My Wild Beast
Chapter 60: Fallen Prey (2)

Chapter 60: Fallen Prey (2)

Nova struggled against the lean hulk of a man, trying to slip free from his grasp. Vulcan released his grip, and a gasp ripped from her lips as gravity dragged her down towards the canopy of trees. Vulcan dived for her, catching her with one hand wrapping firmly around her waist and tugging her flush against him.

"That wasn’t a very smart idea now, was it, pet?" Vulcan chuckled wickedly beside her ear.

Her lips parted on the realisation that he’d let her fall on purpose.

"Now, did you want to hold onto me properly? Or risk falling once more?" The dark amusement in his tone stiffened Nova’s back even more. Oh, he would definitely drop her again.

"I’ll hold on," Nova grumbled, her widened eyes still fixed on the blurring canopy below. She didn’t know where they were, but there was no sign of any jaguars nearby. She was utterly screwed!

"Good girl," Vulcan praised an octave lower by her ear, and heat bloomed across her cheeks, her eyes widening fractionally more.

He manoeuvred her around mid-flight, so she ended up chest to chest, legs wrapped around his waist. It was far too intimate, but the fear of falling kept beating a rapid drum in her chest. Nova’s hands moved along his bare shoulders, searching for grip. "Neck," he grunted, his head swivelling to the side, watching something in the distance, completely unfazed by this.

He shot higher into the sky until they almost touched the clouds. Nova instantly gripped onto him for dear life then, heart racing and trying to gallop out of her ribcage. She squeezed her eyes shut, clinging to him. "Put me down," she pleaded angrily.

"Poor choice of words," Vulcan chuckled into her ear. There was no humour in the way he spoke, though. His tone fell flat, and goosebumps formed along her arms.

"Don’t. You. Dare," Nova snarled, glaring up at him. It took everything within her not to flinch at the sharpness of his gaze. His eyes were more yellow than golden as they peered at her coldly. They were hovering now, gazes locked. The intensity of his stare was burning through her own, and she wanted to look away, to at least blink, but she refused.

She had no idea why this eagle was intent on kidnapping her, but if things weren’t so screwed up she might have enjoyed being near the clouds, watching his mighty wings beat behind him, and admire the magic of this beast. But things were screwed up and she didn’t even know why.

"Was that an order?" He drawled darkly, breaking the silence that had only been filled with the sound of his wings flapping behind him. His hands under her thighs tightened painfully, and she couldn’t hide her flinch quick enough.

Vulcan released his breath, and his grip loosened. "Come with me," he murmured, starting to angle them diagonally, readying to dive downwards.

"Like I have a choice," Nova noted dryly.

One side of Vulcan’s lips twitched up as he took his time, making her back arch, head flopping back, and her heart almost explode from the fear shooting through her veins.

Why did this feel like she was on a rollercoaster, and she was in the front row seat, facing away from the impending drop of doom?

A scream ripped from her lungs as she flew backwards. Vulcan’s smirk grew as her eyes teared up from the speed of the flight. Her hair whipped around them as she clung to him, almost crying and possibly nearly laughing. Was she hysterical? Probably.

He tilted, wings flaring, and slowed just enough to steer them towards the edge of a jagged cliff that jutted out over the ocean. At the base of the cliff, waves crashed violently against the stone, the spray misting the air. But just beneath the overhang was a ledge, small and slick with mist.

Vulcan landed them there, wings folding sharply behind him as he set her down. She couldn’t see much of the sea as nightfall had plunged them into darkness besides stars and moon shining so vividly; she was awestruck for a moment, the stars reflecting in her eyes. Then, the sounds of waves crashing furiously below snapped her gaze back to the man who had brought her here just as the wind roared up to meet them.

His long white hair billowed furiously to the side from the wind’s direction. Standing in front of him now, Nova was reminded of how tiny she really was. With Yoa, she felt safe and protected. He was almost the size of a tree—alright, that was a little dramatic. But Vulcan was also incredibly tall, muscles on display and wearing what Nova could describe as a short, pale skirt that covered his thick thighs partially.

