His eyes flash the second he sees me. “Kitara.”
“Please,” I gasp. “It’s worse.”
He drops to his knees, crawling up the bed. “I’ve got you, little wolf.”
This time he worships me. He eases inside slowly, holding eye contact, breathing with me as our bodies align.
We move in perfect rhythm, not just fucking—but claiming. Again.
Again.
And again.
Until the sun rises and sets and rises again. Until the ache becomes a memory.
Until the bond glows, golden and wild, between us, and the burning heat cools.
I doze, exhausted in the hazy aftermath, sweat cooling on our skin, the scent of sex and satisfaction thick in the air. My body aches in the best way.
The heat has apparently been satisfied.
He kisses the curve of my shoulder and murmurs, “You’re mine.”
I fall asleep smiling.
Chapter
Eighteen
Dawn breaks cold and clear over the Shadowmist territory, the first rays of sunlight painting the mountain peaks gold against the fading night. I stand at the entrance to the pack’s den, wrapped in Ryker’s coat, watching as patrol groups return from their night shifts and day teams prepare to take their place.
Ryker rolled out of bed an hour ago and I followed, wanting to be close.
“Be careful,” I’d whispered, tilting my head back for a kiss. He’d chuckled, taking his time tasting my mouth, ignoring the wolves around us who teased and catcalled the mark on his neck as they’d wandered by.
“Be good,” he’d whispered against my lips before shifting and bounding outside.
“You should be resting.” Zella appears at my side, interrupting my thoughts. She’s looking surprisingly alert despite the late night. “How are you feeling?”
“Fine.”
Zella bumps me with her hip, wiggling her eyebrows suggestively. “Fine, hmm?”
I flush, hiding a smile. “How about you?”
She sighs dramatically. “The single wolves in this pack, I tell you, they’re all bite and no play. And the biting isn’t even the good kind.”
I chuckle, then turn back to stare out at the sunrise.
“Talk to me, Kitara.”
I sigh, shaking my head. “I can’t stop thinking about what’s coming,” I admit, keeping my voice low though we stand alone.
She nods. “Ryker told the council about your vision.”
This surprises me. “He shared it already?”
“Before the ceremony. The senior wolves needed to know.” She touches my arm gently. “Your gift is our advantage, Kitara. It’s the only reason we have a chance.”
