Ava’s POV
King Cameron closes the gap between us in three long strides and holds out his hands to me.
I look at his hands in confusion.
“Let me see.”
Oh. I feel timid as I place the semi-crushed hand into his.
He gently pulls it closer to him, first looking at the palm of my hand before turning it around to see the back of it.
There are black and purple bruises on my fingers and the back of my hand.
He lets out a menacing growl. I shiver and try to pull away, but he gently pulls my hand back to him and starts caressing the front and then back of my hand. As he gently caresses it, the bruises are already starting to fade into a dull yellow color.
I stare open mouthed. That was super quick! Usually bruises that bad take at least an hour to heal.
King Cameron lifts my hand gently to his lips and give it a light kiss.
I shiver again, but for a different reason this time.
He pulls me closer to him and wraps me in a tight, but not painful, embrace, stroking his hand up and down my back, my cheek resting against his hard chest.
I close my eyes and drink him in, feeling myself start to relax.
“Thank you, King Cameron.” I whisper.
“Please, Ava, just call me Cameron.”
“Cameron…” It feels beyond weird to be calling a Lycan king by his first name.
Even weirder to be in his embrace while he strokes my back.
Although, it feels freaking amazing.
A small, satisfied sigh escapes my lips and I hear Cameron chuckle.
He takes a step back, lifts my chin to look into my face, kisses me gently on the lips, then grabs my hand and leads me back to the loveseat, where he places me back on his lap.
“I’m sorry that I had to leave you for so long.” He runs his hands up and down my thighs as he talks.
“It’s fine.”
“I’m even more sorry for my beta Chris’s behavior.
Beta Chris. Scary guy’s name. He’s Cameron’s beta?
“Oh.” My voice is small and I look down at my hands that are resting on my lap. “It’s fine.”
“No, it’s not.” Cameron’s voice is firm. He puts a finger under my chin and tilts my face up to his. “It is not ok for anyone to ever hurt you. That will never happen again.”
I nod.
“He will be punished for his actions.”
“Oh!” I’m surprised. “What will his punishment be?” I look at my hand. It’s completely healed. I hold it up and turn it around for Cameron to see. “It’s already better, not a big deal.”
He growls, and once again, I realize how terrifying he can look.
“It is not ok, it is a big deal. There needs to be consequences.”
I nod and don’t say anything more about it.
“Why did you not stay?” Cameron eyes are locked on mine.
I blush. Oh god. Will I ever not blush around this beautiful man?
I bite my lip and pick awkwardly at the hem of my dress.
Cameron keeps his eyes on mine.
“I wanted to go home and change, freshen up a bit. I wanted to grab my shoes and my phone too. I thought my sister Lily might be worried about me.”
Cameron nods but his expression doesn’t change. He holds up a finger, he gets a slightly faraway look in his eyes for about twenty seconds, then looks back into my eyes.
“Luna Lily is your sister.” It isn’t a question.
I nod. “My twin sister.”
This gets a momentarily surprised look from him.
“Really?” He shakes his head with a slight smile. “I don’t see it.”
I let out a little snort, then blush as it was not a cute sound at all.
Cameron smiles at me as he tucks some stray hairs behind my ear and starts caressing my arm.
My skin is tingling everywhere he is touching me. To distract myself, I start talking.
“Yes, she’s my twin sister, although obviously not identical. She got all the looks and the height, while I’m way too short and my hair is way too big…”
“I like your height and your hair.” Cameron removes my hair tie in one quick casual wrist flick and my hair falls around me. He runs his hands through it, I can feel his fingers light brush on my back and shoulders.
“You are beautiful.”
I’m starting to feel pressure in-between my legs again.
I can’t seem to control myself around him. I always heard that the mate bond made you act a little crazy, and the physical attraction was unlike any other experience, but I always thought the mate bond would be more like what I had with Caleb, where we loved each other and shared a passion for each other. But this is just so much different, just so much more.
Every time Cameron touches me, my body lights on fire and wants more. My entire body aches for him. It’s like I am constantly in need of a release that only he can give me.
“I was surprised to see Alpha Caleb back.” I try to sound off hand, like I wasn’t really as curious as I am.
He gives me an amused look and doesn’t say anything for what feels like eternity, just quietly running his hands through my hair and down my back as he looks at me.
“Yes. He came back early.” I lean closer to him, eager to hear more. He raises an eyebrow at me.
“Oh!” I lean back. Is that all he is going to tell me. My shoulders sag in disappointment.
“The Red Night pack heard of us coming. They retreated.” I look up at him as he talks. He stops stroking my hair for a moment, looking into the distance. “They couldn’t follow their trail to see where they went.” He looked back at me. “It’s concerning that they were able to cover it.”
“But, I thought only Lycan’s could mask their scents?” I say in surprise.
Cameron’s eyes look hard into mine. “Exactly.”
I take a moment to think on this, chewing my lip absently. Were Lycans working with the Red Night pack? Why?
“I’ve decided to stay in the area longer, keep an eye on the situation.” Cameron watches my face as he twirls my hair around his finger.
I look at him. He decided to stay longer…that’s right… they were supposed to leave tomorrow. Would I be leaving with them when they go? I don’t even know exactly where the elite village is! And Lily…what would she do without me? I know Caleb will take care of her, but she also needs me. Especially with our parents still on their Europe tour for another three weeks.
“Do you have a time frame in mind?”
There’s a long silence while we look at each other, me waiting for a response.
“I can’t say for certain, as we are not totally clear on the current situation, but I would think three weeks would be a decent stay until I take you back to my home, at least as of right now.”
I smile and impulsively grab Cameron’s face and give him a kiss.
I pull back slightly, my hands on his face, and whisper “thank you.”
He doesn’t answer, he leans in to kiss me again.