Page 23

His smile is almost predatory as he lowers his head to my breast, taking the nipple into his mouth. His free hand slides between my legs, finding me already slick and ready for him. His groan of approval pulsates against my skin.

“Griffin,” I breathe as his fingers stroke expertly, building a pressure that has me arching off the bed. “Please...”

“Tell me what you need,” he whispers, nipping gently at my collarbone.

“You,” I manage. “Inside me. Now.”

He releases my wrists, reaching for something in the bedside drawer. I hear the tear of a condom wrapper, and then he’s positioning himself at my entrance, his eyes locked on mine.

“Are you sure?” he asks, a final check.

In answer, I wrap my legs around him, pulling him closer. He sinks into me with a groan that I echo, my hands flying to his shoulders, nails digging into his skin.

He sets a pace that’s just this side of too much—powerful, deep thrusts that have me seeing stars. His hand slides beneath me, angling my hips to hit a spot that makes me cry out.

“That’s it,” he growls approvingly. “Let me hear you.”

I’ve never been loud during sex, always too in my head, too concerned with control. But Griffin strips that away, driving me higher and higher until I’m moaning with every thrust, begging incoherently.

When I finally shatter, it’s with his name on my lips, my body clenching around him in waves of pleasure so intense I think I may pass out. He follows me over the edge moments later, his rhythm faltering as he groans into my neck.

We lie tangled together afterward, catching our breath. His weight on me is grounding rather than crushing, his heartbeat a steady drum on my chest. Eventually, he rolls onto his side, pulling me against him.

“Stay,” he murmurs into my hair.

I should say no. I should go back to my cottage, back to what’s safe and familiar. But his arms feel like the safest place I’ve been in years.

“Just for tonight,” I whisper, already drifting toward sleep.

For the first time since my escape, I don’t dream of walls closing in on me.

Morning finds me warm and surprisingly well-rested. For a moment, I can’t place where I am—the bed is too soft, the room too large. Then I feel the weight of an arm around my waist and the heat of a body against my back, and the memories of last night come rushing back.

Griffin.

Oh god, what have I done?

I try to slip out of bed without waking him, but his arm tightens around me.

“Running away?” His voice is rough with sleep, his breath warm against my neck.

“I should get back before my mother worries,” I say, not turning to face him. I can feel the flush creeping up my cheeks. What happened to my self-control? My independence?

He props himself up on one elbow, gently turning me to face him. “Maya, look at me.”

Reluctantly, I meet his gaze. There’s no regret there, no awkwardness—just warmth and something deeper that I’m afraid to name.

“I don’t regret last night,” he says firmly. “Not for a second. Do you?”

The question hangs between us. Do I regret it? The sex was incredible—easily the best I’ve ever had. But it’s more than that. Something changed between us, something I’m not sure I’m ready to face.

“I don’t know,” I answer honestly. “This is...complicated.”

His expression softens. “It doesn’t have to be.”

“Doesn’t it?” I sit up, clutching the sheet to my chest. “You’re about to become king. I’m a human scientist. And what about Aria? Aren’t noble families supposed to form alliances through marriage?”

A flash of irritation crosses his face at the mention of Aria. “I told you before: I’m not interested in Aria or anyone else. Only you.”

The intensity in his voice makes my heart skip a beat. “Griffin—”

“Come to the ceremony,” he says suddenly. “When I reclaim the throne. Be there with me.”

I stare at him. “You want me at the ceremony? Why?”

He reaches out, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Because having you there would make it bearable.”

The raw honesty in his voice catches me off guard. I’ve spent my life being needed by others—my mother, my patients, my colleagues. But this feels different. Griffin doesn’t need me because he’s weak or incapable. He wants me there because my presence makes him stronger.

“Okay,” I find myself saying. “I’ll be there.”

His smile is like the sunrise—slow and warm and full of promise. He leans forward, pressing a gentle kiss to my lips.

“Now I really should go,” I say when we pull apart. “I need to shower and change before I head into the lab. I’m working on recreating the formulas the Silver Ring is using so that I can come up with a cure.”

He nods, releasing me reluctantly. “I’ll see you tonight?”

It’s a question, not an assumption. Despite the intimacy we’ve shared, he’s still giving me space to choose.

“We’ll see,” I say, but the smile I give him softens the words.

I dress quickly, grateful he doesn’t watch me fumble with my clothes. Once I’m decent, I turn back to find him sitting on the edge of the bed, pulling on his pants.

“I’ll walk you out,” he offers, but I shake my head.

