Authors: AJ Hampton
* * * * *
The wind whipped, blowing the
wings
of Eva
’
s long coat around her thighs. Despite the thick gloves encasing her hands, the heat of Peter
’
s fingers laced with hers warmed her chilled body. Through the falling snow and the curls dancing in front of her eyes, she looked up at him. Peter stood tall and proud, an Alpha staring straight ahead, his gaze fixed on the Pard who
’
d assembled in the clearing at his command.
She gazed at the red and orange flames reaching high into the air. Smoke curled, an acrid, sickening scent. The fire morphed, licking over the blackened shell of a body lying in the center of the leopards
’
most sacred spot. James
’
body.
Nothing, not even a tic in Peter
’
s jaw or a shadow of guilt in his eyes, hinted at the fight that had taken place only hours before.
Her stomach roiled and she stepped closer to Peter.
“
You don
’
t think we should call Grady?
”
she asked.
“
No, this is the way it has to be. The Pard deserves their justice. They deserve to watch James
’
body wither into dust. This is our way, Eva. The Graysons need this closure. I
’
ll handle Grady.
”
He turned to her, his large palm lifting to cup the side of her face.
“
Go home, Eva, you don
’
t need to see this.
”
He stroked her cheek, a tender brushing of fingers that gave her hope.
“
You need more rest, you didn
’
t sleep long enough.
”
She shook her head, tried not to read into the depth of emotions swirling in his green eyes. Only a few hours had passed since he
’
d come for her in the hunting cabin.
T
he knowledge that he
’
d killed for her a heavy weight on her heart. So much death.
She swallowed. They hadn
’
t had a chance to talk yet, and this was hardly the place, but she had to know. There was one thing she needed to ask Peter, something that threatened to shatter her heart.
She steeled her nerve.
“
Are you leaving after this
…
”
she searched for the right word,
“
funeral?
”
Silence stretched between them. The seconds ticked by, each one crushing her a little more. Holding her breath, waiting for his answer, her chest tightened.
Finally Peter shook his head, the hand on her face sliding into her hair. She blew out a shaky breath and wondered if it were possible for one
’
s heart to beat out of
one
’
s
chest. He drew her close, lifting her to the tips of her toes. Slowly, he pressed his mouth against hers.
“
Don
’
t you know by now I can
’
t leave?
”
Her throat tightened, guilt invading. Had she trapped him? This wasn
’
t the life she wanted. She pushed away, looked up at him and fought not to cry.
“
Can
’
t
? Because the leopard is bound to me? You have no choice.
”
Nodding, she stepped back.
“
I won
’
t force you to be with me.
”
A rumbling left his chest. His grip tightened and any distance she
’
d managed vanished.
“
You silly girl. You think I give a shit about what the leopard has decided? I can
’
t leave because I love you. Me, the man. Not the leopard. I won
’
t ask you to come back to Montana with me. I
’
ll sell the company. Your purpose is here, in this shitty town with the clinic you and Greg built. You
’
ve got a gift
,
Eva
,
and the Pard needs an Alpha. Who else is going to do it? Mark?
”
He scoffed.
“
He
’
s a pussy.
”
Happiness surged inside. The swift intensity of relief left her breathless and dizzy. She rose, pressed her mouth against his.
“
Say it again.
”
He tilted his head and in one conquering sweep of his tongue, he claimed her mouth. Pulling back, he nipped her bottom lip.
“
Mark is a pussy.
”
For the first time in what felt like forever, she laughed.
“
Not that.
”
Peter smiled, drew a thumb down her chin. His hand closed around her throat, gripped. Her heart sped. Their gazes locked and he leaned in close. He brushed his nose against hers, angled, but didn
’
t press their lips together. When she lifted to kiss him, he leaned just out of reach. Only when she stilled did he come to her.
His warm breath caressed her lips, filled her with an undefined happiness.
“
I love you, Eva Marx,
”
he said, his words sealing their fates and their hearts.
She
’
d never be alone again.
The End
Author Bio
AJ Hampton wrote her first horror story when she was ten, penned with neon pink ink in a loose-leafed binder. Captivated by romantic literature, yet intrigued by the paranormal, she continues to develop her own voice, writing the kind of stories that inspired her as a teen.
Her current novel,
When Angels Fall
, exemplifies what AJ most enjoys about the Paranormal Romance genre, a reading experience that both quickens the heart and tingles the spine.
AJ
Hampton kat was born and raised in s
outhern California, where she presently resides with her husband and three sons (and another baby on the way). She is currently working on the final book in her Vampire Queen Trilogy and the first novel in a brand new series.
Visit the author
’
s website at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/AJ-Hampton/31568798112