“You’re not thinking clearly,” he panted in my ear. “You’re upset and confused and-“
I felt his canines extend against my neck.
He’s going to mark me. Force the bond whether I consent or not.
Pure terror shot through my nervous system. “Let go of me!”
I struggled against his grip, but he was stronger. His teeth grazed the sensitive skin of my throat.
“CAELAN!”
The scream tore from my throat with desperate force.
Darrell was ripped away from me so violently that I stumbled forward and nearly fell.
When I turned around, Caelan had Darrell pinned against the brick wall of the apartment building.
‘Don’t. Ever. Touch. Her. Again.”
Each word dropped like ice into the suddenly silent night.
Caelan’s eyes had shifted to molten gold. His fingernails had extended into razor-sharp claws. I could see his muscles straining beneath his shirt as he fought for control.
He’s partially shifted. That’s dangerous.
Darrell’s face was twisted with pain and rage. His own eyes flickered gray as his wolf responded to the threat.
‘Get off me! Darrell snarled, his teeth sharpening.
Caelan’s grip tightened. “You were forcing yourself on my mate.”
Darrell’s eyes blazed with manic fury. ‘She’s MINE!*
He broke free from Caelan’s hold and swung his right fist toward Caelan’s face.
Carlan ducked the punch effortlessly and responded with a devastating uppercut that caught Darrell square in the jaw.
The impact lifted Darrell off his feet. He flew backward and crashed into a decorative planter, dirt and flowers exploding around him.
Blood poured from his mouth as he struggled to his hands and knees. “I’ll kill you!” he roared, spitting out what looked like pieces of broken teeth.
Rage transformed his face into something animalistic. He launched himself at Caelan again.
This time Caelan was ready. His claws raked across Darrell’s chest in one fluid motion, tearing through shirt and skin like paper.
Darrell screamed as deep gashes opened across his torso. Blood soaked through the shredded fabric as he collapsed to the ground.
“Enough!” I stepped between them before Caelan could finish what he’d started. “Stop it, Caelan. He’s not worth getting your hands dirty.”
Caelan’s predatory gaze fixed on Darrell’s prone form. I could see the killer instinct blazing in his golden eyes.
He wants to end this permanently.
I placed my hand on his arm, feeling the corded muscle beneath his skin. “Please. Let’s just go.”
For a moment, I thought he wouldn’t listen. The wolf in him wanted blood.
Then his gaze found mine, and some of the wildness faded.
“You’re right. His voice was still rough with barely contained violence. “He’s not worth it.”
I tugged on his hand. “Come on.”
We turned our backs on Darrell and walked toward the apartment building entrance.
Behind us, I could hear him struggling to sit up, gasping and choking on his own blood.
“This isn’t over!” he called after us, his voice thick and slurred. “She’s my mate! Mine!”
Caelan paused, every muscle in his body going rigid.
I squeezed his hand tighter. “Don’t look back. He’s pathetic.”
We entered the building together.
The elevator ride felt eternal. Caelan stood perfectly still beside me, his jaw clenched tight, staring straight ahead at the brushed metal doors. The silence was so thick I could practically taste it.
I stole a glance at his profile. That sharp line of his jaw was rigid, the muscle there jumping every few seconds like he was grinding his teeth. His shoulders were set in that particular way that screamed barely controlled tension.
What’s wrong with him? Is he angry about what happened tonight with Darrell?
The numbers above the door climbed slowly. Fifteen. Sixteen. Seventeen.
I wanted to ask him what was bothering him, but something about his expression warned me off.
‘Caelan,” I started. “You should head home early. It’s been a long night, and-“
The words died in my throat as the door swung open.
Before I could even step inside, Caelan moved behind me. One long stride brought him through the doorway. His hand slammed the door shut.
I spun around to face him, eyes wide. What are you-
The question never made it past my lips.
Caelan’s hands shot up to cup my face. His mouth crashed down on mine with desperate hunger.
I froze completely, my eyes flying wide in shock. This wasn’t the gentle, controlled Caelan I knew. This was something raw and desperate and barely contained.
His lips moved against mine with fierce intensity. One hand tangled in my hair while the other pressed against the door beside my head, trapping me between his body and the solid wood.
The kiss was consuming. Desperate. Like he’d been dying of thirst and I was the first drink of water he’d found.
Slowly, my shock melted away. My eyes drifted closed as I felt the warmth of his mouth, the way his breath mingled with mine. His lips were soft but demanding, coaxing a response I couldn’t hold back.
My hands found his waist, fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt as I pulled him closer.
That tiny gesture seemed to unleash something in him. His tongue traced along my lower lip, then pushed between them. He sucked my tongue completely into his mouth, holding it there while his own tongue wrapped around mine, stroking and sucking with deliberate intensity.
I couldn’t suppress the soft moan that vibrated against his lips.
Then he released my tongue only to thrust his own deep into my mouth. The tip of his tongue found the sensitive roof of my mouth, circling and stroking the tender flesh there. The sensation sent tingles racing down my spine, making me feel dizzy and breathless.
My panties were instantly soaked through. The ache between my legs became almost unbearable.
Esme’s voice echoed through my consciousness with a throaty moan of approval. “Yes… more…”
Caelan’s hand moved from my hair to cup my breast through my shirt. His fingers found my nipple, already hard and straining against the fabric, and began to knead gently. The pressure sent shockwaves straight to my core.
I couldn’t hold back the series of soft whimpers that spilled from my throat. Each squeeze of his fingers made the ache between my legs more intense.
His lips moved lower, finding every sensitive spot along my neck. He kissed and sucked with desperate hunger, like he was trying to memorize the taste of my skin.
When he reached the base of my neck, he sucked hard enough to leave a mark. The sharp pleasure-pain made me cry out softly.
“Sabi…” His voice was strained, like he was fighting for control. “You know what I want right now?”
I could barely think past the haze of desire clouding my mind. “What?”
His forehead pressed against mine, our breathing heavy and uneven. “I want to mark you. Right here, right now.”
The words sent a shock of pure want through me. My heart hammered against my ribs so hard I was sure he could hear it.
“I thought you said we should take things slow,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.
His mouth found mine again, hungrier than before. Like he was trying to devour me whole.
I lost myself in the kiss.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply