Page 50 of The Hunger
“Ah, the long-delayed and much-anticipated frolic through the trees? I have to admit that it hasn’t been easy holding back the urge every time you enter pack land. But now that you know not to run, we’ll be fine.”
We were anything but fine. But I kept that to myself.
“I’d rather we talk to our parents separately,” I said. “Your dad has the whole pack out looking for you in his effort to keep you away from me. Going with you isn’t going to help the situation.”
Fenris looked thoughtful for a moment, and I didn’t miss the way he glanced at the cave opening.
“Maybe you’re right,” he said finally. “There are probably a few things I’m going to need to explain. And maybe a few things you’re going to need to explain to your dad without me being there.” He grinned ruefully. “I know he’s human, but he makes me nervous.”
“My dad?”
“Yeah. I really want him to like me.”
“I think you’re safe there. He already likes you.”
“Will you make sure it stays that way? No more running from this?”
I considered Fenris and what he was asking of me. He wanted me to embrace that he was telling me the truth. We were destined to be together.
“I don’t have your nose or your instinct,” I said instead.
“Which is why I asked for your unconditional trust. Haven’t I earned it?”
“Maybe. I don’t know. I think I need some time to let this all sink in.”
He studied me for a moment.
“Put your legs around my waist, Eliana.”
My eyes went wide, and I shook my head. He sighed.
“That’s what I thought. You heard what I had to say. However, as soon as you leave, you’re going to talk yourself out of what I’m telling you. You’ll have a list of reasons it won’t work.”
I swallowed hard, pretty sure I was already listing reasons in the back of my mind.
“I’ll do us both a favor and list all the reasons you should try to keep ignoring me. You’ll turn me into your dad, a shell of the man he used to be. He’s a good-looking shell, by the way. Great sense of humor, too. How about this one? I’m a werewolf, a species known to mate for life. We’re extremely possessive creatures. I mean, when Megan kissed you, I was jealous, but probably not in a possessive way. She’s a bad example. How about that lucky little flitter who put his mark on you?”
Fenris ran his finger along the valley of my breasts, and I shivered.
“It’s a good thing I killed him for that in a jealous rage. Oh, wait. That didn’t happen either. What about the time you were in the pool with Eugene? Now that one I remember pretty clearly. I hit him right in the face.”
I wrinkled my nose at Fenris.
“You’ve made your point. You’re not the jealous type.”
“Eliana, this goes beyond possession or jealousy. By saying nothing, I thought I was giving you time to get used to Uttira. Instead, I watched you start to waste away. You so deeply hated everything about who you were that I could only do one thing.”
“What?”
“Love you exactly as you are. If you wanted to have an orgy and invited every creature in Uttira, I wouldn’t bat an eye. I’d watch you while you fed, marveling at your beauty, and when you finished, I’d welcome you back with open arms. I know everyone else is only food, Eliana. They’re what keeps you alive so I can have you for the rest of our lives. Do you understand now?”
I studied his expression and felt his sincerity before I answered.
“I know you can hear my heart hammering in my chest. You can smell my complete terror. You’re telling me everything I thought I knew was wrong. It’s not easy to change my view of the world, Fenris. I need time.”
“Fair enough. But I want you to promise me two things. Don’t shut me out, and start feeding on me regularly.”
My first instinct was to balk at the idea. But hadn’t I just glutted myself on him, and he’d still had his own freedom of will enough to toss me into the pool.
