To Love a Beast

A Serious Pickle

When her body hit the mattress, Sin knew she was in a pickle.

A very dangerous pickle involving a hot, irrational Lycan.

There was an animalistic glint in Cedric's eyes as he pounced on all fours, covering her. He shoved his head into the crook of her neck, nuzzling and sniffing her neck wound. A low purr rumbled from his chest, like a contented kitty.

"I haven't forgotten about that neck wound you laid on me," she gasped, attempting to shove the beast away, in vain.

Violence was not in her nature, but Sin felt a sharp urge to give the man a good whack across the head. But clingy Lycan or not, Sin liked her head between her shoulders and who knew how this new version of Cedric would react.

"Not a wound. A mark," he murmured against her skin.

Sin wasn't sure what the difference was, but her gut twisted, already not liking the idea of Cedric's mark on her neck.

"And what does this mark mean, exactly?—And will you stop that! It tickles!"

Her last words came out as a yelp when his fingers found a sensitive spot on her sides. Squirming to escape his perpetrating hands, she couldn't help the giggles erupting from her chest.

"Oh, god, I can't breathe," she said, wiping the tears gathering on her lashes. Cedric was frozen above her. Staring. And the way he was looking at her...

She wedged her foot in between, taking advantage of his distracted state, and shoved him. Hard. When Cedric's body thumped on the ground, she felt a sliver of satisfaction. Consequences be damned. At least until he recovered.

Drawing the duvet around her for a false sense of protection, she leveled him with her best glare.

"You didn't answer my question, Fido."

"My name is Cedric. Who is Fido?" Cedric hissed.

Is he...jealous?

Sin's lips twitched with the desire to grin—to laugh. This mountain of a beast was envious of a generic dog name; her insult flying straight over his head.

"Of course, he's my husband. We love going on picnics every Sunday and—" Sin flinched when a growl sliced through the air. The sound made her hairs stand on end. Her stomach dropped to her feet.

The next moment, she was flat on her back again, Cedric above her. Closer. More carnal.

"I'll kill him." The words were guttural. All beast.

Sin swallowed hard. Perhaps poking fun at a Lycan with an obvious lack of control at the moment was a terrible idea. She pressed herself deeper into the mattress.

Cedric gathered her hair in one hand and tugged, baring her neck. He ran his nose along the column of her pale neck.

"My mark. My female."

Is that teeth?

Terror speared through her body. If he decided to take a chunk out of her again, she was defenseless. Her lungs tightened, choking her.

No way to run.

No way to protect herself.

Sin screwed her eyes shut, bracing herself for the inevitable agony of teeth in flesh.

The beast groaned, sensing his mate's distress.

"Don't be afraid. Never be afraid of me, little mate."

The pressure atop her disappeared.

A beat of silence, then two, before she dared to crack an eye open.