Awakening

LERRIN

He walked slowly back to camp so he wouldn't catch her unless she wanted to be caught. The truth was, he wasn't sure he wanted to. His mind was spinning. He was trembling. The feeling was gone now that she wasn't there, but it had been so real. So tangible.

He'd never experienced the True Mate's bond, but… but he'd heard. And that…

But she'd fled. She'd seen in the look in his eyes, likely smelled his desire, and she'd fled.

It hit him then, what these males were doing, what any Anima did when they violated another—took what didn't belong to them. They stole more than they could see.

Those males had made Suhle afraid of something that should be beautiful. Something precious. Something pleasurable.

They'd stolen her ability to receive… love.

Lerrin snorted, swallowed, raked a hand through his hair. Even to himself he sounded like an adolescent female. But the conviction wouldn't leave him.