Chapter 5

Sorin had been so wrong. For the first two days, Colette only sipped from the water she’d brought with her. By the third day, her supply was gone, but she didn’t say a word.

Five days later, she was still silent. The only time she left the warmth of the fireplace was to use his bathroom, but she’d return to the fire immediately after.

He’d expected her to give in, especially given her human nature. They were known for their fragility.

Every few hours, he’d wander into the living room to check on her. This time, he found her lying on her side, motionless.

“Colette,” he called from a safe distance. He knew she appreciated the space.

She didn’t respond, but that wasn’t unusual.

He moved a bit closer, repeating her name. “Colette, say something or I’ll kiss you again,” he warned, a hint of pleasure in his voice.

But she remained silent and still.

Quickly, he knelt beside her, rolling her onto her back. She was unconscious, her skin even paler than usual. The veins beneath her skin were more visible than they’d been all week.

“Shit,” he muttered, lifting her from the fireplace and carrying her to his bedroom. She looked so small in his bed. “Colette,” he tried again, giving her a gentle shake.

If she didn’t wake soon, he’d have no choice but to make her drink his blood, which had healing properties. His blood wasn’t as potent as his alpha’s.

He didn’t want to do that without her consent. She’d heal quickly, feel a surge in physical abilities and agility, but would be filled with rage and confusion.

Once it passed, she’d likely be furious with him. Among wolves, sharing blood was intimate and binding, an act usually performed during consummations.

Luckily, Colette stirred, glaring up at him. “What?” she groaned, her voice weak from exhaustion.

“I’m done waiting. You need to eat and drink while you’re here,” he commanded, handing her an open water bottle from his nightstand. He slipped a hand under her neck to lift her up to the bottle. “Drink.”

Her lips pressed together in a stubborn line.

“Fine.” He lowered her back onto his pillow and moved down her body. “If you don’t eat or drink, you get ~weak~. Do you ~want~ to be weak, Colette?” he asked.

She glared down at him. “I don’t care.”

He gripped her knees and spread her thighs, revealing her womanhood to his eager gaze. Soft, pink lips unfolded like a perfect flower.

“If you’re weak, that means I can take you ~quite~ easily,” he warned.

Her breath hitched as he kissed the inside of her thigh, slowly working his way up. Between kisses, he reminded her of the importance of self-care.

She couldn’t think. He was probably trying to force her to admit she needed to eat. But her mind couldn’t form words as his lips traveled up her leg.

All she could focus on was the feel of his stubble scratching along the soft skin of her leg, his tongue slipping out to draw swirling patterns, and the heat of his breath against her.

When he reached her core, he paused to give her a moment to speak, just enough for the fog to clear but not enough to form words. He started at the bottom of her entrance and dragged his tongue up, finishing with a flick to her sweet spot.

She cried out in pleasure, her back arching off the bed as if he’d exorcised her demons. Even though every fiber of his being demanded he bury himself within her, he paused to let her rebuke him.

She panted. “I’ll eat,” she promised. “I promise.”

He nodded, pulling away from her warmth to fetch her food. He paused as he left her sight to press his forehead against the cool wood in the hallway.

He was aflame with desire for her. She tasted sweet with a hint of cinnamon. Like a freshly baked pastry. He wanted to devour her, consume her entirely.

He was surprised, even at himself, that he’d had enough restraint to leave her. His erection was throbbing painfully, begging to sink into her.

He returned with food and more water. “Slowly,” he instructed, helping her sit up.

She scowled but obeyed. Sorin was so attracted to her that even the sight of her eating stirred his desire.

She finished what he’d brought her and glared at him. “Don’t do that again,” she demanded.

“Why not?” He shrugged, his insides burning with hunger for her. He’d have to brag to his pack about the lengths he’d gone to resist bedding her. It had to be a record among mates, surely.

“Because I said so. I don’t want you doing that to me. So...don’t,” she retorted.

“I assume you don’t want me to do anything else to you sexually,” he purred, leaning closer.

Her lips curled back in disgust. “Yes. I want nothing sexual from you, Sorin.”

Why did she have to sound so sexy when she said his name?

“Besides, I’m not on birth control.”

Sorin didn’t mind. He was physically, financially, and emotionally ready for children. “You don’t need birth control for me to taste you,” he murmured, leaning even closer, the thought of impregnating her intoxicating.

A beautiful blush spread across her skin. “Don’t talk like that,” she scolded, clearly horrified by what he’d done to her.

She must’ve been a virgin, which should’ve repelled him but only filled him with a sense of possessiveness and a desire to claim her. He was fueled by the idea of being the first and only man to take her.

Sorin kept her in bed for the rest of the day, feeding her small meals every so often to build her strength, but the storm still raged outside.

“The storm shows no sign of slowing, Colette. Which means you’re stuck here for at least a few more weeks,” he said softly.

She looked as if she'd lost all hope. “What do we do now?” she asked, her voice heavy with defeat.

“Well,” he said, a playful glint in his eyes, “I can think of a few things.”