Page 56 of Alien Huntsman

“Yes,” she agreed. “You are.”

CHAPTER 22

Korrin watched as Tessa’s eyelids fluttered open, revealing those warm blue eyes that had somehow worked their way into his soul. She gave him a sleepy smile that sent a rush of possessive pleasure through him. His mate. His to protect, his to cherish.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to hers, tasting her sweetness, breathing in her scent. The mark on her neck pulsed between them, their newly formed bond humming with energy. He could feel her heartbeat alongside his own, a steady rhythm that grounded him.

When he pulled back, the contentment on her face made his chest tighten. He traced a finger along her jaw, memorizing every detail of this moment before reality intruded.

“We need to talk about Lenora,” he said, his voice low and rough.

Her smile faded. She sat up, pulling the blanket with her, and sighed. “I know.”

“She’s tried to kill you twice. She’ll try again.” His beast prowled restlessly beneath his skin at the thought. “As long as she thinks she has something to gain from your death, you’re in danger.”

The unspoken implication hung between them. He’d already killed for her—Edgar’s blood still lingered in his memory—and he would do it again without hesitation. But was that the only way?

“What are you thinking?” she asked, studying his face.

“I’m thinking I need to end this.” His jaw tightened. “Permanently.”

She sighed, but she didn’t argue, staring up at the ceiling.

He took her hand, squeezing it gently. “I’ll handle it. You don’t have to be involved.”

“No.” She shook her head, determination hardening her features. “We do this together. She’s my stepmother. My responsibility too.”

Something fierce and proud swelled in his chest. This was why she was his perfect match—soft where he was hard, but with a core of steel that matched his own.

“Together, then,” he agreed, pressing his forehead to hers.

Korrin watched Tessa’s face as she stared into the distance, her expression a mixture of determination and old pain. The morning light filtered through the cabin’s small window, highlighting the curve of her cheek, the delicate line of her jaw. His beast stirred protectively, wanting to shelter her from anything that might hurt her, but he knew this was something she needed to voice.

“I wanted her to love me so badly,” Tessa said quietly, her fingers absently tracing patterns on the blanket. “When Father brought Lenora home, I thought—” Her voice caught. “I thought I was getting a second chance at having a mother.”

He gently stroked her knuckles, but he remained silent, giving her the space to continue.

“I tried so hard to please her. I learned to bake the things she liked. I kept the house clean. I never complained when she started treating me more like a servant than a daughter.” A bitter smile twisted her lips. “I told myself she just needed time to warm up to me.”

His jaw clenched, anger building at the thought of Tessa—his Tessa—bending over backward for a woman who never deserved her.

“But she was never going to love me, was she?” She looked up at him, her blue eyes clear and steady. “She saw me as competition from the beginning. For Father’s affection. For the bakery. For Edgar’s attention, though I never wanted that.”

“She’s poison,” he growled, unable to keep the contempt from his voice. “She doesn’t know how to love anyone but herself.”

She nodded, a strange calm settling over her features. “I know that now. I’ve known it for years, really. But I kept hoping… kept making excuses.” She squared her shoulders. “It’s time to stop pretending. Time to face the truth about who she really is.”

He cupped her face, his chest swelling with pride at her strength. “You deserved better,” he said roughly. “You always did.”

“Maybe.” She leaned into his touch. “But I had a lot of happy years with my father. And then I found you. And these littleones.” She glanced at the pups sleeping in their makeshift bed by the fire. “That’s more family than I ever thought I’d have.”

His chest tightened at the trust in her eyes and his beast purred in satisfaction at the sight of her—their mate—looking up at him with such open affection.

“I’ll be with you every step,” he promised, his voice low and rough. “Whatever you need to do, whatever happens with Lenora, I’m at your side.”

Her smile bloomed slowly, transforming her face. Even after everything—the kidnapping, the poison, the danger—she smiled at him like he was something precious. His beast preened under her attention, even though his rational side still struggled to believe he deserved it.

“I know,” she said simply, reaching up to trace the line of his jaw with gentle fingers. “And that’s why I’m not afraid anymore.” Her touch drifted lower, trailing down his neck to rest against his chest, right over his heart. “But Lenora can wait.”

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