There was just enough space for Nova to take a few cautious steps backwards, her feet scraping against damp stone. She looked behind her, but there was no escape. And as she moved, Vulcan followed, slow and deliberate, until her back met the chilled wall, and he loomed before her—not touching but caging her in with the weight of his presence and the careful spread of his wings, casting a shadow over her like an eclipse.

He truly was intimidating and scary. She focused on her insides, screaming to get away from him, to get back on the ground that didn’t have a drop leading to certain death, and to ignore his looks. The hair and wings could lead to a false sense that he was angelic, but this man had chased her down since the moment he’d set his eyes on her.

Ask him something. Anything. Nova couldn’t let him see she was rattled—even though her nerves were currently tap dancing in her stomach, and she was sure that ship had sailed when he’d dived towards the island at top speed, and she screamed her head off.

Yep, not rattled.

"What is this place?" Nova asked breathily, then stalled, wondering if that was a ridiculous question.

It was obvious they were on a cliff. But why bring her here? What was the point of kidnapping her? She had a feeling Vulcan was about to tell her everything she needed to know.

Nova lifted her chin higher, refusing to back down. The action made his eyes flicker at the challenge, but the fire doused out as he observed her. It was a little unnerving as he had yet to answer her. She refrained from wanting to fidget.

But she’d dealt with intimidating clients before. She would have to think of him as that and not a half-naked man with wings that could shift into a huge-ass harpy eagle.

Finally, Vulcan burst the growing bubble of unease. He tilted his head, amused. "Cliffside sanctuary. For those who can fly, at least."

"I can’t fly!" she snapped, waving her arms. "I’m very fall-y! In fact, that’s probably my only superpower."

He didn’t answer. Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze dipping from her eyes to her mouth and back up again. "Electa."

Nova blinked. "My name’s not Electa."

Vulcan chuckled. "It is not a name, pet. It is what you are."

She narrowed her eyes. "I’m human..." She definitely wasn’t a beast, but why would Vulcan pursue her this much?

His expression grew more serious, voice smooth and low. "The island chose you. It does not do so without reason. The Electa are rare. Legendary. They are summoned to our world through the veil for a purpose. Aid in some way." His eyes raked over her like she was a pretty jewel. An object. Something to be collected and stored for its uses. Nova shivered under that stare.

She raised her eyebrows, hoping to de-escalate whatever this eagle was thinking. "Okay, but I think the island made a wrong turn because I have zero mystical powers, I panic in mildly stressful situations, and I once passed out trying to give blood. Twice."

Vulcan didn’t flinch. "And yet, here you are. The island always chooses those who are needed. They are not always warriors. Sometimes bridges. Healers. Catalysts."

She looked at him for a long moment. "You brought me all the way out here to tell me I’m a... catalyst?"

His lips curled. "You are to be my Nokari."

She stared blankly. "Your what?"

"Nokari- My chosen mate," he said simply. "To grow the strength of the Silver Feather Flock and restore what was lost. You would take your place beside me, the rightful heir."

Nova blinked slowly. Then burst out laughing.

Vulcan’s brow furrowed.

"Ohhh, you were serious?" she wheezed. "Okay, wow, I did not have ’get kidnapped by feathered royalty’ on my bingo card today."

His face remained impassive, but his eyes flicked to her mouth again, watching her amusement with a hawk-like stillness. He really was serious. This man had been stalking her, chasing after them all so he could have her as his... Nokari... A chosen mate?

She wiped a tear from her eye. "Look, Vulcan... I’m flattered. Truly. But I’m not your... Nokari. I barely qualify as a functioning adult. I lose socks like it’s a spiritual calling."

Vulcan stepped closer, and she stepped back instinctively—only to feel her foot hit the rock.

He reached out, his hand grazing her cheek. "And yet, I feel the island shifting around you. You may not believe in your purpose yet, Electa. But I do."

She swallowed hard. "I’m not anyone special, Vulcan."

"You are," he said simply, eyes glowing bright. "You are mine."