Page 31 of Third Offense

That was not fucking happening.

“What is wrong with you two?” Layla threw her hands up in the air, her gaze swiveling between us. “So he’s a compatible mate. That doesn’t mean I’m replacing either of you with him.” She paused to consider that. “Well, actually, if you’re going to behave like animals, then maybe—”

Novak grabbed her by the hips before I could and tossed her onto the bed.

She yelped as he flew over her, caging her beneath his feathers. “Do. Not. Finish. That. Statement.” The words were uttered through his teeth, causing my own jaw to clench.

“Novak,” I warned, not appreciating the manhandling of our mate. It didn’t matter that I’d wanted to say and do the same thing. I had better control than he did.

Well, usually.

Definitely didn’t around Ketos, I thought, rubbing my hand over my face.Right. Okay. Apology probably needed. Sort of.

“What was I just saying about animals?” Layla asked sweetly.

Novak growled.

Layla growled right back, although with the fierceness of a kitten that I found admirable and adorable at the same time. Because she’d just challenged one of the most lethal angels I’d ever met.

An angel that Ketos had flattened like a damn pancake, I marveled.Son of two gods. Yeah, I believed it after that act..

“You can’t just—”

Novak silenced her with his mouth, his kiss far more gentle than the violence radiating off him. He clearly had some pent up aggression from his one-sided fight with Ketos. Normally, I’d let him take it out on me. But it seemed he wanted to play with Layla instead.

Every day seemed to change him more. All because of Layla. She was softening him, yet allowing him to keep those savage edges while thawing his heart to her.

It was miraculous to observe.

I wouldn’t call ittaming. However, it certainly was that to an extent.

He tempered his instincts around her, ensuring she could see the tenderness inside him while he maintained a psychotic shell for the rest of the world. Something he did now as his wings kept her captive while he kissed the hell out of her.

Her fight ceased, her fingers weaving through his hair as her body gave into his heady call. And ever so slowly, she wrapped her legs around his waist.

He calmed more each passing minute, the rage seeping out of him into a pool of lust.

I could smell it, the erotic mix of cherries, leather, smoke, andman.

Novak was a beast. A feral lover. A dark existence I’d craved most of my adult life.

While Layla, she was the sweet antidote to all our pain and suffering, the dessert we didn’t know we needed and could never live without.

She moaned his name, arching into him as he palmed her breast.

“Your mate,” he growled. “Say it.”

My lips curled, suddenly understanding this game.

“Animal,” she replied instead, clearly grasping his intent as well.

He fisted her tunic-like shirt and yanked it off her, causing her to hiss in response. It hadn’t been gentle and he’d definitely ripped the fabric. Fortunately, she had a brand new closet full of clothes to pick from to replace the garment.

The tunic had come from some storage locker at the prison, anyway. I doubted she’d miss it.

Novak’s actions left her hair mussed on the bed, the picture of ravaged female without the afterglow of an orgasm.

“I’m your mate,” he said, his voice still holding a touch of anger. “You will say it.”