My Wild Beast

The urge to run was pumping through Nova’s veins. But Vulcan’s looming shadow and the sharp drop into rocks and an angry ocean halted anymore thoughts of escape. The roaring wind made her wonder if a storm was rolling in or if it was because they were on the side of a cliff.

As her eyes set back on the Vulcan, her stomach dipped at the intensity of his gaze. She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. First was his explanation about what this Electa was. Something that did make sense now why others had called her it in passing. It was obvious she was not of this island.

Honestly, if being an Electa meant she’d been chosen by the island to come here, then it definitely got the wrong idea about her. She was a city girl through and through, with zero survival skills which was why she relied so heavily on the others—something she hoped to change.

Then there was this royal feathery ass claiming she was his! If she still had her heels she would have tossed one at his stupidly pretty face!

Nova adamantly shook her head. "No, no, no. I’m not yours. You seem like a somewhat decent man, if we take away the stalking and kidnapping from your growing list of red flags, I guess? But I’m not yours. I’m not your chosen mate, whatever that means-"

"It means I choose you to be mine. To stand by my side. To be soul-bonded." His hand reached out and brushed some of her hair back, sharp eyes taking in every inch of her. Nova refrained from flinching or looking away. She shivered under that stare and the feel of his hand brushing against her skin.

"I see," Nova breathed, her heart thumping far too loudly. So much for sounding more confident than she felt. It didn’t stop her from blurting what she truly thought though. "And the girl in question has no choice in the matter, huh?"

Vulcan’s eyes narrowed as he stared down at her, his eyes glimmering back, his pupils dilating and retracting like he was trying to focus on his new prey. "Many have killed to even be considered for your position."

Nova’s brows shot up at his arrogance and the lack of emotion dripping from his voice. Women have actually killed to be his mate, or Nokari? Sure he was hot but there was something unsettling about him. Something too aloof and cold.

Then again, maybe the other harpy eagles were the same and this was totally normal? Nova was still adjusting to this world and was beginning to get a sense of how cut throat it really is. Sure she’d been chased through the jungle and already met a few of the tribes but she didn’t know the ins and outs of it all.

Like tonight, she’d managed to go through a rite of passage. Or her version of it considering she couldn’t do the second part as it was solely focused on the hunter or huntress to shift into their animal form.