Page 52 of Alien Charming

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s not exactly a pass. It’s a road that once led to a grand estate.”

“Does the road still exist?”

He shrugged. “Perhaps, but no one uses it. It’s Malrik’s territory.”

“Malrik?”

“He owned the estate—still does, I suppose—but he succumbed to his beast side a long time ago. He remembers enough to know that it’s his territory, and he will defend it. I don’t believe your aunt would enjoy that encounter.”

“I suppose not,” she sighed. “I thought it might be a good bargaining chip.”

He frowned into the distance for a minute, then nodded thoughtfully.

“How about a compromise? I won’t call off the trade alliance yet, but I won’t participate in any further negotiations, at least not yet.”

“You’re just going to put it off?”

“For a little while. I want Korrin to do some investigating first.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s very good at finding out things that people prefer to keep hidden. It could give us an advantage.” He flashed a wolfish grin at her and she noticed that his fangs had grown.

She stroked his jaw, feeling a subtle difference in the bone structure.

“Your beast is showing,” she whispered, shaking her head when he started to pull back. “You don’t need to hide him from me. Will you show him to me?”

“I don’t want to frighten you.”

“You will never frighten me, Seren, and he’s a part of you.”

He hesitated, then nodded and stepped back, releasing her. His body began to change, shifting fluidly from male to beast. It should have frightened her, but instead she only felt awe at the beauty of his transformation. Fur sprouted across his skin and his features elongated, his eyes becoming a deeper, more vibrant gold. He remained upright in a curious amalgamation of male and beast. His body towered over her, and excitement shivered down her spine.

“Afraid?” he growled, his voice rough, but she shook her head, reaching out to stroke the silky grey fur.

His hands closed over hers, except they weren’t hands exactly. The palms were broader, the fingers shorter but tipped with gleaming white claws, but they held her with the same exquisite gentleness. She reached higher, exploring the pronounced angle of his jaw. His mouth was not exactly a mouth either, but she stood on her tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to it.

“I love this part of you too,” she said softly.

He growled again, and then he was carrying her back into the bedroom. His claws made quick work of the shirt she was wearing but didn’t even scratch her skin.

“Claim?” he growled.

“Yes.” She tilted her head, exposing her neck, and his fangs scraped the sensitive flesh before he drew back.

“Mine,” he growled, and his fangs pierced her skin.

The brief pain was quickly replaced by a wave of pleasure so intense she cried out, arching against him, her body shuddering in helpless ecstasy as he roared his triumph.

When the world finally returned, they were curled together, his arms wrapped around her. He was mostly in his Vultor form again, although his fangs and claws were still extended.

“Thank you,” he said when she smiled up at him. “From both of us.”

“I didn’t expect it to be so…”

“Overwhelming?”

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