Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

YOU'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME FIRST.

T he icy wind whipped through my hair as I bolted from the cabin and Rhiot, my heart raced in my chest.

Rhiot's deep voice echoed through the trees, sending shivers down my spine. "Dammit Parker, don't do this." His footsteps pounded behind me, an ominous warning that he'd stop me from getting to Ryler. "You can't outrun me."

Thump. Thump.

Rhiot's heavy footsteps closed in on me. His presence grew, the heat of his body almost tangible. My initial fear changed, morphing into a perverse thrill surging through my veins. I had set out to find Ryker, to save him before he gave himself over to the government, or worse, but now that Rhiot was hot on my tail, I felt my desires change. The chase between us ignited something primal within me.

"Are you sure about that?" I called back, my voice breathless yet teasing. Cerbie twitched on my skin, drawn to the excitement and danger that the chase promised.

Rhiot's laughter rumbled like distant thunder, sending shivers racing through me. "Oh, I'm more than sure." Seductive confidence laced his words.

My half-demon blood hummed with anticipation as I darted through the trees, leaves crunching beneath my feet. The forest became our playground, and I couldn't help but delight in the game. Rhiot was a man and a beast. So he possessed supernaturally enhanced abilities to understand demons... plus all the special forces skills he picked up. I knew that if I wasn't careful, he would catch me.

But did I want to be caught? A wicked grin spread across my lips at the thought. At some point, my purpose for running changed.

I peered over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of movement and bright eyes peeking between the bushes. My heart stuttered at the sight of Rhiot in his shifted form. He was low to the ground and in the darkness, I couldn't make out his form.

Dammit, I'd forgotten to ask, again. I really needed to remember to ask them what kind of animal they shifted into.

When I glanced back again, he was closer.

My chest tightened with equal parts fear and longing as I picked up my pace once more, weaving between the thick trunks of pine trees. Rhiot was relentless in his pursuit, fueled by the thrill of the hunt. I knew he wouldn't stop until he'd captured me.

A loud growl echoed through the forest, followed by the sound of snapping branches. He must have shifted back to human because his footsteps pounded against the leaf-strewn ground as he ran again. I swallowed hard. My mouth had gone dry. The heady scent of pine and earth filled my senses, accompanied by the surging mate bond.

This felt like a mating ritual... run and chase, prey and predator, mate and shifter. The bond surged, demanding I run for as long as I could, but the pain in my side made it increasingly harder to breathe.

I risked another glance behind me, but in that brief moment of distraction, I failed to notice the tree root jutting from the earth. My foot caught on the root and I tumbled forward with a startled cry, crashing to the ground in a tangle of limbs. My bag slipped from my shoulder, disappearing into the darkness.

Before I could get to my feet, Rhiot was there. His bulky body looming over me as I scrambled to my feet. "Can't run anymore, my little Tsigo?" His voice was a deep growl, taunting and teasing. Heat flushed through my body at his words, a strange mix of fear and desire pooling in my belly.

"Never underestimate me," I shot back, my own voice trembling slightly. With a surge of determination, I tried to evade him once again. I dashed behind another cluster of trees, trying to catch my breath and steady my racing heart.

For a brief moment, there was silence again... no sound of Rhiot's footsteps, no teasing laughter. Had he given up? Was I safe? Or maybe he shifted again?

As I cautiously glanced over my shoulder, I saw nothing but moonlight shining over an empty forest landscape. If I could get far enough away, I'd have time to summon my mischievous little demon to transport me away.

When I turned around, my heart leaped into my throat as Rhiot stood just inches away, radiating danger, sexiness, and intensity.

"Gotcha," he murmured, and the world narrowed down to the predatory gleam in his eyes as I tried to backtrack.

My instincts screamed for me to flee, but as I stumbled backward, Rhiot was already on me. He lunged forward, catching me easily in his strong arms. We spun around, Rhiot's body slamming against the ground, and when the world stopped spinning, I found myself straddling his broad chest.

"Look at that," Rhiot smirked as his eyes locked onto mine. "You're right where I want you."

