Reign of Blood

Chapter Twenty-Two

With an uncharacteristically nervous lump in her throat, Annaliese released the beast from the silver chains. With them, she threw caution to the wind.

This time, the beast flexed his wrists out. She had a feeling he was moving slowly on purpose, trying not to scare her.

Chronos would never...

Which meant Chronos was right. The beast was a part of him, but they weren't the same.

He placed both of his hands on her. One rested on the back of her head to hold her to him, the other one on her waist as if to protect.

Fuck everything Chronos had said. She'd never felt this safe and cared for in her entire life. The man was nothing more than a liar. This beast didn't want to hurt her.

"No tears," He said, rocking her back and forth. "No tears, Leese."

"No more tears," She agreed. "I won't cry any more beastie. I promise."

"I will protect you," The beast said holding her tighter, speaking slower. "From everything. I will protect my Leese."

She glanced up at him and sighed.

"You're saying all the right things, beastie."

"Never let you go Leese." Chronos had said he'd be like this. But Chronos hadn't said he'd be such a softy either.

Chronos had been wrong about a lot of things.

Oh yes! That was right. Because he was a liar.

Annaliese actually liked the beast. That was saying something, since the same couldn't be said for the man.

"Trust me," The beast said, staring at her with honest, golden eyes.

"I trust you."

And she meant it.

"No more tears?"

The thought of her crying more made the beast agitated.

"No more tears. I'm not sad anymore. You've made me feel better."

She took a long moment to stare at his face.

That's a look I could get used to. He stared at her with a look of passion she'd never seen before. There was the possession, but then there was the care and the sincerity. The adoration and dedication to her alone.

Before her, she had a beastly protector who would stop at nothing to keep her safe. If that meant protecting her from the other side of himself, then that was what he'd do.

The beast closed his eyes when she cupped his cheek. His skin was warm. She got the impression he was basking in her touch, scared he wouldn't get it again.

"Alright werewolf," She said. As soon as the words were out of her mouth, his eyes were open. He stared at her expectantly, following her lips with rapt attention. "If you're going to keep these chains off for the night, we're going to have to lay down some ground rules. There'll be consequences if you fail to abide by them. You might have gathered I'm a Queen. That means when I set rules, I expect them to be followed. Are you following me?"

He gave her a nod.

"Good. Onto the first rule. No sex."

The werewolf grumbled instantly.

"My Leese."

"I don't care. No sex. You and I are not ready for that. Your kind are violent and aggressive in this state. Besides, your entire body has grown. I'm no anatomist, but I can say with confidence we're not going to fit. Forcing something like that is sure to be painful. I'm bound to have my reservations, werewolf, so no hard feelings. I'm really not ready for that, okay? Factoring in the fact that I only like half of you, things aren't working in your favour. Promise me no sex."