“I lacked the opportunity to caution you regarding them-”
“I am indifferent to your lack of time!” Jayce exclaimed. Molly recoiled. What could provoke his anger towards her? She has just rescued him! How audacious of him to raise his voice!
“I harbour no regrets regarding my actions. It is futile to compel me otherwise,” Molly asserted, raising her chin. In this context, he was merely an individual. He bore no crown upon his head, nor did his words possess any authority. Internally, she recognised her perpetual role as a maid, yet she refused to be belittled for her act of salvation.
Jayce gazed at her for a moment that extended into several minutes. She steadfastly maintained eye contact, unwilling to concede this time. Jayce advanced towards her, yet she remained stationary. He took another, seemingly to assess her. She cast him a glance that seemingly challenged him to approach. She ought to have realised that he was never one to decline a challenge.
Jayce traversed the room in three lengthy strides and embraced her. She had no opportunity to gasp before his lips met hers. He kissed her with an intensity that conveyed his anger and desire for her to be aware of it. Molly experienced a surge that roused her. She shut her eyes and reciprocated the kiss, disregarding the admonition echoing in her mind.
He elevated her slightly off the ground and pressed her more firmly against him. She clutched the material at his shoulders and moaned against his lips. Jayce emitted a constricted noise before he forcefully pressed her against the wall. His hands seared her at the points of contact. Clutching her waist possessively, he pressed them against himself to convey the intensity of his emotions. She had never compelled a man to behave in this manner before.
An untamed, unrestrained aspect of her desired more from him. It surged within her, striving to emerge, and she recognised it was her wolf that tightened the strings to amplify each moment his mouth consumed hers. She ought to cease; she was aware of this necessity, yet she was reluctant to comply. She felt no inclination to distance herself from him.
His tongue manoeuvred between her lips, vying for supremacy within her mouth against hers. She raised her hands to glide her fingers through his silky black hair. How often had she yearned to do precisely that? It nearly caused her to dissolve in his embrace; she was merely relieved that he was supporting her upright.
His substantial hand clasped her thigh, elevating her legs around his waist to enhance their kiss. She inhaled sharply as he lifted her with one arm and compelled her mouth back to his with the other. Her mind became disoriented by a perplexing desire—what was she doing?
The notion vanished from her mind the moment he bit her lip. She abruptly desired his entirety—every aspect of him as her possession—regardless of the consequences he might impose upon her thereafter.
A knock separated them abruptly, akin to shattering glass. He promptly set her down and distanced himself several feet, as if he would prefer death to being seen holding her in that manner. Molly faltered slightly and grasped the wall to regain her balance. Her vision became indistinct; she suppressed her embarrassment and adjusted her attire.
What… What had possessed her? How could she permit him to kiss her as if she were merely one of his paramours? Observe his actions.
What was her reason for not wanting him to cease?
Jayce inhaled deeply and proceeded to open the door, disregarding her presence. Colton’s expression shifted from serious to almost immediately amused as he observed his dishevelled condition.
“Am I interrupting something?” Colton enquired as he looked over Jayce’s shoulder at Molly. She attempted to rectify her hair, yet the harm was already inflicted. Now, everyone would assume they were lovers if they did not already possess that belief.
Molly exclaimed, “No, no. Certainly not!” Jayce cast a glance over his shoulder at her that she could not fully perceive. “What is it?”
Colton chuckled and brushed past Jayce to enter her room. Jayce fixed a glare upon his back as he shut the door. “I enquired about your well-being following the recent incident. Evidently, all appears satisfactory in this cabin.” He glanced at Molly’s side, where blood continued to trickle. It was peculiar; it seemed as though she was entirely devoid of sensation.
“Indeed, I am well.” Molly attempted to conceal her injury. Colton halted her.
“Could I examine it?”
“I was on the verge of addressing it,” Jayce interjected. “There is no need for you to observe it. It will be satisfactory.”
Colton raised his hands and distanced himself from her. “I wish to express my apologies for the incident that occurred. The individuals have acknowledged their inebriated errors, and I must determine an appropriate consequence for their actions.”
“Their punishment ought to be death,” Jayce snarled. “He could have murdered her! They attempted to assassinate a prince from the kingdom. They must have been exceedingly intoxicated to believe it would succeed.”
“I assure you that they could scarcely stand. Their judgements should carry no influence in this village.” Colton scrutinised Jayce. “Were you harmed?”
Jayce directed his gaze upward, exasperated. “No. Who can guarantee they will not attempt again? What if they target Molly next?”
“If they did, they are aware of the repercussions. They do not wish to become the next target in our pursuit.”
Jayce appeared entirely discontented. In reality, he appeared increasingly irate. She would not have been astonished if he had chosen to confront them personally, as he had with all the others who had wronged them. “Leave. I must attend to her injury before she bleeds excessively.”
