Lina shot out of bed, her heart drumming against her chest. She could hear her blood rushing and feelthe erratic beats hammering against her ribcage as her? pulse raced wildly. Her eyes widened with the realization of what the strings meant.

  Red thread of fate.

  Lina's gaze trembled. Shortly after the man had jumped into the whirlpool, she had witnessed the Princess follow, and then a red string had shot out of the vortex.

  Wouldn't this mean… the man and Lina were destined? Who was the man?

  "Dove," Kaden breathed out, astonished by the sight of her sitting upright.

  Lina's head turned to the side. She jumped. Kaden was standing at the doorway, his collar disheveled as if he had gotten into a fight. His gaze was burning through her. Why did he always look like a menace to society?

  Him and his disgruntled expression; sharp jawline with dark hair and even darker eyes.

  "Worrying me to death must be your favorite hobby," Kaden softly sneered, crossing the room towards her.

  Lina sat still. She watched, wide-eyed, as he approached her in a powerful stance. His presence took up the entire room.

  Kaden stopped before her. Narrowed eyes. Jaws clenched. Fists tightened.

  "It's not like I want to worry you," Lina admitted, tightly grabbing the blanket and glancing away.

  Lina couldn't stand it when he looked at her like that. Like he couldn't decide if he wanted to screw her or yell at her. Or maybe both.

  Lina heard his heavy breathing. Was he controlling himself? She could practically hear the clinks of his chains of self-restraint. Finally, he let out an aggravated sigh.

  Lina hesitatingly raised her head to look at him. She felt guilty for worrying him. But also, she felt irritated that he was worried about her. She never asked him to care. She didn't even think he cared. Yet, here he was, ready to scold her again.

  "Are you skipping your meals again?" Kaden demanded, his voice rough.

  "I forgot to eat breakfast…" Lina mumbled, her tone timid.

  Lina felt like a kid all over again. No one had ever cared for her as much as Kaden did. He was forceful with his affection, but maybe that was what she needed.

  Someone to firmly sit her down and demand for her to behave. Not the way a parent did with their child. But the way a lover refused to let their significant other suffer.

  Kaden sharply breathed through his nose. God. If she wasn't going to die from starvation, he was going to kill her with his own bare hands. Without warning, he grabbed her upper arms.

  "You're only human, dove," Kaden gritted through clenched teeth. "You need to eat. You need energy. You need to act like a damn human."

  Lina glanced at his hands, grasping her tightly. She had never felt this kind of security before. Her stomach churned. Her heart skipped.

  "Why are you doing this?" Lina asked.

  "Because I care."

  Lina's eyes widened.

  "Because you belong to me and I take care of my property."

  Kaden pulled her towards the edge of the bed. Towards him. She was directly in front of him now, sitting on the bed like a sick patient. He was the only one who could nurse her back to health.

  "Husbands protect their wives and wives care for their husbands, do they not?" Kaden questioned, authority oozing from his voice. He was in full control here.

  Lina's heart stirred at his words. She didn't realize how much she loved those words coming out of his mouth. Possessive. Protective. For a little girl who grew up in a world of monsters, men like Kaden were the type she wanted. But she didn't have that growing up.

  Lina was forced to fend for herself. Forced to run from the vampires that controlled the surface and the werewolves that ran amok underground. Forced to fight off her scheming relatives.

  Lina had never felt safe. Not for a single moment.

  "Do they not?" Kaden asked again, this time, his voice darkening.

  Lina naively peered up at him. "I don't need anyone's protection. I'm independent and I can keep myself safe."

  Kaden narrowed his eyes. "You don't need anyone's protection but mine. You can be independent, and I'd still protect you."

  Lina didn't know how she'd feel about that. She simply touched one of his hands that had been holding her in place. Immediately, he clasped his hand over hers, capturing her fingers. She was startled when his gaze softened.

  "Why me?" Lina whispered. "Why—"

  "Because it has to be you. It always has to be you." Kaden brought her finger to his lips, pressing a soft kiss upon it. His heart had frozen over. He was convinced he didn't have one anymore. That is, until she showed up again and reminded him of what they once had. What they could have had. Together.

  "Are we fated?" Lina asked him in a soft voice, grabbing his bicep to pull him closer. She needed to know the truth. She wanted to look into his eyes whilst he talked to her.

  Lina couldn't understand his thought process. His eyes were as dark as midnight, like the forests where beasts lurked in the shadows. There was not an ounce of humanity within those grueling orbs that stared back at her.

  "I don't know," Kaden said.

  Kaden sat on the edge of the bed, wrapped an arm around her back and pulled her to his lap. She fit perfectly in his arms. It was as if this spot was meant for her to sit in.

  Kaden froze when Lina suddenly hugged him. She rested her face on his shoulder, her arms coming tightly around him. Whether it was her form of manipulating him or seeking comfort, he'd accept it.

  "Tell me the truth," Lina whispered, her fingers slipping around the back of his head. She fingered his hair, playing with the silky strands. His scent was the strongest near his muscular neck.

  "We might be," Kaden responded.

  Kaden wanted to see how far she'd dare to seduce him. She was straddling him now. His groin hardened when she shifted her hips. He gritted his teeth when her sensitive part nearly brushed upon his large tent.

  "I had a dream," Lina admitted. "There were red threads of fate involved."

  Kaden's gaze hardened. So she remembered. How much?

  Lina gripped him tighter, buried her face deeper into his neck. He could feel her breathing, soft and deep, reminding him of something else. His grip tightened on her waist. His fingers dug into the tender skin, as he yearned to yank off her clothes.

  "Tell me what I want to know," Lina said. She knew this was the best way to get answers out of him. It was the only way. He was full of mysteries and she planned to unravel all of them. Whether it was by seduction or manipulation, he could take his pick.

  Though, a part of Lina knew this was not seduction. She felt like a timid lamb seeking comfort in the big bad wolf's arms. Except, she was comforted by the thought that he wouldn't eat her. That he'd protect her. All she wanted was someone to shoulder her burdens.

  Lina had been independent for far too long. Since her childhood, she was forced to grow up quickly. Lina learned early in her life that she had no one to rely on. Not her grandfather. Not her parents. Not her uncles. No one.

  "My fate is tied to you," Kaden admitted, embracing her tightly. Now that she had what she wanted, he wouldn't let her go.

  "And what about my fate? Is it tied to you?" Lina asked.

  Kaden's hands slipped into her silky locks. He turned his face and kissed the side of her head. He felt her freeze. He smirked.

  "That's for you to figure out," Kaden stated.

  "And if it isn't?"

  "Fate is foolish. I already have your heart, body, and soul. I don't need anything else," Kaden growled. And he meant every word.

  That was what terrified Lina. This man was dangerous and devious. He'd cheat even the devil, and what a sinner she was for falling in love with him. She was falling quickly for Kaden, and it terrified her……

  What if Lina was the only one falling? What if she was the only one who'd crash to the ground and burn? What if he'd walk out of this alive and without a care in the world? After all, he had done it before. He wouldn't hesitate to do it again.