Page 31 of Alien Huntsman

This time she didn’t hesitate, quickly tucking herself against him. Her softness molded against his harder body, fitting perfectly as she curled into his chest. Her cold nose pressed against his neck, sending a jolt through him that had nothing to do with temperature.

His beast roared with satisfaction, a rumble of approval vibrating through his chest. Mine. Protect. Warm.

He lay perfectly still, acutely aware of every point where her body touched his. Her head rested against his chest, her breathwarming his skin through the thin fabric of his shirt. The storm raged outside, rain lashing against the windows, wind howling through the trees, but inside the cabin, a strange peace had settled over them.

His heightened senses caught everything about her—the steady rhythm of her heart, the subtle floral scent of her hair, the softness of her curves pressed against him. His beast purred with contentment, satisfied to have her so close, safe in their arms.

Though her breathing had settled into a steady pattern, he knew she wasn’t asleep. He could feel the tension in her muscles, the alertness in her body. She was thinking, considering something.

After several minutes of silence broken only by the storm’s fury, Tessa shifted, tilting her head up to look at him. In the dim light from the dying fire, her eyes were luminous, searching his face with a curious intensity that made his pulse quicken.

“Are you afraid?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

“Of what?” he responded, though he suspected he knew.

“Of losing control. With me.”

The question struck a nerve. Of course he was afraid. He’d spent years mastering his beast, learning to keep the primal side of his nature leashed. But around her, those carefully constructed barriers were crumbling.

“Yes, and you should be as well,” he answered gruffly. “You should be terrified of what happens if I lose control.”

To his surprise, she smiled—a small, knowing curve of her lips that sent heat coursing through his veins.

“I’m not,” she said simply.

He stared at her, bewildered by her calm acceptance, her complete lack of fear. Didn’t she understand what he was? What he could do?

“You should be,” he repeated, his voice rougher. “You don’t know what I’m capable of.”

Her smile didn’t waver. “I’ve seen your beast, Korrin. I’ve watched you with the pups. I’ve felt your hands when you carried me. You’ve had a thousand chances to hurt me.”

She placed her palm against his chest, directly over his thundering heart. “I’m not afraid of you losing control.”

CHAPTER 13

Tessa woke slowly, enveloped in delicious warmth. The cabin was still dark, dawn barely creeping through the shutters. She blinked, disoriented for a moment before becoming acutely aware of the solid body pressed against her back, the heavy arm draped over her waist, the steady breath against her neck.

Korrin.

Her heart fluttered. She’d never felt so safe, so protected. She shifted carefully to look at him, not wanting to disturb his sleep. His face, usually so guarded and tense, was completely relaxed. The hard lines around his mouth had softened, his brow smooth instead of furrowed. He looked younger, vulnerable even.

A strand of dark hair had fallen across his face. Without thinking, she reached up and gently brushed it away, her fingertips grazing his cheekbone.

His eyes snapped open instantly, his eyes locking on to hers with startling intensity, already beginning to glow gold. For one breathless moment, neither moved. Heat pulsed low inher stomach at the raw hunger on his face, unmistakable and powerful. His gaze dropped to her lips, and she felt herself leaning toward him.

Then something shuttered behind his eyes. In one rapid motion, he pushed himself away from her and out of the bed, his movements abrupt and jerky, as if fighting against himself.

“Korrin?” she asked quietly.

He stood with his back to her, shoulders rigid, hands clenched at his sides. She could see the tension vibrating through him.

“You should get up. Day’s wasting.” His voice was as gravelly, as if he’d been shouting for hours.

She sat up, the blanket pooling around her waist, suddenly cold without his warmth. The pups stirred in their makeshift bed by the hearth, sensing the change in atmosphere.

“Did I do something wrong?” she asked.

He shook his head once, a sharp movement. “No. I did.”

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