I felt more than saw Declan come closer and take James’ place beside me.

My mattress dipped under his weight, and I lay there motionless as he settled himself beside me. He didn’t touch me, but I could feel his gaze boring into my back.

The seconds stretched to minutes, and I started to wonder if he was going to say anything at all. My headache was slowly abating, leaving behind a dull throb that was easy enough to ignore.

My eyes grew heavy, and sleep pulled at me just as Declan said, “I’m sorry.”

I sighed. “I know,” I told him, and I meant it. I knew I was being a shit by allowing him to feel guilty. It had been an accident.

I wasn’t angry with him. If anything, I was grateful. Not for the splitting headache. That’d hurt like hell. But I’d felt a soothing presence in my mind that I knew wasn’t coming from me. He’d used the bond between us to help calm me, and that calming presence had helped my flames recede. I also had a feeling he’d used Pack magic to ease my pain. I didn’t know exactly how he’d done it, but I didn’t care.

That little trick would come in handy if I lost control and, given the recent prophecy, that was an inevitability.

“You helped me calm down,” I said, hoping he would explain what he’d done.  

Declan shifted closer. I could feel the heat of his body against my back and fought the urge to turn toward him. He smelled like pine and mint. It was a heady aroma that drew me in.

“I’ve had years to master taming my beast. You just need a little more time to learn to tame your own.”

I frowned. I hadn’t thought of it that way, but he was right. The pyrokinetic and telekinetic abilities swirling inside of me were very much my own beast.

“Thank you.” I finally gave in to the urge and turned to face him. I studied his face, taking in every detail. Emerald green eyes that shimmered with gold flecks when his beast was close to the surface, pale lashes so fair they were only visible up close, as I was now. He kept his white-blond hair military short, which emphasized the squareness of his strong jaw.

Declan was handsome in a domineering, self-assured, typical Alpha way.

He was also sexy as hell.

He placed a hand low on my hip, and I shivered when his calloused fingers gently brushed the bare skin beneath the hem of my cotton shirt.

I stared into his eyes and felt myself sinking into his golden-flecked gaze.

Between one second and the next, his lips were pressed firmly against mine.

I gasped, my mouth opening in surprise.

Declan took full advantage, and his tongue swept into my mouth, his hunger evident in each caress of his tongue.

I jerked back and stared up at him wide-eyed.

He grimaced, and a flash of worry washed over Declan’s face before he pulled me in close to his chest. I couldn’t see his expression anymore and had no idea what he was thinking or why he’d kissed me.

I brought a hand to my lips, realizing I wanted him to kiss me again.

I clenched my eyes shut and silently cursed.

“What are you thinking?” he asked.

I snorted. “That’s a loaded question.”

Declan pulled back just far enough to look at me. He brushed his thumb along my lower lip.

Instinctively I snapped my teeth and bit the tip of his finger.

A rumble sounded deep in his chest, followed by a short laugh.

“What was that sound?” I asked. It’d been a mix between a purr and a growl, and something about it made heat pool in my core.

He grinned, and his voice lowered. “My beast likes that you’re willing to play.”

I lifted a brown. Play?

He leaned forward and nipped at my nose. The playful contact made me shiver, and I found Declan’s lips pressed against mine again, only this time, they were much more tentative. It was a gentle press of lips as he waited to see how I would respond.

I kissed him back, unable to fight the instinctive response, and speared my fingers into his hair. The strands were coarse and felt more like fur than normal hair.

I sucked on his lower lip and reveled in the moan it elicited from his throat.

It felt so good to be wanted and kissed with such desire.

Not needing any further encouragement, he deepened the kiss and slid his hand farther beneath my shirt and up my back. His palm was a hot brand against my bare skin, and thoughts of the last time I’d lain in bed with Declan rushed to the forefront of my mind.

Heat pooled between my legs. I clenched my thighs together as Declan’s hand abandoned my back to move lower. He cupped my rear, sending a fresh wave of heat through me.

God, I felt like a teenager with the way my body responded to him.

His hard length pressed against my abdomen.

I needed to stop this before it went too far.

It didn’t matter that my body wanted him. The sex would be good, sure. It’d probably be great. I had no doubt about that, but I didn’t want just sex with Declan.

At least, I didn’t think that was all I wanted.

I slowly pulled away from him and turned to my side. My body screamed with want, and I bit my cheek to keep from cursing aloud.

“Aria …” The question was evident in his voice.

I gulped. I wanted him to scold me. To tell me I was being childish or to get angry with me for turning away. I needed something to hold onto that would fuel my ability to push him away. Because if he kissed me again, I wouldn’t have the strength to stop him.

Declan swept my hair away from my neck and pressed a kiss to the sensitive skin between my neck and shoulder, purposely kissing the spot where he’d marked me when he claimed me as his mate.

He was unraveling my defenses.

Wordlessly, he trailed kisses along my neck and traced a heated path to my shoulder.

I groaned.

“I want you,” he said. His voice was thick with desire. “More than I’ve ever wanted anything or anyone.”

I closed my eyes and forced my voice to remain even. Come on, Aria. Get it together.

“I’m sure there are plenty of women who’d happily service your needs,” I said.

I was going to hell for this.

I waited for the anger to come. Declan wasn’t known for his even temper.

He was quiet. and I felt frustration echo through the bond.

Declan pressed his hand against my shoulder, and I allowed myself to be turned towards him. He propped himself up on his elbow and glowered down at me.

“Is that what you think this is? That all I want is to use you for my own pleasure?” Indignation filled his tone, and I suddenly felt like a complete jerk for provoking him.

I chewed on my lower lip as tears stung my eyes. God, what was wrong with me?

“It wouldn’t be the first time you tried to use me.” It hurt so much to say that.

Declan clenched his jaw so hard I thought he might break it, and I was sure he was going to storm out of my room and leave me to wallow in my own misery.

Watching him leave would hurt, but I’d be safe from wanting him.

Declan reached out, and his strong fingers stroked my cheek with infinite tenderness. “What I feel for you, it’s real. This—us—it’s real.”

I didn’t know what to say. I desperately wanted to believe him, but so much had happened. I didn’t know if I could forgive him, let alone trust him.

“If you need time, I’ll give it to you,” he said. “But I’m not going anywhere.”

“Why? Why aren’t you angry? Why are you still trying to win me over?” I jerked out of bed and paced toward the window. I needed distance, space to think.

I couldn’t do that with him so close to me.

Declan stood from the bed and approached me slowly, his palms raised as if calming a wild animal.

“Aria, I love you. My beast loves you. I’m never going to stop trying.”

I wanted to scream and yell. It didn't make sense. He wasn't supposed to care this much. I was a merc. I had no family, unless you counted my psychotic mother and few friends. I wasn't worth the trouble, and I had a hell of a lot of baggage.

I suddenly realized that all this time, I’d been waiting for him to just give up.

I couldn’t come to terms with my feelings for him. I didn’t know what was real and what was brought on by the mate bond. I’d wanted him to just get tired of waiting. Tired of dealing with my bullshit and decide to move on. It would have made things so much easier.

What kind of person was I if I forgave him? If I set aside his betrayal and accepted him as my mate? Was I a complete idiot for even considering it?

I pulled at my hair. Why was this so hard?

Declan came closer and cupped my face in his palms. “What do I have to do to prove my feelings for you?”