Chapter 0168

Isabella

“Don’t you dare tell me how to feel.” I thrust one crutch toward Zachary.

“Isabella, I stopped doing that. It’s been a long time.”

“What if a deer isn’t enough? What if what we hunt isn’t satisfying? Will you disappear into the city again? Will you lure some human to their death? I can’t handle that. I won’t.”

“My brother might be losing his mind over his dead mate. My pregnant friend just got terrible news. And my ex is still out there, probably coming to finish what he started with my leg. So don’t tell me how to feel!”

My chest heaved. My heart pounded under his stare. It was all too much. The secrets. The half-truths. Was this my life now?

“Isabella…”

“Stop. Just stop.” I slammed a crutch down, nearly stumbling.

I’m furious too! Midnight snarled.

Zachary’s eyes narrowed.

I dropped my shoulders. “There’s nothing you can say. I just…can’t do this right now.”

I turned to hobble away. He grabbed me, spinning me back as the crutches clattered to the floor. “You don’t walk away. We fix this now. Before either of us leaves.”

“You don’t decide that.” I pushed against his chest, but he held firm.

His dark eyes scanned my face. His grip didn’t loosen. After a long moment, he spoke. “Fine. Walk away.”

I couldn’t move. Maybe I didn’t want to.

“Not so easy, is it?” His whisper brushed my ear.

“Promise me. Swear you’ll never lure a human. Swear you’ll never feed on one again.”

“You didn’t need to ask. But I give you my word.” His lips touched the corner of mine.

I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent. Letting my doubts fade. Losing myself as his kiss deepened. His hands slid under my shirt. Rough fingertips grazed my skin, pulling me closer.

He broke away, his face inches from mine. “There’s only one thing I’m hungry for, Isabella.”

My name on his tongue sent shivers down my spine.

His lips pressed against my neck, moving slowly to my ear. Each kiss sparked through me. When his teeth grazed my ear, I gasped.

It had been so long since I’d felt anything. Zachary made me feel everything with just a touch.

I could be angry. It didn’t faze him.

“I need you safe, Isabella.” He murmured between kisses. “I need to know where you are. Always.”

His teeth grazed my skin as he moved to my collarbone.

“You want to claim me?” I whispered.

“I want you to be mine. Now and forever.”

His teeth sank into my flesh. Primal energy took over. His grip tightened. I knew there would be bruises.

One hand left my back, tangling in my hair. He pulled my head back, sinking his teeth deeper.

I winced, but the pain faded into longing. A deep craving for more. It even overshadowed the pain in my leg.

“You want more?” He mused, pulling back to cup me through my shorts.

He could feel how wet I was. The thin fabric hid nothing.

A quick flick of his finger made my legs buckle. If not for the shorts, he would’ve been inside me.

“My room is upstairs and—”