I'm here.
Those words were like a key, unlocking everything I'd forced down, buried, and thought long dead—emotions surging back along with new, overwhelming ones.
The drugs were still raging through me.
Heat spread from my core to every limb, my skin burning like itwas crawling with fire ants. My breaths came quick and shallow, each inhale like swallowing flames.
And Kayden's scent...
With him crouched right in front of me, that cedar aroma mixed with his Alpha pheromone grew impossibly thick, utterly... intoxicating.
Diana roused from her stupor deep within me, lured by our mate's presence, stirring restlessly in my soul.
Mate. Our mate is right here.
Want him! Mark him!
"Kayden..." My voice emerged hazy and fractured.
"Yeah?" He remained crouched, watching me with careful concern.
"It's so hot..."
"I know." His Adam's apple bobbed sharply. "I'll take you to the hospital—they'll..."
"No hospital," I cut him off, reaching out to grab his tie.
Kayden's breath caught.
"Layla... you don't know what you're doing..."
"I do."
Do I really?
No.
But I didn't care anymore.
I tugged on the tie, drawing him closer.
"Layla..." There was a warning in his voice, but it wavered. "Don't. Not like this..."
"Aren't you apologizing to me?" I tilted my head, my vision hazy. "Then, help me."
"Fuck." He closed his eyes, veins throbbing in his forehead. "This isn't helping you—it's taking advantage."
"I don't care." I pulled harder, bringing his face even closer, close enough to feel his breath hot on my skin—restrained, making me yearn to shatter his control completely.
"Kayden," I whispered, my lips nearly brushing his. "I want you."
He went utterly still, like he'd been frozen in place. Motionless. Only his eyes—gold fully eclipsing the silver, like twin blazes.
"You'll regret this," he said, his voice trembling as he squeezed his eyes shut, avoiding my gaze. "When you're sober, you'll regret it."
"Then let me regret it."
I let go of the tie, my fingers slipping inside his open collar, touching the scorching skin of his chest. His muscles tightened under my touch, his whole body shuddering violently.
