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My inner fox growls possessively as I renew her mating mark, the raw and primal need to claim her burning in my veins. My powerful body covers hers, as I hold her tightly to me. Gritting my fangs, I savor the delicious sensation as I sink deep into her warm, wet heat.

A low groan rumbles in my chest as her tight warmth envelops me, threatening to shatter my tenuous control. Gods, she’s perfect—her inner walls gripping me like velvet, each stroke intensifying the fierce, burning need within.

My breathing is harsh and ragged, my jaw clenching painfully as I fight the desperate urge to thrust wildly, determined to prolong this pleasure and drive her to bliss first.

My gaze locks onto the fresh mating mark on her neck—the raw proof of my claim—and a surge of unbridled lust crashes through me. Leaning forward, I trace my tongue over the sensitive mark, reveling in her soft moan as she arches beneath me.

“Mine,” I growl, voice rough with barely restrained need as I thrust into her, each powerful stroke growing longer and deeper. I want to fill her so full of my seed that every male will be able to scent that she is undeniably mine, just as I am hers.

Her hips press urgently back against my thrusts as she gasps my name in a breathless plea that sends fiery pleasure roaring through my veins. My heart pounds as I balance on the edge of my control.

“Ren,” she breathes out as her inner muscles flex and quiver around my hardened length.

Panting heavily, I fight to hold back my release as she climaxes, her channel clamping down fiercely around me. Overwhelming, white hot pleasure spirals through my veins as my stav begins to pulse and I erupt deep inside her with a deep growl, flooding her open womb with my seed. Wave after wave of ecstasy tears through me as I cry out her name, reveling in the sheer intensity of my release.

My knot swells within her, locking us together, and I grit my fangs as her body tightens around mine and she climaxes again, triggering another explosive surge, this one even stronger than the last as my release boils out of me, flooding her with my essence.

Still breathing hard, I ease us onto our sides. We’re still joined by my knot as I trail my hand reverently along her lush curves.

She sighs, melting into my embrace, completely sated and utterly mine.

Cupping her chin, I tilt her face back to me, sealing my mouth over hers in a slow, lingering kiss.

My need for her is insatiable and my hunger relentless. The primal instinct to claim her again is one I cannot ignore. Slowly, I withdraw from her and then turn her onto her back. She gazesup at me through long lashes, her lovely blue eyes searching mine. “I need you again,” I murmur. “Will you take me?”

She reaches up and cups the back of my neck, pulling my lips back down to hers as she whispers against them, “yes.”

Positioning myself at her entrance, a low groan leaves my mouth as I sink into the perfection of her welcoming heat. As I gaze down at her, I can still hardly believe this exquisite creature is mine.

She is my mate, my heart… my everything.

EPILOGUE

RAPUNZEL

Warm sunlight spreads across the gardens of Cambryn castle as the early morning sun begins its slow ascent into the sky.

As I lean against the balcony railing of our bedroom, I rest my hand lovingly over my rounded belly. My heart is full as I feel a tiny flutter within. I couldn’t sleep, so I went to the Healer before dawn, and she gave me some rather surprising news.

Instead of having just one child, we’re having two. A smile crests my lips. I wonder what Ren will think of this.

Footsteps approach, familiar and comforting, and Ren’s strong arms wrap around me, pulling me back against him. He brushes a lock of my newly shortened hair behind my ear. “I must say, I quite like this length on you.”

Now that Glinda’s hold upon me is gone, I’ve been able to cut my hair. It falls just past my shoulders, and I love how light I feel without all that extra length. “It feels strange, but also… liberating.”

He his gaze shifts back to the garden and he huffs out a laugh. “Just look at them.” He points at Rowan and Finik walking along one of the paths.

Rowan stops and plucks a few berries from one of the bushes and hands them to the squirrel, stroking his fur fondly as he stuffs them into his tiny cheeks.

“Finik has captured everyone’s heart,” Ren adds. “And I believe Sir Whiskers is getting rather jealous.”

As if our very thoughts have summoned him, Whiskers saunters out from behind a tree and walks over to Rowan, rubbing against his legs to get his attention.

Rowan leans down and picks up the furry puff ball, holding him in one arm while Finik perches on the opposite shoulder.

Ever since Rielle left for Lumaria last week, they’ve both been extra clingy toward Ren’s brother, fighting for position on his lap and on the pillow above his head when he’s asleep.

I turn in his embrace to face him. His amber eyes are full of warmth and affection as he drops his forehead to mine and gives me a tender kiss.