Max's POV 🌶️🌶️His hand moves to my jaw, tilting my face up as he leans in. This kiss is different—slow, deliberate, every brush of his lips setting me on fire. His tongue slips into my mouth, claiming me with a possessiveness that makes my blood sing. My hands fist in his shirt, pulling him closer as I deepen the kiss, our bodies pressed together from chest to hip.The whiskey tumbler slips from my hand, hitting the porch floor with a dull thud, but neither of us cares. Xander’s hands are everywhere—tangling in my hair, sliding down my back, gripping my hips. I groan into his mouth, the sound swallowed by his kiss. His teeth graze my bottom lip, tugging gently, and I shiver.“Xander,” I gasp as he breaks the kiss, his lips trailing down my jaw to my neck. His teeth scrape over my pulse point, and I can feel him smile against my skin.“You’re mine,” he murmurs, his breath hot against my throat. “No more hiding.”I tilt my head back, giving him better access as his hands fumble with
Max's POVXander appears at the door of the lake house, his grin lighting up the dim evening like a beacon. I feel my heart leap, my chest tightening with the effort not to sprint up the jetty and throw myself into his arms. Instead, I force myself to walk steadily, each step measured, though my pulse races like a wild thing. His smile is blinding, and I find myself mirroring it without thought. Medus hums contentedly in the back of my mind, his presence warm and approving.As I reach him, Xander’s hands are on my face before I can say a word. His touch is gentle but firm, tilting my chin up as his lips meet mine. The kiss starts soft, almost tentative, but within seconds it deepens, his body pressing flush against mine. My hands slide up his back, gripping the fabric of his shirt, pulling him closer as if I could dissolve the space between us entirely. His mouth devours me, hungry and insistent, and I give
Max's POVThe following afternoon, I’m wrecked. Absolutely done.We’ve been setting up for Seb’s birthday party all damn day. Normally, he likes a laid-back BBQ with a few pack members, the Blood Moon alpha family, close friends — nothing over the top. Luna Anne had everything planned out months in advance. A few extra touches for his eighteenth, sure. She even invited the full Blood Moon leadership, which is a big deal. Thoughtful, elegant. Classic Anne.But thenRebeccadecided she was taking over.Suddenly, it's not just a party — it's a full-scale, formal, pack-wide event with a sit-down dinner, pale gold colour schemes, and fucking table centrepieces. Because clearly, nothing says “alpha maturity” like glitter-dipped roses and rented fountains.Apparently,
Max's POVI ignore the questions being tossed my way and keep walking. No way am I getting dragged into that circus. I head up to the Alpha floor, drop Seb’s bag at the top of the stairs like the world’s most loyal luggage boy, and backtrack one level to my own suite on the Beta floor.The second the door closes behind me, I deflate.I toe off my boots and throw myself onto the sofa, every limb heavy with exhaustion. My brain feels like it’s been on a treadmill for the last two hours.If I could’ve chosen our next Luna? Honestly? Rebecca would’ve been dead last on the list. Like, buried six feet under the list and covered in cement.From the minute she transferred in last spring, she’s been nothing but a scheming, vapid, manipulative little social climber. She plays the sweet and demur
Max's POVSaying goodbye this morning after two full-on months was harder than I expected. We’d all trained like animals, eaten like wolves, and bonded over bruises, blisters, and Baxter’s sadistic challenges. But the guys and I swapped numbers before we left, and we’re already plotting a reunion before next year’s camp. Hopefully one that involves less running and more beer.The drive back was quiet. Everyone half-dead from the late night and that ridiculously huge breakfast. I was mostly thinking about a long shower and the possibility of a nap before the welcome home party tonight.Seb was unusually brooding, until we got closer to home.He started getting twitchy once we crossed the territory border. Legs bouncing, fingers drumming, eyes scanning the window like something was going to jump out and greet him. I figured he was
Sebastian's POVWe manage to drag ourselves out of bed in time for the welcome-home BBQ that evening. But it was hard. Every time we started to get ready, I had to have her again, in the shower, and then as she got dressed. I didn’t realise that watching a woman put clothes on, could be so sexy before. But eventually we managed to leave my room.I’ve never seen Rebecca look so beautiful — and I’ve never felt more grounded in my damn life. I’m so proud to wear her mark. and every time I see mine at the base of her neck my chest puffs up. Let the whole pack see. Let them all know she’s mine.I’m sure they already do. I wasn’t exactly subtle when I carried her through the halls of the pack house. There were plenty of witnesses in the games room, too — word travels fast. Let them talk.As we step o