Kael brushed his lips against mine—just for a second—and it made me blink in surprise. Then he kissed me again, deeper this time, consuming me until my thoughts began to blur.
I should have fought him. Or pushed him away. But I didn't want to.
Kael's hands slid from my waist to my shoulders, then down to my breasts. Gently, he kneaded them, making me gasp as I tried to break free from his hold.
But Kael's kiss was intoxicating. It pulled me back under, made me surrender and savor every stroke of his tongue. His scent somehow lulled my tense mind. I felt more relaxed—freer.
"Why?" I asked, confused, when he finally broke the kiss. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"Because you want it."
Did I really want this? Maybe… yes. I wasn't sure. All I knew was that I didn't want to refuse him either.
Beneath the shade of the cedar trees, Kael stripped me of my clothes one by one. And I did the same to him.
Beneath the fabric covering his body, I saw scars everywhere—on his chest, his abs—making his masculinity even more striking. I held my breath as I touched his abs, damp beneath my palm.
"Does this hurt?" I asked softly, tracing one of the scars.
"It did."
Kael pinned me beneath his solid, powerful body. His lips trailed along my shoulder, then bit down hard. I cried out, feeling something hot rush through my veins.
What is he doing? Why am I burning like this?
"You smell incredible, Maddie," he whispered, his breath uneven. "Your scent drives me insane."
"Kael," I whimpered.
The pain in my shoulder still throbbed. With every pulse, I felt Kael's blood surge, like it was flowing into me as well.
"Who are you really, Maddie?" he asked. "Every time I'm near you, I can't control the beast inside me."
I swallowed hard, his touch like fire against my skin. "I don't know…"
"Tell me," he demanded. "What power are you hiding?"
"There is none, Kael."
"Really?"
Kael lowered himself, his mouth closing over my breast with raw hunger, while his other hand squeezed and teased my stiffened nipple. I lay there trembling, surrendering to every touch—pain and pleasure intertwining, pulsing together.
His free hand slid down my stomach until it reached my core. His rough fingers brushed me there, making me jolt in shock.
"You're hiding your power here, Maddie?" he growled.
A soft moan escaped me as his fingers pressed against my clit, moving in slow, deliberate circles. My legs tensed, something inside me threatening to explode.
I had never been with a man before. I didn't know it could feel like this—my thoughts foggy, my head light, everything centered on him.
On Kael.
"I'll consume your power," he grunted.
I gave in completely. The ache in my core and the heat wrapping around my body were impossible to stop anymore.
"Kael… please, fill me…"
…
I blinked awake to a darkening sky, the last traces of red sunlight swallowed by night. I turned my head and saw Kael sleeping beside me, curled up with his back to mine. Instinctively, I checked my clothes—everything was still intact.
The last thing I remembered was Kael leaning in, crushing his lips against mine. Then we...
The memory was vague, yet it felt real. Or had I just imagined it… and fallen asleep? It was horrifying to have an erotic dream about someone so unfamiliar in my life.
I tapped my head, hoping something might resurface. But nothing did. My memory was utterly blank.
When I stood up, Kael suddenly sprang awake with a sharp growl. His hand had already shifted, claws extended, menacing. I stumbled back in shock.
"Y-you're awake?" I asked nervously.
Kael exhaled, then stood tall, glancing briefly at the sky. He muttered, "We wasted time."
I frowned.
His words made it sound like it was my fault when he had just recovered from the giant spider's poison. Still, I didn't argue. Just hearing Kael growl was enough to make my skin crawl.
Kael walked ahead of me, and we left the shelter of the cedar tree I didn't want to abandon. The moment we entered the forest, I might as well have been blind. I couldn't see anything.
"Can you move faster?" Kael hissed impatiently.
"I can't see anything."
"What kind of abilities do you even have as a Strains?"
That hit hard.
I could have ignored Kael's words; he was always like this: rough, cynical, blunt. But after that cursed dream, where he had been so intimate with me… it felt like I was being scolded by my own partner.
Think clearly, Maddie! The man beside you might kill you someday!
"Maybe my ability as a Strains," I said quietly, "is having no ability at all."
Because I really was no different from the Naturals, those without any power. Growing up among "normal" humans, it was only natural that I'd think I was one of them, too.
"You should know your own body."
"How am I supposed to know my body," I snapped softly, "when it's just like this? It's not as easy as you say."
He grunted.
"You'll only become a burden," Kael said.
I didn't respond. Again, his words felt painfully true. And I had nothing to defend myself with; no one had ever taught me. I was in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
Perhaps my life itself was a mistake.
I stumbled again and again—into bushes, slipping on moss—but Kael didn't flinch once. I tried to force my eyes to adjust to the darkness, but it was useless. The cold blackness of the forest crept into my mind, feeding my fear and anxiety.
I fought back tears and despair. This was nothing. I had to be strong. I had to survive. I repeated it to myself over and over.
Kael stopped and waited for me to catch up. When I finally stood beside him, his hand touched the back of mine, then suddenly clasped it tightly.
"Don't slow me down," he said, almost like a scolding.
I nodded obediently and followed his swift, silent steps. As we moved, I slowly felt warmth spreading from Kael's grip into my body.
I was a burden to Kael. I didn't want him to think that anymore. With every breath I took, I vowed to become stronger.
So I wouldn't be a burden to anyone—ever again.
Faintly, I heard the roar of rushing water. We stopped at the edge of a cliff, and below us was a massive river.
"Isn't there another way?" I asked.
"I don't know."
Crack!
A branch snapped behind us. I turned and saw scattered yellowish points of light not far from where we stood. My body froze as I heard a clicking sound, like spoons scraping together.
No. No…
Don't tell me the spiders found us!