Page 33 of Crescent Warrior

Swallowing convulsively, he hugged her close, her body lax in his arms. Her wolf wasn’t fighting anymore now that they were skin to skin.

For so long he prayed to hold her like this. For them to be together. But it wasn’t meant to be. He had fucked up too bad. He had broken his unbreakable mate.

My best friend.

Her words tore him from the inside out. He no longer held that role in her life. She gifted it to another. Someone who she felt safe with. Someone who took better care of her than he did.

It shattered him, but he wasn’t going to make it harder for her. If he wanted to have any place in her life at all, he needed to get his shit together.

“Lyta,” he whispered, pressing kisses to her wet cheeks, “I don’t want this for us. Let’s just get through your heat, alright?”

She shook her head.

“Just do it, Cole. I can’t fight it anymore.”

He clenched his jaw, lifting her to the bed. Stroking her hair, he settled her next to him, hooking his arm over her waist, their heads on the same pillow. He tugged the blanket over them, bundling them into a cocoon of intimacy.

Her eyes widened as she realized what he was doing. This was how they slept as children. He didn’t know how to reach her right now, but he would be damned if he took advantage of his mate when she was down.

He wanted Lyta. Fighting him or loving him. There was no way he would do anymore damage to their tentative bond.

He stroked his fingers through her hair and she searched his face, her eyes vulnerable and sad. She was still trembling, the scent of her heat strong, his wolf howling and his body begging him to touch her, but he held strong.

Seeming to realize this, she moved closer in increments, slowly cuddling into him. He released the breath he didn’t realize he was holding when she settled fully against him.

He didn’t need her as his mate. He just needed her. Even if she only accepted his friendship, that would be enough. He fucked up by rushing her, marking her. He pushed her over an edge she wasn’t ready for.

She buried her face against his throat, sobs wracking her body. He gritted his teeth, knowing he was the reason for every single tear.

“I’m sorry, my Lyta,” he whispered against her hair.

She clutched him closer, sobbing harder. Stroking her sweat-dampened locks, he felt her body fall into an exhausted sleep. He had been too rough on her today. Working her body and emotions too hard. He needed to back off.

He would be there for her through her heat, but he wasn’t going to touch her unless she needed him to. They both couldn’t handle that right now.

“Cole,” she murmured sleepily, nuzzling his throat.

He closed his eyes, soothed by her scent and her skin. He never thought he would ever feel her in his arms again after being without her for such a long time. If it took him centuries to move past this stage, so be it. He had all the time in the world and he would use every day to try to make her happy.

Hippolyta woke slowly, groggily, her eyes burning, but her body lax and satisfied. She was so warm she wanted to go right back to sleep, but something was wrong. The comforting scent all around her was Cole’s.

Her eyes snapped open and she was met with his tanned skin, naked and laid out in front of her. His breathing was slow and even in sleep, his arm tight around her. She was settled in the crook of his neck and he was surrounding her protectively.

Gods, I’ve missed this.

There wasn’t a night that she didn’t miss being in his arms. She always felt so safe like this.

He held her as if he wanted to protect her, even when she could kick his ass across the sparring mat and back. She felt the tingle of panic start in her chest at the thought of her heat but pushed it back.

He didn’t touch me.

She gave him permission, telling him that he could do whatever he wanted with her, and instead of spreading her legs and letting his wolf take over, he cradled her gently, stroking her hair until she fell asleep.

My Cole.

She missed him so much. He was always so considerate and kind, going above and beyond to take care of her.

She moaned as she realized that her body felt like it was dying, though. She was burning from the inside out.

---