Page 92 of The Hunger
“I’m curious how Adira treated you last night.”
“Like she always does. If Megan hadn’t insisted that we stay, Adira would have sent me to my room like a child.” I smiled a little to myself, remembering Megan’s words. “Megan told Adira that Oanen, Fenris, and I were her voice of reason to keep her from throat-punching them all.”
Mom chuckled.
“I wish I could have been there. How did Adira treat you when she talked to you this morning?”
“The same.”
Mom tilted her head and studied me. “Nothing felt different?”
I shrugged a little as I tried to remember. “I was a little angrier, maybe. Raiden wanted her to teleport Fenris straight home after his last class. I could feel how mad that made him. Raiden already has a tracking spell on him. It’s just…I don’t know. I guess I understood how trapped he felt and told Adria to leave him alone and said that I’d rather starve than feed in public like she’s so determined to make me do.”
Mom’s gaze shifted over my face, scrutinizing me for a long moment.
“And how did you feel after you were done speaking with her?”
“Still very angry. Why? What did Adira say when she called you?”
Mom smiled and patted my hand.
“Nothing to worry about. Would you like to watch a movie with me?”
My hunger clawed at me, robbing me of reason for a moment, and I snapped at Dad.
“I said I don’t want any.”
His startled look and my very sharp vision immediately returned my sanity. Averting my gaze, I attempted to make things right.
“I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to speak like that. I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
“You’re hungry, Eliana,” Mom said, watching me closely. “I know the chocolate isn’t what you want, but perhaps it will help soothe you until what you want arrives.”
I thought of Fenris, and my hunger stirred again. Before it took over, I grabbed the chocolate ganache with raspberry mousse and shoved a bite in my mouth. It was good, but nowhere near as rich and delicious as Fenris.
“You don’t have to apologize to me, Eliana,” Dad said, setting a gentle hand on my shoulder. “And you don’t have to avert your gaze. I know what you are and understand.”
Lights hit the front window, and I froze, staring hungrily at the door. Mom said something to Dad, but I didn’t catch more than ‘say nothing’ as I set my dessert aside and listened to the sounds outside. The engine went silent. I stood. Two doors slammed shut; then there was nothing.
My gaze shifted to the door as Dad opened it and stepped back.
“Please, come in,” he said, his words barely registering as I glided closer.
Raiden saw me and held up a hand.
“Eliana, we’re here to eat human food. I didn’t bring Fenris so you could—”
“Move or I will move you.” I didn’t care if I was being rude. I needed Fenris.
Raiden’s eyes went wide, and he immediately stepped aside, revealing Fenris. Our gazes locked. The tension I felt in Fenris melted away, and he offered me his signature boyish smile.
“I didn’t get a selfie,” he said. “But I like this better.”
I launched myself at him, and he caught me in his arms, holding me to his chest as I shook with hunger.
“I told you that you’d come running for my hugs one day,” he murmured against my hair. “Now take what you need, my little love sponge. I smell roast.”
Burying my nose in the crook of his neck, I breathed in his lust. Each pull settled into my stomach and brought more relief than the last one. His hand stroked down my back and played with my hair as he held me and let me eat my fill. I don’t know how long I fed, but when my hunger finally settled enough that I could think straight, I realized I wasn’t just hugging Fenris. I had my legs wrapped around his waist, and one of his hands was on my backside.
