437- The Heat of the Hunt
POV Thalyndra Moonclaw:
"Sweetheart, we can settle this in a friendlier way. It's still early, and I just got out of an intense training session with my brother."
"Fuck off!" I shouted.
I kicked at his calves, trying to knock him down. Anton swayed but didn't so much as budge. I needed to find some weakness in him, or I'd never come out on top. The bastard was strong, fast, agile, and sharp.
He pushed me back against the table, dragging it backward and making the silverware clatter. He held my wrists in front of me, keeping the dagger well away from his skin.
"As much as silver doesn't hurt me, having a dagger shoved into my chest causes an absurd amount of pain."
"Wow, great to know, that just makes me even more eager to do it again."
"You're so violent..." he murmured mockingly.
I lunged forward, taking advantage of the fact that he was gripping my wrists tightly, and headbutted his chin with the top of my head. He grunted and stumbled back a few steps. I used his second of distraction to bend my knee and aim it between his legs.
"You don't want to hit that spot," he said, catching my knee and pushing me away.
"And why wouldn't I want to?"
"Because I need it functioning."
"That's entirely your problem."
"Actually, it'll be our problem, in case you want to find out how it works." He gave me a wink, taunting me.
"I'm not in the business of charity, Eldoria pup."
His mouth fell open, looking genuinely offended.
"Pup? Seriously, that's what offended you?"
I stepped back a little further, circling him with the dagger raised in one hand.
He ran a hand through his hair, sweeping the strands back.
"Of course it is, since I can let the charity part slide."
"Oh, really? And why's that?"
He waved a dismissive hand.
"Because you've never been with a male like me to know any better, so you're basically an inexperienced little virgin."
Well... I was practically an inexperienced virgin, since my contact with men amounted to exactly one, but he'd never know that.
"Is arrogance part of your superpowers as a Supreme Alpha's son?"
He scratched his jaw, fingers grazing the stubble along it as if he were considering something.
"I'm not arrogant, I'm just honest. Since I was born with plenty of... qualities, I see no reason to hide them."
I lunged at him, catching him off guard. He might be faster and stronger, but I was willing to bet I knew how to be more treacherous. The blade ran across the skin of his chest, cutting him. His blood spilled from the open wound, and the metallic scent wafted through the air. I ignored the fact that he seemed... appetizing, because that was extremely weird.
"Ah, you cunning female!" he roared.
Anton grabbed me, lifting me up and spinning me around, pressing my back against his hard chest. I kicked my legs in the air, trying to break free from his grip. One hand was on my waist, holding firm around me like immovable steel, while the other disarmed me with ease, twisting my wrist to the side and knocking the dagger to the floor.
His warm skin against mine seemed to catch fire, heating more and more with each second of contact. I shuddered and my hairs stood on end, my body reacting to his. I sucked air through my mouth, avoiding breathing through my nose so I wouldn't be overwhelmed by his scent and become even more affected than I already was.
"Let me go!" I growled, shaking myself, but with no success.
"I don't think so, you're too violent and a real risk to my physical integrity," he mocked. "I think I'm going to have to keep you tightly restrained."
His free hand grabbed my chin, pulling my face back and resting my head on his shoulder. I felt his breath on my ear, warm and rhythmic. A strange sensation hit me.
"I like this position, how our bodies stay in contact, with you pressed tight against me." He panted in a low, husky voice.
I made an involuntary sound. It was as if it came from the depths of my throat, from inside me, but didn't necessarily belong to me.
I felt my chest warm, like an ordeal, a new and overwhelming feeling that arose every second I remained with the Eldoria alpha's arms around me.
Then I realized what that sound seemed like—it was as if I were purring, like animals did when they were happy.
Oh. My. Gods.
What the hell was that?
My brain must have short-circuited after all the tragedy that had surrounded me. I was going crazy, completely insane, and would soon need help.
Anton laughed out loud, his chest shaking behind me, his laughter blowing the strands of hair beside my head.
"It seems your wolf agrees with me."
Excuse me?
I widened my eyes, completely shocked by that. She had never reacted that way before. I knew she was part of me, but she didn't bother me—I liked the extra senses I possessed thanks to that wild part. But now... purring for an idiot like that and making me look foolish wasn't very nice.
I would continue blaming my vulnerable state of grief.
"She's confused, she's never been this close to a strange wolf before," I hissed, my face heating with shame.
I didn't need a mirror to know my neck must have been red as a tomato.
"I disagree. I think she likes me."
"She definitely doesn't like you, but there's no point arguing about that with someone as arrogant as you."
The only plausible explanation was the fact that, besides my parents, I had never been this close to other wolves, except when I was a child and attended an event in Eldoria with them. But I was too young then, and the only memory I possessed was those eyes that followed me.
His eyes.