“No!” The horrified Irina shook her head, wrapping the animal skin more firmly around her. She said, “I only regard Damien as an older brother. Why don’t we move out? Don’t hurt him!”

Curtis’s expression eased. Seeing the look of terror on Irina’s face, he caressed her fair face, his heart aching for her. He said gently, “Don’t be afraid, Snow. I won’t kill him.”

Irina heaved a great sigh of relief.

“Damien has rescued you before, so by right, he can become your mate, isn’t that so?” Curtis’s cold fingers grazed Irina’s face. There were no sweat glands on his skin, and there were no fingerprints on his fingers,...