Page 10 of Wanted By the Cartel

I growled in pure approval, letting my hands roam over his body, memorizing every curve and plane because it was what I needed. Each touch drew new sounds from him, each caress strengthened our bond. His own hands weren't idle, exploring me with equal fervor, leaving trails of tingling magic that made my wolf want to howl with pleasure.

"I've never," he panted between kisses, "felt anything like this. Like you."

"Because we're meant for each other," I murmured against his skin. "Feel it, Lyrian. Feel how right this is."

And he did feel it—I could sense his awareness growing through this moment, which we both didn't want to ruin. The way our magics molded together, the perfect synchronization of our bodies, the deepening bond that made every touch more intense, more meaningful.

His resistance wasn't gone entirely—I could still feel him holding something back, protecting some final piece of himself. But that was right too. I didn't want blind submission; I wanted him as he was, fierce and independent and magnificent.

"I'm not running this time," he whispered, and the promise in those words meant more than any submission could have. "Not from this. Not from you. I'm done running and always arriving at the same place."

I rewarded him with another feverish kiss, pouring all my approval and desire into it. His power sang in response, wrapping around us both like a blanket of starlight. This was what the old stories meant about moon-blessed omegas—not just their power, but their capacity for this kind of connection, this perfect blending of strength and allowing someone into his life.

When we broke apart minutes later, both breathing with difficulty, his eyes had changed—still wary, but now with an underlying certainty. He understood now what we could be together, and that knowledge had transformed his fear into something else.

It was scary, yes—more than that, in fact—but there was no denying that he wanted it. He longed to experience what he had been denying himself all this time.

"I never thought I'd say this, and it still kind of doesn't make sense, but… take me home, Zoren," he said, and the trust in those words made my heart clench. "Show me what it means to belong somewhere. To belong to someone without losing myself."

And then, we would get to know each other better. I couldn't live with him without understanding the kind of person he was. He was meant to be mine, yes, but that didn't replace the need to know what made him tick.

I pressed my forehead to his, feeling our magic pulse in perfect harmony. "Yes," I growled, already imagining all the ways I would prove myself worthy of that trust. "Let me show you everything, little moon. Let me show you what we can be together."

Chapter 7

Lyrian

I never expected living with an alpha to feel like this. The thought just never crossed my mind. Everything I knew about them—about being owned, controlled, caged—crumbled in the face of how Zoren treated me. He was different, better. I never thought he was. I never thought my time with him was going to be as great as it was.

The first week in his penthouse suite atop the Nightshade Tower was a revelation. My own space, filled with books and magical artifacts he thought I'd enjoy studying. There was so much to see! Freedom to come and go as I pleased, though I rarely wanted to leave. To be honest, I shouldn't. Despite the protection of the cartel, there were still people looking for me, and they wanted to hurt me.

And Zoren himself... gods, the way he looked at me like I was something precious rather than something to possess. I could never forget the way he looked at me. There was never a chance that something like that could happen, as he always came to see me every day.

This morning, I woke to find him watching me, those amber eyes soft with an emotion I was starting to recognize. His hand traced lazy patterns on my bare skin, each touch sending sparks of magic through my body. All my instincts screamed to press closer, to let him claim me again, and that just might happen.

"You talk in your sleep," he murmured, nuzzling my neck where his mark would eventually go. The thought made me shiver in a good way. "Ancient spells, mostly. Where did you learn them?"

I curled into his warmth, allowing myself this moment of vulnerability. It didn't happen often, so I was relishing it. I just hadn't had many opportunities to let my guard down.

"My grandmother. She was the last of our coven before..." I trailed off, but Zoren understood. He always seemed to understand. One could say it was one of his powers.

His arms tightened around me. "Tell me about her," he whispered against my skin, and somehow, I did.

I thought I would never tell someone about my family, but with Zoren, it was different.

Stories spilled from my lips—of midnight lessons in moonlight magic, of healing spells and protection wards, of a strong woman who taught me to value my power rather than fear it. Zoren listened with the utmost attention, asking questions that showed genuine interest rather than strategic probing.

He wanted to know because he wanted to make me feel better, and not because it benefited him.

"She would have liked you," I admitted, tracing the wolf tattoo on his arm. The magic within it responded to my fingertips, making him growl. "She always said I needed someone who could match me, not master me." And that person was him.

His kiss was gentle but hungry, mirroring the need deep within his wolfish heart. "Smart woman," he breathed againstmy lips. "Because mastering you would be like trying to capture moonlight, and as much as some people may try to do it, it's just not possible."

My magic surged at his words, reaching for his automatically now. The mate bond between us grew stronger each day, making it impossible to hide how much I wanted him, needed him, and craved his presence in every way.

Later that same afternoon, I found him in his study, surrounded by ancient texts. He'd been researching moon-blessed omegas, trying to understand my powers better. Good for him and us. I also wanted to know more about who I was.

The sight of this powerful alpha dedicating himself to learning about me, about us, made my heart clench. His dedication to us was impressive. I had never seen anything quite like it.

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