Chapter 4

But instead of taking me to the hospital, Tucker drove straight to his apartment. With each moment, my fever spiked, and my condition continued to spiral downward. At last, what little reason I had left crumbled away.

I sank into Tucker in the driver's seat, my lips trailing kisses along his neck and just behind his ear. I could feel his Adam's apple bob, his breaths becoming more uneven as the seconds slipped by. Even so, he held his composure, his hands locked around the steering wheel.

"Sit still," he growled, his voice rough and strained.

But rather than restraining me, his command only ignited me further. I pressed myself against him, my burning body molding tightly to his. Leaning into his ear, my voice trembled with desperation. "Tucker… I want you… I need you… now…"

All of a sudden, the car screeched to a halt beneath the apartment building.

"We're here. Get out!" he snapped.

Still, I clung to him, not ready to let go just yet. In a flash, he yanked me away from him. Noticing my dazed eyes and flushed cheeks, his brows drew together. "Addison, do you even realize what you're doing? Have you thought this through at all? This isn't some game."

His stern tone only deepened the frustration and turmoil swirling inside me. Wrestling with pain and longing, the words slipped out before I could stop them. "If you won't help me, then I'll find someone who will! After all, there are plenty of guys on campus who'd be happy to have me!"

My words were the final straw. The instant they left my lips, Tucker snapped. His gaze hardened as he roughly seized my chin.

"And exactly who do you think you'll go to?" he demanded, his voice cold and commanding.

I was taken aback by his dominating presence. Still, the pain ripping through me left me no choice. I abandoned any thought of caution.

Consumed by the flood of emotions, my werewolf ears reappeared. With tears streaming down my face, the truth finally spilled from my lips. "Only a strong mate can keep me alive. I know it's you. I can feel your strength. You're the one I was always meant to find."

I lifted my chin, letting my lips brush against his. "So, will you be mine?"

Tucker's Adam's apple bobbed, the fire in his eyes flickering with a mix of desire and possessiveness. Though his voice was hoarse, there was no doubt about the sincerity behind his words.

"A werewolf only has one mate for life. Addison, you need to think this through carefully. Once we bond, there's no turning back."

Without a second thought, I nodded. "I've already thought it through. I only want you."

A satisfied smile spread across Tucker's face. Without warning, he leaned down, capturing my mouth with his. "Alright, my little she-wolf."

He pulled me into his arms, wrapping his suit jacket around me. With my messy clothes and flushed face concealed, he carried me toward the elevator. At that exact moment, the elevator across from us slid open as well.

Morgan emerged with a group of friends, their laughter and conversation ringing through the hallway. It was clear they had come to Tucker's apartment to throw a party.

Morgan suddenly froze in his tracks, stunned to find the usually reserved Tucker holding a woman close. With Tucker's reddened cheeks and uneven breathing, it was clear he was aroused. The stark contrast to his usual cold and detached demeanor was impossible to miss.

Morgan couldn't help but stare, fascinated by this rare side of Tucker.

"Hey, Tucker! Since when did you start getting involved with women? Who's this angel who actually got you to break your own rules?"

As he spoke, Morgan stepped forward, reaching out to pull off the coat draped over me. But before he could move any closer, Tucker instinctively drew me closer to him.

Casting a fierce glance at Morgan, he stepped into the elevator and pressed the close button. Just as the doors began to close, a soft moan slipped from my lips.

Morgan froze, confusion flickering across his face. Why did that sound seem so hauntingly familiar to him?