Page 52 of Luna's Forgotten Vow

I turn around to leave, but his voice halts me mid-step. "Why did you choose to stay with me?"

Because a part of me wanted to. Because the thought of never seeing you again felt like a blade to my heart. "Because you never would have let me leave. Not while I am still indebted to you."

His voice is closer than it was a few seconds ago, brushing against my neck like the caress of an intimate lover. "We both know that is a lie." My skin heats where he brushes my curls off my shoulder. "You stayed because you wanted to."

I stiffen, reaching for the door quickly, but it slams shut as he cages me in, my chest hitting the door, his pressed flush against my back. "Get off me, Soren."

His lips tease my ear. "You touched my computer."

My heart jolts, but it isn't entirely fear that chases each heartbeat. There is a strange tightening in my lower belly and my body, of its own volition, grows supple against his, melding in all the right places. His thighs to my ass, his groin somewhere between my ass cheeks, my cleavage pressing harder against the cool door and my breathing becomes heavier. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"You saw it, didn't you?" he murmurs, voice thick and rough, a little accent slipping in. "Your pictures."

His scent fills my nostrils, and it is a struggle to put my words together. "You have my pictures?"

Soren laughs darkly. "Nice try, Sera." Something sharp grazes my neck, and I jump. "Did it frighten you? Did you hate me for it? And the little clause at the end of the contract? Didn't you think it...brilliant?"

I whirl, pissed off and bewildered. But all it does is bring our bodies closer in the most disturbing of ways. "I think you're a piece of shit."

He...he nips my cheek softly and then nuzzles the spot. His fingers curl on my hip. "Tell me something I don't already know."

I've exerted myself faster than possible. My next words are a harsh pant. "You disgust me."

Another humorless laugh. "You wouldn't be touching me if you considered me appalling." True to his words, my hands are pressed against his chest, feeling the heat seep into my skin from his silk shirt. I snatch them back and try putting some distance between us, but there is nowhere to run.

"You should feel sorry. You should be apologizing. You should be seeking my forgiveness," I say, shocked at his lack of remorse and the intent that glitters in his eyes. The heat. "I'm not some dumb bimbo you can mess around with whenever you feel like."

He presses his hot mouth against my forehead, my temple. "Gods, far from it." His hands run up my sides and back, and I gasp when I hear the snap of my bra's clasp. "Why seek forgiveness when I have no regrets? My deceit is the only reason I get to touch you like this." He bends over, green eyes lit up like burning torches, and my lashes flutter when he rakes his caninesfrom my jaw to the sensitive spot behind my ear. "I'm not sorry, Seraphina."

I wait a second, and another.

And then, with every ounce of strength I have in me, I ram my knee up, sending it against his groin. It hits home and Soren jerks away, his roar rattling the walls.

His face is pulled back in a fierce, scary snarl, and I bare my teeth back at him in defiance, even as his aura pulls at every shred of sense I have, trying to force me into submission. "No, but you will be sorry, Soren Winter. Touch me ever again and I'll fucking stab you."

CHAPTER 17

SERAPHINA

Afist pounds against the door in the distance.

Ignoring it, I flip the page, pushing Landon's cot back and forth with my free hand. He holds up a figurine, hitting against the crib's side excitedly, giggling.

Smiling, I drop the book, hovering over him. "You want me to touch it?"

His only response is flashing it in my face, somehow managing to get my hair curled around it. His blue eyes are wide, long lashes fluttering against his cheekbones as he mouths something unintelligible and pumps his fists twice.

I bet Soren would understand what that meant. Right on cue, the pounding on the door grows heavier, startling Landon enough to make his lips quiver. His belting cry is nothing pretty, and I lift him off his cot, cradling him to my chest as I storm for the door.

Unlocking it, I glare into the face of Ruslan, the Head Guard. "I made it clear that I was not to be disturbed."

He looks truly apologetic, but he steps aside, revealing Landon's nurse. "Forgive me, but the Head Alpha has summoned you downstairs for dinner."

"I will eat in my bedroom," I snap, rocking Landon up and down, patting his back with gentle 'shhs.'

Ruslan looks over his shoulders, and I note the guards standing behind him for the first time. Three of them. "I'm afraid it isn't a request." His eyes implore me to hand Landon over to Juliana, who looks unsure if she should step forward or scamper away in the face of my temper.

Begrudgingly, I hand Landon to her, but not before I kiss both his cheeks. "I'll be down after I change into something...more appropriate," I say, looking pointedly at my robe and the lacy thing it barely covers.

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