My breath hitched, and I felt the heat of his body beneath me. The mate bond pulsed between us, insistent and demanding. I couldn't ignore it any longer, but how could I give in to this when I knew it wouldn't work? I couldn't stand to see Rhiot look at me the same way Ryker had.

"Rhiot… please…" I whispered, desperation and desire warring within me. "I need to get to Ryker."

"Ah yes, your precious Ryker," he replied, but there was no jealousy in his voice... only a playful challenge. "You'll have to go through me first."

Before I could protest further, Rhiot rolled us over, pinning me down beneath him. He secured my hands above my head with an iron grip, leaving me utterly defenseless. The urge to struggle was strong, but the tantalizing closeness of his lips silenced any resistance.

"Rhiot," I breathed, my heart pounding wildly in my chest. "I need... to get to Ryker."

"Sorry, Parker," he murmured, a wicked grin playing on his lips. "You're not going anywhere just yet. Besides, Ryker needs some time to calm down and figure out what's happening between the two of you."

And then he kissed me, claiming my mouth with a searing intensity that sent shivers down my spine. The tide of desire that surged through me drowned any lingering protests, leaving me breathless and wanting. Our breaths mingled in the cool night air, becoming one as his tongue traced the outline of my lower lip before demanding entrance.

"Rhiot," I murmured, feeling the heat rise within me.

"Let yourself go, Tsigo." Rhiot whispered, his voice commanding yet gentle. The subtle scent of his skin, a blend of leather and pine, sent tremors through my body.

His calloused fingers slid down my waist, stopping just above the hemline of my jeans. He teased me, his fingertips dancing over the sensitive skin of my hips, making me squirm beneath him. I wanted more, needed him to touch me, to take me, to make me forget the white hot pain of rejection.

"Please." I whimpered, my hands gripping the dense fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer. My nails dug into his muscled back, urging him on, desperate for release. I wasn't sure if I was begging him to release me, or to keep going.

A rumble shook Rhiot's chest as his lips trailed a fiery path down my neck. The sensation made my head spin, my thoughts fragmented and hazy. All that existed in that moment was Rhiot, his touch, and the overwhelming desire coursing through my veins.

"Rhiot, I..." The words caught in my throat as his hand slipped beneath the waistband of my jeans, his fingers brushing against the damp heat between my legs. My back arched off the ground, a guttural moan escaping my lips.

"Fuck." Rhiot growled against my skin. "The pheromones you give off when you're turned on are all-consuming." He pressed his lips to mine again, muffling my cries as he continued to tease me. I whimpered into his mouth, desperate for more, but he held back, drawing out the anticipation until I was on the brink of madness.

"Rhiot, please."

"Tell me you want me, mate. Say it." He demanded, his eyes boring into mine, searching for something within their depths.

"I want you... need you." I panted, my voice barely audible over the sound of our ragged breathing. My hips bucked, trying to push his fingers deeper.

"Then take me." Rhiot growled, releasing his hold on me, allowing me to flip our positions. Now, I straddled him, his strong hands gripping my hips, guiding me as I ground myself against him. His hard length teased me through my jeans.

Our passionate make out session escalated, the world outside fading away until there was only Rhiot and the heat of our bodies pressed together.

An ache crushed my heart, bringing me back to reality. As much as I wanted this... needed it... I couldn't forget the danger lurking just beneath the surface.

"Wait." I gasped, pulling away from Rhiot's insistent lips. "We can't do this. I might hurt you, like I did to Ryker."

This time, the mention of Ryker's name seemed to snap Rhiot back to reality, and the predatory gleam in his eyes vanished, replaced by concern. He released my thighs and rested his head on the ground, studying my face for any signs of distress.

"Is that what you're afraid of?" he asked gently, his voice softening. "That you can't claim any of us other than Trux and Seph?"

I nodded, unable to speak as tears threatened to spill down my cheeks. The thought of losing the rest of them ripped my heart out. Through the mate bond, I felt that I needed to claim them, but something was blocking it. Just thinking about it was almost too much to bear.

"Then we'll find a way to fix it." Rhiot promised, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. "Together. No sneaking off in the middle of the night."

As I looked into his eyes, I wanted to believe him. But the darkness inside me threatened, taunting me it was too late. I'd sealed their fates. Now they would all die.