Cruel Kiss (On Hold)

Chapter 8- Night Walks

**Emir's POV**

My heart beats loudly in my chest as I watch her. Strands of chocolate hair spill into her face as she eats, and her delicate hands come up to brush them away. I have the distinct urge to brush them away myself, but I don't dare move. I want her to trust me, and if I move too quickly, she might shy away.

She shovels the last few bites of food into her mouth before standing. She practically skips over to me, a giant smile on her face, and I resist the urge to return the expression. I reach forward tentatively, almost surprised when she lets me grab onto her hand.

I lead her down the stairs and out onto the lawn. This early into the night, there are usually still people out, but I told them all to go inside early tonight. The perks of being an Alpha, I guess. It may be selfish, but I just wanted this time for the two of us. I know my pack is eager to meet her. Everyone wants to meet the Sacred Omega from the prophecy, which is why I've planned a hunt for the upcoming blood moon in a few days.

A hunt is when an entire pack comes together and shifts to hunt an animal. It acts as a bonding moment for the new members being welcomed in to the group. Though Kenna isn't part of my pack, she's still the Sacred Omega, which means that she must form ties equally among all the various packs.

I turn to look at her and my breath catches in my throat. The pale light of the moon creates a halo effect on her hair and her eyes are shining as she looks around. She's quite possibly the loveliest creature I've ever seen. I want her for myself, I have since the first moment I laid eyes on her. I've been near desperate for the mate bond to click into place, hoping beyond reason that she would be mine.

Yet every day when I visit her, nothing happens. She isn't my mate, which means that she belongs to another. The thought has been filling me with anger and jealousy these past few days. Is it wrong of me to want to claim her anyway? Is it wrong of me to want to forego everything and keep her hidden and by my side?

I don't know the right answer and I suspect I never will. I've only known her for such a short time, but I've quickly become infatuated with her. Every time I'm around her, it's like I come alive. I know she feels something too, I can see it in her eyes and I can smell the change in her scent when I'm near. Surely if I had a mate, it would feel like this. It has to be some sort of mistake by the goddess. Perhaps it has something to do with her being the Sacred Omega, and that's why it hasn't clicked yet.

I shake my head, knowing my thoughts won't lead anywhere good if I keep going. I tug on her hand in mine and begin to lead her toward the grove of trees in the distance. I love being surrounded by the forest, and I want to share it with her.

"You know, usually when I'm outside at night, I get a little afraid. But now, it seems almost peaceful." Her light sultry voice says beside me.

I turn to her and the look on her face has my lips turning upward. She looks radiant and mesmerized by the sights around us. The trees cut the moonlight into soft rays and all is still. She's right, it is peaceful. The forest comes alive at night, and I'm glad she likes it.

"I enjoy being surrounded by nature. It makes all the stress of my duties melt away." I confess to her.

She gives a hum of agreement, her eyes following the flight of a bat above us.

"This is nice, though I have to say, I would've been happy just to tour the house. It wasn't fun being locked in that room." Her eyes are teasing, but there's a note of seriousness in her tone.

A tinge of guilt slashes through me. Though I trust my pack completely, if we get attacked by outside forces, it's hard to tell what would happen. Until her place as Sacred Omega is secure, I'm not willing to take any risks. Her room is the safest place for her. Though, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to let her roam through the house every now and then.

"I'm sorry, Kenna. For everything. You've been handling this awfully well. First, we took you away and then thrust an entire other world on you. Now, we're expecting you to help keep the peace in it." I say, a mixture of praise and worry lacing my tone.

"I'd say it's alright, but it isn't. I miss my family, and I know they're worried sick. I need to get back to them and let them know I'm okay. I understand where you're coming from though, from what I've heard, you're world is walking a precarious line between peace and war." She confesses, a slight frown tugging on her lips.

"I don't know what's happening anymore, Emir. Everything seems strange and new. Before I came here, I thought I was going crazy. Now, there's this...new thing in me." She continues, a small amount of fear leaking into her voice.

I step closer to her, the need to comfort her over-riding everything else. I lift my hand, fingers brushing a few strands of hair out of her face. She looks up at me, her gray eyes meeting mine. They seem to hold me in place, trapping me completely.

"It's going to be alright , Kenna. We'll figure all this out." I reassure her, my voice coming out as a husky whisper.

Her eyes search my face, looking for any doubt that may register. When she doesn't find any, her eyes soften. She's so close that our breaths mingle together. Goddess, I want to kiss her.

I try to fight the urge, but every second we stand here, it just becomes stronger. My muscles nearly shake from the tension in them. I'm doing my best not to reach for her and pull her to me.

When her eyes suddenly drop to my lips and her breathing hitches, all of my restraint snaps. My hands latch on to her hips and a low growl rumbles in my throat. Her face tilts up, her pouty lips parting.

I place my lips on hers, a gentle brush against them, and I hear her shaky inhale. Her lips come up to meet mine, pushing harder against me. She's demanding more, letting me know she wants this too. The thought unleashes the animal in me, a need claim what's being offered slashing through my insides.

I gently push her hips, backing her up until her back hits the base of a tree. Our lips crash together and her hands come up to tug my hair. A growl erupts from my throat as a wicked fire scorches through my veins. Her scent invades my nostrils, an intoxicating mixture of pomegranates and an earthy breeze.

I can smell her desire and it's like gasoline has been added to my flames. I press my body against her, grinding my heavy manhood against her core. A light, breathy moan escapes her and I smirk against her lips.

"Emir," She breathes, throwing her head back to expose her neck.

The sight snaps me back into reality. We shouldn't be doing this. She is not mine. I have no right to be doing this with her, no matter how much I want to. She needs to wait for her mate. The thought causes pain to rip through my chest. I lean forward and gently place a soft kiss on her neck.

"Kenna, we can't do this. You belong to another." I tell her, focusing on keeping my voice even.

Her eyes open, shooting to my face. They narrow on my lips again, and I take a step back. I cannot allow myself to be tempted again. I can't mess with her destiny. It's the only way I can allow myself to show her that I care.

"Emir-," she begins.

"No, Kenna. We cannot do this. It isn't right." I say, the words coming out forced and clipped.

"But, Emir, I don't want to belong to anyone else." She says, eyes pleading me to come closer.

"Enough, Kenna. We can't. Now, come on, I'll take you back to the house." As she follows me back towards the house, pain and regret twists my insides.

It's for the best. It has to be. I can't allow myself to believe anything different.