This room was more closed off, well-placed floor-to-ceiling windows providing a stunning view of the Aegean sea, but keeping the private feel of the space. A long buffet was on one side, a beautiful array of food spread out on display. But honestly? I was enjoying watching Olivia’s reactions more than the space itself. I’d seen plenty of beautiful places in my life, but never with her.
“Wow,” she whispered, looking out the largest window with a view of the sea.
“Beautiful, isn’t it?” I offered, leaning into the moment.
“Gorgeous. It’s like glitter, all across the surface.”
I wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her closer and relishing her softness as she leaned into my side. “At the right time of day, it looks like diamonds. Did you live close to the ocean before moving to the Johnson City pack?”
“I- No.” She tensed, giving me a forced smile that was about way more than the geographic location of her home pack.
Home is a sore subject, got it.
“Well then, island life will be a great experience for you while we’re here.” I decided not to push. We had enough trouble going on with pack politics without me adding to the strain.
“Yeah, this is amazing.” She gestured to the luxurious surroundings, the plush couches-which were higher than any I’d seen before, with a built-in step probably meant to bring a guest’s height up to that of a centaur’s-and extravagant fixtures everywhere the eye could see.
“Are you hungry?” I searched her eyes a little too intently for such a simple question.
“I could eat.” Those doe eyes pierced mine with an honesty, an innocence, that I couldn’t wait to explore. I wanted to feed her. That was primal, for the wolf-protect, feed, care for your mate.
But I also wanted to know if her hunger matched mine. The hunger for her. To deepen the mate bond, explore all her secrets. Even if it wasn’t smart.
Even if I was damaged goods.
I traced a fingertip along her cheekbone, and when she shuddered under my touch, I had my answer. “Wait right here. I’ll make you a plate.”
“O-okay.”
I grinned at how obviously flustered she was by such simple contact. I wanted to push it further, maybe kiss her and see if she melted under my lips the same way she had under my body a few moments ago, but Fiona sidled up, squinting at me suspiciously.
“You okay over here?” The question might have been for Olivia, but her accusatory tone was all for me.
“I’m great. This place is so beautiful.”
At that, Fiona’s protectiveness softened just a little, even though I knew she’d still happily shiv me in the spleen after last night. “It really is. I’ve never seen anything quite like it.”
“Yeah, I??”
I left them to their chat, crossing the luxurious space to the buffet, where I selected only the best-looking meats and cheeses. A little dark chocolate and fruit as well, because I thought she might like it. Some she-wolves had a sweet tooth, but I didn’t know if Olivia did or not. I was looking forward to finding out. If I was throwing caution-common sense, perhaps-to the wind and pursuing her, I was going to treat her like a fucking queen.
My wolf preened inside as I presented her with the plate, and she smiled up at me as if I’d climbed Kilimanjaro to obtain the pork and personally handmade the prosciutto. “This is perfect, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
While Olivia tasted some of the treats I’d brought her-straight for the fresh orange segments, I mentally noted for later-Fiona gave me the tiniest nod of approval.
“Pack Blackwater! To what do I owe this welcome surprise?” A booming voice interrupted our moment, and I turned on instinct, placing myself between the two women and the large male centaur who’d just stepped into the room.
“Herd Leader Asithius. Thank you for offering hospitality on such short notice.” Reed greeted the leader smoothly, bowing at the waist with a practiced smile.
“Of course, the centaurs are always happy to host other species. We so rarely get to leave our paradise without complicated glamours to hide our true nature, we love when visitors wash up on our verdant shores. Makes things much easier. Though, from what I hear, you may be bringing a headache to my doorstep.” Asithius arched an eyebrow and scanned our group, as if he could spot the troublemaker among us by looks alone.
When that scrutiny lingered on me, I had to admit he might be correct in his assessment.
Although, he could have been staring because I was ugly now. I could barely look at myself in the mirror when I took a piss; why should I expect a stranger not to stare?
Bitterness coated the back of my tongue, the desire for revenge against Dominik and Petr? flaring back up to a visceral experience in my body, souring the previously pleasant exchange with my mate. I wanted to rip their throats out and drown them in their own blood. That wasn’t the kind of fantasy a stable, loving mate to a sweet she-wolf like Olivia walked around with.
I might have been ashamed of myself had I not lived through every Goddess-damned moment of the torture. It still gave me nightmares, and that I was ashamed of. I didn’t want to be a weak, broken thing. I wanted to put it all behind me and never give them another thought besides revenge. I’d pieced myself back together once before, when I thought it was impossible. But it had taken centuries to put the pain and loss behind me. Even now, they were as close as my shadow.
Whether I liked it or not, the Hungarians had broken something inside me, beyond the outward damage to my appearance.
It was part of the reason I didn’t think I deserved her, my hellcat. She was so pure. Perfect. And some part of me knew that my hands on her would sully that beautiful perfection.
She deserved so fucking much more. So much better than I was. At least before, I had my demons, but I was handsome. Someone she could be proud to call her mate, have on her arm at pack gatherings.
But now?
Now she was Beauty, and I her hideous Beast.
Unworthy.
Unlovable.
“We don’t intend to bring you any trouble, but trouble seems to be dogging our steps these days, nonetheless.” Kane’s solemn answer had me setting aside the self-loathing, at least for now, so I could do my job and help get this omega stone piece for the pack.
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