Chapter 26

Chapter 26

Aaliyah

We walked back to the camp in silence, the only sound being our footsteps. Noah and another guard had already set up the tents. A few feet in front of Tristan's tent, Hayley and Noah were seated by a fire. When they saw us, she waved for me to come closer. Noah stood up and followed Tristan for a walk.

I kept my distance from the sparking fire.

"What are you roasting?" I asked, staring at the meat in the flames.

"Noah caught a deer," she replied. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you and Tristan for a while."

"We went out for a stroll," I said. "We ran into some vampires."

"Did they bite you?" she asked.

"No, I'm fine," I smiled. "Tristan killed them."

I thought back to the child I'd seen in the forest. I hadn't realized there were child vampires. I'd read somewhere that most vampires wait until they're eighteen to undergo the ritual that turns them into vampires. If they drink blood too early, they can develop bloodlust, making them dangerous and difficult to control.

Shaking off the thoughts, I lifted my gaze from the fire to see Lucian leaning in toward a woman. He captured her lips in his, kissing her while his hands roamed across her body. The scene sent a shiver down my spine as I thought back to the kiss I'd shared with Tristan. He'd kissed me so softly and gently, making me crave more.

Lucian pulled back, smiling at the woman as she walked away. Then he turned toward us and approached.

"I wonder what she finds so attractive about you," Hayley said, rolling her eyes.

"She's not as insane as you," Lucian snapped.

"That's not a very nice thing to say," I said to Lucian.

"I don't like anything about him," she said to me before turning to Lucian. "You should know I won't be sharing a tent with you."

"You're welcome to stay outside," he smirked.

Hayley frowned, stood up from the log we were sitting on, and walked away.

"Look at her," Lucian said, his gaze following Hayley. "So full of herself." Then he turned to me. "Little wolf."

I frowned. "Don't call me that."

"Then what should I call you?"

"I have a name," I said, frowning slightly. "Aaliyah."

"Aaliyah? No, I'd rather call you little wolf since you're the only one of your kind here."

"You're over twenty," he said. "Why haven't you found your wolf yet?"

"You ask a lot of questions," I snapped.

"I'll be your brother-in-law soon. Isn't it right to know more about you?"

"You know Tristan wouldn't want me near you."

"Well, he's not here," he said.

Silence stretched between us, and I wanted it to stay that way until Tristan returned. Lucian stood up, turning the meat over to roast the other side, then returned to sit by my side.

"Did you know Tristan was in love once?" Lucian asked.

His question drew my attention, and I turned to meet his gaze.

"Should I be surprised?"

"Did he also tell you about his past?"

"Yes," I said. "What exactly are you getting at?"

"I'm surprised you're still here if he'd really told you about his past," he said. "The women in his—"

Lucian choked when Tristan grabbed his neck from behind.

"Say one more word, and your head will be decapitated from your body," Tristan warned, kicking Lucian in the back. The Lycan staggered forward, nearly falling into the fire.

"Come with me," Tristan said. I stood up, walking with him as he showed me around the camp. He met with Ryan and discussed something briefly before we returned to our camp.

By the time we got back, the meat was ready, and Hayley had sliced some onto a plate. After dinner, Tristan led me to our tent.

I sat down on the mat, watching as he took off his shirt. My skin tingled with goosebumps as my eyes trailed over his hard chest. His scars were visible but looked beautiful on his skin, like a map.

I gulped softly as he moved closer, lying down beside me.

"Is that your heart beating fast?" Tristan asked, sitting up. He drew closer, and I ran my tongue across my lips.

"Do I smell arousal on you?" he asked, grabbing my chin. "You want me. Then say it."

I clenched my jaw as his fingers grazed my chest.

"I know you want me, little mouse," he leaned closer, taking my lips in his. Though the kiss started rough and unexpected, his lips soon became soft against mine. He wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me closer.

Fluttering my eyes closed, I kissed him back. His grip on my waist tightened, and I felt his hard chest pressing against me.

I let out a low moan as his hands began to explore my body. He pulled back, lowering his head, and he helped me remove my shirt. I didn't understand why I was doing this. A few days ago, I had been thinking of escaping from him, and now here I was, making love with him in his tent.

He tasted the skin of my chest. Quick breaths escaped my mouth each time he kissed my skin, moving lower and lower until his lips danced around my navel. He settled between my legs, his fingers sliding into my trousers.

"What… what are you doing?" I asked, breathless.

"What do you think I'm doing?" he replied, continuing to kiss me. My body trembled, goosebumps lining my skin.

"Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Look at me with those lustful eyes," he whispered, "because it makes me want to fuck you so hard, with no holding back."

Leaning down again, he kissed my stomach. His hands skimmed over my skin as he dragged my trousers down. My body shuddered as his fingers brushed against my cool skin.

"Relax, Aaliyah," he whispered, his fingers brushing against my thighs.

I sucked in a sharp breath, almost losing control of myself as his fingers found my core. I could barely concentrate. All I could think about was how turned on I was.

"So fucking wet," he murmured.

My breath came in short gasps as he rubbed his fingers along my core.

"Oh God!" I cried out, my back arching into the mat.

"Your voice is so good," he said. "I bet you sound even better when you come."

With a deep growl, he shoved his fingers deeper, adding another finger into my core.

He continued to fuck me with his fingers until I came all over his hand, jerking from the spasms.

Leaning closer, he placed a soft kiss on my navel. "We should stop here before I do something else."

I exhaled sharply, biting my bottom lip to stop myself from moaning from the sweet sensation between my thighs.