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Without any warning, he slams into me from behind and buries himself to the hilt. I scream. How is he already recovered? He pounds into me until the bed rocks.

That doesn’t stop me from backing it up on him. I throw my ass back harder than he gives it. I roll my hips and squeeze him on every stroke until his rhythm stutters. When I look over my shoulder, he’s biting his lip bloody to keep from coming again. I smell his blood and give him even more.

I shove him onto his back, climb on, and ride his dick fast and nasty. My breasts bounce with every drop. Lake water and sweat drip off me onto his stomach. My hands shift into claws, and I dig them into his pecs. He hisses and holds my waist, but he doesn’t fight me.

I ride myself over the edge and come screaming. My pussy clamps down on him. My legs won’t quit shaking, and my wolf howls.

He takes my weakness. While I’m still trembling, he flips me onto my back and slides in slow and deep. He kisses me and makes love to me until I come again. A shudder runs through him as he spills into me.

He can act like he won all he wants. He knows I gave him that one.

Ezra rolls onto his back. We lie there panting before I turn onto my side and run a hand over his sweaty chest. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine,” he says, but he keeps staring at the ceiling.

He’s lying. I can smell it on him. He groans, and his dick is hard again.

I lick my lips and slide down to suck him, but he grips the back of my neck and stops me. “If you want me feral and burning down Wintermoon Bridge because my dragon needs something to burn,” he growls, “go ahead and play with fire.”

I gulp and climb back on top. He releases my neck, and I sink down on him. He moans and grabs fistfuls of the sheets.

“Now go ahead and finish me off,” he rasps. “We both know you’ve already won, Aya.”

I grin and bounce on his dick.

43

EZRA

FOUR DAYS LATER

Aya and I beat everyone to the shoreline, and I keep her hand locked in mine while the lake laps at the rocks under the bridge. My dragon hasn’t quit pacing since the Flame. Every time the water rolls in, he pushes me closer to the edge.

Bear musk drifts down through the pines. Solomon comes out of the trees with Tristian. Caleb isn’t far behind them with Samara tucked against his side.

Solomon calls over to me. “So what’s it like being alpha?”

I grin without turning loose of Aya’s hand. “The Flame’s heavier than it looks.”

He has no idea. Kade already has a mop with my name on it.

The girls make do with waving at each other, since Caleb and I won’t give them an inch. Aya touches the claim mark on her own neck before she tips her chin at Samara’s without a word.

Caleb lowers his head to my mate. My dragon warms up to the bear a little. I put a fist to my chest. “It’s fine, Caleb. We’re family now.” When he nods, I’m free to look his mate in the eye. “Hey, cousin.” Samara’s eyes go wet. She turns her face into Caleb’s arm.

“A parent’s command is rarely understood when it is given.” King Amir stands on the rocks behind us. I never even caught his scent. After he tears into Solomon for coming anywhere near the water, he rounds on Caleb’s father. “Trust is not given lightly in my house, Tristian. I gave it to you with my only son.” He turns away from the lake. “I am not angry. I am disappointed.”

Better Tristian than me. Aya squeezes my hand.

Samara marches up and takes the blame for the plan herself. By the time Caleb swears he’ll never make her give up being a Blackwood, her scent spills across the shoreline. Solomon wrinkles his nose. Even the king sniffs. My dragon thinks it’s hilarious. I find a very interesting rock to stare at.

“Whew,” Aya breathes. Samara has her face buried in her hands, but she peeks out to glare at my mate. Aya shrugs. “I’m just glad I’m not the only one.” I choke on a cough.

Ripples cut across the lake toward us. Sirena surfaces first, with the gill slits along her neck fluttering open. Cael and Nereus rise beside her. Their father, Pontus, comes up last, broader through the shoulders than any of his children.

Amir told me the pods followed Stormscale lightning across the ocean. I wasn’t even born for any of that, but try telling my dragon. He shoves up against my skin until it burns. The hair on my arms lifts, and static snaps between my fingers and Aya’s.

She jerks her hand back with a hiss. “Ezra.”