The atmosphere was electric, the tension between them so thick it could be cut with a knife.
"Of course, you're right," she whispered, lowering her head, but I could see the conflict in her as she bit her lower lip.
Thad never seen her so submissive before.
I think she sensed that her mates patience was reaching its limit.
"Tl go prepare my things," Quinn said, moving closer to talk with Aldric about their strategy.
It was crucial to locate the werewolf camp, which, unsure of their next move, had only been holding their position at the borders.
Tapproached my mother and sat on a small corner of the couch, letting her rest against my chest.
I stroked her slightly withered hair, so different from the incredible woman I once caught a glimpse of.
"Mother, I know you have your fears, your past, but I have to tell you youre making a mistake," I finally expressed what I had been thinking.
It felt strange to be giving my mother relationship advice, but someone had to do it.
"It feels so good to have my daughter pamper me and talk to me with such trust," she responded, sinking deeper into my chest and squeezing my arm.
I kissed her hair, feeling the warmth of the connection between our hearts.
"Don't worry, sweetheart.
Enough of me showing you my most pathetic side," she finally said, sighing and sitting up just as Quinns footsteps ---- faded down the hall toward his room.
Iturned my head to see Aldric watching us silently, leaning against a column leading to the kitchen hallway.
"Valeria, talk to the White Witch.
Ask her to come tonightwe ll need her.
King Lycan, prepare everything for departure.
We wont need the ship; its too slow." "Mother, it wont be anything that puts you at risk, right?" I took her hands anxiously.
"You all are my priority.
If its risky, then" "Tm the last person who would put my blood at risk.
Valeria will be fine." "Its not Valeria Im worried about, Selenia Gabrielle," Aldrics voice came cold and dominant, their wills constantly clashing.
In the end, they were both powerful beings.
"Its you.
You have a tendency to sacrifice yourself for the cause.
I think the solution is simpler, but you insist on taking the hardest path.
Dont underestimate the power of a lycan.
We are the ultimate evolution of werewolves." I thought my mother would snap back with a sharp reply, but she remained silent, only nodding with a sigh.
"Go talk to the White Witch.
Everything will be fine.
Well reach the werewolf camp tonight," she said, attempting to stand.
Thelped her, stunned but without questioning anything.
She walked alone toward her mates room.
Tonight? Aldric and I exchanged looks, both with the same question in our eyes.
Unless we suddenly grew wings and flew...
well, Aldric did fly once, although he doesnt like to be reminded of it.
I feel anger, worry, frustrationa whole mix of emotions drowning me.
Being gentle and understanding isnt working, nor is being the gentleman, the seducer, the tough guy, or even the indifferent one.
I swore never to give up on Gabrielle, and I wont.
I love her, and every time I see her hurting herself, my heart clenches.
I want to protect her, to heal her wounds, but she wont let me into her life, and I cant force her.
Im drying my hair after a quick shower, getting ready to leave as soon as possible to find my sister.
Even though I know I'll be worried sick about Gabrielle, I trust Aldric's strength.
"She's entering the room," my wolf, Mordred, perks up, sniffing toward the door.
Being away from our mate is affecting him even more than me.
Gabrielles rejection wounds him deeply, though he never says anything.
But I can feel it through our bondevery time she pushes us away, Mordred suffers the most.
Tadjust the towel around my hips and step out, water still dripping from my hair.
Not that visual temptation would do anythingshe cant see me.
I dont speak as I walk toward the bed to grab my clothes.
Everything we found here seemed to belong to its previous owners, not that old witch.
"Quinn, arent you going to talk to me anymore? Dont you think you re acting a bit immature?" she says, standing in the middle of the room.
---- My heart pounds, and my wolf calls out for her desperately.
I want to go to her, to kiss her, to bury my nose in her neck, to touch herbut I hold back.
Im tired of always being the one who gives in.
"T thought that was the game you liked.
I thought you were braver, since you jump headfirst into danger at every opportunity.
Its amazing how fearless you are in battle but such a coward in your personal life." "Quinn, you dont understand.
I have my reasons..." "Reasons you dont share with me, Gabrielle.
You dont even give mea chance or a shred of trust.
Why should I keep trying with you?" I turned to face her, anger in my voice.
She was looking in my direction, following the sound of my voice.
"I know you're upset about letting your sister go because of me.
Im really sorry.
Theres a way you could be at the camp by tonight..." she takes a step forward, reaching out blindly.
Like a fool, I hold back the urge to touch her.
"Tm not upset about taking care of you.
Id never leave you behind because I love you.
I have no regrets.
But if there was a way to get to the camp, why didnt you say so before?" "Because I couldnt! I was too weak, the wounds were too fresh, and Valeria was also too drained to control her magic properly.
It would have been suicide to attempt it before.
But now...
we can try.
I want to help you get your sister back.
I wont let you lose her, Quinn..." "You're still weak.
Today you almost collapsed from a simple spell.
Do you plan to die trying?" My canines bared in anger.
I hated how she played with her life over and over again.
