special. Loved, even. It was there in his voice when he used that word, used his language. Still, what did she really know about him other than he made her body come alive when no one else ever had?
Breathe. You’re holding your breath and scaring yourself. Look at me.
If she did, she would be lost. She was always lost when she looked at him, but if she didn’t, they would stand here until she did. Surrounded by the other hunters. They were all so much taller than she was and stronger. They formed walls around her with no way out.
Charlotte forced her gaze up Tariq’s chest to his throat. She could see the faint strawberry—the mark her mouth had put on him earlier, when he’d first awakened her in the bed upstairs. It made her blush to think these men knew she’d done that—that she had been so out of control and wild she had left her brand on him. His jaw was strong, a man’s jaw, and that was strangely always a trigger for her. The moment she looked at his jawline, her body came to life. Quickly, her gaze continued up to his mouth, and she nearly groaned aloud. That mouth always took her breath. So beautiful. So perfect. He knew how to use his mouth. She didn’t dare stop there. Deliberately she stared at his aristocratic nose.
You are not looking at me. Give me your eyes, Charlotte. You need to take a deep breath and look at your lifemate.
If she took a breath, she would draw his scent into her lungs. She knew that. If she looked into his eyes she would drown in him. Give herself to him all over again right there surrounded by these predators, knowing he was one of them. She’d asked for this, wanted him to allow her to try to track Vadim. Even this morning, in their bed, sprawled across his body, his cock still deep inside her, both sated for a brief time, she’d assured him she could do it. She needed to free the children and Emeline. Free herself from his taint. It had seemed such a good idea then. But now . . .
I was wrong, Tariq. She refused to raise her gaze that scant bit to look into his eyes. I don’t want to be in here.
Charlotte. Look at me now.
He wasn’t asking. He’d never used that voice on her. Not ever. There was no possibility of disobeying him. A shudder went through her body, but she lifted her gaze to his. His eyes were gorgeous. Unusual. Midnight blue, glittering like gems. Giving her more, so much more. They were warm with feeling he rarely showed in front of others, feelings for her. It was impossible not to see she belonged to him. Was loved by him. Protected by him. He gave her that, and like always, just like she knew she would, she believed.
Now breathe for me, sielamet, and let’s get this done if you’re still willing to do it.
So intimate, his touch. The way he poured into her mind and filled every lonely spot inside of her. She’d felt so alone and different for so long, never quite fitting in anywhere until Tariq. Whatever the pull between them, that connection, she knew, even standing in this room surrounded by predators, she was willing to risk everything for him.
Charlotte took a breath. The moment she did, Tariq stepped closer to her; his arm moved around her waist and drew her front to his side beneath his wide shoulder, locking her to him. All the while, his scent went deep, comforting her like it always did.
“I’m going to put my hand on the horse and scan it before you touch it,” Tariq said. “I don’t want to take a chance that another sliver could enter your body. The healer has been sent for but it may be some time before he can come.”
“Let me,” Dragomir said.
When the Carpathian spoke, Charlotte couldn’t help the little shiver that went down her spine. He spoke quietly, his voice pitched low, but that tone went straight into one’s body and mind. It was as if he could get inside a person, into their skin and bones and just take over. It was frightening, his voice, frightening yet very, very compelling. She wasn’t the only one to feel it. These men were not led. She knew that. Not a single one of them, yet they all looked at Dragomir with respect. Warily,