The night carried the wrong kind of silence.

Owls called somewhere deep in the trees. Boots crushed softly through leaves as the men moved through the forest toward pack territory.

Vaelor stayed silent the entire way.

Too silent.

Kaelen kept scanning the woods, breathing deep through his nose like he expected something to jump out of the dark.

They were hiding something. Claire could feel it.

Was it because of what happened earlier?

Because Vaelor had claimed her in front of everyone?

Had he already started regretting it?

"Vaelor…"

She breathed him in before the words even came out. Warm skin. Pine. Smoke. Something darker underneath.

Her lips brushed his throat.

"Are you really sure I'm your mate?"

"Absolutely."

He looked down at her, surprised.

"How did you figure it out?"

"Alina told me." Claire ducked her head slightly. "She said mates usually either want to kiss each other… or kill each other."

Vaelor barked out a laugh.

"Smart wolf."

Claire studied him for another second.

"So… are we mated now?"

That smile appeared again. Slow. Dangerous. Beautiful enough to ruin lives.

"Not yet."

His mouth found hers briefly. Hot. Lingering.

"Soon."

Her stomach tightened instantly.

"So that's why they attacked us?" she asked quietly. "Because I'm human?"

Vaelor's gaze sharpened.

"What makes you think that?"

She opened her mouth again, but he cut her off before she could answer.

"Forget that right now."

He kissed the side of her neck instead. Deliberate.

"We're almost home."

The deep scrape of his voice against her skin sent heat straight through her body. Every step he took rubbed her against his chest. His hands burned where they held her thighs. His thumb kept stroking her skin like he couldn't stop touching her.

Claire's pulse went wild.

"Good," she whispered against his ear, breathless. "Because I can't wait anymore."

Vaelor went completely still for half a second.

Then his grip tightened.

"I need you now."

His breathing changed instantly. Rougher. Hotter.

"Kaelen," he said without looking away from her, "we deal with everything tomorrow."

The warning in his tone made Kaelen snort under his breath somewhere behind them.

Vaelor ignored him completely.

"Stay alert tonight," he ordered. "And don't interrupt me unless it's absolutely necessary."

The pause before that last word sent a violent shiver down Claire's spine.

She didn't know exactly what mating a wolf involved yet.

But she was about to find out.