Fate and Fury
Page 32

Costin must have seen the determination settle in Fanes eyes as he took a step away from Jacque.
Fane, I would never hurt your mate, Costin told him, firmly.
You touched her, Fanes eyes narrowed, dangerously. You took her in a way you had no right to. YOU KISSED HER, YOU BEAST,
ENOUGH! Vasile roared, cutting off Fanes words.
Fane fell to his knees as Vasiles Alpha command, pushed him to submit. He pulled his head up and his eyes met Jacquelyns. Tears streamed down her face and he could see the fear and knew she was on the verge of running.
Dont, he told her urgently. Dont leave me.
You dont want me, she responded, and flinched at her own words.
I will always want you.
She shook her head. She knew what she had felt inside him, the revulsion that filled him.
Not at you, he answered her thoughts. At everyone else love, but never you. He held his arms open to her. Come to me.
Jacque fought the urge to rush to him. She feared his rejection and knew that she couldnt handle it if he pushed her away.
Jacquelyn, come now.
Here we go with the damn dog orders, muttered Jen as she folded her arms across her chest.
Let me go, Fane told his father, never turning away from Jacquelyn. Im not going to hurt her, after a long pause, he added, or anyone else.
Why is that not reassuring to me? Crina asked, Jen softly.
Because his wolfs eyes still stare out from his too handsome, albeit quite deranged looking, face.
Yeah, that could be it, Crina agreed.
Vasile gradually let his hold on his son lesson as he carefully watched to make sure that he wasnt going to attack. When Fane didnt move, he released him fully.
Fane took a step towards his mate and stopped to make sure she wasnt going to back away. When she stood her ground, he took another step and another, until he was standing right in front of her.
Please leave us, he spoke softly, but knew everyone would hear him.
Decebel let out a low growl and was going to take a step towards Fane until Jen stepped in front of him.
He wont hurt her.
Decebel stared at his mate a moment before he finally relented. He took Jens hand as he turned to follow the others to give Fane and Jacque as much privacy as the forest would afford.
Once they were alone, Fane placed two fingers under Jacquelyns chin and gently raised her face to look at him.
How could you possibly think I wouldnt want you?
Tears slid down her cheeks as she tried to speak. Her lipstrembled and she tried to look away, but he held firmly to her chin.
How could you after watching that? How could you ever want to touch me again?
Fanes eyes closed briefly as he realized that she had thought his emotions were directed at her. He wasnt mad at her and she didn't revolt him. She was his. His precious mate and he knew that she hadnt really been touched or kissed or loved by another. He knew it, but still his wolf and he needed to connect with her emotionally as well as physically. He needed to reassure himself that she still wanted him, desired him, and no other.
Jacque stood on her tip toes and pressed her lips to his. She reached up, ran her fingers through his thick, black hair, and moaned when he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her closer. She opened her mind to his and poured her heart into their kiss. She thought about their wedding night, about the blood rites and then the time after. She reminded him of their first time together and all the times after, showing him the only way she could in that moment, how much she needed him, wanted him, and thirsted for him.
She was his, no doubt, but he was also hers.
You are mine, she told him. There is no other for me. My heart, my body, and my desire is for you alone.
Fanes body shuddered as Jacquelyns words reverberated to his very soul. His wolf and he was hers. He felt the truth in those words and it eased something inside him just a little. His hands roamed her body as much as he dared in their semi-private environment and he didnt think he had ever wanted to be alone with his mate more than he did in that moment.
She pulled back from his kiss gasping for breath and he smiled slightly at her swollen lips.
Soon, she panted.
Not soon enough, he growled.
They stared at each other as they tried to get their breathing under control. The image of her looking at him in fear flashed in his mind and his heart ached.
Im sorry I scared you, he whispered.
Her arms were still wrapped around her neck and her hands gripped his neck tightly.
I wasnt scared of you; I was scared that Id lost you, because of what you have endured. I saw what you had visually endured and even now, I cant think of it or Ill be sick again. Fane, her voice wavered as she tried to keep it together, the thought of any mans, hands besides yours, is revolting. I dont want those images in your mind. I dont want our bed tainted with that.
Im sorry. Its my fault that I saw it. It was my fear that created it and after I saw it once, it just grew inside me. More and more I feared that I wasnt enough for you, that you would realize that you deserved someone better.