Chapter 19

Chapter

Nineteen

WRAITH

V ehicle rumbles beneath me, metal frame vibrating.

Cramped space. Too small.

Closing in on my massive body.

I shift, uncomfortable.

My muscles ache from the mission, but a good ache.

A reminder that I'm alive.

That I'll see her again.

Ivy, Ivy, Ivy.

Her name echoes in my mind.

A soothing balm to the chaos that usually reigns there.

Mind is clearer now. Sharper.

Less insane.

Less feral.

I close my eyes, picturing her face.

Blue-green eyes, full lips, auburn hair like wildfire.

My heart rate quickens.

Raven's words replay in my head.

I can save omegas like her.

Free them.

The idea takes root, growing with each passing moment.

Could we? Could I?

Save them from alphas worse than us?

The mission flashes through my mind.

Fear, for the first time.

Not for myself. Never cared if I lived or died.

Sometimes wished for death.

But the thought of never seeing Ivy again…

Never holding her, never protecting her...

Terrifying.

If I die, I go to hell.

No heaven waits for monsters like me.

Ivy is the only heaven I will ever taste.

The only heaven I need.

But I cannot protect her from hell .

Can I?

I just want to hold her again.

Hold her forever.

Worship her.

Kiss her.

My fingers brush against my gas mask.

Not many memories of what I look like.

Hate my face.

Wear the mask all the time.

Avoid all mirrors, all reflections, all water.

Just in case.

But I remember enough.

Can't press my lips to hers, taste her sweetness.

Would hurt her.

All teeth and bone and muscle.

Teeth so sharp.

I could lick her instead.

If it doesn't disgust her.

Could trail my tongue along her neck…

Down her body…

Between her legs...

Hunger floods my body at the thought.

Vehicle hits a bump, jolting me from my thoughts.

I growl low. Instinct.

Thane's eyes flick to the rearview mirror, watching me.

He thinks I'm a monster, barely controlled.

He's not wrong.

But Ivy...

She sees past my scars, my rage.

She touches me without fear.

Looks at me like I'm a man, not a beast.

For her, I want to be better.

I want to learn control.

I focus on my breathing, slow and steady.

In.

Out.

In.

Out.

The tension in my body eases slightly.

I can do this.

I can be what she needs.

A protector, not a destroyer.

Thane's low voice drifts back. Strategy talk. Boring.

Tune it out. Focus on Ivy instead.

Her smile. Rare. Precious.

The way her eyes light up when she sees me.

No fear. No disgust .

This is love.

Has to be.

Impossible, but must be true.

For her, I can try to be more than a monster.

Can try to be her alpha.

Can try to be her man.