“Aria.”My voice cracks on her name.“I’ve never been prouder of anything in my life.”
She steps closer.Slowly.Carefully.She stops just inches from me, looking up with a vulnerability that slices through every wall I’ve ever had.
“I want...”She swallows.“I want to feel the bond again.Fully.”
My heart stumbles.“Aria, you just fought.You’re exhausted.We don’t have to...”
“I know.”She lifts her chin.“But I’m choosing this.You said I could choose.”
“I did.”
“And I’m choosing you.”
My wolf surges.A deep, ancient sound rumbles in my chest before I can stop it.
“Then you lead,” I whisper.“Every move.You decide everything.”
She exhales shakily.“I ...don’t know what I’m doing.”
“That’s okay,” I murmur.“I’ll follow.”
My hands stay loose at my sides.Not touching.Not pushing.Waiting.Aria lifts her hand slowly and places it on my chest sending heat shooting through me.
I inhale sharply, biting back the instinct to grab her, to pull her close, to claim her.My cock is a lead pipe, begging for her touch but she needs to take this at her own pace.
Her fingers slide over my heartbeat.“You feel ...warm.”
I let out a slow breath.“You make me that way.”
A soft sound escapes her—half-nervous, half-wondering.She steps closer until her forehead rests against my sternum, and I close my eyes and soak it in.
“Silas?”she whispers.
“Yes.”
“I want you to kiss me.”
My control frays.“I need to hear it clearly,” I say, voice low and strained.“Tell me exactly what you want.”
She lifts her face to mine, lips parted, eyes bright and certain.
“I want my mate.”
Every muscle in my body tightens.“Aria...”I breathe.
She rises on her toes and brushes her mouth over mine again, barely a touch, just a breath of contact, but it detonates through the bond with quiet, devastating intensity.
I’m trembling and she can feel it.
“Is that okay?”she whispers, nervous now.
I cup her cheek gently, so gently I barely touch her at all.
“You’re perfect,” I murmur.“You’re brave.You’re in control.You’re leading beautifully.”
Her cheeks flush.She kisses me again, slightly firmer, slightly braver.I still don’t move.
Her arms slides around my neck, pulling me down.Her lips part, inviting, trusting.And that’s all it takes.I kiss her back.Slow, deep, and reverent.Like she’s made of starlight and second chances.
