playroom. I’d gathered enough strength and confidence in a woman that I felt she wouldn't rat me out and watch my downfall.
I'd come too far to risk it, but with Willow being my mate, I could read her intentions.
The elevator arrived, and we walked into the golden box. My senses picked up her calmness, intrigued wonder, and a hint of bubbling excitement for what was to come. I wasn't expecting her to be happy with what was about to transpire, but after our earlier experience, maybe she couldn’t wait to see what I did behind the scenes.
Why I was one of the more dangerous ones in the Forbidden Pack.
"Last chance to back out, Sweetness," I stated as I reached out to press the door close button but paused for her response. She looked directly at me, and my closed lids lit up with the flickering closeness of her energy.
"Ride-or-Die, mate," she hummed like I was one of her besties. "You can't get rid of me now."
"Boo," I teased. "I thought the smell of last night's organs would have changed your mind." From the slight spike in her energy, my second line intrigued her, but she began sniffing the air.
"Did you refrigerate them? I don't smell shit, and my senses are pretty good."
"Smart mate," my wolf quietly praised.
I smirked at his random comment and whispered, "I did refrigerate them. At least the eyeballs, hearts, and lungs. I’m thinking of donating them for some organ charity organization where those that are slain in accidents or in the shadows of NYC's alleyways have their organs tested and donated. I guess it's taking a bad situation and turning it into a good one."
"How thoughtful," she praised. "Are you going to show me how you preserve them?"
She was so interested in this, it was like she was applying to work in the secret morgue of shifters
"Do you want to learn?"
"Yes!" She literally clapped her hands.
"I'll show you next time when Saint comes with. Easier with him around."
"Not preserving any souvenirs this time around?" she questioned, and I once again paused at pushing the button that laid against my fingertip to absorb her question.
"Do you want one?"
"Maybe," she admitted. "I feel like this is a special occasion."
Every time she spoke in this moment, it seemed to impress me further. Was she really okay with what I was about to do? Did she truly grasp how dangerous I was?
Or...did she truly not care?
She moved in and brushed her lips against mine, our eyes locking onto each other while she sought what was stopping me.
"Are you truly scared of me seeing a part of your lifestyle?"
"I'm not scared," I confessed. "More like...confused...and impressed."
"Have you never found someone aside from our pack to witness what you do?"
"No." It was nothing but the truth. "Anyone who has usually ended up with the same fate."
"Hmm." She thought about it. "Sucks to be them then."
She wrapped her hand around my extended one, giving it the slight push it needed to close the elevator doors. She kept her grasp on my hand as she moved right against me once more. The elevator began to go down. Our eyes were still locked while I admired how fucking mesmerizing she was in this empowering moment.
How lucky I am.
I gave into kissing her one last time - needing her to realize how I appreciated her confidence. I still couldn't determine whether she'd run for the hills after what she was about to see, but maybe if she did, I wouldn't be keen on killing her.
She was my mate, after all. If she didn't like this portion of our world, I wouldn't force her to accept it.
Letting her go, we both turned to face the doors as the elevator came to a stop.
"Ready?" I asked.
"More than ready," she assured me.
"Time to get serious," my wolf declared and I could feel the itching excitement to get into the mood. My emotions drained off my face as I tucked them away for safekeeping. This was the moment when these officers would enjoy the emotions that blossomed at the expense of creating art.
The moment the doors opened, screams for help and grunts echoed all the way to our very spot. I remained in place on purpose, assessing how Willow would react to the cries and pleas for aid.
She remained in place, her eyes taking in the clean space. I'd dimmed the lights because it was a good psychological tactic to use against your captive prey. It made them see certain