Phoebe’s POV
My teeth sink into my lower lip as I slip off my underwear. My heart pounds against my ribs under Perry’s burning stare.
He doesn’t blink, watching with such intensity that when I lift my gaze to et his, I catch sothing unexpectedly tender in his soul.
Summoning every ounce of courage I can muster, I step into the water completely bare.
I was right—the water reaches my chest. My long hair gets soaked, and I pull it forward to shield my breasts, though it’s pointless really.
Perry has seen it all. What part of hasn’t he touched, explored, tasted? His marks are scattered across every inch of my skin.
Still, sothing about his piercing gaze makes feel exposed in a way that has nothing to do with being naked. I move toward him.
I knew what I was getting into when I chose to join him here.
This isn’t just about taking a dip. This is about us.
Stripping away everything—our bodies, our defenses—trying to nd what’s broken and wash away the pain. Starting fresh.
This isn’t about desire. This is about learning to trust again.
I close the distance between us, pressing my cheek against his bare chest as he kisses my hair and wraps his arms around with surprising gentleness.
The image of that little wolf family flashes through my mind. I want that so desperately—children I could love completely, little ones who would love back.
The craving burns through ...
——
Fiona stirred awake when she sensed Reginald entering the room. She’d been crying for hours, leaving her eyes swollen and raw.
Losing her father felt like having her heart ripped out. They’d been so close, especially after her mother died in that rogue attack five years ago. Since then, Alpha Theodore had made her and her brother his entire world.
"You’re just getting back," she said, rising to et him. She threw her arms around him, tears starting fresh. "How did the eting go? Did you find a way forward?"
Reginald fought every instinct to shove her away. With Alpha Theodore dead, he didn’t need to fake enjoying her clingy behavior anymore.
But this was still her pack. The people here might be grieving their alpha’s death, but that didn’t an they’d welco Reginald with open arms—especially if he treated their late leader’s daughter like garbage.
"Yes, we’ll figure sothing out. Don’t worry about it. Just focus on taking care of yourself and Draven. He needs you right now."
He returned her embrace, stroking her back and murmuring comfort while his thoughts wandered elsewhere. When Fiona pushed him toward the bed, he hit his breaking point.
"No, you must be exhausted. Let’s wait for another ti."
Reginald stepped back as Fiona reached for the hem of her dress, ready to strip for him.
"You don’t want ?"
Reginald squeezed his eyes shut to keep his irritation from showing, knowing it would only trigger her tears again.
He was so damn tired of this act.
"I want you, Fiona. Of course I do." He pulled her close again, cradling her head against his chest while fighting the urge to snap her neck. "But I have a crucial eting tomorrow. I need to be sharp, and if we have sex, I’ll be late because I can never get enough of you."
The smooth lie rolled off his tongue so easily it almost disgusted him. If only all his problems could be solved with pretty words.
Thankfully, Fiona bought it completely. She nestled closer against his chest, apparently satisfied. "Okay. If you get the chance, can you bring that royal gamma back alive? I want to peel his skin off myself."
If there was anything Reginald actually appreciated about Fiona besides her eagerness to let him degrade her in bed, it was her vicious streak.
She could be ruthless and single-minded when she wanted sothing. She would’ve made a fierce warrior if she’d been born male.
"Sure. I’ll see what I can do. Now get so sleep."
Reginald stared out at the night sky, watching the bright moon. He wondered what Phoebe was doing right now.
He’d marked Fiona, but the mate bond felt pathetically weak compared to what he felt for Phoebe. There was no comparison.
What are you up to now, little Phoebe? The mory of how close he’d co to taking her away ate at him. So damn close...
——
Phoebe’s POV
I squirm as Perry moves inside with agonizing slowness.
It’s torture—this deliberate pace that makes ache for more.
I try shifting my hips, silently begging him to go faster, but he holds still. He presses my back against the smooth rock surface while he fills completely, the water lapping around our joined bodies.
"No, Phoebe. I want to feel every second of this. I want to morize you..."
Perry leans down to kiss my throat, his teeth grazing the mark he left on my skin as his fingers find my nipple and squeeze.
He wants to hear . He wants to say his na.
But I stay silent, like I’ve forgotten how to speak.
"Don’t rush this, Phoebe. Let have you the way I need tonight," he whispers against my ear.
He doesn’t know when he’ll have to leave again, so he wants to burn every mont into his mory. He wants to feel every part of , every response.
He’s going to take his ti.
"I love you, Phoebe," he breathes against my lips, pulling back before driving deeper.
My body trembles as I cling to him desperately. The tension builds inside until I can barely stand it.
"I love you. I’d die for you. I would."
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