the strain left my body. “You’re right. I’m sorry for not telling you when Raven informed me—”

He shook his head, cutting me off. “No, it’s my fault. I should’ve confided in you when my feelings for you couldn’t be ignored any longer. I should’ve been honest about what I’d done. I just was afraid you wouldn’t look at me the same, and that thought petrified me.”

“I’d never be able to look at you differently. Even though it doesn’t make sense to me, I do believe you’re my other half, and I’m tired of fightingit.”

He smiled and leaned down to kiss me, but I placed a hand on his chest, holding him back.

He grimaced, so I quickly said, “I want to kiss you. I do.” Hell, I wanted to do a lot more than that with him. I was finally done fighting what was brewing between us. These last three days had been pure hell. “But first, is there anything else you’ve hidden from me?”

“Nothing.” His gaze held mine with unwavering intensity, and the lack of sulfur confirmed he wasn’t lying. “What about you?”

My mouth dried. This was it. However, I didn’t want to make him more of a target than he already was. “I’ve told you everything, but Ryker, there’s something wrong with me. It might be for the best if you still keep your distance. I mean, I can see the enemy, and Reid said at the–”

“Dammit, Ember. There isnothingwrong with you. Can’t you see that Reid only said that to make you look weak so his pack could try to take control?” His nostrils flared. “I’ll make him pay for what he did to you—for all we know, his witch cast some spell on you to make you see these things, so you’ll believe you’re losing your mind.” His irises glowed as his own wolf peeked through. “I’m not fucking going anywhere. Do you understand?”

Even though my head screameddon’t, my heart and soul believed him. At barely a whisper, I said, “I do.”

Relief washed over his features as he drew me closer with a raw urgency that ignited every cell in my body. He rasped, “No more secrets.” Our chests pressed together, and his warm, minty breath hit my lips. “I really need to kiss you right now.”

This time, I didn’t hold back. My mouth met his fiercely, and the world disappeared. Only the two of us existed.

Heat coursed through me as his hands tangled in my hair and pulled me closer, erasing any distance between us. His lips moved against mine with a ferocity that should’ve scared me, but it only fueled my own.

I kissed him back hard, my fingers digging into his arms like he might disappear if I didn’t hold on tight enough. Even if I wanted to stop, I couldn’t. Electricity shot between us, and a knot of need twisted deep inside me.

The bond roared to life, powerful and undeniable. My wolf howled in triumph, urging me to claim him and let nothing stand in the way of what we were meant to be. He backed me toward the trees, and within seconds, my shoulders hit rough bark while his body pressed against mine.

He rained kisses down my face until his lips pressed against the base of my neck. His teeth grazed the artery where I craved for him to bite me. “We should stop,” he groaned as his hands slid underneath the hem of my shirt.

He couldn’t be serious. That was the last thing I wanted to do. I needed him to fill me…to claim me…to mix his scent with mine. Yet, if he wasn’t ready, it wasn’t fair for me to push him. “Do you want to?” Still, my hands eased under his shirt, and my nails dug into his back.

He shuddered, making me feel so damn powerful.

“Ember, you deserve better than forming the bond outside the vampire mansion when we’re both drunk with lust.” His teeth dug a little bit deeper into my neck despite his protests. “We should be alone, with no chance of anyone interrupting us.”

If that was what he was worried about, then it wasn’t an issue. I didn’t think my wolf would allow me to wait another minute. I freed my left hand and pressed his face harder against my neck, ready to feel the sting of his teeth inside me.

He growled, catching my hand and pulling it down to my side. His tongue caressed where he’d drawn a little blood, and heat seared through me. His other hand moved under my bra, cupping my breast. “It’s your turn to be patient,” he murmured, his voice rough with desire.

A shiver of pleasure raced through me even as I moaned in protest. His thumb brushed over my nipple, and my breath caught. I grew dizzy. This man knew exactly how to unravel me.

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