I don't think I want to go all the way until I am officially mated. But to be honest, Colt makes it incredibly difficult to wait.

His lips travel down my neck, leaving kisses wherever they touch.

"Mh, let me show you something new." He slides down until his head rests against my abdomen.

"What are you...?"

He unbuttons and unzips my pants.

"Colt, don't."

"We aren't going all the way. And I have seen you naked before, Cass," he says.

"It’s still embarrassing," I protest.

"Why? You have a gorgeous body."

"Ugly scars and all?" I ask him.

He responds with another question. "Do you care about MY scars?"

"Not one bit."

"And neither do I. Now, quiet down, baby girl. Stop complaining and use that mouth to moan for me."

My stomach knots at his words. I realize I am down to my underwear. As he reaches to pull them down, I quickly hold them up at the waist. "No."

"Fine. I don't need to take them off," he says.

Suddenly, my legs are spread apart. He holds them up, positioning me so he is facing my entrance.

"C-Colt..." I say, my voice trembling with worry.

I barely feel him pulling my panties to the side. When I do, my instinct is to stop him, but before I can move, he latches onto me without warning.

I moan with a jolt, my body jerking. "Colt!"

My mind goes blank as I feel his tongue move. "OH MY GOD—MH!"

I can’t think. I never want him to stop, but the sensation is so intense that my hand instinctively reaches to push his head away. He catches both my hands in one of his, holding them firmly, while his other hand grips my thigh to keep me steady.

"Mh!" I can do nothing but moan uncontrollably.

I can feel his lips moving as if he were kissing my mouth. His tongue dances in rhythmic circles, both inside and out. It feels soft and gentle, though he occasionally alternates to a faster, more urgent pace. I stop fighting his grip. I don't want him to stop. He sucks, licks, and kisses, and soon I feel as though I am about to explode with pleasure.

Oh my God! What is this? It feels too good!

"Mh... Ah!... Colt!"

My toes curl and my legs shake as a wave of pure delight crashes through my core. My back arches, my face twisting in ecstasy. After one final, loud moan, I can only give small whimpers.

He finally pulls away, adjusting my underwear. "Delicious," he mutters, his voice raspy and low.

"You... you made me come undone..." I whisper, eyes closed, unable to think straight.

"Oh, I made you come, alright. But this is nothing compared to what I’m going to do to you when I can have you completely."

I feel him climb over me. I open my eyes to see his gaze flickering with raw intensity as he stares into mine.

"I am going to make you never want anyone else ever again," he whispers.

I think he has already accomplished that. I close my eyes, savoring the post-euphoric haze. He kisses my cheeks and slides back down to my neck, nibbling on my skin.

"I want to mark you so badly, Cass..." he murmurs, his breath tickling my skin.

That makes my eyes snap open. "But you aren't going to."

"No. Not until you want me to." He lifts himself up and lies beside me. "We still haven't talked about this. Is this what you want? You know what I want—I’ve made it clear. But what do you want?"

I prop myself up on my elbow, facing him. "If I’m honest, I haven't given it much thought. Everything has been happening too fast."

He stays quiet, listening.

"A year ago... actually, even a few weeks ago, all I wanted was for you to stay away from me. But now..."

"Now..." he prompts.

"You’ve been through a lot, and I can see you’ve changed. I like the man you are now. If I could choose a mate, it would be you—but that doesn't erase the fear... the 'what ifs.' And I don't like the idea of being... Luna."

He smiles as if he sees something in me that I don't. "You are so cute."

I roll my eyes. "Are you even listening?"

He chuckles. "Of course I am. That is exactly why you would make such a great Luna. Because you don't

want

to be. You won't be in it for the status or the vanity. As Luna, you could actually make a difference. Imagine our pack with a Luna who cares about everyone equally."

"Who said I care?" I look away, trying to act indifferent, but he sees right through me.

"You do," he states.

I turn my back on him, muttering complaints. He hugs me from behind, kissing my cheek. "When you're sure, let me know. Plus, if I mark you and you mark me, it will break the bond with Ezra since neither of you is marked. No need for a formal rejection. Tempting, right?"

I giggle. "Very." Then I frown. "But... if I do that, there's a chance he could go feral, right?"

He sighs. "Yes. In my case, since I was marked and so was Skye... when I accepted the rejection and broke the bond, the pain was unlike anything I had ever felt. It lasted two agonizing days. I was on the brink of death. It won't be the same for you, but if I mark you while you have the fated mate bond, he could snap. He’s already not thinking rationally."

"I guess he inherited my mom's crazy side," he mutters.

"I loathe the guy, but I don't want to cause him to go crazy."

"And you say you don't care..." He squeezes me and kisses me again.

"I get it. Ezra is my brother, and deep down, I don't want to hurt him either. But he doesn't deserve you. He made the biggest mistake of his life treating you the way he did." He tilts my chin up. "I know I wasn't good to you either, Cass. I know it well. But I will never treat you like that again. I promise."

I smile brightly. "How did you turn out like this?"

"Like what?"

"So... sweet?"

He leans into my ear. "I’m only like this with you. Everyone else gets my 'angry, I hate everyone' side."

I laugh. "I saw that side with your brothers and sister."

"My family can really get on my nerves. They don't understand what's at stake. My mom has kept them in a bubble, treating them like they’re untouchable." He sighs and sits up. "Anyway, let's get ready. I want to take you out."

"Where to?"

"Let's eat first, then go wherever you want."

An hour later, we are at a restaurant, and I am savoring the best steak of my life.

"You really like that, huh?" he asks.

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yeah, you didn't moan half as much when I was eating you as you are for this steak." He winks.

I gasp and glance around the room. "Shut up!"

He bursts into laughter. This guy is exactly like Lauren.

He looks at my dress—the same one Lauren gave me. "So, that small bag back in the room is really all you own?"

"Yeah."

"Then we know what we’re doing next."

"What?"

"Shopping."

"No. Why?"

"Because you need clothes. Not rags."

"I have no money for that, and I don't want to spend my time shopping. Isn't that a chore?"

He raises an eyebrow. "Have you ever actually gone shopping?"

"Well... no."

"Then why are you against it? Many people love it. It might not be a chore if you actually try."

"Is this all because you don't like what I'm wearing?" I squint at him.

"Baby girl, you could be wearing a trash bag, and I would still think you’re beautiful."

Mh... good answer. I feel my face flush.

"Fine," I say with a dramatic sigh. "Let’s go shopping."

An hour later, we’re at a mall—but it’s not like anything I’ve seen in movies. It’s extravagant.

"Why here first?" I ask, laughing as he leads me into an upscale lingerie boutique.

He grins. "Well, it’s not like I want to see you try these on or anything."

I stop laughing and turn to him, catching his lying expression. I narrow my eyes. "You are hilarious! Did you really think I was going to try any of these on for you?"

He winks. "Yes."

"Your charms do not work on me, sir!"

"You sure about that?"

"Yes," I say confidently.

I was wrong. A few minutes later—I don't know how he talked me into it—I am standing in front of him wearing a sheer set of bra and panties.