Chapter 40

Reclined in a first-class seat on the flight home, I swirled a glass of champagne while staring out at the orange-tinted cloud tops. Memories of my time with Lisandra floated through me. No, that’s a lie. They raced. Like my pulse.

Our last coupling had been even slower. With me atop her, resting on my arms as my rod eased in and out of her arching body, the universe had again disappeared. Amid a spray of sable hair across the pillows, her red-cheeks puffed with each languid stroke. The fierce grip of her hands on my arms. Gentle swaying of her tits as I rocked her sleek olive-hued frame atop the bed.

And those dark eyes. For the first time, I sensed actual vulnerability. She would surrender to me. It’d be so easy. I could rule their pack. We’d be mated. She was correct; Luka would have no choice but to accept it. At last, I’d find a true home.

“No,” I murmured before tasting the bubbly champagne.

With my heart still speeding, I sighed and stared at the glittering flute. The jet roared ever southward.

Towards Mandy.

“I’m human,” I whispered before taking a slower sip. A quiet snort left me. “Well, mostly. And they’re not.”

Which was the truth. As enticing as Lisandra was, she was something else entirely. Perhaps more than human. We were attracted to each other. No denying that fact. And always would be. But there was no future. I was not of their kind.

“What am I?” I murmured over the rim of the glass as we skimmed a wispy puff of cloud.

Because Lisandra’s words echoed in my mind. As I’d led her from the hotel, she’d been quiet. But as the park bench came into view, with her husband standing beside it, she moved closer.

“You are changed, Iakovos,” she’d whispered.

“Is that good or bad?” I replied, while tugging her along the pathway.

“Good, I think.” She sighed, then chuckled. “I desire you even more now.”

As I stared from the jet across the clouds at the rising sun, I gulped. Because that change was a result of Mandy. She’d brought out so much in me. After Debbie, I’d been a shell.

“Retired?” I scoffed. “No such fucking thing, idiot.”

And with a laugh, I raised the shimmery flute in salute to the Gods. I’d play their game. Of course, I would. Had no choice. Nor did any of us. And the gleam in Lisandra’s eyes as she left me for her husband’s waiting embrace said as much. We’d meet again. And again. Maybe one day, I’d take her for my very own. Or not.

“But I’m no doggie,” I grumbled, then downed the rest of the champagne in a single gulp. With my brows knitted, I looked above the brightening sky. “And you know it.”

The next day, after stepping from my home, I sucked in the chilly pre-dawn air with a grin. It faded at approaching footsteps. Then returned as Mandy appeared from the gloom. With dark hair gathered in a high ponytail, she wore a beaming smile. In a white-striped, red tracksuit, she was approaching with purposeful strides. And as I tilted my head, my eyebrows arched.

“Charles didn’t believe me either,” she said after halting before me.

“What do you mean?” I replied, while giving her another scan. My brow lifted further.

“I told him I was serious.” Her smile widened. “About working out with you. So I could get fit.”

“You’re already pretty fit.” I snorted and gave her a leer. “Hmm, and we already work out.”

But her wide grin didn’t waver. Instead, that impish twinkle appeared in her eyes. And with hands on hips, she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

“Okay.” After a quick shrug, I leaned to one side, stretching my bare chest.

At the popping and snapping sounds, she gulped. But at the sudden downward yank on the zipper of her tracksuit, it was my turn to swallow. While she tossed the top, then the trousers to my front stoop, I scanned her figure. When she caught my stare, she giggled.

“That was for Charles.” She nodded to the pile of red. Then swept widespread fingers along her flanks. “But this, master, is for you.”

The tiniest pair of skintight pink shorts accentuated every millimeter of her firm little butt. Over sharp-tipped cones was the skimpiest, sheerest pink sports bra. She may as well have been naked as her clothing was as good as paint. With the world wobbling and my pulse soaring, I smacked my lips and found her amused eyes.

“Hmm, guess I chose correctly,” she said before hopping to her toes to tap her mouth to mine.

All I could do was nod before snapping back to my routine. When she mirrored my stretching, I struggled to focus.

But soon I stepped off, heading along the darkened street. At first, I ran at my usual pace. But it wasn’t long before her loud huffing and staggering footsteps drifted further behind me.

It had been a long time since I’d run with anyone. And despite it killing my knees and shins, I used a more measured pace. Still, with sweat dripping from her, she struggled to breathe.

“You’re doing good,” I muttered while circling her at a faster sprint to stretch out my legs.

“Slut, m-master,” she hissed through clenched teeth.

When I nodded, she managed a grin. But despite her playfulness, she wouldn’t survive my usual route. And with the sun beginning to crest the eastern ridgeline, I turned around to head home. Right as its first dim rays peeked through gaps in the leafy trees, we arrived back at the cul-de-sac.

“Good run.” I smiled at her as we slowed. “Slut.”

“I, um, survived,” she muttered before bending to grasp her knees and dry heave.

“Looked gorgeous doing it,” I said while stretching.

“Liar.” She giggled from beneath her dangling hair.

When she straightened, sucking in air, I caught the glance at her house. Its windows remained dark. Charles wouldn’t awaken for some time yet. When she peered over at me, there was a brief shimmer in those blue eyes. She was calculating.

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INtrinSicliValud

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