Kian’s POV
I lost control.
The second her lips met mine, the world ceased to exist. It was just her.
Her scent—wildflowers and honey. Her taste—addictive. Her body—soft, warm, made for me.
I kissed her harder, deeper, rougher—like I had been starving for her. Because I had.
Aria moaned against my mouth, her fingers gripping my tunic, fisting the fabric like she was holding on for dear life.
I growled, a low, guttural sound. Mine.
I lifted her, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist. Pressing her against the wall, I trapped her beneath me, my body a cage around hers. Her breath came in ragged gasps, her pupils blown wide with desire.
"Say it," I rasped.
She swallowed, lips swollen and red from my kiss. "Say what?"
I smirked, dragging my mouth along her jaw, down to her throat, inhaling the intoxicating scent of her skin. "That you're mine."
She tensed for a split second, her breath shaky, her lips parting—but no words came.
I smirked, dragging my teeth along the sensitive curve of her neck before biting down, just enough to make her whimper.
"Use your words, sweetheart." My voice was low, edged with warning.
Her hands tightened on my shoulders, nails pressing into my skin. Her breath hitched, and I felt the way her body melted—surrendering, but still holding back.
I leaned in, my lips brushing her ear. "Say it, or I’ll make you beg."
A soft gasp escaped her, her fingers digging deeper into me. She was fighting it, fighting me—but we both knew how this would end.
I dragged my mouth back to hers, my grip tightening on her waist. "Who do you belong to?"
Her body trembled against mine, and then—finally—her voice broke, breathless and needy.
"I'm yours, Kian."
A growl rumbled from my chest. Damn right, she is.
A growl rumbled deep in my chest. That was all I needed.I carried her to the bed, dropping her onto the furs, my body looming over hers. Her breath came in sharp, quick gasps, her thighs parting just enough to invite me closer.
"Last chance, Aria," I murmured, running my hand up her leg, teasing the hem of her gown. "Tell me to stop, and I will."
She licked her lips, her heart pounding against her ribs. But she didn’t tell me to stop. Instead, she arched up, pressing her body against mine.
"Don’t stop."
That was all I needed.
With a nod, I bunched up her skirts and traced my hardened length along her slick folds, teasing her. She gasped, her hips bucking desperately for more. Taking the hint, I pushed inside her in one smooth motion, a guttural moan escaping me as her body clenched around mine.
She was tight. Hot. Perfect.
I crashed my lips against hers, swallowing her gasp as I thrust into her. The rhythm of our bodies found its own rhythm—fast, desperate, primal. Her nails raked down my back, leaving red-hot trails in their wake.
"Kian…" she whimpered, breathless, her body trembling beneath mine.
The bed creaked beneath us, the scent of sweat and lust filling the air. Her cries spurred me on, pushing me closer, faster, harder.
I gripped her hips, pulling her against me as I plunged deeper, claiming her in every way. Her body arched, a strangled moan escaping her lips as she shattered around me, her release dragging me over the edge with her.
I held her through it, pressing my forehead against hers as our bodies pulsed together, as though they had always belonged to one another. For a moment, there was only silence, only the sound of our breathing, the scent of her wrapped around me.
Then—
Bang.
The door slammed open.
Aria gasped, scrambling to pull the furs over her body as I snapped my head up, rage burning through me.
Danielle stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her gaze sweeping over the scene before her lips curled into a smirk.
"Well, well. You’re in here claiming your little distraction while Lucian is making his move."
A growl rumbled in my chest. "Get out."
She rolled her eyes. "Relax, I just thought you should know—the elders are talking to Lucian. Seems I’m not the only one who’s noticed how… preoccupied you’ve been."
Danielle’s smirk deepened. "They’re considering him as the Alpha of your pack, you know. Makes sense—while you’re busy playing, Lucian’s making real moves. He claims he already has a mate."
I felt Aria tensed beside me.
Then Danielle tilted her head. "Figured you’d want to know before they make their final decision. Maybe you’d like to tell them you’ll have a servant for a Luna…" Her gaze flicked to Aria before snapping back to me.
"Or me? The daughter of your father’s most trusted ally and best friend? You wouldn’t want to disappoint them, would you?"