章 16: Chapter 16: A Shift

Neutral Territory

Cas was making sure to leave love marks on Mingan’s neck to show that the pain came from his affection. She had lapsed into silence after they reached their limit and was smiling faintly at his roaming mouth and hands.

They made love in the ungodly hours. Those hours, he found, tended to mess with his brain and haunt his thoughts, which demanded to be addressed. Lips halting in their exploring, Cas murmured, “You can’t run away with me, Mingan.”

He felt her smile fade. “Is that what it seems like I’m trying to do?”

“Are you not?”

Mingan’s nails scraped his upper back lightly. It sent shivers up his spine. “Yes.”

Cas’s heart clenched.

She continued softly, “But I’m not going to force myself into your life—more than I already have, at least. You’re on your own path. Who am I to disrupt it further?” She paused to meet his gaze and then looked away. “My place will always be in my pack. I can’t argue with my destiny.”