My wolf is furious.
How dare another female touch me like I belong to her.
'Because you always let them before,' Cade snaps, his voice sharp and unforgiving.
"She should have known better," I bite back. "She's met Sam."
'And you treated Rosie like she did nothing wrong,' he growls, rage bleeding through the bond. 'She touched you that night too. Right in front of our mate. How do you think she feels when females are constantly trying to claim you?'
I grit my teeth, jaw tightening as I stalk down the corridor, my aura leaking out no matter how hard I try to rein it in. "I have a pretty damn good idea," I mutter, the memory of Mayla and Enoch's report flashing hot and violent through my mind. "And when I see Clearwater's heir, I'm going to rip his throat out."
Power coils around me, thick and dangerous.
'Calm the fuck down before you scare her even more, asshole,' Cade snaps—and then slams our mental wall shut.
Silence crashes in.
I stop just short of the entrance hall, breathing hard. I won't let her see me like this. I know she's in there—her scent hits me the second I pause. Tropical. Warm. Hers.
Fuck.
It makes my cock twitch, makes my control fray at the edges.
Calm down, Kieran. Breathe.
I inhale slowly. Exhale. Again. Straightening my back, I lift my head and step into the hall.
Everyone is gathered—dressed for a casual but still formal dinner. Even Dirge is here. My eyes find Samantha instantly.
Goddess.
She's wearing a fitted beige long-sleeve top, a navy knee-length pleated skirt, nude heels, simple gold bracelets. Nothing extravagant. Nothing loud.
And yet she owns the room.
She carries herself like a queen already—effortless, natural. Not just a queen.
A ruling monarch.
The truth settles heavy in my chest. If she truly is a White Wolf, the crown belongs to her by right.
And I would give it to her.
I would give her everything.
But how do we fight the Elders? How do I protect her from what she is becoming?
I shake my head, forcing the thoughts away.
Cameran's voice cuts through the room. "All I'm saying is—I have questions. Two men? Two Alphas? At the same time?"
I catch Sam shifting uncomfortably, cheeks flushing. "Goddess, Cam, please don't ask her that when we get there," she groans, shaking her head before turning to Mayla. "Help me out, May."
May.
Since when are they on nickname terms?
Enoch steps up beside me. "We're ready, sir. Are you?"
My attention snaps back to Sam. She keeps shifting, rubbing her hands against her skirt.
Is she uncomfortable? Hurt?
"Uh—yes," I answer absently, unable to stop watching her.
"We're taking the jet," Enoch adds.
That pulls me fully back. "Why? It's only a few hours. Three at most."
He shrugs. "We don't want to separate from the females."
I nod slowly. "Yeah. No—that's good." My gaze drifts back to Sam. She's wiping her palms again, flustered. Uneasy. "That's a good idea."
Enoch raises a brow, nods, and walks away.
Mayla claps her hands. "Alright, everyone. Let's go—the pilot's already waiting."
People start filing out. I end up last, right behind Samantha—not that I'm complaining. Her scent wraps around me, intoxicating.
Goddess, I wish I could—
She shuts the door.
Suddenly, it's just us.
She turns fast, rising onto her toes, grabbing my tie and yanking me down. Her mouth crashes into mine without warning.
I don't hesitate.
My hands slide to her thighs, lifting her easily as she wraps her legs around my waist. I slam her back against the door, the impact rattling through me. She tastes citrusy lime and a hint of coconut.
Mouthwatering.
My hand cups her jaw, thumb brushing her skin as my mouth claims hers—hard, hungry. The kiss ignites like a spark to dry air. She gasps, and I take everything she gives, pouring every restrained thought into the way my lips move against hers.
She tastes like defiance.
Like need.
I pull her closer, desperate for contact, for proof she's real,here-with me. Her fingers tangle in my hair, grounding me and undoing me all at once. The kiss isn't gentle. It's claiming. Starving. The kind that leaves my pulse roaring.
When I finally pull back, it's only because I need air. My forehead presses to hers, my body still leaning in, like distance might break something fragile between us.
I don't want to let her go.
So I don't.
I crush my mouth back to hers, deeper this time, rougher—like I'm trying to say everything I don't trust myself to voice. She moans, grinding against me, searching for friction.
Her arousal hits me, and I almost lose it.
My hands move on instinct—over her back, her waist, pulling her flush to me, memorizing her heat, the way she fits like she was always meant to. She melts into my touch, shivering, responding just as fiercely.
It lights something feral in me.
I kiss down her jaw, her neck. Goddess—she tastes divine. I grind against her, right where I know she's desperate for it.
"Kieran," she gasps.
I swallow the sound with my mouth.
I could live here forever. Just her. Just this—
A knock.
We freeze.
Breathing hard, foreheads pressed together.
"Uh—sorry, sir," Enoch's muffled voice comes through the door. "Didn't mean to interrupt your… conversation."
"Conversation my ass," Cameran yells. "They're dry-fucking against the door."
Sam drops her head against my shoulder with a groan.
And somehow, even then—