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Shock registered in her gaze. Her eyes widened, and a tremble worked through her. He had her right where he wanted her. Off-balance.

“Just like that?” Her voice wobbled.

“Yup, just like that.” He'd turned over everything she said at lunch then later as they'd taken their time leaving once they'd finished eating. He still couldn't believe how Kalkin and his siblings handled Hayden. It didn't make sense and as much as he promised not to say a word until the time came, he knew he'd be chewing Kalkin out when the man called him.

“This isn’t a good idea.”

“Yeah, baby.” He helped her up off the bed. “It is.”

“Don’t I even get a say in the matter?”

“Sure, little wolf. You get to pick which position I take you in when we mate.” His wolf hovered just below the surface, eager to claim his mate again, this time for the whole world to see.

“Don’t be obtuse. That isn’t what I meant!” she snapped, crossing her arms, which pushed those pert little breasts of hers higher and made his mouth water. Her hard nipples pressed against the thin material of her T-shirt, and it took all of his willpower to pull his gaze from her.

“I’m not being obtuse, mate. I knew exactly what you meant.” He reached out, cupping her chin in his palm, forcing her to look at him. “So what will it be, little wolf, missionary or doggy style?” She gasped, as lowering his face, to nuzzle her neck. “Personally, I’d prefer the missionary position, last time you rode my dick, and I almost came instantly. This time, I want to watch those beautiful blue eyes of yours as you come on my dick.” The scent of her sweet arousal wafted around him. He groaned. “I’ve been waiting for this moment since our first time together, little wolf.”

She exhaled a shaky breath. “You’re not playing fair!”

“No, I’m not. Don’t you get it? I’m not going to lose you…lose us. Ever. I’ll do anything and everything to make sure we’re mated.”

“The past.” She dipped her head, turning her face from his.

“I’m done with the past. The past is just that…the past. In our future—in our now—there’s only room for you and me. That woman and Adam have no place in our lives. I won’t allow them to interfere with us ever again.” He tipped her chin up. “We’re starting over. Our relationship—who and what we are now—started at the mixer.” Determination filled his words. He brushed his thumb across the seam of her mouth before leaning in, capturing her lips in a slow, sensual kiss. He nipped and teased her, coaxing her to give over. All pretenses went out the window. He couldn’t wait any longer.

“Wait,” she whispered, her breath brushing across his cheek when she pulled away.

“No more stalling. No more waiting. You’re mine. Feel me,” he urged. “We can have everything both of us have craved for so many years. Yearned for. Say yes, little wolf. Be brave and be my mate. Take your place at my side.”

“I—”

He knew the perfect way to get rid of this building tension. His dick went rock hard with anticipation. “Run with me.”

“Are you serious?” she asked hesitantly.

“Yeah. We’re both strung out. We need to forget for a little while. Be wolves. Enjoy the evening. And when we get back, if the mood is right, we’ll see what happens next.”

She lowered her gaze. “My ability to shift is broken, Nico. I haven’t been able to do so consistently since that day.”

He frowned. “You’re serious?”

She nodded. “Kalkin and Jace said they’d help me—force it. I never wanted to. I...I couldn’t bear the thought of anyone forcing it.”

“Little wolf,” he whispered. “I had no idea. All those months and years.” He pulled her closer. “Would you allow me to help you this time?”

She nodded. “Please. She’s right there. I can feel her under my skin trying to get out. I want to be free again.”

"Always." Nico stepped back giving them room. He disrobed Hayden, between kisses and nips at her skin. When she stood before him naked, he sucked in a breath. She was perfect. She was so damn beautiful she made him ache for her. All those scars from when she was a child. The silver burns from the chains holding her down when she was a teen. He wanted to kiss each of them. Wanted to spend his days lavishing her body with as much love as he could give her.

He glanced at her right breast where he’d made sure the mark would stay and grinned. That was his claiming. The mark he’d hidden so no one would know. He ran his knuckles across her nipple and the bite. “Tonight, I am going to put my mark where everyone can see it. No more hiding, baby.”

The moon climbed higher in the sky, casting off the last rays of light for the day. She stood before Nico completely naked, nervous, and excited. If she went on this run, she’d mate Nico. Whether she did so because the wolf demanded as much or because, for all her bluster, she wanted the man, none of it mattered anymore. For two long years, she’d tried to tell herself a crush and sex didn’t equal a mating, no matter what he or her family said. But what she did know was a simple truth—after spending as much time as she had with Nico in the last few days, she couldn’t deny him any longer.

The fine hairs on her arms lifted as the magic built around her. Nico pressed his hand between her breasts and hummed. Her wolf pushed forward, whimpering to be let out. Unlike last time, she felt no pain. In one fluid motion, her body shifted, the ground rising to meet her.Finally.She stretched and shook herself out then yipped. The scent of cedar filtered around her, and she turned. There, behind her, Nico’s wolf waited for her. She took in his impressive frame as he stood proudly near the stump at the opening of the trail behind Bell’s home. She yipped again then ran past him.

Crisp, damp air ruffled her thick, black fur and filled her senses. She breathed deep, enjoying the night as she climbed the hill, going farther into the woods surrounding the school. Behind her, the soft plods of his paws gave her comfort. Her wolf felt safe having her mate near. When she came to the bend in the trail, she hid in the bushes and waited. She counted down, and, as he approached, she pounced, knocking him to the ground. She nipped and played with him. Rolled and tumbled as they fought for dominance.

Every time she thought she had him, he’d flip her onto her back. Standing there, pure male smugness filled his features. Not to be outdone, she flipped him again and they tumbled until he latched onto her neck. She gave in, going pliant under him. When he finally let go of her, she licked his muzzle and took off again, undeterred by his show of dominance. By the time she got to the clearing at the top of the hill, the moon shone brightly on the city below. She shifted and sat on the ground, not caring if she got dirty or if he saw her naked. She realized in those moments when she dropped all of her pretenses, she'd used it as another wall between them.