“Do you still doubt me?” a familiar voice called.
I turned to watch my group’s leader emerge from the shadows completely unharmed.
“You were right,” the man behind me agreed.
I stared at the approaching man with dawning horror. “You betrayed your people,” I gasped looking again at the bodies lying nearby.
“Not my people,” the man I thought I knew growled. “My people do not run from a fight, not even to spare a single life.”
The man behind me laughed. “Now that we have her, where was she leading you?”
“She had knowledge of a plant that will bring us wealth. It relieves pain.” The betrayer stepped closer. “We will need someone to test it,” he said.
I spun and ran, knowing it was useless. They could have outran me, but, instead, made a game of the chase. My sides ached, and my breath came in painful gasps.
“Enough play time,” the betrayer called to his companion.
Something bumped into me knocking me to the ground. Pinned by an unyielding mass, I sobbed as the man licked my neck.
“You will be delicious,” he whispered.
Chapter Nine
“Bethi,” Luke called my name and tapped my face.
I opened my eyes with my heart still pounding.
“Why didn’t you lean against me? The dreams aren’t as bad then,” he scolded with a concerned frown.
I blinked at him as the memory of my sister’s death continued to cloud my thoughts. “Betrayer,” I whispered.
Luke looked shocked. “I would never betray you,” he whispered. Some obscure emotion flicked into his eyes and for a moment he looked so helplessly lost. “Never,” he breathed as if talking to himself. Then, determination replaced it and he slowly leaned toward me.
My breath caught as his gaze snared me. Trapped, I watched his eyes drop to my mouth. My heart skipped a beat, but not in fear. I knew he heard it too when his arms tightened fractionally and his fingers feathered over my hair.
“Iwillprotect you,” he whispered. His lips brushed my top lip, the barest of touches, before he retreated slightly.
My heart struggled painfully as my stomach twisted in anticipation.
“You are everything I am. Without you...”
In his arms, I believed him. A small burst of hope warmed me. What if, instead of worrying about living or dying, I just...lived?
Dropping my eyes to his lips, a shaky breath escaped me; and I lifted my mouth to his. A spark ignited in my stomach. Our lips touched for less than a second before he pulled back quickly.
I wanted to yell and cry. Instead, I took a deep breath and tried to quell my frustration. The stubborn man wouldn’t even look at me.
“Why?”
“Why what?” he asked distractedly, eyeing the road ahead.
“Why protect me? I’m not your mate.”
His eyes met mine, and the intensity of his look, robbed me of words.
“Do not mistake my patience for disinterest.” He gently threaded his fingers through my hair, and I held my breath. His lips lifted in a half smile at my hopeful look, but he dropped his hand.
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted to stop yet,” he said with a nod toward a building I hadn’t noticed. We sat in the parking lot of a hotel.
