She practically fled his office, her professional mask cracking with each step. In the corridor, she pressed her back against the cool stone wall and tried to catch her breath.
What the hell am I doing?
But the truth burned bright and terrifying in her mind: she was in over her head. Not just with his complex condition, but with her own traitorous feelings. The magnetic pull between them felt bigger than attraction, bigger than chemistry—it felt like destiny.
EIGHT
DRAVEN
Draven closed the door to his office and strode through the castle corridors, his mind spinning from the session with Lila.
I almost kissed her.
The memory of her startled retreat burned in his chest—the way she’d stumbled backward when he’d leaned closer, her professional boundaries slamming back into place like a steel wall.
But beneath his disappointment, something else had simmered. Through their growing mate bond, he’d sensed her desire in that charged moment. Her pulse had quickened, and her pupils had dilated with need. She’d wanted that kiss as much as he had.
She’s fighting it because of her professional ethics,he realized, pushing open the door to his private chambers.Not because she doesn’t want me.
The distinction ignited more hope in his chest. If her resistance was about maintaining boundaries rather than genuine disinterest, then he had a chance. He just needed to turn up the charm and show her he was more than a patient—he was a man who could give her everything she’d ever dreamed of.
It’s going to be a fine line to walk.
Too aggressive and he’d scare her off. Too passive and they’d waste precious time dancing around each other while his fire madness consumed what remained of his sanity.
Draven pulled out his communicator and called Jarek.
“Let me guess,” Jarek’s amused voice crackled through the device. “Dr. Reyes just convinced you to step back from your kingly duties.”
“How did you?—”
“Because you’re too stubborn to make that decision yourself, and she’s obviously got more backbone than the rest of us combined.” Jarek chuckled. “You know, I like her already.”
Draven dropped into his leather chair. “She was... firm with me. Told me I couldn’t pour from an empty cup.”
“And you actually listened? Miracles do happen.” The grin was audible in Jarek’s voice. “She’s perfect for you, isn’t she? Nobody else has ever been able to stand up to the almighty King Draven.”
Heat crawled up Draven’s neck. “I would do anything she told me to do. I don’t even mind backing off my alpha ways for her.”
“Now I know you’re healing. Two weeks from now, you’ll be a completely different man.”
Draven scowled at the amusement in his best friend’s tone. “Are you enjoying this?”
“Immensely. But I’m also relieved. You need someone who challenges you, who doesn’t cower when you get all brooding and intense.”
If only Jarek knew the half of it.
Draven couldn’t deny that he’d probably be transformed if Lila chose to become his mate and queen. The thought of claiming her, of finally ending this torturous fire madness, sent electricity through his veins.
“Just handle the kingdom for two weeks,” Draven muttered. “I need to focus on therapy.”
“Therapy. Right.” Jarek’s laugh was downright wicked. “I’ll take care of everything. You focus on getting better in whatever way that ends up being.”
After ending the call, Draven sank back in his chair and tried to follow Lila’s meditation instructions.
Deep breaths. Clear your mind.
But instead of emptiness, his thoughts filled with images of her—the way that green dress had hugged her curves, the vulnerability in her eyes when she’d shared about her father, and the electric moment when their hands had touched.
