Mated to the Moon (Portal City Protectors Book 6) by Georgette Clair (little red riding hood ebook free txt) 📗

There isn’t anywhere you can hide. And to see this house … I knew that scared little man had a place to hide away while others died for him.”

He was right, of course.

“I won’t make you come to me. We are inevitable, but the time of it depends on you. Don’t you want to live, pequeña? Don’t you want to see how your wings will look when you’re finally able to fly? At my side, who would dare to threaten you?”

No one.

But could Fabiana trust it? Trust a man like him?

There was war coming to Encantado, and she wouldn’t be able to stand on the sidelines forever. Not with everyone knowing of her gift with the paintings.

“See what it is to be you. I will never ask you to be anything else.”

It was that final whispered sentence that brought her to the door. Her wolf was already going crazy just having him so close, slamming against the human bonds to break free and race to its mate. It didn’t care that Fabiana was scared or that she was scarred so deeply.

Her wolf only wanted him.

The door slid open silently, and the first tendrils of his scent pulsed through her—spicy, with an edge of dark ember. It swelled within her, entering her cells and combining until she knew she’d never be able to get him out.

Mine.

Fabiana cringed at the force of her wolf’s demand, but her feet moved anyway, carrying her closer to him, to the light where he sat. When she reached the bedroom door, he didn’t move—as promised. Only his gaze raked over her face, a non-physical touch of need and demand.

“Hermosa.”

“What does that mean?”

He smiled, a lopsided break in his face that made her swallow. “You’d hate to hear it, I’m sure. But it’s true nonetheless.”

“Tell me anyway.”

“Ah, she does have claws. Beautiful is what I said.”

“You’re right,” she answered, shaking her head. “I don’t like it. I heard it enough.”

“That’s because they weaponized your beauty; I simply want to appreciate it.” Adonis sat back, resting his arms against the chair. “Come here, pequeña.”

She blinked at the image he presented: a decadent male, sure of himself and who he was. “Does that mean ‘little one,’ like piccolo?”

“Yes. Spanish is not that different from Italian.”

“It’s one of the Romance languages, so why would it be? French is there as well.”

That smile again. “Yes, I know.”

Heat spread up her neck. Idiot. So stupid to say.

“But the origin of the Romance languages is Vulgar Latin, and I’m not exactly accomplished in that.”

She gaped at him.

“What? I can’t be intelligent?”

She shook her head. “Normally, people sort of … space out when I speak.”

“I am not people. Come here.”

No, he was not. She took one step, and he remained still. She tested him until she was within arm’s reach, but he didn’t move except to look up into her eyes.

“I would like one thing from you before we leave.”

“Just one?”

“For now.”

If he smiled again, she’d fall into a puddle. “What?”

“Kiss me.”

Fabiana jerked back, tripping over her feet in the process. The ceiling swirled in her vision as her arms flailed and she screeched her fear.

But she never hit the ground.

Adonis scooped her up, his arms a steel band as he set her back on her feet. “Not exactly how I pictured you coming to my arms.”

When he smiled, laughter bubbled up from nowhere before she leaned forward, not thinking, and pressed her lips to his.

Detonation.

He paused only a moment before threading his fingers through the strands of her hair, anchoring her mouth to his. Adonis took over, cradling her closer to his chest, wrapping her in him and his scent as his tongue traced her upper lip and then the lower before pushing between them.

She opened, giving in, following his lead as he sucked on her tongue and pressed his fingertips against her skull. That was all he needed to angle her for better access.

And goddess, did he take advantage.

Their mouths locked and they dueled, fighting for control of the kiss. Fabiana dug her nails into his shoulders, not sure if she was bringing him closer or attempting to push him away. Desire, hot and heady, pooled in her stomach, driving her wolf into a frenzy.

Mine.

Yes, this was the man created for her.

At least at this moment, fantasy was enough. She could pretend she wasn’t a scared, fractured woman slowly trying to make her way in the world. Fabiana was only his, and this powerful man wanted her, needed her more than his next breath. No other woman would ever mean more than she did to him, no matter what he may try to do.

She was the owner of this bond.

Fabiana palmed Adonis’s cheeks, reveling in the muscles in his jaw working as he explored her mouth. He groaned at her touch, pulling her tightly against him.

Mine.

“What the– Oh. Sorry. We heard screaming.”

Fabiana broke away from the kiss but Adonis didn’t release her. It didn’t stop her from recognizing Giuliana and Pasquale were both in the room. They’d come for her.

What am I doing?

“Don’t fight me, pequeña. Not now. Not after that.” Adonis shifted them until they faced the intruders—um, saviors—in their moment.

“Hi, Giules,” Fabiana offered lamely.

“Well, hello to you, sis.”

“I assume you won’t need to keep threatening to rip me apart,” Adonis intoned behind her, close enough she felt the vibration of his voice.

“Nah, that’s still on the table, even after she’s good with you. Make her cry and your balls are mine.”

“Giules!”

“What, Fabiana? It’s what I do.”

“Agreed. For now, I want to take my mate home. It’s time she met her pack.”

Fabiana looked up at Adonis. “My what?”

“I’m an