<b>Chapter </b><b>134 </b>


    “How what?”


    He took a step closer. “How do you still smell like fate?”


    I rolled my eyes. “Maybe you’re just horny.”


    He grinned, and fuck, it was lethal. “I’ve never been this hungry in my life.”


    Gods, I was gonna punch him. Or climb him like a tree.


    “You don’t get to im me,” I snapped. “That’s not how this works.”


    “You think I wanted this?” he growled, stepping right into my space. “I’ve met thousands of females. No bond. No pull. And then you walk in, human. Mortal. Mouthy, and my beast lost his mind.<b>” </b>


    I felt it then. A ripple under my skin. Heat coiling low and tight.


    “You don’t even have a wolf,” he said, almost like it offended him. “And still, I want to tear apart anyone who looks at you.”


    I backed up until I hit the fountain. No escape. He caged me in with his body<b>, </b>close enough to feel the heat, the tension, the war behind


    his eyes.


    “Touch me and I’ll break your nose,” I warned, my voice low.


    He smiled like I <b>just </b>gave him permission.


    “I don’t need to touch you to ruin you.”


    Then he leaned down, <b>so </b>close his breath danced across my jaw, and grazed his nose against my cheek.


    “But gods, I want to.” <fnbd61> Readplete version only at fι?dnοvel</fnbd61>


    My legs shook. I was going to kill him. Or kiss him. Maybe both.


    Lyle Vyrtec POV


    Her scent was wild. Adrenaline and vani and fire forged steel. She was shaking. Not in fear. In restraint. She didn’t want to want me….and that only made Veo growl louder inside me.


    “im her,” he snarled, pacing in my chest. “She is ours. She is the only thing that’s ever made the world go quiet.”


    Her warning still echoed between <b>us</b>…“Touch me and I’ll break your nose.”


    But gods, the way her breath hitched when I leaned in, when my lips brushed the curve of her cheek, when I whispered what I’d do to her


    if she let me…


    Yeah. She wanted this just as badly.


    “My name’s Lyle,” I said, my voice thick with heat. “And the beast wing under my skin? That’s Veo. He’s my lion. He chose you the moment he saw you.”


    She didn’t speak. Didn’t move. So I stepped closer, pressing her gently into the fountain’s edge.


    “I’m not asking for forever. Not yet.” My hand hovered just over her waist. “But I am going to mark you. Tonight. Here. With your permission.”


    My mouth moved to her ear, my breath ragged. “Because if I don’t, I swear to the gods, I’m going to lose my fucking mind.”


    Her breath stuttered. Her chest rose and fell fast. But she didn’t pull away.


    “Say yes,” Veo begged, his voice full of raw longing. “She’s perfect. Ours. Now.”


    I pulled back just enough to look at her. Her lips were parted. Her pulse fluttered like wings in her throat.


    Then she whispered it…barely audible.


    3


    “Do it.”


    And that was it. I sank to my knees before her, pressing my forehead to her stomach as Veo surged forward in my chest. My hands gripped her hips gently, reverently, like I was holding something holy.


    I looked up and met her eyes. “You’re fucking perfect,” I growled. “You’re my fucking moon.”


    Then I stood up, and pressed my mouth to the soft spot where her neck met her shoulder, kissed her once…


    And then bit down. The mark red, hot, gold, and iming. I poured Veo’s power into her, not to possess, but to anchor. To say…. you are mine, and I will protect you until the stars burn out.


    She cried out, half a moan, half a gasp, and her hands fisted in my shirt like she needed me to stay grounded.


    “You feel it now?<b>” </b>I whispered against her skin. “The bond?”


    She nodded. She was dazed…and glowing.


    “Say it,” I demanded. “Say you’re mine.”


    She looked down at me, fierce and flushed and ruined in the best way.


    “I’m yours<b>.</b><b>” </b>


    We walked back into the ballroom together, her tucked under my arm, my mark glowing on her skin, her scent nowced with mine.


    People turned and stared. I didn’t care. Veo growled at every male who looked twice. One witch actually gasped when Monroe walked by. Another wolf muttered something, and I growled so loud half the room went still.


    <b>“</b>Touch her,” I said, “and I’ll end you.”


    She didn’t even flinch. She just grabbed my hand, pulled me onto the dance floor…


    And started moving like she hadn’t just changed my entire fucking life.


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