Page 53 of Alien Huntsman

“Water,” she croaked, her voice a raspy whisper.

He quickly reached for a cup next to the bed, supporting her head with one hand while bringing a cup to her lips with the other.

“Slow,” he murmured as she gulped greedily. “Easy, love.”

The endearment warmed her more than the blankets piled on top of her. When she finished drinking, he set the cup aside but didn’t release her, his thumb stroking her cheek as if reassuring himself she was real.

“How long?” she asked.

“Two days.” His voice was rough, haunted. “You’ve been sleeping for two days.”

“What happened?” she asked, fragments of memory swirling through her mind. “I remember the honey… and Edgar…”

A shadow crossed his face, something dark and dangerous flashing in his eyes before he carefully masked it. “The honey was poisoned. Edgar brought it, claiming it was from Lenora.”

She shuddered, remembering Edgar’s smile as he’d handed her the basket. How he’d looked at the cabin with such disdain, as if he couldn’t imagine why she’d choose this life over what he offered. The realization that he’d tried to kill her—or worse—made her stomach churn.

“The pups,” she said suddenly, looking around the cabin. “They were growling at him.”

“Safe. They protected you.” His jaw clenched, a muscle ticking along its edge. “If they hadn’t been there… They kept him away until Malrik found you.”

“Malrik?”

“The beast Vultor. He came to find me.”

She reached up, her fingers trembling as they traced the dark circles under his eyes. “You look like you haven’t slept.”

“I couldn’t.” His admission was simple, devastating in its honesty. “Not until I knew you’d wake up.”

He lifted their joined hands to his mouth, his eyes never leaving hers. The brush of his lips against her skin sent a tremor through her body that had nothing to do with her weakened state. His touch was reverent, careful, as if she might shatter beneath his fingers.

“I love you,” he said, the words hanging in the air between them. “I should have told you before the poison. Before everything. I’ve never said those words to anyone, but they’ve been true since I first saw you caring for those damn pups.”

Relief flooded through her. She’d thought she’d heard him whisper it while she drifted in that cold darkness, but memory and dreams had tangled together, leaving her uncertain.

“I love you too,” she whispered back, her voice still raspy. The admission felt like releasing a breath she’d been holding for too long. “I think I have since you brought me here. Since you showed me who you really are beneath all that growling.”

His lips quirked up at that, and he pressed another kiss to her palm, this one lingering. The tenderness of the gesture made her heart swell. This was the real Korrin—not the cold bounty hunter or the fierce warrior, but the man who’d carried orphaned pups through the forest, who’d taught her to survive, who’d held her through the night as if she were something precious.

“I thought I was going to lose you,” he said, his voice rough with emotion. “When I found you on the porch, so still and cold…”

She squeezed his hand. “I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere.”

His golden eyes darkened with an emotion so intense it stole her breath.

“No,” he agreed. “You’re not.”

He leaned closer, his thumb tracing the curve of her cheek.

“I want to claim you as my mate,” he said, his voice low and fervent. “I want everyone to know you’re mine, and I’m yours.” His expression softened, vulnerability flickering across his features. “But only if that’s what would make you happy.”

The words sent a rush of warmth through her body. She’d learned enough about Vultor customs to understand what he was asking. This wasn’t just a proposal—it was somethingdeeper, more permanent. A bond that would tie them together in ways she was only beginning to understand.

She didn’t hesitate.

“Yes,” she whispered, reaching up to touch his face. “That would make me very happy.”

His eyes flared gold, and the smile that spread across his face was breathtaking in its joy. He bent down, capturing her lips with his. The kiss was tender at first, but quickly deepened as his hand slid into her hair, cradling the back of her head. Heat bloomed between them, familiar yet somehow new with the promise of forever hanging between them.

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