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Hunter waited until Neri pulled back and met his gaze. He wiped the tears from her face and kissed her, a brush of his lips against hers, before he gave her a small smile.

“I can never hate you. And I wanted you to bite me because I claimed you, but that’s reckless.”

Neri shook her head. “Instincts, remember. Your instincts knew it was okay but mine, until Liv tells me my bite and venom won’t hurt you, I can’t put you in danger. I also think because I was half-shifter, your venom wouldn’t hurt me like mine can hurt you.”

Hunter wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. She blew out a relieved breath as he laid his head on her chest. But soon the warmth coming from his body and the realization he was still hard and aching inside her precipitated her hips shifting forward.

“Do you—”

Before he could finish the question, she lifted her hips and dropped back down, driving his cock deeper and deeper with each plunge downward. The next few feverish minutes were all about the feel of Hunter inside her and the heat that flared underneath her skin as his hands caressed her. Before she even realized her orgasm was on the precipice, her muscles clamped down on Hunter’s cock, holding him inside as she threw her head back and screamed through her release.

As the throbbing subsided, she sucked in a deep breath and moaned when Hunter’s release shot inside her. She clamped down on him, milking him until his head dropped forehead and his arms tightened around her back. Unable to hold themselves up any longer, they dropped onto their pillows, facing one another and Neri couldn’t help the smile bursting through.

“Happy?” Hunter asked, breathless.

“I’m with you, so yes. More than I ever believed I could be.”

They grew silent, but Neri didn’t take her eyes off Hunter. He had the same problem. But it wasn’t until a chill shivered over her before they moved.

“Shower first and then breakfast?” Hunter asked.

She was thinking about a nap first, but her stomach rumbled at that moment and her cheeks grew hot. Hunter chuckled and before she had time to feel embarrassed, he lifted her into his arms and moved toward the bathroom. The shower filled the room with steam and she moaned the moment the hot water poured over her body.

They made quick work of the shower and when Hunter shut it off; he glanced up and caught her gaze.

“What are you thinking?” she asked.

Hunter smiled. “I think we should see Thalia today. She needs to know you’re safe.”

“How do we find her?”

“Xander sent me a text last night with her address. What do you say?”

Neri’s hand flew up to her throat, and she nodded. She’d missed Thalia and she was thrilled she was healthy, but another part of her didn’t want to intrude on her life. But Hunter had a point.

“Okay.” Her voice was small.

Hunter kissed her forehead. “We’re in this together. This way you’ll know how she feels.”

“Thank you.”

“There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for you, angel. Now I found you, I’m never letting you go.”

As Neri stared into Hunter’s gaze, she knew his words were both the truth and a vow. She made the same one, including that she would love him for the rest of her existence.