Her gaze dropped to his neck. "You're a mite heavy." Her tone was . . . bemused.
So he wasn't the only one feeling completely overwhelmed. Good. He rolled to his side and pulled her to face him, grabbing blankets to spread over them both. "I asked you a question." He lifted her chin with two fingers. They might as well get a few things straight right now. "If you don't want to answer something, tell me. But there will be no hiding or evading. Definitely no lying." He had no clue where they were gonna end up, but some things were absolute.
She gingerly touched her bright red shoulder. "What is up with you and no lying? You're a fanatic about it."
He leaned in and rubbed his nose against hers. "I don't like subterfuge." His father, the asshole, had been full of lies and deception-when he wasn't kicking the shit out of Bear. "There's no need."
She winced and rolled the same shoulder. "I work in the Coven government, Bear. My life is full of confidential information."
"That's fine. Your professional life can be all about secrets and lies." He pushed her hand away to examine the wound he'd left on her. "But in our life, this life, we use the truth. All of it."
She scoffed. "You trust me? Really?"
He paused. Did he trust her? He'd just mated her. Would he really mate a woman he didn't trust? They had too much to learn about each other still. Good thing they were immortal. "I'm choosing not to answer that question because I'm not sure what to say at the moment. Other than, heal that shoulder. Now."
She rolled her eyes. "You don't get to become all bossy now." Tingles cascaded from her as she sent healing cells to the wound.
"I'm the alpha, Ness. I am the boss." It didn't hurt to remind her. "Can you heal yourself faster because of your gift?"
"No. Not faster." Her skin regained a healthy color and lost the swelling. But his mark, that strong bite, remained in place for all to see.
She glanced down. "You marked my entire shoulder."
Yeah. His bite was visible from her front and her back. Satisfaction filtered through him along with a powerful sense of possession. His mark. Her body. Yes. Though he hadn't been the only one to brand tonight. He looked over his shoulder but couldn't see her marking. It still burned, but he chose not to send healing cells to the area.
The burn felt right.
She snuggled sleepily against him, her eyelids closing. "We broke your bed."
Probably wouldn't be the last time. "Go to sleep. We'll figure things out tomorrow." The wind rustled against the cabin as the night descended.
She nodded, her hair brushing his shoulder like fine silk. "I have to go to LA tomorrow." Then she dropped into sleep, her body relaxing completely.
He pulled the blanket up to her neck and studied her. Long black lashes lay against her pale skin, hiding those spectacular eyes. Her hair was a wild mess over her slim shoulders. He reached out and ran his finger across the bite.
She shifted and mumbled something, her legs moving beneath the blankets, one hand clutching the material up by her neck.
He touched her fingernails and slim fingers. So small, so feminine. Yet the woman could punch.
What was he going to do with her? So far, a known enemy wanted her kidnapped, and an unknown threat wanted her dead. All of that had been brought to his attention just during the last few days.
How many times would he need to protect her in a whole month?
He sighed and tugged on a wayward curl. It was time to start training his people again, and they needed to increase their numbers. With shifters only. His eyes closed, and he tried to feel his internal injuries. A healing balm was already spreading, and his constant pain had quieted. He stretched; now he could send his own healing cells throughout his body to start repairing damage. The mating, for him, was already a success.
What about her? He might not have given her the gift of fire. If he hadn't, he'd make sure he kept her safe, whether she liked it or not.
After he was certain she was asleep, he slid from the bed and made his way to the small bathroom beyond the fireplace. Curiosity held him while he shut the door and tugged the string for the light. The small room lit up. He moved toward the mirror above the sink and turned, surveying his back.
The dragon he'd had tattooed there faced to the side so its talons could wrap around his shoulder and bicep. The tail was long and its scales appeared razor-sharp. The creature had bright eyes in a narrow face. Right in the middle of the dark beast now glowed a perfect Celtic knot with sharply delicate lines.