We were both sweating now. Both breathing hard from the exertion. He came at me again and I used the momentum he’d taught me, hooking my leg behind his and using his own weight against him. He went down and I followed, ending up on top of him on the mat.
Our faces were inches apart. His hands had come up to catch me, settling on my waist. His chest rose and fell rapidly beneath me.
“Well done, little mate,” he murmured.
I meant to get up. Meant to step back and demand we go again. But his hands tightened on my waist and I found myself frozen there, straddling him, staring into his eyes that had gone from gray to red.
Our lips were so close. Just a breath away. I could feel the heat radiating off him, could smell his scent, stronger now with exertion. Could feel him hardening beneath me, pressing against my core through our clothes.
I shifted slightly without meaning to. The friction sent a jolt of need through me that made my breath catch. I’d missed his touch so much. Missed this connection. And the week of unsatisfied aching hadn’t helped. I was constantly aware of him through the bond, constantly wanting what I couldn’t have.
His pupils dilated. His hands on my waist gripped harder, pulling me down against him more firmly.
“Wen,” he breathed. Half warning, half plea.
I leaned down and kissed him.
The kiss was desperate from the first second. His mouth opened under mine and I poured a week’s worth of frustration into it. His hands moved from my waist to my hips, grinding me down against him as he kissed me back with equal desperation. I could feel exactly how much he wanted me through the thin fabric separating us. Could feel my own body responding, growing wet and needy.
One of his hands tangled in my hair. The other slid under my shirt, finding bare skin. I moaned into his mouth and rocked against him harder, chasing the friction we both needed.
The door burst open.
“Council has requested a meeting,” Aurion’s voice said.
We broke apart. I scrambled off Mal, my face burning. Mal sat up slowly, his breathing still uneven, his eyes still red.
Aurion stood in the doorway with an expression that was grim despite having just interrupted us. “Immediately. About the incident in the dining room.”
The brief moment of heat shattered.
Mal’s expression hardened. Back to the Wolf King. “When?”
“Now. They are assembling as we speak.” Aurion’s jaw was tight. “Amaia has made a formal complaint. She is demanding Wen be punished for assault.”
“She will demand no such thing,” Mal said with dangerous quiet.
“She already has. And the council is listening.” Aurion looked at me. “I am sorry, Gwendolyn. This is going to get complicated.”
I looked between them, Mal’s furious expression and Aurion’s grim one.
“How complicated?” I asked.
Aurion hesitated. “The council could demand you be sent back through the portal. Or imprisoned. Or worse, if they decide you are a threat to the stability of the kingdom.”
My stomach dropped.
“They will do no such thing,” Mal growled. “I am king. They cannot-”
“They can challenge your judgment. Especially if Andreas uses this as ammunition.” Aurion’s expression was apologetic. “This is exactly the kind of situation he has been waiting for. Proof that you are distracted. That you care more about a human than your duties.”
Mal looked at me and I saw the war playing out across his face.
“Go to the meeting,” I said quietly. “Handle it. I’ll wait here.”
“I am not leaving you alone when-”
“You have to.” I stepped back. Put physical distance between us because I knew he’d make the wrong choice if I didn’t. “This is what we’ve been pretending for. This is why I’m just a servant and you’re just a king who brought back a curiosity from another realm. So go be the king. Handle the council. I’ll be fine.”
