Page 217 of Kingdoms of Night

Repeatedly.

All to run away from the truth of actually wanting him.

“Good job, Riley,” I told myself.

As a positive to the situation, I didn’t have to worry about him claiming me.

However, now I sort of wanted him to claim me. Because he really was a worthy mate.

He’d proved to be unlike any other Alpha I’d ever met. And I’d chased him away based on my past, all the while ignoring the present and future standing right before me.

I placed my forearms on the kitchen counter and bent to press my forehead to the marble surface. It wasn’t chilled. It was warm. Just like the whole damn cabin.

I’d chosen a flimsy summer dress because of the heat. Nothing else. It had thin straps and a low-cut neckline and ended mid-thigh.

I was pretty sure it’d been meant for a child.

But I was five foot two and required smaller clothing because of myOmegasizing.

A low growl rumbled inside me, my irritation over everything coming back to the forefront of my mind. I’d been so rude to Jonas for something that wasn’t his fault. Something neither of us could change. Something I’d been afraid of my entire life.

“You don’t know a damn thing about me, Dr. Campbell. And you’ve never tried to know me.”

Jonas had been right.

Yet also wrong.

I didn’t know a lot about him, but I knew enough. He was a man of few words, existing mostly in his actions.

And all those actions had proved him to be a good Alpha.

Not once had he made me bow to him. Nor had he ever put me in my place, despite the numerous occasions where he should have done so. He’d always been cordial and downrightpatient.

“One of these days, he’s going to bend you over and fuck that disobedience right out of you,” Kieran had once joked after I’d not so politely excused Jonas from the room. “And you’re going to love every minute of it.”

I’d scoffed at the notion. “We both know that’s never going to happen.”

“On the contrary, sweetheart.” Kieran had bent his head to my ear, adding, “Youare the only one who thinks that’ll never happen. But someday he’s going to figure out what you’re hiding. Just wait.”

“Well, he knows now,” I replied. Not that Kieran could hear me.

I sort of wished he could, though. He’d have a solution to this mess.

Although, his solution would be to let Jonas knot me.

Fuck, he’d probably even advocate to allow Jonas to claim me.

“He grew up in Blood Sector,” Kieran had said once. “I don’t know him well, but Lorcan does. The two of them seem to enjoy being silent together.”

I’d met Lorcan a few times in passing. He was one of Kieran’s Elite guards. And terrifying as fuck.

Not unlike Jonas, really.

Because Jonas also had that brooding scariness quality to him. However, unlike Lorcan, Jonas had tried to be more approachable in my presence. He’d often attempted to engage me in polite conversation.

And I’drejectedhim each time.

“Because I’m a terrible person,” I told myself. “Ugh.”

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