“Do we get to cut our hands open and high-five like blood brothers?” I held my hand up.
He gave me a look.
“You said I could be glib.”
“I said I couldn’t stop you.”
“So, we exchange blood, then we’re married.”
“Yes.”
“And then all the werewolves change and eat me because I can’t shift.”
“I told you not to worry. So don’t worry.” He sounded annoyed with me now. I don’t think kings are used to having their word questioned, let alone outright doubted.
“I guess we’ll have to wait and see.”
“I said trust me.”
“Okay. I trust you.”
He grabbed me by the shoulder and spun me to face him. There was something…alluring about the way he looked at me. “Trust me.”
I blinked, then decided to see how far I could push my luck. “And what if I don’t?”
Lucas growled and a shiver ran through me. “Take off your jacket,” he instructed.
I hesitated for a moment, but I let the garment drop to the ground.
“Now your pants.”
“Bossy,” I replied, but my voice came out husky. I complied. My shirt came next, all my clothes in a heap next to the fire. I stood, feeling too exposed in my underwear and profoundly self-conscious of the Victoria’s Secret panties I wore that said, Take a picture, it will last longer.
Lucas stripped down until he was in his black boxer briefs. Seeing the muscled expanse of his chest illuminated by the moonlight made my knees turn to butter. I licked my lips.
“Do you trust me?” he asked.
“No,” I lied.
“Then you’d better run.”
“I—”
“Run.”
He dove for me, and I dodged. The smile on his face was wild, his blue eyes shining chartreuse. This close to the full moon little signs of his wolf were starting to show themselves through the veneer of his humanity. My heart pounded with excitement, and all my anxiety melted away.
If the wolf king wanted a chase, I could give him a chase.
I sprinted out of the circle and into the dark waiting arms of the oak trees. The ground was soft and spongy underfoot, with none of the sharp pine needles I was used to when I ran barefoot at home, but the extra layer of moss made it feel like I was running in sand. It slowed me down. Manitoba ground might be pointy, but at least it was hard.
Lucas was right on my heels. His fingers grazed the small of my back and sent me spinning out of his grasp and off in the opposite direction. He lunged for me, and I jumped, grabbing a low-hanging branch. I swung up then turned to face him, swinging again for more leverage before I kicked off the trunk and over his head.
I ran.
The April air was cool and invigorating, and since my sprint wasn’t fueled by fear, I ran like I was flying, streaming through the spaces between the trees as though the night had loaned me wings and I could run and run forever.
Lucas caught me, his arms latched around my waist. He slammed us both against the nearest tree, his breath rising and falling with mine, excited pants against each other’s skin. He licked my neck, and a shudder rock