Page 53 of Across the Crimson Sands

His hand dropped, and I saw a flicker of something - fear? - in his eyes before his face settled into its usual stoic mask. “What about?”

I clenched my fingers, steeling myself. “These past six months have been... incredible. But...”

Rokan’s shoulders tensed, and he took a step back. “But you want to leave.”

“What? No!” I reached for him, gripping his arms. “Rokan, no. That’s not it at all.”

Confusion replaced the guarded look in his eyes. “Then what?”

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. “I want to be your mate. For real. I want the claiming bite.”

Rokan went utterly still. “Arilee,” he said, his voice low and intense. “Do you understand what you’re asking? This is forever. There’s no going back.”

I nodded, not breaking eye contact. “I know. And I’m sure.”

He cupped my face in both hands, his touch achingly gentle. “I need you to be certain. I don’t want you to feel trapped, to lose your freedom-”

I stopped him from saying anything more, placing my hand over his. “Rokan, you’ve never made me feel trapped. You’ve shown me what true freedom is. Freedom to choose, to love, to be myself.”

His eyes softened, and I saw the vulnerability there, the hope he was trying to hold back. “You’re sure?”

In answer, I stretched up on my toes and pressed my lips to his. The kiss was soft at first, a gentle reassurance, but quickly deepened. Rokan’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me flush against his body as a low growl rumbled in his chest.

When we finally broke apart, I looked up at him. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life,” I said.

Rokan’s eyes darkened with desire, and in one swift movement, he lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me to the bed, his lips never leaving mine.

He laid me down gently, his powerful body covering mine. His hands roamed my skin, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I arched into his touch, desperate for more.

Slowly, reverently, we undressed each other. Rokan’s eyes never left mine as he worshiped my body with his hands and mouth. Every touch, every kiss felt like a promise, a declaration of love more powerful than words.

As we joined together, I felt complete in a way I never had before. Rokan moved within me, his rhythm slow and deep, building a pleasure so intense it bordered on pain.

As we neared our peak, Rokan’s lips brushed my ear. “Are you ready?” he asked, his voice rough with desire.

I nodded, tilting my head to expose my neck. “Yes,” I breathed. “Make me yours, Rokan.”

His teeth grazed my skin, every touch like electricity sparking in its wake. And then, as waves of ecstasy crashed over us both, he bit down.

A sudden dizziness swept over me. I tried to focus on Rokan’s face, but my vision swam. His voice sounded distant, as if coming from underwater.

“Arilee? Arilee, what’s wrong?”

I tried to reassure him, but my tongue felt thick and unresponsive. The room darkened at the edges, and I felt myself slipping away. The last thing I registered was Rokan’s strong arms catching me as I fell into unconsciousness.

I awoke to a world transformed. Light streamed through the window, each beam a dazzling array of colors I’d never seen before. I blinked, struggling to process the heightened sensations bombarding me.

A rustle of movement caught my attention, and I turned to see Rokan sitting beside the bed. My heart skipped. He looked terrible - his normally immaculate hair was disheveled, dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his clothes were rumpled as if he’d been wearing them for days.

What had happened to him?

“Rokan?” My voice came out as a croak, my throat dry and scratchy.

His head snapped up. “Arilee,” he breathed, relief evident in his voice. “You’re awake.”

I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness forced me back down. Rokan was at my side in an instant, his hand gently supporting my back.

“Easy,” he murmured. “You’ve been unconscious for four days.”

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