"I know what you're thinking, Pookah, and I'd advise against it," it hissed, keeping its hideous eyes on Kelvin. "Mmm, I haven't scented a human this pure in ages." The Alp bent its head, running its vile tongue up Izel's neck. Kelvin heard her bite back a cry of horror before her body noticeably began trembling.

"Let her go, beast," he warned, "and I promise I will make your death quick."

The Alp smiled, tar dripping from its fangs. "You call me beast?" Tilting its neck, the creature ran its nose along Izel's cheekbone. "Do you know what kind of company you keep, mortal? That"-it lifted his chin at Kelvin-"is a beast." It inhaled deeply. "The last being I devoured had fifty percent mortal blood. A rare find, you know?" It nuzzled her ear. "But you, sweetling, I'd wager that you are full human, are you not?"

Kelvin looked into her beautiful eyes. They were glossed over with tears, and the sight of her terror cut his heart in half. An odd feeling came over him. An emotion he'd never experienced in his long, long life. Fear. Not of the Alp as a foe, but of what the Alp currently threatened.

Protect her.

When the creature nestled his face against Izel's hair and let out a moan, fire surged through Kelvin's body. He needed to act now. At any moment the Alp would sink his nasty teeth into her sweet skin. Christ Almighty! Kelvin internally roared, wishing he could bellow the words out loud. He couldn't make a move, couldn't get close enough without compromising Izel. The Alp was too quick. No one ever got close enough to them.

Kelvin watched as a calmness washed over Izel. Her face relaxed as she exhaled slowly. She looked at him, her green eyes glinting. Did she trust him to save her? Did she let go of doubt and put all her faith in him? It was either that, or she had embraced her coming death.

No! He would not let her die!

The Alp brushed Izel's long hair to the side and licked the shell of her ear before burying his face in her scalp again. Kelvin gnashed his teeth in rage, but Izel only smirked and slowly lowered her chin to her chest. Realization hit.

Don't you even bloody think it, lass!

He knew what she was intending. Izel, a human, was going to make a move against the beast at her back. He needed to scream at her, to tell her to trust him, tell her that there wasn't a being in this realm he'd let harm her. But he couldn't, not without putting her at more risk.

Adrenaline burst through Kelvin. Whether he liked it or not, bringing down this beast was going to be a team effort. Giving a slight nod, he gripped his sword. Suddenly a spark danced over Izel's skin, and for the briefest moment, it appeared to glow. She didn't seem aware of this phenomenon, and it happened so quickly Kelvin thought he'd imagined it. Without warning, she snapped her head back, smacking the top of her skull on the Alp's nose. Blood spilled and the creature stumbled backward, roaring in pain. Its hand released her throat and shot to its bleeding face.

Perfect.

She dropped to the ground at the same time Kelvin lunged forward, swinging his blades wildly. In one fast, fluid motion, he jammed his dagger into the Alp's chest, following with a clean swing to his neck. The Alp's head dropped to the ground, his lifeless body slinking behind it.

Izel jutted up and began shaking violently. She cringed while wiping her palms down her neck. Kelvin saw her wince when grazing her own throat and wished he could have killed the Alp slowly, making him suffer.

Sheathing his sword, he rushed to Izel. Without fully understanding where his rage came from, he furiously clasped her small shoulders and jerked her up to face him. "What the hell, woman!" he yelled. "You could have been killed! Should have been! What were you thinking, following a sodding Alp into the woods?" He could feel her slight frame humming with dismay.

"I thought he was my grandfather!" she screamed back. "How was I supposed to know? And, well... if I hadn't chased him then he would have killed me anyway and eaten me over our campfire!"

Kelvin didn't hear her. He just continued to roar at her. "You never leave me! Do you understand!"

"Are you joking?" she jostled against his grip. "I don't want to be anywhere near you! You're actually yelling at me for almost getting killed. And to think I was going to thank you."

