9
NOVA
“Thanks for the ride,”I say as Olivia pulls up to the house.Between learning the ropes at the clinic and Roen watching over me every second I allow him, I’ve almost forgotten to worry.
“You’re one of us now.That’s what a pack is for.”She nods to the small, rectangular white box in my hands.I’m not sure what’s inside, but she said Roen requested it for our first training session.“I know you’re trying not to trigger your heat during the week, but it’s okay to take some time off.”
“We’ll see how this weekend goes,” I reply.Hopefully, two days will be enough to recover from whatever happens tonight.
Concern slips through her features.“I’m sorry.I shouldn’t have tried to influence your decision.I know better than anyone not to force?—”
“You’ve done nothing but try to help us.”I understand why she didn’t want Roen to reject me.I also know it must hurt to see a bond that she doesn’t have.“It’d be a lot harder to do this without your support.”
“Stay safe,” she says.
I wish I could guarantee that we will.
Stepping out into the dappled shade, I inhale the scent of the ocean and damp earth from this afternoon’s rain.I’m used to finding Roen in the garage, but today the door is closed and the yard is quiet.
I fiddle with the mysterious box as I walk toward a smokestack from the back of the house.Chatting around the campfire or walking the cliffs has become our version of a date night.Sometimes he lets me see more of his wolf.A couple of times, he invited guests so I could meet more of the pack.It’s my favorite part of the day, a close second to working with Olivia.
Expecting me, Roen looks up from the meat he’s grilling on an open flame.“How was work?”
Even though we agreed to minimal touching, all I want is to jump into his arms.“Cleo came in.She got excited that I knew everything and showed me her wolf.It was cute.”I hold out the box.“Also, Olivia gave me this.”
Instead of taking the box, he pulls me close and seals our lips.Woah.Warmth floods me, and my knees buckle.Roen’s muscles bunch as he holds me tighter, his thick erection pressing through his sweatpants while he deepens the kiss.
I’m panting when we break for air.
“Friday didn’t come fast enough,” he mutters, kneading my ass in his hands.
I collapse against him with a sigh.Then my stomach growls.“I’m not sure which I want more, you or the food.”
He does his half-laugh, half-grunt.“Dinner first.You’ll need your strength when you’re tied to the bed all night.”
My shocked expression only makes him grin.
Heat simmers inside me as we eat.Avoiding any kind of arousal has been draining, and with Roen’s affection, I’m bursting at the seams for more.Soon, I step out of the shower as he prepares the bedroom.My steam-distorted reflection stares back from the mirror.
For once, I don’t look away.
I let my hair down from the shower cap and wipe off the mirror to reveal my face, then keep going until I can see everything.You are the perfect mate.
Can I really accept that?I meet my own eyes in the mirror and finally allow myself to be happy.The wave of emotion is so strong that tears prick at the corners of my eyes.I’m proud of who I am.I’m proud to be a woman—imperfections and all.
Roen approaches the other side of the bathroom door.“Everything okay?”
“Yeah.”I sniff.“More than okay.”Feeling confident, I open the door without covering myself.
Roen’s gaze locks on my face, then his hands are all over me, his mouth at my throat.My pulse races as his teeth press into the fading bruise.The twinge of pain combats the flare of my heat, his lips soothing both until one sensation bleeds into the next.
I whimper, the fever spreading so fast that the room spins.My pussy is already slick enough that I can feel it on my thighs.I realize Roen is trembling too as he nips at my skin.
His eyes blaze turquoise when he pulls back.“Tempting little mate.How are you coping with the heat?”
“I’m a bit more prepared,” I answer, although I don’t sound prepared at all.“It’s hard to focus.”
He hums, tugging my hips forward and walking us to the side of the bed.“Each wave will be more intense.I need you to stay conscious, especially when you take my knot, so we’ll aim to build both of our tolerances by drawing it out tonight.”
