~ TESS ~ For the last hour, I’ve been locked in strategy with my mate, my best friend, our Alpha, and our temporary Beta. Then came the hardest part—facing the pack. The tension was thick, their doubts about expanding the pack louder than I expected. It felt endless, a constant push and pull. But finally, we found common ground. We all agreed that when the hunt comes, we’ll show our cards. For once, I don’t shudder at the thought of my transformation. I’m just relieved the pack is united. The pack disperses not long after. Lyra retreats to the kitchen with Magnus while I try to keep my eyes open, fighting sleep with everything I have. But my head dips forward again, my body betraying me. Everything aches. Not just my muscles, but deep in my bones, like I’ve been through a war my mind can’t remember. I rock gently in place, my back cushioned by the
~ TESS ~ Killan doesn’t speak right away. He just stays close to me, his forehead resting lightly against mine, both of us breathing hard. The air is thick with the scent of us, our sweat and sex, but I don’t really care. I just allow myself to cry. Killan eases out of me, careful and slow, then helps me sit up and gently adjusts my clothes, his touch reverent. There’s no judgment in his eyes, only worry. “I’m not upset,” he finally says, voice rough. “I was just surprised. But not in a bad way. If that’s what fate wants, then we’ll deal with it—together.” I nod, but something cracks inside me anyway. My wolf whines in the back of my mind, begging for attention, trying to ground me, but all I feel is the spiral—panic and doubt, creeping in like vines around my chest. What if I’m not strong enough for this? What
~ TESS ~ As soon as I have space, I kick off my shoes and shimmy my jeans down my thighs. Killan doesn’t waste a second. The moment his jeans fall to his knees, he lifts me onto the cool wooden desk, stepping between my legs like he belongs there—because he does. I spread for him without hesitation, bracing my hands behind me as I lean back. “The things you do to me,” he growls, his voice thick with desire as he slides the head of his cock against my entrance. He’s so hard, heavy, and wide that even though I’ve had him before, my body tenses in anticipation. I breathe out, forcing myself to relax, clinging to the memory of how damn good he feels when he’s buried inside me. “I wasn’t bullshitting, Sunshine. I’m yours. Mind, body, and soul. I’d do anything for you.” Then he pushes in. That thick, swollen head stretches me wide and slides in deep with a force that knocks a gasp from my throat. My head falls back as he fills me in one slow, claiming thrust, and God, it’s everyth
~ KILLAN ~ Magnus rises from his chair as he replies to his daughter, “No, we have to do something.” He paces to one end. “I suggest you bring the informant to the hunt, but don’t tell the Alphas what’s going on. Arrive early and ask for a gathering. They know about the attack. They’ll have to listen.” His gaze drifts to his daughter. “I’ve spoken with my wolves. Most of them are willing to accept the mating between you and Ronan and unite our packs. Those who aren’t have been given my blessing to leave. I’m offering, right here and now, to step down as Alpha and let Ronan assume the position if that’s what it takes. I want you to be safe.” Everyone shuts up then. What Magnus just offered is enormous. In essence, he’s just handed his pack to Ronan. Everyone with a wolf’s nose can scent Ronan’s reaction. He’s shocked and panicked.
~ KILLAN ~ I hadn’t intended to be a smartass all the time. I just hadn’t known how deeply my words had affected Eve on occasion. When heat in her gaze fades, her scowl vanishing, I heave a sigh of relief. “Have you changed the sparkplugs?” Tess asks, fidgeting as if she senses the tension in the room, even though she doesn't know it's between I and Eve. Until she transforms, she won’t understand why she reacts in certain ways. A wolf always feels emotion, although they usually use the ability to sense feelings as a weapon. “That could be the problem,” Tess speculates. “No, she hasn’t,” Barron interjects, placing his hand on Eve’s neck. “The car is a hunk of junk because she doesn’t care for it properly. She thinks all she has to do is feed it gas and oil, and all is well.” Barron’s eyes lift and meet mine. A rush of relief swe
~ TESS ~ The pressure in my stomach builds, a delicious heaviness coiling tighter with each of Killan's thrusts. I meet him, stroke for stroke, chasing the explosion I know is just ahead. His cock rubs all the best places inside me, his fingers playing my clit like he knows me better than I know myself. The wolf inside me stirs, rising to meet the moment—and I don’t fight it. We blend, our instincts syncing. Ours. He's all ours, my wolf growls. I cry out as the orgasm crashes into me like a freight train. My limbs shake uncontrollably, muscles spasming with each pulse of ecstasy. Heat spreads from my core through my belly and chest, my pussy fluttering around his cock. But Killan doesn't stop. If anything, he speeds up, pounding into me with ruthless intent. His fingers don’t stop teasing me, still circling my clit with maddening pressure. He leans over me, p