Fire rushed through Kelvin as he stared at her. He had never been so livid in his life. How dare she put herself in danger? He looked into her bright eyes.

She was alive.

He pressed his forehead against hers and let out a ragged breath. Her struggles ceased; she was obviously shocked by his display of... affection? He didn't know what to call it, having never shown such a thing before. His ire ebbed quickly, replaced by relief. She was okay. She was safe. And he had slain her captor.

He pulled her close, but she yanked herself away from him and craned her neck up. Looking him in the eye she opened her mouth wide, obviously intending to yell some more. But before she could, her delicate chin began to quiver.

"Ah, Christ, lass, donna cry," Kelvin said, his chest doing that tightening thing again.

She swiped an arm across her eyes as if determined to do anything but. Instead, she glared at him.

"Cry?" she said between clenched teeth. "I should slap you!" She jammed one of her delicate fingers into his chest. "I've lost my grandpa." Jab. "Some pig kidnaps me!" Another jab. "And then some monster tries to eat me." That time she pushed his chest with her whole palm. Kelvin backed up, allowing her to step into him. "I haven't had real food in days! And now you're yelling at me. I wouldn't even be in this mess if it wasn't for you!" Just when Kelvin thought she'd shove him over, she instead threw her hands up and shook her head. "But what do you care?" she scoffed. "I'm beneath you anyway, right? I'm just a human, after all."

A dull knife to the heart would have been preferred over this. Kelvin's earlier internal question of how badly he had hurt her came to light. His words had obviously cut her deep, and the worst part was he didn't even mean them. Although he should hate her, he struggled to do so. If the lass sought to torture him back, she was doing a hell of a job. Clenching his jaw, he watched anger overtake her. Watched her face fall with pain because of him. The sight of his enemy riled and hurt should please him, but instead, it was too much to bear.

Without thinking, he seized her cheeks in his palms and pulled her mouth to his. He didn't know what this little mortal was doing to him, but he knew he couldn't have her upset.

The first touch of her lush lips rocked him. He expected her to shove him away and was surprised when she returned his kiss full force. She rose to her toes and wound her wee fingers in his hair. When she yanked him to her, Kelvin groaned against her parted lips and shoved his tongue inside the wet heat of her mouth.

Hands on her jaw, he tilted her head, delving deeper, drinking in her sweet taste. He was lost. Frantic for his female. Teeth banging, tongues thrusting, he couldn't get enough of her. He hazily sensed her uncertainty, but she just clutched him closer, as if afraid he would leave her. With the dark night fueling him, he gave up all logic and decided he would have her. All of her.

Her passion was unmatched. She lapped at his tongue as if starved for it. He slid his hands from her neck to her hips, pulling her closer. Never leaving her scalding kiss, he ushered her backward. Her back met a large tree. Kelvin placed his hands on the trunk at either side of her head and pressed his body into hers. He was going to devour this female, work her body until she screamed for mercy.

Izel was completely surrounded by this male, his hard body caging her in. His large biceps next to her face reminded her of his strength. She felt so safe. She briefly caught a glimpse of the brand on his wrist, the brand that represented their contract, her power over him. The idea of being bound to this man, to have it displayed...

Moaning, she nipped his lower lip. Although she had no idea what she was doing and was operating solely on instinct, nothing had ever felt more right than this Pookah's heated mouth on hers.

His kiss was urgent, demanding. He was dangerous, sinful, and delicious. Her body shuddered, wanting more.

Yes, what he had said hurt her feelings, but she wouldn't let this moment slip past her. Too many emotions were crashing within her, and somewhere in her groggy mind, she realized she'd almost died without ever being kissed. Not only did she want to be kissed, she wanted to be consumed by Kelvin. Her whole body quaked with desire. The lightest touch had her clawing for more. She arched her back, pressing her breasts into his muscled chest and rocking her hips against him in desperation.

She heard a low grumble in his throat, and his large hands gripped her ass. He hefted her up and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his lean waist, winding her arms around his neck.

