I hated that I let my unwillingness to deal with the rejected bond lead me to letting my best friend help me perform a dark magic ritual.
I was desperate and naïve, and I was still hesitant on reversing the bond. It would kill Grayson and solve some of our problems, but some of my mates were still strongly against the idea. Plus, I didn’t want that bond to snap back in place—I was afraid he wouldn’t die, and I’d be stuck bonded to him.
“The rejected bond caused you so much pain, Wren. None of us blame you for doing it.” He inhaled my scent as he buried his face in my hair.
“I would have dealt with the pain if I had known it would cause this,” I muttered bitterly, sniffling.
“Wren…”
I nuzzled into his chest. “I think this is our first session where we only talked this term.”
He huffed a chuckle. “You’ve needed less coping lately. Another reason I’m proud of how much stronger you’ve become.”
Emotion thickened my throat as I swallowed. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you. I’m stronger because of you, too. And please stop thinking about the what-ifs. You can’t change the past. The only thing you can do is move forward and correct the wrongs. We’re all by your side to help you.”
And I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
SIX
Wren
Ahotblushsettledover my cheeks as cold water pelted us from the shower head above.
Kian’s hand disappeared between my thighs, his fingers trembling as he pushed them through my folds, and his eyes locked with mine. Our magic brushed against each other, tempting and consuming as it skittered around our skin.
“This okay, sweetheart?” His voice shook, shyness mixing with his desire in the bond.
I stepped closer to him until his arousal pressed against my stomach. “You can touch me anytime, Kian. We’re mates.”
“We are, aren’t we?” he muttered, more to himself than me.
I stared into his eyes the best I could since his glasses were covered in water droplets. “My necromancer.”
“You’ve…” He swallowed hard. “Been, um, awfully possessive of your mates lately. Not that it’s a bad thing. I actually quite like it. I’m sure we all do.”
“Instincts, I think. I just love all of you.” My fingers circled his length, and the urgent heat seeped into my palm as I stroked him. “I want my scent all over you.”
A moan spilled from his lips as he caught my wrist and squeezed hard. His magic zapped me.
I jerked back with a soft gasp. “Why did you do that?”
“I've told you before. It doesn't feel right to take pleasure from you when I haven't given it yet,” he murmured. “Though, I do love the idea of your scent being all over me, your magic is intertwined beautifully with mine.”
“I love that. You can give pleasure to me after I give it to you, though,” I remarked, but he shook his head.
“That's not how it works. I need you to have the pleasure first for me to get any satisfaction out of it, sweetheart.” He let go of my wrist, and my hand fell to my side.
“Okay,” I murmured. “If that's how you want to be, then we can get mutual satisfaction.”
His fingers stroked me softly, sending shivers of ecstasy down my spine, spreading me wide as a digit sank into my heat.
“Mmmf!” My arms flew up and wrapped around his neck to keep me steady as his other hand slipped up my side and settled on my breast.
I kissed my way across his chin until he lowered his mouth to mine, taking control of the kiss as his finger slipped in and out.
The spark of what he called sex magic teased the sweet spot inside of me. “Please, Kian,” I murmured against his lips.
