Villain and the Geek 2 (The Wolf's Mate, #7)

by L.C. Davis

Great. Not only is my werewolf honeymoon not going as planned, now I'm in a book slump to boot.

I stab the needle through the fabric stretched across the wooden frame in my hands, envisioning it sticking in Constantine's face. Another stitch to add to my masterpiece—a pillow embroidered with my favorite phrase in elegant script. Go Fuck Yourself

Maybe it's time to finally face the fact that the issue isn't whatever world I happen to be inhabiting at the moment. The issue is me. I'm just not the kind of person anyone—especially Constantine—is going to fall head over heels in love with. Or apparently even respect enough to stick around the morning after.

It also kind of puts a damper on things when your brother is the new main character in your former favorite book, and you can't reread it without needing decades of therapy. Does this world even have therapy? I’m sure Grayridge doesn't. That explains a lot, now that I think about it.

Sure, I've been overlooked, bullied, and rejected all my life, but this cuts deeper than anything that's come before. Because for the first time, I dared to hope. I dared to let myself believe that I might finally find love and belonging. And Constantine took that hope away from me with the same careless ease with which he took my virginity.

This is my fucking dream, and I'm not going to deal with his bullshit when he doesn't even have the decency to talk to me in real life, face to face. Not when I'm the one he's left to take the brunt of the questions and pitying stares from the other members of the household. Fuck him. Even if he is fluffy.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, that's low," I mutter, folding my arms. "Are you seriously trying to look cuter so I'll be less pissed?"

I'm not giving up on you, he vows. I will never give up. I'll stay here as long as it takes for you to come down and hear me out. And if you’re so stubborn that you hold on until you fall, I will catch you.

With a soft whine, I bare my tender throat once more in willing submission. Constantine's breath leaves him in a shaky exhale. He nuzzles against my exposed neck, inhaling my scent. His touch is achingly gentle. Mine, he whispers across our bond. A shiver runs through me in response to that word. I’m still not sure he means it, but fuck, I want him to.

"That a hero will sacrifice you for the world, but a villain will sacrifice the world for you."

He looks up at me, cheeks flushed. "What are you doing?" he asks, watching with open curiosity as I turn on the warm water. "Taking care of you," I reply.

He's so small and delicate compared to me. It makes me want to protect him, to keep him safe. It's such a strange feeling. So… vulnerable. It's everything I feared. And it’s entirely worth it.