Bending his knees, he slowly glided down her body. Was he trying to get away? No, please no! But before she could pitifully beg, he flexed his hips, sliding his hard shaft along her sex. She gasped at the feel of him wickedly moving against her. Had anything ever felt so exquisite? When she moaned, he did it again... and again.

"Kelvin," she inhaled on a sharp breath. Calling out his name seemed to madden him. He bent his head, grip tightening around her. Through her shirt, he hastily suckled her hard nipple into his mouth. Clasping the little bead between his lips, he licked and teased until it was throbbing under his tongue. With his mouth fixated on one breast, he roughly kneaded the other.

"God, woman, you drive me mad." His voice was gravelly, and the feel of his hot breath through the damp cotton made her shiver.

He trailed his tongue up her neck, raining wet flicks along the column of her throat. The stubble on his jaw scratched and tickled, sending shivers down her spine as he worked his mouth on her dewy skin. Their breathing grew hectic, bodies drumming together.

She felt his hand move between their rocking hips and fumble with his belt. The sound of metal clanging as he unfastened it was like pouring ice water over her head. Realization hit. He intends to have sex with me.

Izel's eyes shot open and she pushed at his shoulders. "No. We can't-"

Kelvin's eyes snapped to her face, obviously confused. She shimmied around him, righting her shirt and smoothing her hair. "You've gotta be bloody kiddin' me."

Huffing out a breath, she turned and faced him. "Look, just because we kissed doesn't mean I'm going to sleep with you."

Kelvin smirked at her as he refastened his belt. "That was more than a kiss, lass."

She glared, trying her damnedest to calm her hectic breathing. "Well, whatever it was, it won't be happening again."

The arrogant Pookah looked her up and down, his gaze lingering on her lips. A presumptuous grin spread across his face. Obviously he was not taking her seriously.

"I was just confused," she stated, trying her best to defend herself. "Between the waves of emotions and the near-death experience, I don't have a handle on-"

"Whatever you need ta tell yourself, lass," he smirked.

Izel had to pick her jaw up off the ground before she could yell, "How dare you! You took advantage of my... my situation."

His smile only widened. He kept his eyes on her as he walked to the dead Alp. "Did I now?" He bent and yanked his dagger from the Alp's chest. "Seems you were the one clawin' at me like a lusty little minx." Swiping the flat side of the blade across his jeans-clad thigh, he wiped away the mustard-colored blood before hiding the dagger in his boot.

"I did not." She was still buzzing from his attentions and found it difficult to form a sentence. Jeez, how long did it take for a heartbeat to return to normal? "Whatever," she concluded, crossing her arms. The material over her breast was still wet from his tongue. She checked the urge to gasp at the feel. "Just know it won't happen again."

He drew nearer, eyes raking over her. "Ah, lass, the way you moaned my name has me thinking it will happen sooner than ya think." He was so close that the vibrations of his brogue rolled off his tongue and pricked her skin.

She took a deep breath, hating that he may be right. With his body nearly touching hers, she was unable to think clearly. She looked him in the eye and stammered over the only words she could form. "You wish, Pookah."

He backed away, a cocky grin sliding across his face, "That I do, human. That I do."

Chapter 7.

Izel hiked through the forest and watched the black night fade, sun finally breaking darkness, launching her into a new day.

After the Alp's death and Kelvin's intense kiss, she'd returned to camp wired. Sleep had been an unrealistic ambition at that point. The rest of the night she had struggled against her unwelcome desires. It took all her will to keep her hands to herself and not give in to the ruggedly handsome Pookah with the wicked mouth.

She was glad she'd put an end to their moment, really she was. The thought of being "one among many" appalled her.

I would have just been another notch.

The idea was not appealing, especially since she was "notch-free." Last night had been her first kiss, for crying out loud. Yes, she was glad they stopped. Not to mention earlier, when Kelvin had bluntly stated his lack of interest in her.

Then why kiss her?

