***“Shit.” He shuddered to imagine what someone like Jeremy would do if anything happened to his mate. “But I’m not officially your ma…”“It’s just a ceremony. To let everyone know you’re my mate. It’s a very important ceremony. But it doesn’t mean you’re any less my mate now.”“Why do you people bother with it then?” Ryan scoffed.“You will probably gain some abilities after I mark you. Become stronger, share some of my abilities, and generally gain the respect of everyone in the pack…and beyond.”“As if I need all that.” Ryan snickered but Jeremy ignored his words and went on.“Oh and this attraction or lust or whatever you call it will become even more intense but controlled and sweeter. Well, that’s what I’m told.”“I definitely don’t need that.”“Well, what I’m trying to explain is that even though that ceremony hasn’t taken place, I’ll still lose it should anything happen to you. And I don’t think it will do anyone any good.” Jeremy said quietly.“Hmm…for starters, that ceremon

***Two weeks had already passed since Gloria started training him. And it had been an exciting two weeks for Ryan. He’d grown to understand and love the being within him. He especially loved it when they went for runs. The feel of the earth pounding beneath his feet when he ran was just amazing. He felt free and happy whenever he ran. And Gloria had been tolerant and great with him throughout. Within just two weeks, she’d managed to teach him almost everything there was to know about werewolves. Becoming one with his wolf made Ryan appreciate supernatural beings better. Gloria had even taught him how to hunt for food like a wolf. And that had been so exciting.Feeling that adrenaline rush during a chase… It was unbelievably thrilling. And Ryan always laughed with amusement at how content his wolf felt whenever he made a kill. Gloria accused him once of playing with his food. But Ryan loved it when he chased after the animals he hunted, play with them a bit before he finally pounced.

***“I’m sorry if I’ve offended you by talking about it,” Jeremy said, watching as Ryan pulled his t-shirt over his head. “I just…” He exhaled audibly. “You’re so sensitive about it. It’s obvious you wished you weren’t like this. I just wanted to know whether something could be…” Jeremy trailed off as he tried to come up with the right words. “I was curious so I…”“Checked the net. You’ve already said that.”“I also spoke to a doctor,” Jeremy added. Yes, he’d tried to seek professional advice. He hated that his mate felt he had to hide himself because of his condition so he’d wanted to know whether anything could be done to correct the situation.“You told some doctor about me?” Ryan paused in picking up his towel and turned to look at Jeremy with eyes filled with shock and anger.“No.” Jeremy raised his hand as if to ward off an attack. “I only asked an expert I happened to meet in one of my meetings to tell me about the condition, that’s all. He doesn’t even know you. Neither does h

***Jeremy slowly completed the act of pulling up his warrior. Then with a grace that made almost everyone in the arena smile with admiration and pride, he leaped over the rings and landed outside it. Then he started towards Ryan with a confident, natural, sexy swagger that made Ryan moan unconsciously.Ryan saw Jeremy walking towards him and felt his heart race. He really didn’t know what Jeremy had in mind but the fact that he was coming to him…with that mouth, was okay with him. His lust-filled eyes were focused intently on Jeremy’s lips. As Jeremy drew closer, Ryan’s breath started coming out harshly, the riot of his emotions and the depth of his hunger taking complete control of his senses. By the time Jeremy got to him, Ryan felt as if he would go insane if he didn’t taste those lips. It was that bad.Jeremy smelt his mate’s need and didn’t disappoint. He reached for Ryan’s hand and pulled him up. Then he slipped a hand into the back of Ryan’s hair and cupped one side of his fac

***Ryan nodded and relaxed even more against the wolf. He could remain that way till the next day, he thought.‘Nothing is stopping you.’ Jeremy’s wolf responded amused. ‘But you might want to sleep in the comfort of a bed seeing as you have to be rested for lectures tomorrow.’Ryan groaned. ‘I totally forgot. I have a lecture as early as seven in the morning.’‘Couldn’t you have waited till Monday?’ Jeremy’s wolf asked dryly. ‘Who resumes work on a Friday?’Ryan chuckled. ‘Tomorrow, I’m only going to give them the main areas to concentrate on for the rest of the semester since we’ve already wasted so much time, thanks to me. Serious work will begin on Monday.’ He explained. ‘I just hope all that has happened in the past weeks will not get me distracted when I finally stand in front of my class.’ He said wistfully.‘You’ll be fine. You’re a pro. Nothing can distract you from doing what you love.’‘Let’s hope so.’ Ryan sighed, running his fingers through the alpha’s fur.‘Shift.’ Ryan