Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 89554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89554 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 448(@200wpm)___ 358(@250wpm)___ 299(@300wpm)
He makes such a good point that I can only lower my head and make my confession in a small voice.
“I’m sorry for being so silly.”
“Silly isn’t bad, but being dishonest is.”
Ouch.
“Shall we start over?”
I bob my head without looking up.
“Are you bothered by the sight of another woman talking to me?”
More head bobbing.
“Why?”
I gulp, gulp, and gulp, mostly because I know preternatural hearing allows people nearby to hear his softly spoken question, and that includes the same Caro female who’s still in the dining hall.
“Samira?”
The thought of having to put my feelings into words makes me feel like fainting, but since I do owe him the truth this time—
“Because I’m jealous—”
“Wrong.”
My confused gaze flies up to him. “But I really was—”
“You were bothered because you forgot one of the most important things about being my mate.”
Huh?
“You belong to me—”
I think I’m going to swoon.
“And I belong to you.”
Okay, you know what? I am going to swoon, and I feel like swooning even more when I let my knees crumble without warning, but my alpha being the super swift Leopard King that he is—
“Samira...”
Hexius catches me in time, natch. But he also says my name in part-exasperation and part-chastisement as he swings me up in his arms, and the sound has me quickly wrapping my arms around his neck in an effort to muffle my laughter.
“Do not take such risks again.”
Oh, please do be still, my silly heart.
The gentle reproof in his tone makes me realize he really was seriously worried, and sure, I know we humans are like fragile glass compared to preters, but has he forgotten what my job is?
When I belatedly notice how all eyes are on us, I start wriggling to be released, but this only makes Hexius tighten his hold as he carries me out of the dining hall. Throughout it, he also hasn’t stopped talking, berating me over my supposed foolishness, albeit in a low and calm voice. I think this is the most he’s spoken since coming back to my life, and the Leopard King being so worried over me, a woman who risks her life for a living—isn’t it the cutest thing ever?
Memories of today’s class come back to my mind.
Feelings between mated couples aren’t guaranteed.
But this time, it’s different.
And that’s fine—
Because I also remember what Maryah was quick to add as a final note.
Because feelings can also develop over time.
And I do believe that.
Even if it doesn’t make sense at first glance for a preternatural billionaire like Hexius to fall for someone like me, it’s not like the existence of leopard kings made sense at first either.
I mean, if there’s one thing that’s become quietly clear to me since That Day, it’s how walking by faith and not by sight now makes total sense. If demons are real, so is the One they’re afraid of, and that’s why—
I’m done lying to myself, God.
I’m in love with Hexius.
Please let me know that’s what You want, too?
IT’S ANOTHER DAY WITH Hexius, another day I’ve unintentionally caused trouble with a Panthera cub scoring a punch against him...all because of me.
Oops.
I didn’t mean to be a distraction, honest! But since the look in his eye tells me the Leopard King still means to extract revenge—
Uh-oh.
I run for dear life, but of course, it’s no use. He catches up to me, easy. And next thing I know, I’m tossed over his shoulder like I’m nothing but a sack of feathers, he’s locked us both in the armory, and—
Oh, my love.
I can only squeeze my eyes shut in a mixture of helplessness and gratitude that he can’t hear my thoughts, with the way he’s making it impossible for me to silently cry out the truth over and over as he tortures and pleasures me with his touch.
My love, oh, my love.
I feel like I’m losing my mind every time he takes me so, so roughly like this. And oh, the heat of his kiss, with his tongue driving inside of my mouth like I’m the most addictive thing he’s ever tasted—
I love you, Hexius.
I love you.
I love you.
My heart feels like it’s about to burst every time I whisper those words in my mind. I just want him to know so, so much how he means to me. But since I don’t have the courage to say them out loud, I can only think of some other way to express my feelings—
“I have a surprise for you.”
What I end up doing is something I never thought I’d do, and it has my cheeks burning like crazy as I take Hexius’ hand and lead him to the balcony. I can feel his narrowed gaze following my every move, and my own heart skips a beat when I hear the sharp intake of his breath as he watches me slowly drop to my knees.