Page 65 of Ravenous

“I’d be stuck with you? How quaint.” Though demons had mates, witches didn’t, and she fell firmly on the Wiccan side of that divide.

His gaze narrowed. “And yet you might like having me for a mate.”

“What did this cage save me from tonight? Explain it to me.”

Shoulders straightened, he said, “My beast would have risen. Without precautions, it would find you anywhere in the Skein. It would pleasure you, mate you uncontrollably, and bite your neck to mark you forever.” This scenario clearly excited Thane; his eyes flickered Lykae blue. “It’s roiling inside me right now.”

She shrugged. “You’re right: I’mnotready. I’ll never be ready.” Being claimed was anathema; her freedom was a power. And the survival of her species was bound to her choices.

“Then you must go.”

“Why would I,” she murmured, “when I can stay and revel in your predicament?”

Was she cruel enough to sexually torture a trapped wolf on the night of the full moon—until pleasure became pain and reason burned away?

Of course.

His white knuckles on the bars made her laugh again. “Oh, Thane, you’ve got it so bad. All I did was agree to one little meeting on this mount, and destiny did the rest. I almost feel like I didn’t earn this thrill.” She stepped closer, just beyond his reach. “How long have you known I’m yours?”

“I scented you just before we first spoke.”

She replayed their first exchange, seeing it anew. “Am I how you pictured your mate?” she asked lightly.

A slow shake of his head.

Hmm.Disappointed?

Impossible.I’m perfection.“Were you hoping for a Lykae female?”

“Does no’ matter.” His voice went gravelly. “Fate has scalded you into my brain, twisted me forever. You’re a walking heaven to me.”

She could all but hear the unspoken end to that sentence:on the outside at least.Fair enough. Still, the way he watched her with mesmeric fascination stirred heat low in her belly.

No one had ever called her a walking heaven or gazed at her eyes as if they held the secrets of the universe. His coat on her sensitive flesh wasn’t helping,and she hadn’t exaggerated his scent’s effect on her. “What about your beast? How does it feel about me?”

“It fucking adores you. Wants to worship you.”

“As all things should.” Pity her coven didn’t agree. They’d been slow to accept her, clinging to Lazara’s shadow. Ditch hadn’t expected that because Lazara had been so…vanquishable.

“Have you experienced adoration before?” he asked, challenge in his tone. “Do you even ken what you’re missing?”

Incisive questions deserve no answers.“How do you picture this working? A Lykae king and a witch high priestess?”

“Doona.” His fascinated expression turned bleak, and she wanted it back. “Even if I could win you, our factions are enemies. This world will no’ allow us to bind. And neither will you.”

“That’s true.” Based on her attraction to him, he might have had a shot with her in a different world and time. Here in the Skein? No chance in hells. “My poor hungry wolf.” Her voice was soft now, almost kind. “All you’ve ever wanted was your mate, as you would crave sustenance.”

“All I’ve ever wanted isyou,” he admitted. “I’d give almost anything to have you.”

Almost anything.She forced a smile at his qualifier. “You would forgive me my foul murders and wicked deeds?”

“Aye. We’d start with a clean slate.”

“I prefer my slate filthy. Like sex.”

He groaned, the sound rough.

The sight of his erection straining against his leather pants made her body feel superheated. As a demon-witch, she was a hedonist to the bone, and she’d never dallied with a wolf.I have to experience him. Just once. Then back to war.