Chapter 24

My heart pounded against my ribs as I cracked the bathroom door open just enough to peek into the bedroom. Through the narrow opening, I could see Kieran pacing restlessly, his broad shoulders tense, muscles shifting beneath his skin with each movement. He seemed like a caged predator, barely containing his energy.

The sight of him shirtless made my mouth go dry. Battle scars crisscrossed his torso, telling stories of fights won and power earned. Despite the marks, or perhaps because of them, he was breathtakingly beautiful—all raw power and coiled strength.

I glanced down at my towel, suddenly feeling exposed despite being covered. My gaze fell on a chair just outside the bathroom door where Kieran had draped his white dress shirt. An idea formed in my mind.

Quickly, before I could lose my nerve, I reached through the crack in the door and snatched the shirt. I slipped it on, the fine fabric cool against my skin, carrying his scent—that intoxicating blend of pine and wilderness. The shirt was enormous on me, the hem falling just below my buttocks, but leaving my legs completely bare.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the bathroom door fully and stepped into the bedroom.

Kieran turned at the sound, freezing mid-step when he saw me. His eyes widened, then darkened rapidly, burning with an intensity that made my skin tingle. His gaze traveled slowly from my damp hair down to my bare legs and back up again, lingering on where his shirt clung to my still-damp body.

"Lena," he growled, my name sounding like both a prayer and a curse on his lips.

Before I could respond, he was across the room, pulling me into his arms. His skin burned hot against mine through the thin fabric of his shirt, his hands settling possessively on my hips.

"You've been driving me crazy all day," he murmured against my neck, his breath sending shivers down my spine. "First that dress at the party, and now this? Wearing my clothes? Do you have any idea what that does to my wolf?"

I felt a smile tugging at my lips, a newfound confidence blooming in my chest at the effect I clearly had on him. I placed my hands against his chest and pushed gently, creating just enough space between us to look up into his face.

"Even Alpha Kings have to show some restraint," I said, surprised by the teasing note in my voice. "You can't just take what you want because of who you are."

His brow furrowed slightly. "I would never—"

"I know," I interrupted softly. "What I mean is... if you want me, really want me..." I took a half step back, letting his shirt ride up just slightly, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of more skin. "Then you'll have to win me over. Charm me."

Something dangerous flashed in Kieran's eyes—a primal hunger that both frightened and excited me. With a low growl that sounded more wolf than human, he surged forward, lifting me effortlessly off my feet.

Instinctively, my legs wrapped around his waist, my arms circling his neck for balance. His hands gripped the backs of my thighs, holding me securely against him as he carried me to the bed.

He laid me down with surprising gentleness, his body following mine until he hovered above me, his weight supported on his forearms. The heat of him surrounded me, his scent filling my lungs with each rapid breath.

"What kind of punishment should I give you for such teasing?" he asked, his voice rough with desire.

My heart skipped a beat at the intensity in his gaze. "Punishment?" I echoed breathlessly.

"I'm going to mark you," he growled, dipping his head to press his lips to the sensitive junction where my neck met my shoulder. "Make you mine completely."

"Mark me?" I gasped, partly from his words and partly from the sensation of his mouth against my skin. "What do you mean?"

He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. "We're mates, Lena. The marking is how we complete the bond. My wolf has been desperate to claim you since the moment we met."

Something in his words triggered a memory—the hatred and contempt I'd seen in his eyes when we first encountered each other. The way he'd seemed disgusted by my very presence before the mysterious shift in his behavior.

"But you hated me," I said, my voice smaller now. "When we first met, the way you looked at me... Why would you want to mark me now?"

Kieran's expression softened, a flicker of regret passing through his eyes. He opened his mouth to explain, but suddenly the magnitude of what was happening crashed over me.

"I'm not ready," I blurted out, tears welling in my eyes unexpectedly. "This is all happening so fast. The mating, becoming Luna, leaving everything behind..."

I pushed myself up slightly, forcing him to give me space. "In the old hunting party traditions, male werewolves have absolute rights over females once they're mated. I've always hated that. The lack of choice, the assumption of ownership."

Tears spilled over, running down my cheeks as emotions I'd been suppressing all day finally broke free. "I need you to respect that I need time. I need to know that I have a choice in this, in us."

Kieran went utterly still above me, his face a battlefield of conflicting emotions. The hunger in his eyes hadn't diminished, but now it warred with concern, with what looked almost like tenderness. His body remained tense with barely contained desire, his breathing ragged as he stared down at me.

For a terrifying moment, I wondered if he would ignore my plea—if the Alpha in him would overrule any consideration for my feelings. The pack laws would certainly support him if he chose to mark me against my will; as Luna, I was technically already his in the eyes of werewolf society.

His hand came up to cup my face, his thumb gently wiping away a tear. The tender gesture contrasted sharply with the storm I could see raging behind his eyes.

"Lena," he said, my name sounding painfully torn from his throat. "You don't understand what you're asking of me."

"I'm asking for respect," I whispered. "For time."

His jaw clenched, muscles working beneath the skin as he fought his instincts. I could feel the tremor running through his body, the physical manifestation of his internal struggle. His wolf wanted to claim me, to complete our bond, to satisfy the primal urge that had been building between us since our first meeting.

But the man—the leader—in him was listening to my words.

I held my breath, waiting for his decision, acutely aware of our position: me lying beneath him on the bed, vulnerable in nothing but his shirt; him powerful above me, capable of taking what he wanted if he chose to.

In this moment, everything hung in balance—our future relationship, my trust in him, his respect for me. Whatever choice he made now would define what kind of Alpha he truly was, and what kind of mate he would be to me.