Page 176 of Marked By His Hunger
Fear.
Not overwhelming.
Not paralyzing.
But real.
A flicker.
A question.
Is this safe?
That was all it took.
I jerked back like I’d been burned.
Air rushed into my lungs in a harsh, ragged inhale as I forced distance between us.
My fangs retracted slightly, but not fully.
My hands hovered over her, shaking now, not from weakness—but from restraint so tight it bordered on agony.
“Fuck—”
Chapter 21-Draugr
The word came out rough, broken.
My vision snapped back into focus just in time to see her watching me.
Not afraid.
Concerned.
Gods help me, that was worse.
“You stopped,” she said softly.
“Yes.”
The word was forced.
Dragged out of me through clenched teeth.
Because every part of me screamed that I should not have.
“That’s good, right?” she added, uncertain now.
Good.
Right.
Words that meant nothing to a creature like me.
I dragged a hand through my hair, pacing once across the small tower space before forcing myself to turn back to her.
The fire crackled behind me, casting long shadows that flickered across the stone walls like restless spirits.
