“Kohen!” I call out, looking for him as I walk through the sunroom, trying to locate him. I fell asleep on the couch last night, waiting for him to come back with ice cream. The asshole must have eaten it all and then went to bed. I make my way to the guest room hall and knock on the room where he was staying but get no response. So I ease the door open and find that his bed is empty. “Where the hell is he?” I mutter to myself, walking out and padding into the kitchen. I see a fresh cup of coffee sitting on the counter and then my eyes move outside to the deck, where he stands shirtless in the rising sun, a steaming mug of coffee in his own hand. I hate admitting it to myself, but Kohen is a fine specimen of the male species. His broad shoulder muscles and exposed back work as he raises the cup to his lips and back down. I shake my head. Reminding myself that even though he is handsome and I like him. I’m just not ready to take those next steps with him. And the more I let myself

Her touch is timid, almost unsure as she lifts her eyes to meet mine, that coldness gone, replaced by something different. I know it’s the ceremony bond that is growing in intensity. It surely can’t be her own desire for me. It wouldn’t be likely, not when I could see her hatred clear as day when she pledged her loyalty to me. I catch her wrist with tenderness, ceasing her movements that would soon enough be the end of me. Then I ease her hand up and place it on my shoulder.There is no way to control my breathing, not after her bringing me back to life with her gentle grip. It’s like I’m a starved man, finally finding a warm meal. No chance of stopping me now that I have had a taste. But I must consume her slowly, enjoy every morsel she allows me to take from her. My fingers skim down her forearm, feeling the soft muscles she has earned in her extensive training. I gently knead her bicep, moving up and over her shoulder, my hand brushing her back, lightly stroking the smooth, bare s

*Maddox POV*My eyes linger on Lana as she saunters away, weaving through the crowd with ease. The growing distance between us makes my wolf whine. He may be feral half the time, but since marking her, he is a sick mess for that girl, like I have been my whole life. I hear a scoff at my side and my eyes close as I try to remain in control, begging my wolf to just let me lead with this one. I have too much in store for this shithead to lose my temper and kill him now. Tempting as that may be.“You shouldn’t be here.” I grit out, turning to glare at the asshole who tried to take everything from me. He smiles menacingly. “I shouldn’t be here? Says the man who was exiled and stole my mate.”A light chuckle breaks from my lips. His selfish desires know no bounds, and I find it damn amusing that he claims I stole shit from him. Not when he just takes and takes. “Who’s crime is it I was exiled for?” I ask him, stuffing my hands in my pockets, trying to remain as civil as possible.“I cou

*Maddox POV*The herbs on my inner thigh soothe the burning sensation of infection that is trying to make its way through my veins. Jariah’s rogues did a damn number on me and one fucker had something on him that my body really isn’t a fan of. They tore my side open, my leg’s purple, and I’m certain I was damn near castration. Despite all of that, every ache and pain, the only thing I can feel is giddy.She said mine.Lana claimed I was hers and whether or not it was the mate bond, I take her jealousy and I cling to it. Lexi washes her hands in the bathroom, rinsing off the medication she placed on my wounds. My eyes are itchy and painful as I force them open and watch Lana burning in rage. I can sense her trying to decide what to do, what to say.She has never been a runner, but the sting of thinking I might already cheat after a huge battle… it might all be too much for her to take. I sigh heavily, not wanting to explain who Lexi is, mostly because even though jealousy isn’t love, i

*Lana POV* Maddox’s injuries are far worse than he is letting on, and the fact that even hours later they are still reopening and bleeding has me on edge. I’m not a healer by any means, but I understand the need for rest and it is very obvious he has taken none, possibly in days. His muscles are tense as I try my best to not press too hard, but the furious red ring around his stomach cut has me being a little more attentive than I normally would be. “These are pretty bad,” I whisper, looking up to meet his soft, curious gaze. He looks more like my Mads with his guard down. The one I remember before everything went to shit and my life got out of hand. Right now I don’t see the angry alpha or the menacing scar on his face branding him the worst of our kind. He is just the brown-eyed sweetheart who has always cared more than his heart should have allowed. And damn it, if it’s not doing things to me it shouldn’t. “I’ve had worse.” He says, the corner of his lip tilting up in a small s