His hands tighten on my waist. Supporting. Not controlling.
And the bond—
The bond that’s been hovering at the edge—
Begins to pulse. Insistent. Growing stronger with every movement. And it’s freaking mind-blowing.
“I feel you,” I gasp. “Not just… not just physically. I feel your emotions. Your… everything.”
“Yes.” His voice is strained. “That’s it. It’s close. Almost—”
I move faster. Chasing the pleasure building at the base of my spine. Chasing the bond that wants to complete.
“Mara.” My name. Again and again. Like it’s the only word that matters. “Mara.”
“Say it again,” I gasp. “My name. Not hers. Mine.”
“Mara.” His eyes lock on mine. “Mara. You are mine. My mate. My choice. Mara.”
Something breaks open in my chest.
The pleasure crests. Sharp and sudden and overwhelming.
I come with a cry. My inner walls clenching around him. Pulsing. Muscles spasming as my brain switches off and pleasure takes over.
And the bond—
Almost completes.
Almost. But not quite.
Something’s missing. The final piece that locks everything into place.
“K,” I gasp. Still trembling. Still riding the aftershocks. “What—? Why didn’t it—?”
“The claiming.” His voice is raw. “Dragon mates… we mark. We bite. It seals the bond completely.”
“Then do it.” I tilt my head. Exposing my throat. “Mark me.”
“Mara—”
“Do it. Please. Don’t make me fucking beg, K.”
He surges up. One hand cupping the back of my head. The other at my hip. His mouth finds the juncture of my neck and shoulder.
Then his teeth sink in.
Not deep. Just enough to break skin. Just enough to mark.
The bond explodes.
Not snaps. Explodes.
Connection floods through me. Overwhelming. All-consuming. I can feel him—everything he feels. His desire and devotion and absolute certainty that I am his.
And underneath that—deeper—I feel his dragon. Ancient and powerful and recognizing me as mate.
The mark on my neck burns. Gold fire racing outward from the bite. Not painful. Claiming.
