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“What?” she asks.

“He needs to hear something from you now. If he feels the urge to mark you, which may happen, you need to give your consent. He will forever be tied to you, even if you don’t mark him yet. You don’t have to complete the bond, but he would be bonded to you.”

I want to deny his words but can’t. My cheetah has been pushing me to mark her but I have held him off. I want it badly but haven’t wanted to rush her.

“I give my consent,” she agrees.

“You have to be sure,” he urges.

“I am,” she growls, and the words come from her animal.

She isn't hesitant then.

Her warm body is inches away. My cheetah centers his attention on her.

“Elijah,” she whispers. “I’m right here. I’m not going anywhere. It’s okay.”

Her hands lightly touch my chest and then slide up to cup the sides of my neck.

“You're sure?” I ask, holding back the urge to grab her.

“I am. I’m right in front of you. Take what belongs to you.”

She gasps as I retract my claws a second before I seize her hips, and lift her. Her legs wrap around my waist tightly. I don’t leave any space between us. I wrap her hair around my fist, thrusting her head onto my shoulder, and bury my face in her neck.

“Get in the truck,” Bash instructs. “Marie, follow me to their place. First, I need to change the memories of a few people.”

I pay no more attention to them as I open the passenger door and climb in. The moment we are seated, my teeth scrape her delicate neck.

All I can concentrate on is her scent, her warm pussy against my cock, her soft hair gripped in my hand, and her blood calling to me just under my mouth.

“Do it,” she urges. “I know you need it, Elijah.”

“Saylor,” I rumble.

“I want you to. Please, Elijah,” she begs.

“Don’t hate me,” I say before I sink my teeth in deep and pull. Her moan rings out. I have been told the bite of your mate is orgasmic. I want to give her nothing but pleasure.

“Yes,” she whimpers.

The driver’s side door opens and I hiss at Bash, pulling my teeth out before I am ready.

“Easy, Elijah,” Bash says. “I’ll get you both home safe.”

I loosen my fist and run my fingers gently through her hair. I spend the drive licking the marks on her shoulder. My cheetah is satisfied with the progress in completing the bond—for now. Saylor runs her knuckles over the side of my neck.

Her blood is running through me now. We are not like vampires—we don’t need our mates blood to survive. The only time we take blood is when we bite deeply, usually the first few times. Our teeth leave the mark and our saliva keeps the marks visible to all shifters. Humans don’t have the ability to see them. We can choose where to mark our mate, but most want it to be visible. The next time I bite her it will be on other tempting spots on her body.

The red is finally leaving my vision. My cheetah is not as close to the surface. The rage is still hovering, though. I think it will continue to be until the threat is eliminated. My adrenaline is high.

I’m going to have to thank Bash.

I hate that.

I’ll do it later when my blood is not running hot.

Bash stops my truck in the driveway. We don’t say a word as we leave it and I don’t look back when I unlock the door. I don’t stop until I am in the bedroom.