Page 15 of Ransomed to the World
It didn’t take more than a few strokes before he came in her hands with a guttural groan. He leaned down, pressing his forehead against hers, peering down at her, feeling like he’d finally come home. “I love you.”
She gave him the most beautiful smile, and he leaned down, kissing her, already knowing she felt the same. He could feel it through their connection. When he pulled away, he helped her to her feet. After they cleaned up, he swept her up in his arms and headed back to camp, not ready for the closeness to end.
He didn’t give a shit that everyone knew what they’d been doing. He fucking loved that they could smell it on them.
She was his mate, and now everyone would know it.
Chapter Five
Annora woke up bundled in a stack of blankets, reluctant to leave the safe haven that smelled like her guys…until she remembered what happened last night.
Camden.
A blush heated her neck and cheeks, and she shifted restlessly as she remembered the way he controlled her body. Echoes of pleasure still shimmered in her veins, and she sighed.
Thankfully, the rest of the guys didn’t treat their return as anything but normal.
No sly looks.
No snarky comments.
No jealousy.
Each of them kissed her good night as they entered the tent, then cuddled around her the whole night. Knowing that she wouldn’t be able to delay the inevitable, she blew out a breath, then peeled open her eyes.
And saw Xander waiting outside the tent, his legs spread, his arms crossed, watching her like he knew she was awake.
When he beckoned her forward with a tilt of his head, she stifled her groan.
Training time.
She watched him turn away and knew if she didn’t show up in five minutes, he’d drag her out of bed and take pleasure in doing it too.
Bastard.
Conceding defeat, she untangled herself from Logan’s arms, chuckling when she saw Prem had stolen his pillow and was curled up on it, fast asleep. She crawled out of the large sleeping bags the guys zipped together, glad she took Mason’s advice and slept in just a T-shirt and shorts, so she only had to pull on her pants and shoes if they needed to leave in a hurry.
Camden was the only other one who remained in the tent. She resisted the urge to study him, her fingers tingling with the need to trace his lips and taste him one more time. Repressing a sigh, she turned away. She suspected he’d taken a night watch, so she was careful not to wake him.
As she grabbed her shoes and left the tent, she saw Mason was already tending the fire, absently rubbing his temple. He’d grown steadily more stressed the closer they got to the trolls, and she bit back her concern. As much as she wanted to help him, she knew he would only brush away her worry. A glance showed most of the camp had already been broken down. A few wolves were patrolling the grounds, while Willa’s and Loulou’s tents remained zipped tight.
The sun was only a hint on the horizon.
Mason gave her a crooked smile at her disgruntled expression, then pressed a sandwich into her hands. “He’s waiting for you up at the overlook.”
“Of course he is.” She resisted the urge to squirm as she remembered what had happened last night. She studied Mason, the careful way he moved, the way his bright pink hair was subdued, only a few strands perking up at her appearance. There was a brittleness about him, like he was seconds away from shattering, and she decided practice could wait a few minutes. “Are you nervous about returning to your family?”
“They’re not my family anymore.” He gave her a soft smile, his lavender eyes warm as they caressed her face. “I’m not sure they ever were.”
“What do you mean?” She placed her hand on his arm, concerned about what returning to his home could mean for him. Ever since they left the university, he’d been quiet, and she didn’t like it.
Like he was afraid he wouldn’t be returning with them.
Not happening.
“I’m only part troll. I was sent to them as a child, unable to remember anything about my parents.” He turned back toward the fire, taking a stick that was almost as tall as her, and poked at the coals, his hair perking up at his agitation. “No one claimed me, which meant I was virtually a servant to the whole tribe.”
“They’re fucking idiots,” she muttered, and Mason gave her a smile that showed his fangs, and she pretended her heart just didn’t flutter in response. “So if they don’t care about you, then why are you worried?”
