Page 50 of Cursed Alien

Malrik’s expression softened as he looked down at her. “Together,” he agreed.

Her father watched them, a mixture of concern and resignation on his face. “I suppose there’s no talking you out of this?”

“None at all,” she said cheerfully.

“You’re just like your mother. Stubborn as a rock drill and twice as determined.” Her father looked at Malrik then nodded slowly. “She’d have liked you, I think. Once she got past the whole beast thing.”

“I would have been honored to meet her,” Malrik said quietly.

Her father nodded, then turned back to her. “Just… be careful. And come back to me. Both of you,” he added, including Malrik in his gaze.

“We will,” she promised. She moved to kiss her father’s forehead. “Rest now. We’ll talk more later.”

As they left the bedroom, Agatha pulled her aside. “The love you feel for him,” she said quietly, “it’s the key. Remember that when you face Seren.”

“I will,” she said. “Thank you, Agatha. For everything.”

The old woman waved dismissively. “Just doing what needs doing. Now go on, you two. You’ve got preparations to make.”

“What kind of preparations?”

Agatha’s eyes sparkled gleefully. “I’m sure you’ll figure it out.”

She shooed them both out of the cottage before she could ask any more questions, and she gave Malrik a puzzled look.

“Do you know what she was talking about?”

He shook his head absently, then cleared his throat.

“What you said in there… about loving me…”

“I meant it,” she said firmly. “Every word.”

“Even knowing what I am? What I’ve been?”

“I love all of you, Malrik. The beast, the Vultor, everything in between. Just as you are.”

For a moment, he seemed unable to speak. Then he pulled her close, burying his face in her hair. “I don’t deserve you,” he murmured.

“Good thing it’s not about deserving,” she replied, wrapping her arms around him. “It’s about choosing. And I choose you.”

CHAPTER23

She loves me. She chooses me.

The knowledge that Bella loved him filled both sides of Malrik with joy—joy and something more. Need. He drew her closer, his thumb stroking the delicate curve of her neck.

“Bella,” he whispered.

Her name came out half groan, half prayer. His lips brushed her cheek, then moved lower. Her sweet scent intoxicated him, adding to the desire flooding his body. His teeth grazed the tender skin of her throat and she gasped softly, her hands clutching his arms. A rumbling purr of satisfaction rose from his chest as his mouth continued downward, nibbling at her collarbone.

She tilted her head back to allow him better access, then suddenly pushed him away.

He growled, not understanding why his mate was rejecting him, but then she grabbed his hand and tugged him urgently away from the cottage.

“Not here,” she whispered, gesturing at the open, sunlit garden. “Not with my father and Agatha just inside.”

She tugged on his hand again and he realized she was trying to pull him towards the woods. He immediately took over, and she laughed as he half-pulled, half-carried her into the shadows of the trees, his cock already hard and straining at the annoying trousers.

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