Page 15 of Eclipse of the Pack

"From what I've heard, yes. There's something about the bond that just makes it more intense," she answered, pressing herself into him.

They lay there in silence for a few moments, just basking in their post-orgasmic bliss. But as the contentment faded whenthe flood of happy chemicals ebbed, Ivy could feel the world starting to creep back in on the edges of their sexual sanctum. There was a whole lot of danger on their horizon, which made her want to hold onto this moment even more. Once the spell was broken, they'd have to plan their next move.

There was still so much to do, and they were working with very limited resources. She tried to pull his arm around her tighter, as though the strength of his embrace could be enough to hold the world at bay.

"Are you okay?" he asked. The concern in his voice melted Ivy's heart.

She wasn't sure that every fated mate was good, but she felt like she'd gotten someone good and caring. She turned and looked at him.

"Yeah, I just don't want this to end," she said with a sigh.

"Would be nice, but there are certain limitations us mere mortals face. Like I'm really thirsty. I need some water. Can I get you some water, too?"

Ivy laughed and said, "Would hate for us to get dehydrated. Yes, please."

She watched him walk out of the bedroom, admiring the view as he left. She repositioned herself until she was sitting up in bed, resting her back on the headboard.

The room smelled of sex, and she smiled. She looked over at the clock on the wall and realized several hours had passed. For a human, Jon did have stamina.

He returned a moment later, holding out a glass of water for her with a grin.

"What are you smiling about?" she asked.

"I have plenty of reason to smile, but mostly I have a gorgeous woman naked in bed."

Ivy took a long swallow of water. As soon as she did, she realized just how thirsty she was and down the rest of the glass.

He took the empty glass from her and set it on the bedside table before crawling back onto the mattress with her. This time he lay on his back, and she rested her head on his chest. The stillness of the moment was almost as good as the sex at pushing her other concerns away.

Yes, they needed to figure out what to do next, but she could feel her eyes getting heavy. She wouldn't be able to think well enough for a good plan. They'd have to figure out things in the morning. Her muscles started to relax, and she let the steady beat of Jon's heart lull her to sleep.

18

JONATHEN

He awoke the next morning to sunlight. The light streamed in through the half cracked blinds, illuminating the otherwise dim room just enough for him to see her. His wife - his mate. As foreign as the word had been to him, he knew it was right. Itfeltright.

Ivy was still asleep. Her hair was a mess from sleep and the night before. His mate’s slender body was tucked into his, all curled up, their legs tangled together. Even in her sleep Ivy kept him close.

Jon had never thought he would find‘the one’. The thought had always been an out-of-reach daydream and nothing more… He had never thought he would be that lucky. He had certainly never thought that‘the one’would be a wolf either. But as usual, fate had other plans for him.

He stared at her for a long moment before he finally allowed himself to move. He slowly shifted away from her. It was no easy task. Ivy was stubborn and determined even in her sleep. Every move he made to back away was countered. She always shifted closer or wrapped her legs tighter to keep him in place.

Jonathen bit back a laugh and almost admitted defeat. He slipped a pillow between them. Carefully removing her from his side, letting her cuddle the pillow instead. Once again Jon caught himself staring. It was harder for him not to stare.

He shook his head and made his way to the kitchen in search of food.

He found even less options than he had when they first arrived. There was hardly any food in the safehouse to begin with… Stale crackers in addition to the makeshift charcuterie board from the night before would have to do for now.

The sudden thought hit him out of nowhere like a freight train to the chest. It felt as though the air had been punched from his lungs.

Would this always be their life?Always running. Always hiding, always dodging detection and death at every turn? He knew that Gideon’s Torch had been pushing more and more to lock up any shifters they could. Or worse. Recent events had only added fuel to their fire. It would only make them feel in control and justified in their actions.

The mere thought lit a fire of determination in his gut. No. this wouldn’t always be their lives. He would make sure of that. For better or worse, they had to fix this. Jon wasn’t sure if it was even possible. Maybe the system would never be fixed. Maybe they were destined to crash and burn. But, they had to try.

He was pulled from his thoughts by the pillow that collided with the back of his head.

He whipped around, letting out a loud laugh. Ivy stood in the doorway to the bedroom, rubbing sleep from her blue eyes.

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