Eight: Charlie

Charlie P.O.V.

I watched Damien out of the corner of my eye as he moved to the line of clothes Paxton had left up overnight to dry.

Paxton was probably the closest to Damien's height, but Damien's thighs and hips were a lot larger and way more muscular than Paxton's.

My jaw dropped as Damien pulled them on, getting the zipper up a few inches but leaving the button undone. The trail of dark hair leading down beneath the fabric made me very happy indeed, and I had to swallow hard to keep from drooling.

His hand slid into the pants, adjusting himself and making my body burn hotter. Could he smell how aroused I was?

My cheeks felt like they were on fire, and I turned away from him, running my hand over my chest to wipe away any perspiration. The less evidence there was of my wild hormones, the better. I had never understood how out -of-control mates would act in public, but I finally understood because I wanted to throw caution to the wind and climb Damien like a tree.

Everything I had ever been taught about composing myself and masking my emotions went right out the window with him around. I felt Damien walk up next to me as I bent down, grabbed the knife, and easily sliced through the meat.

He was too damn close. I knew if I lifted my hand, I could touch him.

I cleared my throat before speaking to save myself from the additional embarrassment of my voice cracking. "Did you bring my dagger this time?"

He sat on the ground next to me, leaning back against the log behind him where I usually sat. I had moved the log back before bringing the deer in to make room for me to work.

It was proper not to sit in a chair higher than the princess, and I felt myself tense. Did he know who I was, or had he just wanted to sit next to me?

He didn't look at me, his eyes glued to the small fire I would have to build up before hanging the pot over it. "Do your men leave you here alone often? ■

My head pulled back at the anger in his tone. "We take turns. We can't all leave the camp at once. Whoever stays behind is responsible for cooking for the day and ensuring no animals or people ransack our things."

He didn't like the answer. His hands clasped together with his forearms resting on his knees.

"I can handle myself," I whispered, suddenly feeling inadequate. Damien didn't need to say it for me to know what was happening in his head. It was the same thing Killian said when he saw me walking around without bodyguards, that I was an easy target, weak compared to most men.

full-blooded Lycan with my sword before they could lay a finger

"I don't doubt that."

Even my men had taken a while to come around to the idea of me being left on my own. I had to knock them to the dirt several times before they accepted that I was one of them

spot here and wouldn't

up the meat and placed it in the pot with the vegetables and potatoes Diego had, hopefully, purchased

money in the bank than we could ever require and took care of

done and had washed my hands from the pot of clean, boiled water we kept on the edge of the camp, I sat back down next to Damien.

him press his thigh against mine a few times, but he would

comfort between us. The last thing I

you introduced yourself first. I figured there was a reason you gave me that name before your nickname." His head

of my name rolled off his tongue so beautifully that

works,' I choked out, pushing at one of the rocks surrounding the fire pit with the toe of

let out a low chuckle, and I bit my lip to stop from

I admitted, turning to stare at him. His beard had grown longer over the past two weeks

hair and made him look dangerous." You refuse to accept that we are mates or even the possibility of it. But you're here, and you don’t have to be. You chose to be here. What do

so easily dismiss it. "I feel drawn to you, Charlotte. More than I have to any woman

head pulled back, and a sick feeling swirled in my gut. I wanted to be happy that he felt a bond with me, but hearing him admit that he had been with other women was hard to swallow. It wasn't even

knew it was because he expected that I had been with other men. Lycans were very intimate creatures; most had been with several different partners before hitting their twenties, let alone finding their mates. Instead of addressing it, he avoided

from his bent knees in front of him, and he trailed his finger up my thigh. Goosebumps followed his touch, and sparks shot through my system as he

I agreed

the top of my thigh, his fingers curling

for his trap anyway. I was furious that he had been with other women when I had been waiting for him, but it was more

him to know and accept that he belonged to me, and I belonged to him. Other women needed to stay

before I could think rationally. Damien let his legs slide out in front of him as I

Damien. 'We' are just a matter of time. I can be patient. But if you want someone

to." My hand trailed down his chest, and his

His growl when I reached the trail of hair leading down into his pants made me grow instantly wet and

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