Page 101 of Alpha's Revenge Luna
“Rest,” he suggests softly, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face.The gesture is so gentle, so unlike the Dion I’ve come to know, that it takes me aback, yet warms me all the same.He can go from hot to cold like a switch flicked.I worry I will get used to this side of him yet yearn for it all the same.There’s something about his presence that makes me feel safe and protected.Even though I know he is a Hybrid who could hurt me without effort, I know he doesn’t want to.
“Thank you,” I whisper back, my throat tight with unspoken emotions.He hesitates before sitting up and leaning against the headboard with me in his lap.His presence is like a magnetic force, pulling me in despite my best efforts to maintain some emotional distance.“Your body has gone through a lot,” he says, and his fingers tracing circles on my hips sending tingles down my spine.
I swallow hard, my mind racing with questions.“Will this happen every time I merge with Elara?”
“Perhaps,” he replies, but there’s something guarded in his voice that makes me wonder what he’s not telling me.“But we’ll find a way to make it easier for you.I promise.”
“I had a similar issue with Deacon, but not because he didn’t want to give me control back, but because I am a Hybrid,so I can’t fully merge with him.Either way, shifting hurts one of us.We are both things, vampire and wolf, so sometimes my bloodlust becomes his; he can become a killing machine if I let him and I can become a savage beast.You’ll get used to it, and one day Elara will realize I am no threat to her or you.”
“How long did it take you to shift back?”
“Not long, but...”
“But what?”I ask him, watching him carefully.
“When I took the pack over, sometimes my bloodlust would get the better of me.We could be stuck in Deacon’s form for days.It’s why my pack started giving me their blood,” he admits.
It makes me see him in a different light, understanding perhaps a fraction of what has shaped him into the man he is today.
“But let’s not dwell on the past,” he suggests, and I can see the effort it takes for him to keep his emotions in check.It makes me wonder how many he killed in that state because whatever memory came to mind then I could see hurt him.“Focus on healing, Emery.I won’t let anything hurt you.”
I let the questions I have drop, knowing they can wait.As I close my eyes, I let myself be lulled by the sound of his breathing, the warmth of his body next to mine.It’s the first time in a long while I feel safe enough to let my guard down completely, even if it’s just for a little while.And as I drift off to sleep, a part of me wonders if there might be hope for us after all.
Chapter 35
I wake up to the scent of fresh pine and morning dew.Dion’s warmth cocoons me, his muscular arm draped protectively over my waist.
“Morning,” he murmurs, his breath tickling the nape of my neck as I stir.
“Good morning,” I reply softly, feeling the proximity between us.For a moment, I hesitate, but then I allow myself to lean back into his embrace, finding comfort in the warmth of his skin.
“Hmm, careful, love.You’re smelling quite tempting,” he purrs as my ass brushes against him, making me notice his erection digging into my lower back.
My eyes widen and I try to move away when he tugs me back.“I won’t hurt you, but we do need to talk,” he murmurs against my shoulder before kissing it.
“Talk?”I question my foggy brain trying to make sense of his words.
“Mmm, yes, talk,” Dion says gently yet seriously, bringing me back to the reality that awaits me.“About your upcoming heat.”He yawns while I stare at the wall.I knew I’d go into heatonce I had my wolf, and I know what that entails, yet it still frightens me.
I tense at the mention of it, knowing its implications for both of us.Dion senses my unease and shifts pulling me so we’re facing each other.His eyes search my face, trying to read my thoughts and emotions.
“Are you scared?”he whispers.
“Of course I’m scared,” I admit, feeling my heart pound against my ribcage.“I’ve never...”he raises an eyebrow, knowing full well I am a virgin, but that doesn’t make it any less daunting.I sigh, knowing how stupid that sounds, but the idea of him knotting me is petrifying considering before my wolf came along he could kill me by doing so.I stare at his chest, feeling embarrassed.
“I know you’re a virgin, I won’t hurt you,” he whispers but I am doubtful, if his knot could kill me before that doesn’t sound exactly pleasant.
“Emery, look at me,” Dion says softly, lifting my chin so our eyes meet.“Our bond is important, but your well-being is my priority.You will go into heat, and when you do, I will have to mate you,” he tells me, his eyes searching my face.A lump forms in my throat.
I open my mouth to argue, to ask if we can use the belladonna, or stop it like last time, but he must sense where my thoughts go because he growls.
“You don’t want me to, still?”he questions though there is no hostility in his tone, more curiosity.
“You say you won’t hurt me, but I don’t see how that is possible,” I admit.
“I’m not saying it will be totally painless, but I promise I will distract you from any pain.”His sincerity leaves me breathless.I can see the determination in his amber eyes, a flicker of red at the edges, making me wonder if he needs blood.
“Thank you, Dion,” I whisper, overwhelmed by his promise.I know it’s not easy for him, with his Alpha instincts and the expectations of us both.