The answer to that didn't matter! She had more important things to worry about than the Pookah's behavior, and she decided to give up caring, or at least try to. Until yesterday, she had lived a life of plainness. But she still had her pride. And though she was used to being passed over, constantly overshadowed by her roommates' vibrant beauty, the knot in Izel's stomach caused by his recent attentions had yet to unfurl.

Is this me not caring?

She was going to have to do a better job, except the truth was, she had never ached for another the way she did for Kelvin. Hell, she'd never ached, period.

She needed to distance herself from him and any other matter that clouded her judgment. Her life, and her grandfather's life, hung in the balance. And if these reasons weren't enough, how about the fact that Kelvin had held a sword to her throat! It was not normal to make out with the man who tried to kill you... right?

She looked to the sky in frustration. "He did save my life," she mumbled.

"You say something?" he asked, glancing back at her but continuing to walk ahead. He had been several feet in front of her since they'd set out this morning. It was well into the afternoon hours, and the Pookah was still unyielding as hell.

"Yes, actually, I did," she answered wryly.

"Care ta share it with me then?" Again looking over his shoulder. God forbid he slow down.

"Oh," she shrugged. "I was just saying how you're an unrelenting jerk." He stopped finally and turned to face her. She refused to acknowledge him.

"How can you say this?" he snapped. "I feed you, protect you, and escort you-"

She held up a finger silencing him, excited to tackle every verb he had just used, or rather misused. "Feed me? You haven't fed me. You put the carcass of a cute, fuzzy bunny on the fire and call that feeding me?"

Kelvin's perplexed expression had Izel thinking that yes, that's exactly what he thought.

"And as far as 'protect' and 'escort,' I think the words you're looking for are 'badger' and 'kidnap.' "

"Hey, I told you I would help find your kin. I have this sodding thing on my skin ta prove it." He flashed her a look at the mystically binding brand on his inner wrist.

Izel rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. I may be a recently embodied human, but I wasn't born yesterday. This was against my will. I wanted to go my own way and you-"

"Simply laid out the facts, lass."

Laid out the facts? Oh no, he didn't! She barreled toward him, not stopping until she was standing on his toes. Craning her neck up, she met his eyes. "Facts? And what facts would those be?" She could hear the venom in her voice. God knows she sure as hell felt the rage. "Are you referring to my needing your protection?" Aggressiveness and anger surged through her and she capitalized on it.

Her pinkie finger skimmed down his sweat-soaked shirt and she watched his lids grow heavy. When her touch reached the seam of his jeans, his broad chest rose on a deep inhale. "I'll have you know, Pookah," she lifted to her toes, "I can take care of myself."

He bent his head, and if Izel didn't know better, she'd think he was hypnotized. His lips drew dangerously close. Just when she felt his mouth barely brush hers, she grasped his balls through his pants. He let out a moan, and she didn't know if it was from pleasure or pain.

"I don't need any part of you," she whispered in the deadliest tone she could muster. The Pookah looked down on her, obviously dazed by her actions.

"This woman is gonna be the end o' me," she thought she heard him mumble.

He cleared his throat, seemingly trying to ward off the effect she had on him.

She backed away from him.

He smirked. "You, lass, are a wily one."

Before she could respond, a faint smell of meat and sauerkraut wafted past her nose. A town was near. Good, Izel thought, because she was starved.

"Okay, lass," he said, resting a foot atop a tree stump. "If you do no' need me, then why continue to journey with me?"

Her brow furrowed. "Ah, because you said I had to."

Crossing his arms over his chest, he raised an eyebrow at her.

"Fine." She flicked her hand in the air. "If I said I wanted to go, would you let me walk away from you?"

He shrugged a shoulder. "Depends on which direction you walk."

Her eyelids lifted in shock. "What?"

"You say you can take care of yourself, no?"

"Of course I can."

"All right, then. There's a borough about ten miles east." He pointed in said direction. "You're so tough, then why no' take a walk amongst the town's people and see how ya fare?"