Page 202 of Marked By His Hunger

---

About the controlled system Professor Kenna maintained.

And the truth—the truth hurt her.

I felt it instantly.

Through the bond.

Sharp.

Uncertain.

Gods, I hated that.

“You drank from me,” she whispered.

“Yes,” I said.

“But you didn’t hurt me,” she whispered, awed.

“I would never hurt you, And I do not regret taking your vein. Not for a single moment. But the reason I hesitated before was because I feared losing control with you,” I admitted. “I did not trust myself.”

Not with anyone.

Not with anything.

But with her—I had.

And that terrified me more than anything.

We walked to the overlook.

The place where I had nearly lost her.

Where the bond had first truly ignited.

She stood at the edge, the wind catching her hair, her scent drifting back to me.

I stepped behind her, caging her between my arms, my body surrounding hers.

She relaxed instantly.

Trusted me.

Gods.

That trust would destroy me.

Or save me.

I did not know which.

“Are you okay?” I asked.

“Mmm,” she said softly. “I just want to be with you.”

The bond surged.

Satisfied.

---