Page 49 of Plug and Claim

Nathaniel smiled. “That’s what I suspected.”

Pain exploded as he seized a fistful of her hair, jerked her head back so her neck was arched, and pressed his mouth to her throat. Sharp pain shot through her as his fangs pierced her skin.

She screamed as terror seized her, and she tried to break free, but his grip was firm and her struggles were futile.

His teeth… all she could think about were those curved teeth embedded in her flesh.

And then, as quickly as it had come, the pain was gone.

She was aware of his mouth on her neck, his teeth sunk in her flesh, but it no longer hurt.

Instead, she felt bliss as he held her in his arms. He lapped at her neck, groaning softly as drank.

A warm euphoria filled her, reminding her of warm spring days spent in the sun, with the grass beneath her paws and the scent of flowers in the air.

Nathaniel was here, in her mind, his thoughts almost close enough to see. Could he see hers?

Yes, he whispered, so quietly she didn’t know if she’d imagined it.

She felt a note of panic, but he wasn’t trying to read her thoughts. He was there; close and intimate as he fed from her, but he made no move to encroach on her privacy.

She was conscious of Nathaniel crouched beside her as she lay on the mat, and she placed her hands on his arms to steady them both. She braced herself for his reaction, expecting him to emanate disgust or contempt to her touch. Instead, he seemed pleasantly surprised.

Her own jumble of emotions was far less controlled as fear, disgust, and curiosity swirled around her. There was something else hidden underneath which she hoped he couldn’t sense: a deeper longing for his closeness, and a happy pleasure that was sweet and tantalising.

The softness of his lips on her neck was a contrast to the harsh grip on her hair, but even that was loosening, until eventually, he released her hair and simply held her.

Like a fool, she’d melted in his arms. The fight in her gone as he sapped her energy away.

The minutes passed.

How much blood had he taken?

She could feel his hunger, and it was overwhelming. Somehow, he’d bewitched her senses, because she desired nothing more than to give him what he needed, to let him lap at the blood flowing from her throat for as long as he wanted to.

The outside world was forgotten, and the two of them were alone in this secret place, sharing in this euphoria.

Time seemed to lose meaning, but she suddenly became aware that her body felt weak, and her head had lolled to one side.

Something wasn’t right.

Horror shook her as she realised her life was ebbing away. The fucker was going to drain her, just like he had with the other female wolves Chelsea had warned her about.

No, no, no.

Suddenly, Nathaniel released her, and their connection was broken.

Fear jolted Kira back to her senses, and she jerked away from Nathaniel. He didn’t try to stop her as she scampered away from him.

A thin sheen of blood was visible on his chin, and he was looking at her in awe.

“Please don’t stand,” he said, looking dazed, “I fear I have taken too much.”

Kira ignored him, kicking him as she stood abruptly. The stage swayed dangerously, and he caught her as she fell.

“You’re a monster,” she snarled as he held her in his arms. Her voice sounded pitifully weak.

“I don’t deny it,” Nathaniel said, “and I’m sorry that I took too much blood. But at least I didn’t leave you.”