The Wolf God's Unwanted Luna

Chapter 65: Little Cloud

I barely registered the thudding rushing toward me before Zaliver was suddenly there, scooping me into his arms without a word. I didn’t even have time to react. With me clutched to his chest, he ran at a speed that forced me to squeeze my eyes shut and hold on. My heart hammered the whole way, my stomach twisting, until he came to a sharp halt in front of our room.

He let me slide down the length of his body, and even through my still-rattled nerves I felt every inch of it. Then he leaned over to open the door. I didn’t wait, just slipped inside quickly, grateful for something solid under my feet.

"What happened? Are you hurt?" he asked instantly, stepping close.

I threw up a hand. "Zaliver."

He paused, clearly wanting to close the distance, but I backed up a step.

"I’m fine. Really. Nothing to worry about," I said. "I just ran into someone new. We had a weird moment, but it’s sorted."

He narrowed his eyes. "What new friend? And I’m almost certain I heard something about murder—"

I laughed, a little nervously. "Yeah, I might’ve said that. No one’s dead, though. It’s fine. You didn’t need to come get me, but, thanks." I bit my lip. My body still buzzed from the way he’d held me, from the involuntary safety I’d felt pressed against his chest.

But I couldn’t let that feeling win. I had to hold the line. If I let this go every time he showed up looking like that, he’d never understand that marking me didn’t mean he owned every decision I made.

Zaliver’s eyes dropped to my lips. I pulled in a breath.

His chest started to rise and fall heavier. His nostrils flared. He began walking toward me, each step measured and deliberate, and I backed up with every one. My back hit the desk.

I tried to slide sideways, hoping he’d stop. He didn’t. He followed, arms bracketing me on either side, blocking me in. His face came down close to mine, a few strands of dark hair falling forward.