Page 158 of Eclipse Sector

I hadn’t realized how much I needed her to say that. Todemandit. Because it only further proved that we were meant to be. “Always telling me what to do,” I murmured back to her.

She stole a breath, suggesting she was about to say something else, maybe utter another command.

But the air escaped from her on a gasp as I sank my canines into her neck.

Her blood touched my tongue in the next instant, stirring a possessive growl from my chest, one that immediately morphed into a purr. Because her essence washeaven. Citrusy yet tangy. Alluringly seductive. And one hundred percentmine.

I swallowed three pulls before I finally moved away to stare down at my stunning mate. Her blissed-out expression told me she’d liked that bite and very much wanted to feel it again.

I obliged by leaning down and nibbling on her lip just hard enough to break the surface. Then I laved away the hurt and claimed her with my mouth.

Kissing her to my heart’s content.

Owningher with each swipe of my tongue.

All while she writhed and moaned in my arms.

It took significant effort to pull away, to press my forehead to hers, but I needed to confirm that she was truly okay. Truly healed. Trulyalive.

Because those few short seconds without her had felt like an eternity of loss.

Part of me recognized the insanity of that need—of course she’s fucking alive—but I had to make sure this wasn’t a dream. It felt too fantastic to be real life. To bemylife.

However, as I stared down into her lust-filled gaze, all I found was my future. My renewed existence. Myworld.

“I love you,” I told her. “I love you so fucking much.”

Her palm caressed my cheek, her thumb drawing a line beneath my eye. “Good, Alpha. Now tell me you’ll love me forever.”

Her cheeky reply had me laughing outright, her penchant for telling me what to do in full form. “Who am I to deny such a beautiful Omega?” I mused. “One I will absolutelylove forever.”

Ivana’s gaze sparkled. “Finally,” she said with a sigh as I slowly lowered her to her feet with my hands holding her hips. “You’refinallylistening to me.”

I chuckled, pulling her against me in a hug. “I’ve always listened to you, Vana.” That had never been the problem. “I just had to learn tohearyou.”

She tilted her head back to reveal a flirtatious grin. “It helped that you took your head out of your ass.”

I laughed again and shook my head. “You’re lucky I love you, Omega, or I would be tempted to spankyourass for talking to me like that.”

She shivered. “That sounds like a reward more than a?—”

Someone cleared their throat, causing my wolf to growl at the unexpected—and very fuckingunwelcome—interruption.

“While this has been entertaining and all, I’d like someone to explain to me what the fuck just happened to my Elite,” Cael said, a hint of waning patience in his tone.

“He attacked my mate,” I returned without looking at him. “So Ivana and I attacked him.”

“Yes, with impressive power,” Cael drawled. “But I would like to understand what led to that bout of insanity. I assume it has something to do with your lackluster fighting skills?”

I grunted, finally looking at him. “There was nothing wrong with my fighting skills.”

“Please don’t treat me like I’m an idiot, Cillian. Eventually, I will become offended and we’ll engage in a real fight. Outside. As wolves. With our teeth and claws.” His eyes seemed to narrow more with every word he spoke. “Tell me what the fuck is going on.”

“Granger’s been playing us,” Grey growled as he dropped a stack of journals on the ground beside Granger’s prone form. “And I’ve confirmed Ashlyn’s location.”

“Where is she?” Cael demanded.

Grey’s glacial eyes met mine as he replied, “Eclipse Sector.”