Page 8 of Marked By Moonlight
But that can’t be. He doesn’t like me. He doesn’t want me. We aren’t mates. We’re just friends.
He yawns. It’s contagious, and I yawn again.
“Do you want to shower first or just go to bed?” he asks with another yawn.
I stifle my own yawn as I say, “Bed. I don’t think I can keep my eyes open for another second.”
Kael grabs the mattress and slides it off the creaky bed frame and onto the floor. I still don’t see how we are both going to fit, but Kael kicks off his shoes and jeans until he’s standing in his boxers and a dark gray t-shirt. The dressing from his wound is thick enough to see under his shirt.
“Undress,” he says.
I raise an eyebrow and grip my midsection with a blush.
He lets out a boisterous laugh as he yanks off his shirt and then climbs under the covers. “I just meant take your shoes and jeans off.”
I kick my shoes off easily enough. But I’m only wearing a thong, so I’m not sure I want to take my jeans off.
“Really? You were willing to kiss me and let me have sex with you in the woods if the bond shone between us, but you aren’t willing to take your jeans off so we can sleep.”
“Close your eyes.”
He rolls his hazel eyes before snapping them shut.
I yank my jeans down and then hurry to the spot on the mattress next to Kael, my heart racing as I slide under the covers.
“Okay.”
Kael opens his eyes with a soft grin. “Come here.” He holds his arm out, and I slowly lower my head onto his shoulder.
“See? I’m not going to bite.”
“Doesn’t it feel strange, though?”
With a rough exhale, he stares down at a spot on the comforter like it’s the most interesting thing. His shaggy brown tendrils fall into his eyes. “Yes. I should have told you earlier, but you were so convinced that we were mates, that we’d discover a bond between us. I couldn’t deny you that chance. But I only think of you as my annoying little sister.”
His hazel eyes finally look at me in the protective way they always do. I can’t be mad at him. He loves me—he’s just not in love with me.
Maybe it’s because we grew up together as the only two young members of our pack. Maybe it’s because even if we were mates, we’d never feel anything until the curse is lifted.
I let my eyes drag down his bare chest and bandage, then over the taught skin of his thick muscles before his narrow waist disappears beneath the covers. I’ve imagined his muscles contracting over me countless times. I’ve imagined how his tongue would taste against mine and how his hard length would feel pushed between my legs.
But after that kiss, after feeling him, it felt wrong—so fucking wrong. It must have just been a silly crush. Now that I’m here in this bed next to him and he’s shared his feelings, I’m beginning to see him as what he’s always been—my protective older brother.
“Thank you for telling me. I feel the same.”
He grins, and his eyes light up with relief. “Good. Now, let’s sleep. We can discuss our next move in the morning.”
“You mean you’re not going to argue with me about finding the Moonlight wolves?”
He narrows his eyes. “No. Why would I when I plan on coming with you?”
A soft smile spreads across my face, and the uneasiness in my belly disappears instantly. I would have searched for the pack on my own, but having my best and only friend with me gives me more courage to face whatever dangers we will encounter.
Chapter 4
Lumi
Istare at the maps pulled up on my phone, clueless as to where to search next. It’s been over a month, and we are still no closer to finding the Moonlight wolves. All we’ve done is find a whole bunch of places they aren’t.