"No, no, I can do this.
I just need...
Ineed..." She started walking toward me slowly, but I noticed a fold in the rug that would make her trip.
---- I lunged forward, catching her in my arms just as she almost fell flat on her face.
Instantly, my cold, wet skin pressed against her warmer one, and it felt like sparks ignited between us.
She inhaled deeply against my chest, her nails digging into my pecs.
My hands on her waist struggled not to pull her closer.
What do you need, Gabrielle? Just tell me, for once in your damn life!" I gripped her shoulders, forcing her to face me.
"I need...
Ineed your blood, to feed on your life force and perform the spell together with Valeria and that witch," she said, lifting her head, our breaths mingling in the air thick with countless intense emotions.
"I know you heard what I said in the hall about my former mate..." "You were such a coward you didnt even tell me directly.
You knew I was there." "Iwas," she admitted, biting her lower lip.
"Because I was...
1am afraid..."" The vulnerability in her voice hit me harder than ever before, even more than when she first opened her eyes and discovered the mutilation of her body.
"And whats changed now, Gabrielle? If you're doing this out of guilt because I let Celine go to take care of you, you don't have to"" "Whats changed is that these past days without you by my side have hurt more than all my wounds and ghosts from the past.
Now, I can't let you rush into danger if I can prevent it," she interrupted, raising her hand and searching the air until she found my jaw, caressing it with her fingers.
My heart pounded like a lovesick fool.
"Quinn, I wouldnt survive losing you.
I'm not as strong anymore, and even if I had all my powers back, I still wouldnt be able to let you go.
I dont want to hurt you, my mate, so all I can do is pray to the Goddess that Im not making a mistake this time.
I want...
I want you to give me another chance to start over..." ---- "I dont want to," I told her flatly, watching her face freeze in shock.
"Quinn! Are you out of your damn mind?!" "No, Mordred! We have to push now that shes breaking.
We dont want scrapswe want it all!" I growled at my wolf, and he calmed down, though he paced anxiously, watching Gabrielle's reaction.
"I told you, if you ever wanted my blood, you'd have to beg for it.
Besides, I dont intend to give my life force away for free," I blatantly ignored the fact that I was doing it to get to Celine.
Suddenly, I saw her lower her head, and for a moment, I doubted whether I'd done the right thing by cornering her.
But then, her shoulders started to shake, and I heard her low, sexy laugh.
"Fine, that seems fair.
Then let me ask you more politelyor better yet, let me pay you in advance for draining all your delicious blood," she lifted her head, a seductive smile curving her lips, making my cock twitch under the towel.
"Tell me when you reach the edge of the bed," she started pushing me back with her palms pressed against my chest.
I took slow steps back, letting her lead me, until my legs hit the mattress.
"I'm there," I said, already aroused by the shift in atmosphere, the spicy- sweet scent of pink pepper teasing my senses.
"Good.
Then lets start with the payment," she suddenly slid her hand from my chest down my abdomen to the edge of the towel, yanking it down to the floor, leaving me completely naked while her other hand pushed me onto the bed.
Ilet myself fall, propping up on my elbows, legs spread, my cock semi- erect.
This whole sinful game was turning me on like crazy, and the heavy scent of arousal filled the room.
"You'll have to forgive my clumsiness, so be patient with a blind woman, " she smiled wickedly, those full lips I was dying to kiss driving me insane as she let her robe slip down her body.
Underneath, she wore a simple white nightgown, making it easier for her to change.
"Now, where should I start paying off my debt?" My eyes devoured her hardened nipples through the sheer fabric and the shadow of her mound beneath it, as she slowly, tantalizingly opened the gown.
"I must admit, I've been dying to taste you for a long time," she teased, running the tip of her tongue along her upper lip.
My cock was now fully erect.
"It's not just blood I need, my mate.
You can give me another vital fluid...
What if we start with that?" I swallowed hard, unable to even respond.
She fully opened the gown and let it slide sensually off her shoulders, pooling at her feet, leaving her completely naked before my wolfish eyes that instantly shifted, glowing with desire.
My canines slid out, tracing every inch of her exposed skin.
Her scars didnt matter to meshe had always been perfect in my eyes.
She stepped closer, slipping between my open legs, leaning forward, her beautiful breasts swaying enticingly.
Her hands pressed down on my thighs.
Isat up slightly, taking her hands and guiding them.
Her long hair tickled my skin, and we were so close...
Iwas dying to make love to this woman.
"You dont have to do this.
It might be difficult for you..." ---- "Shhh, don't you dare pity me, Quinn.
Save your sympathy for yourself you re going to need it," she warned dangerously, pressing into my thighs, her hands trailing erotically over my muscles and down to my groin.
Tlet out a low growl when her fingers traced my erection, making me hiss in pleasure.
Her mouth moved closer, seeking a kiss I couldn't deny her.
Honestly, I don't know how much longer I can keep playing hard to get when all I want is for this Selenia to sink her fangs into me and suck me drybody and soul.