Filed to story: Luna Riannon and Alpha Brayden Novel
And yet he was doing this for her, despite his earlier claims.
The blind bear found her in this mess and now did everything to protect every inch of her as his fingers brushed her bare back.
“At least I get to see what you are wearing, after all,” he whispered, her cheeks flushing at his words. She was happy he couldn’t really see her now.
“W-why are you doing this?” Nikki’s breathing hitched.
“It would be a shame if something happened to you,” he replied nonchalantly. As if it wasn’t a big deal. As if they didn’t spend months hating each other. And as if he didn’t say all those hurtful words to Astrea earlier today.
She lifted her head to look at him and realised they were finally alone in the hall.
How long had it been? She couldn’t tell.
“We need to go,” Nikki heard herself saying.
“Do we?” Bjorn held her as tight as before.
“Absolutely.” The assassin knew she had to push him away, but despite that, she didn’t.
“Fine,” the bear sighed. “Lead the way, but remember you owe me one.”
Her breathing hitched, but she took his hand firmly and led him out of this place and into the safety of the Teacher’s penthouse. But when the elevator doors opened, and she saw the view behind the glass wall, she froze from shock.
A giant wolf with flames all over his black fur was clearly marching in their direction, setting the sky ablaze with shades of crimson and vermillion.
“What is it?” Bjorn asked. “I feel the heat. I smell the smoke, but it’s hard to tell.”
“Frankly speaking, it looks like we all may die if we stay here.” Nikki confessed, “I probably should -“
“Leave me and escape,” he finished the sentence for her.
“That’s not what I was saying!” Nikiah protested, but Bjorn caught her arm and pressed her fingers against his chest.
She could tell his heart was racing inside, and that did something to her. Something she couldn’t quite explain.
“That’s what I am telling you to do,” he said. “Run away like your friend did. You are not her. He will not look for you.
Leave me and save yourself. No one would blame you.”
She needed a few seconds to process what he was saying.
“I -“
“Please, go,” he whispered. “That’s all I can do for you.”
Darius let go of her hand, and she felt colder and… lonelier.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
“I can’t go,” Nikki sighed heavily and touched his cheek, making him finch because he didn’t expect it. “I still owe you one, remember?”
He wanted to say something and stopped before the words left his mouth.
“If it’s bad, you really need to go.” His voice rasped in his chest.
Nikki glanced at the window again, noticing the wölf was already gone and wondering if it was an illusion.
Unexplainable things were happening today.
“I think we have a few minutes,” she whispered, and his lips trembled just for a second. “How can I repay you?”
He sucked in a sharp breath, and that sound held so many unspoken words that Nikki was sure he would push her away. Yet the werebear surprised her.
“I want to see you,” Darius confessed, startling her.
“I- I sorry but-“
“Like this.” He stretched his hand, searching for her face.
For a second there, she doubted if this was a good idea.
Too intimate. Too close.
“It’s okay if you don’t want to-“
Nikki leaned into his palm, and Bjorn shuddered because he did not expect this. Yet she did not pull away, so neither did he
Her skin was soft like a rose petal. Just like he imagined.
He brushed it with his thumb to remember how it felt. Not wishing to stop, Bjorn traced his fingertips gently over the contours of her face, noticing the curve of her lovely cheekbones. She probably looked insanely cute when she smiled.
Slowly, he drew his fingers over her forehead, then explored her eyes, noting how long and thick her eyelashes were.
Then, he traced her little perky nose. Right until he got to her lips. So soft and full. They probably tasted like strawberries, too…
Bjorn brushed his fingers through her silky hair, and after that, he couldn’t resist leaning a little lower to inhale her scent.
He shouldn’t have done it.
“You need to go,” he whispered into her ear and heard how her heart began to beat faster. Faster for him.
“No” she touched his cheek, and he froze, too afraid to scare her off.
“It’s dangerous!” he told her, his voice dark and heavy.
“I think the danger is over,” she said, not even glancing outside anymore
“It’s wrong!” he warned her.
“That we can agree on.” Nikki stood on the tips of her toes, pulling his face lower. He obeyed, and she brushed his lips with hers, gently, like a feather.
“Stop-” His breathing was ragged, and his grasp on her became tighter.
“I don’t want to,” the girl stated firmly, and he crashed his lips onto hers, demanding entrance that she granted without delay.
The world of sensations unfolded. Now that he couldn’t see, everything felt so much more intense. Her sweet strawberry scent intensified, making him want to devour
her.
His hands glided over her bare back, allowing him to feel more of her flesh. He wanted it all. Desperately. Greedily.
Selfishly.
The bear beast in him was awakening.
Nikki pressed herself against him. It was her first kiss ever, and had she known it would feel so good, she would have initiated it sooner.
Darius laced his fingers in her hair at the back of her head, not letting her distance herself. Not that she tried.
She wanted to be closer, wanted to be one.
Nikiah pushed him onto the settee right behind him, enjoying his confused expression for a few seconds before she inched closer, and he caught her wrist on pure instinct, pulling her onto his lap.
Their lips collided again, and a soft whimper left Nikki when Bjorn dipped his head in the crook of her neck, leaving a wet trail of kisses.
“Darius!” she whispered, digging her fingers in his hair.