Page 53 of Wolfgang

Wolfe unclasped his hands. “All right, pet, stand up.”

He couldfeelEric pouting.

Wolfe smirked. “For the demonstration, darling.”

Eric stood, his back still to Wolfe.

“Turn around.”

Eric did as he was told. His green eyes were even darker than usual, his mate clearly aroused at the thrill of the hunt.

Perfect creature.

Wolfe rose and stalked forward. “I came around the front, too quickly for her to startle away. Eye contact is key, during compulsion.” He grabbed Eric’s chin with one hand, holding that green gaze to his. “There we are.”

Wolfe let the beast out as slowly as he could, allowing Eric to watch the transformation up close. It made his beast preen, to be the center of their mate’s attention. “When you have a hold, you reassure, you soothe.” He licked at dry lips, avoiding touching his tongue to his fangs. “You’re not afraid, Eric. You’re calm.”

“I’m not afraid. I’m calm.” Eric repeated his words dutifully, as if under real compulsion.

“Perfect, darling. There are many options for where to bite. I chose her wrist. The neck can be seen as—”

“Intimate,” Eric finished for him, a shiver running through him at his own word.

Wolfe smiled, slow and genuine. “Quite.”

But Eric didn’t offer up his wrist. He tilted his head, displaying the taut line of his neck for Wolfe’s perusal. “And then you bit her,” he prompted.

Wolfe hovered, inches from the pounding pulse of that delicious nectar. “And then I bit her.”

He waited for the punishment, for the tease.No touching. Don’t enjoy yourself.

But Eric remained as he was, on offer. It would be foolish to hesitate, when such a choice delicacy was on display. And no one had ever accused Wolfe of being foolish.

He bit in.

seventeen

Eric

Thebite—theexquisitepleasureof it—cut through the fog in Eric’s brain, sharp and hot and sweet.

He’d known he was confusing Wolfe, had been able to feel the restless yearning coming from him, the desire for them to be in sync. He’d just needed a minute to process was all.

Dinner—and the whirlwind of drama that had come after—had driven the knife home in a way even Eric’s failed shift at the hospital hadn’t: he wasn’t human anymore.

Like, the food Roman had made had tastedgood, but it had satisfied nothing. All of them eating human food together was just…sentimental playacting? Eric didn’t even mind that part of it so much, if it meant an excuse to gather. But the reality was he only ever had two real cravings anymore: human blood and Wolfe. He’d wanted Wolfe before the drama had started—had missed him all throughout dinner, even with everyone being so nice to him—and he hadn’t even been surprised when Wolfe had appeared out of nowhere, right when needed.

There was the little fact that Wolfe seemed willing to put down a child; that would need to be dealt with, and soon. But Eric wasn’t going to turn from Wolfe because of it. It was just how Wolfe’s brain worked, Eric was realizing. Wolfe wasselfish, pathologically so. But due to the bond or his possessiveness or whatever else, his selfishness now included Eric, and that made him the most caring person Eric had ever known. That care may have extendedonlyto Eric, but Eric was just selfish enough in turn to not give a shit about that.

It was nice to be cared for, for once in his entire life. Cared for because of who he was and not what he could achieve.

Wolfe came when he was needed. He told Eric that he was good, that he was wanted. And he said he would keep them safe. No one had ever been concerned whether Eric was safe.

The bite ended too soon.

Eric whined in protest as Wolfe released the sharp hold of his teeth, licking at Eric’s leaking wound like a contented cat.

He smelled good. He always smelled so fucking good.

---