Reclaiming Angelica Read Online Free PDF

expected.
    “And I’d like us to talk this thing through. If I move,
you’ll leave, and nothing will get settled,” he countered.
    Something, some unrecognizable emotion, flickered across her
expression. In slow motion, Angel turned her head until her gaze once more met
his. Her eyes held steely determination. “You want to talk?” she asked softly.
    Raul felt a prickle of warning slither down his spine. “Yes,
I do,” he answered, albeit a bit warily.
    “Let’s talk about the secret you’re keeping from me,” she
said, gaze drilling into him.

Chapter Three
    “Secret?” Raul managed to choke out, stiffening in
horror-tinged shock. Suddenly it was imperative that he move. He went to push
off her, but Angel raised her legs and caught him in a vise about the hips.
    “Yes, secret,” she confirmed.
    With no choice but to tough it out, he stated as calmly as
he could, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Besides, we’re talking about
you. About why you left me.”
    “And I want to talk about why you disappear once a month—”
    “You know I travel a lot with my job. You said it didn’t
bother you,” he interjected.
    “And the reason you hold back when we make love…”
    “I’m a big man. You’re tiny compared to me. I don’t want to
hurt you,” he said, happy to provide a reasonable explanation. It was the
truth, but not the whole truth.
    “…and why your irises glow gold, and your facial features
change when you’re in the grip of strong emotions,” she demanded.
    Raul felt his heart stop. “That…that’s just crazy. You’re
imagining things.” She couldn’t have noticed. He’d been so careful.
    “Tell me!”
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he insisted, heart
pounding in his chest so hard he thought he’d pass out.
    His fear roused his beast, which only moments before had
settled into a sated stupor. Not now.
Please, God, don’t let it come out now.
    “You’re lying,” she said flatly, tightening her thighs when
he tried once more to get away, retreat to safety.
    Panic lived inside him now. Don’t tell her! his inner child
demanded. You know what happens when you
tell!
    Raul could see his mother’s face and his father’s despair
when she’d left. Hear his father’s repeated warnings, “Never tell a human what you are.” The past superimposed over the
present.
    Tell her! his wolf
demanded. It’s not natural to hide from a
mate.
    Raul agreed that having this secret between them was wrong
but couldn’t unlock his throat to speak the truth.
    “Raul, please. We can’t continue with this thing between
us,” she pleaded, sounding almost desperate.
    Her gaze locked on his. The hurt in her voice and the tinge
of moisture in her eyes added unbearable pressure. Raul opened his mouth to
tell her what she needed to know, but no sound emerged.
    Nooooooo! his inner child screamed. You can’t tell her! She’ll leave, and then we’ll die!
    Tell her , his wolf
demanded. Tell mate what we are!
    His breath escaped in pants. Oh God! He gasped, trying to get enough air.
    “Raul?” Concern replaced the hurt in Angel’s tone. “Are you
all right?”
    Tell her!
    No!
    Tell her! his wolf
roared.
    NOOOOO! Mustn’t tell! the child screamed.
    “Can’t…breathe!” His lips moved, but no sound emerged.
    “Raul, your lips are turning blue. Breathe, baby!” Angel
released her hold on him.
    As the internal war continued to rage, Raul’s stomach
churned and his chest hurt. His vision began to narrow, growing dark around the
edges. He crawled off Angel and knelt on all fours with his head hanging down,
gulping for air.
    Raul couldn’t believe he was freaking out like a little kid.
He was a grown man, a badass—an alpha, for crying out loud. Embarrassment
collided with panic until the only thought in his mind was escape.
    “Raul, baby, you have to breathe. If you don’t, you’ll pass
out.” Angel hovered beside him, laid a hand on his back, and