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“Fuck,” Caleb gasped, looking up at Kai with eyes that glowed electric blue. “Your taste—it’s like pure magic.”

Kai stared down at him, his expression a mix of embarrassment and pride. “You guys are really into this whole ‘magical essence’ thing, huh?”

“Can you blame us?” Caleb asked, rising to his feet. “It’s like drinking liquid power.”

For a moment, they stayed locked in an embrace, Caleb supporting Kai’s weight as they both caught their breath. Kai’s face returned to the crook of Caleb’s neck, his lips pressing soft, almost reverent kisses to the sensitive skin there.

“You okay?” Caleb asked, running a soothing hand down Kai’s back.

“I think you’ve broken me,” Kai replied, his voice hoarse but satisfied. “In the best possible way.”

Caleb grinned, carefully adjusting his hold to carry Kai back toward the center of the room where his brothers waited. “We’re just getting started, little mate.”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Kai groaned, though the contentment flowing through their bond told a different story.

Marcus watched as Caleb deposited Kai on the bed, noting the way their mate’s limbs sprawled bonelessly against the sheets. Despite the multiple climaxes he’d already experienced, Kai’s skin still held that supernatural glow, his tail still materializing his supernatural heritage.

“Enough,” Kai protested weakly as Marcus approached. “I’m officially declaring a time-out.”

“Are you sure?” Marcus asked, running a hand up Kai’s thigh, feeling the muscles quiver beneath his touch. “Your body seems to have other ideas.”

It was true—despite Kai’s verbal protests, his physical response was unmistakable. Through their bond, Marcus could feel the undercurrent of desire that still ran through him, banked but not extinguished.

“Traitor,” Kai muttered, glaring down at his own body. “We need to have a serious talk about self-control.”

Marcus chuckled, stretching out beside Kai on the bed. “We could rest,” he conceded, trailing his fingers along Kai’s arm. “Or…”

“Or?” Kai prompted, eyeing him suspiciously.

“Or I could show you something a little different,” Marcus suggested, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that made Kai shiver. “Something that will prove just how completely you belong to us.”

Interest flickered through their bond, Kai’s curiosity piqued despite his exhaustion. “I’m listening.”

Marcus smiled, a predatory expression that was more wolf than man. “Turn over,” he commanded softly. “On your stomach.”

For once, Kai didn’t have a sarcastic comeback. He simply complied, his golden eyes darkening as he watched Marcus position himself behind him.

Marcus’ hands traced the curve of Kai’s spine, appreciating the way the scales shimmered in the low light. He leaned down to press kisses along Kai’s shoulder blades, then moved lower, his lips following the path his hands had taken.

“Marcus,” Kai gasped, his body arching into the touch. “What are you?—”

“Savoring you,” Marcus replied, his breath hot against Kai’s skin. “Every inch.”

With deliberate slowness, Marcus worked his way down Kai’s body, his hands spreading Kai’s thighs wider as he settled between them. The position was intimate, vulnerable—Kai completely exposed to his alpha’s gaze.

“You’re so beautiful here,” Marcus murmured, his thumb tracing the sensitive rim of Kai’s entrance. “So perfect for us.”

Kai buried his face in the pillow, embarrassment and arousal flowing through their bond in equal measure. Marcus smiled, pleased with his mate’s response.

“Don’t hide from me,” he commanded gently, his hand coming up to turn Kai’s face to the side. “I want to see you. Want to watch your face when you come apart for me.”

Through their bond, he felt Kai’s shock, followed by a wave of pleasure so powerful it nearly overwhelmed them both.

“I didn’t expect—” Kai began, his voice breaking as Marcus’ tonguereplaced his thumb, licking a long stripe across his sensitive entrance.

“That I would want to taste you here?” Marcus finished for him, his voice rough with desire. “That I would crave every part of you?”

The admission cost him nothing. As alpha, Marcus had spent his life shouldering responsibility, making the hard decisions, leading with unwavering authority. But with Kai—with his mate—he could express his desire fully, could show the depth of his need.