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He catches my finger and nips the tip. “And I’ll keep every single one.”

I roll onto my belly and yawn, too tired to stay awake another minute. Ezra rubs my back in long, lazy strokes. “Go to sleep,” he murmurs. “Or I won’t take you to see the Mer tomorrow.”

My eyes are already closing. “You make me feel so safe, Ezra.”

“Good.” He nuzzles my shoulder. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

I’m asleep in minutes. I wake up drenched in sweat with the sheets stuck to my skin. Heat burns through me from the inside out. I push up onto my elbows and drag a hand over my face. What the hell is happening to me?

A deep, hollow ache starts low in my belly and spreads. I moan through another wave and arch off the bed with my thighs clamped together.

My heat cycle is here. My wolf has been ready, and I guess I am too.

I have no idea how long I was out. The room is still dark, with no sound but Ezra breathing slow and even beside me. My arms shake when I try to get up on my hands and knees. The ache clamps down again, harder this time. My fingers shift into claws. I dig them into the mattress and fight the change back down.

“Oh shit,” I pant. “What the fuck.”

Ezra is asleep on his side with his face to me and no idea what’s coming. Every time I breathe him in, the ache gets worse. I feel bad about waking him, but my wolf has no such shame. She wants him, and she wants him now.

He stirs, probably from the change in my scent. His eyes snap open at a real whiff of me.

He sits up with a smug grin on his face that makes me want to smack him. I growl when he reaches out to stroke my cheek.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I snarl. “Get back there and make this ache go away.”

I tear my panties off and throw them across the room. My wolf is screaming to present, to get on my hands and knees so he can take me from behind. That’s how it’s supposed to be. She has zero doubts about it.

Ezra moves behind me. I think he understands, but then he flips me onto my back and climbs on top instead.

He leans in for a kiss. I shove my hand against his chest. “What? No, this isn’t right.”

He pins my hip to the bed as soon as I try to roll onto my belly. “I just want to look into your eyes, Aya,” he pleads. “I promise we’ll do it the traditional way, but let me see you. I don’t want to just breed you. I want to make love to you for the first time.”

My wolf still wants my ass in the air, but he’s looking at me like he’s been waiting his whole life to ask. How can I say no to that?

I’m shaking from the ache, and only he can make it stop. I nod and press my lips together, but I’m crying. “I’m scared,” I whisper.

“I know, baby.” He brushes the tears from my cheeks with his thumbs. “I’ve got you. I’m right here.”

Ezra fits himself between my legs and kisses me. His mouth is desperate and hungry on mine. He kicks off his pants and boxer briefs without breaking the kiss.

I moan at how hard he is against my thigh. He’s fever-hot everywhere our skin touches. I grab at his shoulders and haul him down. I don’t care how greedy I sound.

He pulls back from my mouth and presses his forehead to mine. He pants against my lips. “I’ve been dreaming of this moment,” he rasps. “Finally becoming one with you. Since the night I pulled you into the janitor’s closet at the Academy, I could smell your wolf calling to me when you didn’t understand.” His eyes go wet. “I love you, Aya. This is just the beginning of our forever.”

I want to say I love him too, but another ache seizes me. I whimper and buck my hips with my eyes rolled back.

He slicks the head of his dick up and down my pussy and coats himself in my wetness. Every drag over my clit makes me jump. I’d be embarrassed by how loud I gasp if I didn’t need more so bad.

He’s never done this either. His hands are steady on me, but his breath isn’t. I catch the sharp edge under the lust in his scent. He’s scared too.

I cup his face. “It’s okay. I want this. I want you. Only you.”

He lines himself up and eases in. I hiss at the burn of my body stretching to take him and sink my nails into his back. Ezra’s face twists with how careful he’s being.

“Are you okay?” he asks. He keeps his arms locked beside my head.

“Yes,” I manage. “Just… give me a second.”