Page 64 of Darkened Promises

“Ooh, that’s good. Yes, I want that too. My honeybee knows what we want, and she has the best ideas,” Max agrees, leaning over her shoulder and placing a sloppy, wet kiss on her cheek. “Watch a film with me until it’s ready?”

“Ew, that was really slobbery. I can’t leave Bry to cook for us by himself. He might need some help,” she splutters, still trying to wipe away Max’s mess.

“Nope, I’m all set. You get cosy, and I’ll make dinner,” I promise and lift her with me as I get up from the floor. Before I release her, I lean in and steal a kiss from her soft, plush lips, loving how she moans into my mouth.

“It won’t be long. Love you,” I tell Rosy.

I grin broadly at her shocked expression, then walk into the kitchen, already thinking about what pasta dish to make for her.

THIRTY-THREE

PETER

How dare she.

Since my pet escaped, everything’s been in upheaval so I’ve had to hide and relocate to my other house. It’s always been there as a backup in case I needed it, and I have other places farther away. Still, I can’t leave and go to those; not without my pet.

She’s mine, and I’m not leaving her behind.

Once I have her, we’ll leave and start somewhere new.

Until then, I’ve been watching and waiting. It’s been infuriating. Kitten’s usually so consistent with her routines. She made it easy to keep watch over her all these months. Now, however, she’s changed things up. She’s not left the house to do her deliveries, go to the gym, or even help at the rescue.

Until now.

She finally left and went to see her precious, unwanted pets. Before, it used to be easy to follow her. She was never suspicious or overly cautious. Too unassuming in the bubble she lived in. Now with the police involved, she’s made it so I have to use more caution. I have to stay farther away.

She’s making me angry at her.

Especially as she has that big, irritating one with her. Even though I made it clear to her that she belongs to me.

My pocket vibrates softly, and I pull out my phone reluctantly, wishing people wouldn’t distract me as I watch my pet through the trees.

“Yes?” I grit out, not bothering to curb my ire.

“I don’t think they’ve found anything yet, but they keep poking around and asking questions,” he advises.

My eyes flick up to glare at the sky at his obvious panic. “You know how to answer them.”

“What if they find something” he whimpers, and I regret my momentary lapse in judgement when I opened the doors to this world to him.

“Then you remember the protocol and what you’re required to do to protect the privacy of our world, Vermis.”

He sucks in a loud breath. “Yes, Serpens.”

My gaze is still locked on my pet, and I hang up without another word as I watch her get hauled out of the shelter with his meaty arms wrapped around her. They covet what’s mine. The skin I blemished with my own hands. The delicate neck I wrapped my collar around. The body I took pleasure in.

The disobedient kitten laughs, her head tipped back at whatever she finds amusing.

I don’t find it amusing. None of this is amusing.

Anger races through me, thick and heavy. When she kisses him, I drown in it. Her mouth is now tainted and tarnished by his, and my blood boils. Rage explodes so hot that I can’t control it. I pick up a thick fallen branch and smash it into the tree in front of me. The crack echoes loudly, and I drop the splintered remains, my chest heaving.

I take a step forward, needing to snatch her away.

His body’s wrapped around hers, touching what’s mine. She’s mine.

A scream climbs up my throat. Desperate, angry need races through me at the injustice of all of this. My mind catches up, and I freeze, my foot raised to take another step. A step that would likely reveal me. A step that would ensure I’m caught and my kitten would be out of my reach forever.