Page 116 of Chased By My Grumpy Alpha
“I know you cry in your sleep sometimes, and it makes me want to hunt down everyone who ever hurt you.” His hands hold my face tighter now, like I’m worth something to him. “I know you taste like sunlight and hope, and when you smile—really smile—it’s like I’m watching the sun rise after the longest night.”
Tears are streaming down my face at this point, and I can’t seem to stop them. “You don’t know me. Not really.”
“Then let me.” The words are fierce, possessive. “Let me learn every secret, every scar, every dream you’ve ever had. Let me spend the rest of my life figuring out how to make you happy.”
“And if you get bored?” The old fear rears its ugly head. “If you decide I’m not worth it?”
“I won’t get bored of you, Astra. Ever.” The corner of his mouth twitches upward. “But if you keep arguing with me, I’ll keep buying you gifts until you give in.”
Despite the tears, a laugh bubbles up from my chest—watery and broken, but real. “I don’t want you becoming penniless.”
“Say yes, then.” His thumb brushes across my lower lip, and fire races through my veins.
But the tender touch sobers me, too, reminding me of what he’s actually asking. To mate each other. Forever. The weight of it crashes over me, and the laughter dies as quickly as it came.
“Lucian, I...” I swallow hard, meeting his intense gaze. “Will you ever betray me?”
I watch his face carefully, looking for any flicker of hesitation, any shadow of doubt. Instead, he stands up, and his arms come around me, pulling me against his chest so I can feel his heartbeat, strong and steady beneath my ear.
“I will love you above everything else,” he says vehemently. “I will put the whole world at your feet if that’s what it takes to keep you happy.” His hand grips my hair to tilt my head back so he can look directly into my eyes. “I will tear apart anyone whotries to hurt you, burn down kingdoms if they dare to threaten what’s mine.”
My heart hammers against my ribs. “That’s not what I—”
“I only ask one thing in return.” His grip tightens, just enough to make me feel claimed, possessed. “Look only at me. Love only me. Promise me that whatever happens, whatever anyone else offers you, you’ll choose me.”
The intensity in his voice makes my knees weak. There’s something almost pleading beneath the command, like he’s terrified I might slip away.
“What if someone better comes along?” I ask, teasing him.
A feral look takes over his gaze. “There is no one better. And even if there were, you’re mine now. I don’t share.”
The possessiveness in his tone should probably scare me. Instead, it sends fire racing through my veins. After years of being unwanted, discarded, and used, the idea of being claimed so completely is intoxicating.
“Yours,” I breathe, and I see his pupils dilate.
“Say it again.”
“I’m yours.” The affirmation comes easier this time, and I see the way it affects him—the way his lips press together, the way his breathing becomes uneven.
“And I’m yours,” he says, leaning down until his lips barely brush mine. “Forever. No matter what happens, no matter who tries to take you from me, you belong to me, and I belong to you.”
“Promise me,” I whisper against his mouth.
“I promise.” He captures my lips in a kiss that steals my breath, desperate and demanding and full of everything he feels but can’t say. “Be my mate, Astra. Let me mark you, claim you, make you mine in every way that matters.”
I stare up at him, my heart pounding so hard I’m sure he can hear it. The idea terrifies me and thrills me in equal measure.
“Yes,” I whisper, and triumph flares in his blue eyes.
He kisses me again, harder this time, his hands gripping my hair. “Mine,” he growls against my lips.
“Yours,” I agree, feeling that wild and desperate thing inside me finally settle, like it has found its home.
When he pulls back, the way he looks at me makes my entire body flush with heat.
“I’m going to take very good care of you,” he promises, smoothing the hair away from my face.
“I’m counting on it,” I whisper back, confident that this is a man who will keep his word.
