ne's

that had chased me into darkness. This was different and

d safer. Until I saw him, a figure sitting in the corner, one arm

calculating, and locked even in the firelight. His hair was dark, tousled

ike lightning. A cry tore in front of my throat before I could bite it ba

ying." His voice came low and calm. "Just don't be stupid e

my gaze snapping to hi

Kae

er. Then it hit me like ice down my spine. He was the

eant nothing to him? My pulse quickene

e if not to drag me back to that monster," I w

to the edges of my skull, but I forced my legs over the

ver strength I had left. My wolf whimpered under my skin-too tired to

t make it past the trees. You'll collapse and the nex

he was right, hated the way my body was shaking from the effort

ds leaving my mouth before I could stop them. He didn't

into a cup. He set it on the small table beside the be

, I didn't know what to make of this man. His energy wasn't soft..it wasn't cru

er all. "Drink," he added, nodding to the cup.

ds shaking as I reached for it. He turned away, giving me space

e?" I asked after a while. "With the type of money Rael is o

d his head slightly, "You mean nothing to him," he said

don't even k

hands dropped to my stomach, his eyes flickering there

I thought finally I meant something to someone. I thought I was special." The words

going to be his mate. But he used me like one. And when

e." Kaelen's eyes remained on the fire. Hard. Unreadable.

..I ran." For a while there was nothing but silence between us, only t

is soldiers. From his scent. From shame. But I'm tired

t. I laughed-bitter and cracked. "I'm broken." He turned to me fully now, ste

t I looked away, my heart was beating too loudly. The fire c

st for a moment. He knelt beside the bed. "You

t ever." The weight of his words wrapped around me like arm

hy did he talk about Rael that way, like he had known

ed, the words escaping my damn mouth. He stayed seated there for a w

damn bastard