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I can’t stop thinking about tomorrow night. The full moon.The mating heat. Everything that could change between us.

Is Elsie thinking about it too?

Does she want me? Does she want to be mine?

Eventually, her breathing deepens beside me.

I wait until I’m sure she’s asleep before I reach for her. I cradle her against my chest, and she lets out a sleepy sigh.

Whatever happens tomorrow, tonight she’s here.

I close my eyes and let sleep claim me too.

8

Elsie

I wake up hot.

Not warm from the blanket or the sunlight spilling through the curtains. Hot from the inside out, like every drop of blood in my body has been replaced with molten lava.

I kick the blanket away and suck in a breath. Pyrce's arm is wrapped around my waist, and the second I become aware of him, the heat gets worse.

His chest is pressed against my back, solid and warm. His face is tucked against my hair, and his breath brushes the side of my neck. He must have pulled me into his arms after I fell asleep.

I should be startled.

I should move away.

Instead, I press closer.

Pyrce goes completely still behind me.

“Elsie?” His voice is rough with sleep.

A shiver goes through me, and I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to control my breathing. “Is this the mating heat?”

His arm tightens for one second, then loosens quickly, and I know he’s forcing himself to let me go.

“Probably,” he says. “How do you feel?”

Like I might combust if he doesn’t touch me.

“Warm,” I say instead.

He makes a strangled sound. His fingers tighten against my waist, and I squirm in his hold, rolling over to face him. His green eyes are brighter than usual, and his jaw is clenched. He’s shirtless, which doesn’t help. My gaze slips down his chest before I can stop it.

“Just warm?” he asks.

“Very warm.”

“I can leave.”

The words slice through the haze in my head.

“What?” I panic, sitting up in bed.

“If being around me makes it harder, I’ll go. I can stay with Ansel or sleep in the woods tonight. Whatever you need.” He pushes himself up, already preparing to get out of bed. “You don’t have to decide anything today. The heat will pass.”