Chapter 26

It is the greatest pleasure of my life, to watch my mate come apart at my touch. To hear her cry out my name, demanding more, and shudder all around me, and then to hold her as her breathing evens out, her eyes closed.

She is brave, and smart, and kind, and I have never felt so lucky as I do with her at my side. My heart is fit to burst. I never thought I would have this joy, and I want to hold her tight to me forever.

"I love you, Lana Kit. I love you." I whisper again.

She inhales deeply. She is not asleep. Her body tenses next to mine, and I half-hope she will ignore it. I can feel her angst wash over me, replacing the contentment she'd radiated only a moment before.

She doesn't love me. She doesn't love me back. Sorrow washes over me. Lana doesn't love me, and I've taken her ability to return to her home.

I never deserved her love, anyway. I can still try to earn it.

I'll get her sister back from Lesath.

I extract my arm from under her head, moving carefully so as not to disturb her. I've already disturbed her enough. I pull on the pants, fastening them as I form a plan.

I'll leave now. Lesath's home is no more than a day's journey. I'll arrive by morning, I'll take her sister, and Lana will be happy.

I close the door behind me, my mate's unhappiness fading the further I get from her. Gritting my teeth, I practically run through the house, barely letting the front door shut behind me before I rip into my lion form.

I've already pushed myself past exhaustion today. Logic tells me now is not the time to seek a fight with Lesath over his mate. My heart tells me Lana will not accept me fully until she has her sister. With the vow working through my blood, my bones, the oath I swore to her to find her sisters, I cannot think straight.

I'm past reason.