“I know the way,” I assure him. “You have duties to attend to, Your Majesty.”

He rolls his eyes at the title but doesn’t argue. “Until tonight, then.”

I slip out of his chambers, feeling oddly light despite the complexity of the situation. The palace is beginning to wake, staff moving quietly through the corridors. I keep my head down, hoping to avoid notice as I make my way toward the exit.

I’ve almost reached the main doors when a voice stops me cold.

“Well, well. The human scientist, sneaking out of the palace at dawn. How...predictable.”

I turn to find Aria watching me, her expression cold and calculating. She is immaculately dressed despite the early hour, not a hair out of place. I’m acutely aware of my rumpled clothes and messy hair.

“I’m not sneaking,” I say, lifting my chin. “I work here, remember?”

She steps closer, nostrils flaring slightly. Then her eyes widen, disgust twisting her features. “You smell like him,” she hisses. “He’s all over you.”

I take an involuntary step back. “I don’t know what you’re—”

“Don’t insult my intelligence,” she snaps. “You’ve been with Griffin. In his bed.”

Heat floods my face, but I refuse to be shamed. “That’s none of your business.”

Her laugh is cold and brittle. “Oh, sweetheart. Everything about Griffin is my business. Our families have been entwined for generations. We’ve been meant for each other since we were children.”

“That’s not what he says,” I reply, hating the defensive note in my voice.

“Of course it isn’t. He’s been affected by his captivity.

Confused.” She steps closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper.

“But he’ll come to his senses soon enough.

The elders won’t allow him to waste himself on a human.

Know your place, Dr. Sorin. You’re a momentary distraction, nothing more. ”

“That’s enough, Aria.”

We both turn to see Erik striding toward us, his expression thunderous. Aria takes a step back, composing her features into a mask of innocence.

“Erik! I was just—”

“I heard exactly what you were ‘just’ doing,” he cuts her off, voice cold. “And I suggest you stop. Now.”

She glances between us, lips pressed into a thin line. Then, with a stiff nod, she turns and walks away, her back ramrod straight.

Erik watches her go before turning to me. “Are you alright?”

I nod, though my hands are trembling slightly. “Fine. Just...surprised.”

His expression softens. “Don’t let her get to you. The noble families are very traditional. They don’t like change.”

“And I’m definitely a change,” I mutter.

“A good one,” Erik says firmly. “I haven’t seen my brother this alive in...well, ever, actually.” He smiles at me. “I’m glad he finally told you the truth.”

I frown. “The truth about what?”

Erik’s smile falters. “About...you know. The bond.”

“What bond?”

His eyes widen fractionally, and I see the moment he realizes his mistake. “Oh. I thought—After last night—He didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what, Erik?” I demand, a knot forming in my stomach.

He runs a hand through his hair, looking uncharacteristically uncomfortable. “It’s not really my place to—”

“Tell me,” I insist, stepping closer. “Whatever it is, I deserve to know.”

He sighs heavily. “You’re right. You do deserve to know.” He glances around, then gestures to a small alcove nearby. “Come on. This isn’t a conversation for the middle of a corridor.”

I follow him, dread building with each step. Once we have relative privacy, he turns to me, his expression serious.

“Maya, you and Griffin...You’re fated mates.”

I stare at him. “We’re what?”

“Fated mates,” he repeats. “The Goddess marks two souls as perfectly matched. The bond is profound. Unbreakable.”

The alcove seems to tilt slightly. “And Griffin knows this? He’s known all along?”

Erik hesitates, then nods. “He’s known since you were in that cell together. He recognized it the moment he was able to think clearly again.”

A cold weight settles in my chest. “All this time...He never said anything.”

“He was trying to protect you,” Erik says quickly. “You were already dealing with so much trauma, and the implications of being a wolf king’s fated mate...It’s a lot to put on someone.”

“That wasn’t his decision to make,” I say, voice tight with hurt. “He should have told me. I had a right to know.”

“You’re right,” Erik agrees, sighing. “And I think he knows that, too. But Griffin has spent his life protecting others. It’s instinct for him.

” He puts a gentle hand on my shoulder. “My brother cares for you, Maya. More than I’ve ever seen him care for anyone.

You’re the first good thing to happen to him in a decade. ”

The sincerity in his voice makes my anger falter, but the hurt remains. “I need to think. I need some space.”

Erik nods, dropping his hand. “Of course. But Maya? Don’t push him away for too long. The full moon is coming, and for fated pairs...” He hesitates.

“What?” I prompt him.