I trail my lips along the exposed curve of her neck, letting my teeth scrape lightly down the column of her throat. Her soft moan spills into the air, igniting a fire in my chest as she arches into me, her pelvis grinding against mine to meet my thrusts.
The connection between us feels electric, each touch, every sound weaving a tapestry of longing and fulfillment that I never want to end.
My voice is a low growl, the words “mine, you're all mine” coming out rough and hoarse in my native tongue as I build us up.
“I missed you,” she whispers, fingers gliding over my face. My eyes meet hers, and my stomach tightens with lust, hunger, and adoration.
Scooping her up, my hands slide under her back, and I lift her into my arms as I continue to move inside her, both of us lost in each other. Her legs wrap tightly around my waist as I kneel on the bed of furs and blankets. Everly's soft hands land on my shoulders as she starts moving over me, her breathy moans making my head spin.
Reaching up, I brush the hair from her face, rubbing my nose along hers. “I fucking missed you, too.”
My hands glide up her back, fingers tangling once more in that hair I adore. It feels like silk against my skin, and I can’t resist threading my fingers through it, pulling her just a little closer. It took every ounce of willpower to focus on the mundane tasks of bathing, eating, pretending I wasn’t aching for this moment. Now, with her in my arms again, nothing else matters.
Everly’s bare breasts press against my chest, her hardened nipples brushing my skin and making my cock throb inside her. The friction is maddening—sharp, electric—every slight movement sparking deeper hunger. Her breath ghosts over my lips, warm and shallow, and when she whispers my name, it’s pure sin—soft, breathy, and dripping with want. I grip her hips, holding heragainst me, the heat between us building, unbearable and addictive.
“You need to feed. Raiden told me if–”
My low growl fills the air, silencing her next words as anger burns through my veins. Everly pulls back to meet my eyes, her fingers continuing to move through my hair, creating a soothing sensation on my scalp that eases my anger.
“Don’t say another man’s name while I’m moving inside of you.”
Understanding and love flood her eyes, and she rocks her hips, grinding down hard, my cock hitting so deep inside her we both moan.
“A chroí, feed.”
My gums tingle, and I know my canines have lengthened. Everly drags her hair over her shoulder, giving me access to her neck. I trace my tongue slowly up the curve of her throat, savoring the softness of her skin beneath my lips. She shivers in response, and I can’t help but smile against her neck, feeling the warmth of her breath on my shoulder, and the tremor of anticipation that ripples through her. I lower her onto the furs, the firelight licking across her skin in waves of gold and shadow. I stretch over her, possessive and hungry, my mouth finding the tender beat of her pulse. I kiss her there—slow, deliberate, worshipful—before thrusting into her, hard and deep, claiming her in one unrelenting motion. At the same instant, my fangs pulse with need and sink into her flesh. She cries out, her body arching to meet mine, to take more. Her blood floods my mouth—sweet, warm, and utterly her. It fills me, overwhelms me as my mind and body are swept away by the rush of pleasure and power that comes with each swallow.
‘Tá sí foirfe,’a low, rumbling growl echoes in my mind.
‘Yes, she is perfect,’I reply.
A roar from outside shakes the tent, a deep, guttural sound that rattles the earth beneath us, but I don’t stop. I don’t even flinch. I keep drinking, keep thrusting into Everly’s sweet, molten heat, my focus solely on her. The world outside is nothing compared to this moment—nothing compared to the feeling of her body against mine, her warmth, her energy, her essence.
Her nails dig into my shoulders, the pressure grounding as her body trembles beneath me. I feel the tightening of her muscles, the way she moves against me, her orgasm building to its peak. Then, with a cry that tears through the air, she screams my name, the sound both raw and beautiful, filling me with a sense of possessiveness.
I can feel it; my dragon, he is near. The connection between us is undeniable. His presence swells, a low, approving hum reverberating through my chest. He recognizes her, my mate. She is ours. The approval pulses through me, setting fire to my veins.
“Mo dragan. Ceadaíonn sé mo chomrádaí,” I breathe, letting go of her neck.
“What was that?” she pants, her voice breathless, still trembling from the force of her release.
Without answering, I flip her onto her back, my body shifting over hers as I slide back inside her, the heat of her tightening around me, pulling me deeper. I lean over her, my breath ragged, and whisper, “My dragon . . . He’s here.”
Everly’s green eyes widen, a flicker of something between awe and uncertainty flashing across her face. Before she can speak, I drop my head, my lips finding her nipple, my teeth grazingit lightly before I clamp down, sucking hard. She gasps, fingers threading through my hair, tugging me closer, urging me to stay there, to give her more.
The sensation of her fingers in my hair only heightens the connection. She pulls me up, the sting in my scalp sending a pulse of lust straight to my cock. Then, I feel it—a sharp sting as her fangs sink into my neck. The moment she drinks, a wave of pleasure crashes through me, sending sparks of electricity all over my body, making my balls tingle with the force of it.
“Fuck,” I grunt, the sound raw and primal as I drive deeper into her, my thrusts becoming harder, faster. Every part of me burns with need—my body, my mind, my dragon—all of it consumed by her.
Chapter seventy-four
Everly
Islip out into the cool predawn air, leaving Maxon asleep in the tent. I need space—time to gather my thoughts, to reconcile the weight of what I have done. The camp is still, save for the faint rustle of tents shifting in the breeze and the occasional murmurs of the sentries on patrol.
Nymeria and Anika spot me as I leave and follow, their footfalls silent as always. I quietly make my way through the camp, ducking out of view of the soldiers patrolling the area. Reaching the edge of the camp, I find a rocky outcrop, its rough texture cool beneath my hands as I climb, wanting solitude to watch the sunrise.
Reaching the top, I take a seat and let my legs hang over the edge. Both wolves lie down beside me, their eyes moving around our surroundings. Unconsciously, I stroke my fingers through their fur as the sun bursts across the sky.
