Selene

I’m feeding on him, my teeth sinking into his skin as his blood fills my mouth. His hand strokes my back gently, and I can feel the warmth of his touch even through the haze of my hunger.

“I love you,” he says softly.

I pause, lifting my head to look into his eyes. “I know it’s the wrong time and place,” he continues, his words spilling out in a rush. “But I love you, and I need you to know that.”

I wipe the blood from my lips with the back of my hand, feeling overwhelmed by his words. Leaning in, I press my lips to his in a soft, tender kiss. At first, it’s hesitant and uncertain, but then it deepens, becoming more urgent and more passionate.

Pulling away slightly, I meet his gaze with a fluttering heart. “I love you too,” I whisper.

He holds me close, his arms wrapped tightly around me as we kiss, the world falling away around us. “I was so scared,” I admit, my voice trembling with emotion.

He gently brushes his thumb along my cheek. “I was never going to let anything happen to you.”

I lean into his touch, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. “Mark me,” I whisper, the words spilling out before I can stop them.

He pulls back slightly, confusion flickering in his eyes. “What?” he asks, surprised.

“I want to be your mate,” I say, the words coming out in a rush. “All that time, when I was almost dying, when I was being injected by my brother... all I could think about was that I never said yes to being your mate.”

“Baby?”

“Mark me, Liam. Let me be forever yours!”

He cups my cheek in his hand. “I can’t mark you,” he says softly, regretfully. “It would involve knotting you, and we can’t do that here.”

My core tightens at the thought of his cock inside me. I press my thighs together.

Fuck! I had missed him.

“I promise I will make love to you until I am etched into your skin. You will always remember that I was inside you. That you have always been mine.” He traces the corner of my lips, and I shiver.

I can’t wait.

I nod, understanding his hesitation. “Okay,” I say, my voice barely above a whisper. “Tonight, then.”

He kisses me again, his lips soft and tender against mine. “Tonight,” he agrees.

“I love you,” I whisper.

His lips are tantalizingly close, ready to kiss me again, when Ariana’s voice brings us back to the grim reality of our situation.

“The spell is complete,” she announces.

Colt follows up with a somber update, “Nobody at home is answering our calls.”

Raskogr interjects, “We’ve altered the humans’ memories. All they will remember is that they were on a camping trip. I’ll lead them to the edge of the forest before joining you.”

We exchange nods of understanding. The plan is clear.

Rising to my feet, I feel a surge of newfound strength coursing through me. Liam’s presence beside me is both comforting and empowering. Together, we can face anything.

“Ready?” Liam asks.

“Ready!” I affirm.

As we exchange nods of agreement, a sense of urgency propels us forward. We move towards the waiting cars, and I steel myself for the challenges that await.