Chapter 53 

“Can’t help it,” I shot back, voice thick with want. ‘Everything’s moving so damn fast. 

His hands stilled, one splaying across my stomach, hot and possessive. “Regretting this? Regretting us? 

I twisted to face him, water sloshing as I straddled his thighs. Our lips hovered inches apart, his breath spiced and sweet from breakfast. “Fuck do, I said, fierce. “You’re my anchor. Always.” I pressed my forehead to his, our breaths tangling in the steam. 

Relief washed over his features, chased by something taw, feral. He kissed me soft at first, then hungry, desperate. His tongue teased my lips, and I opened for him, moaning as he claimed my mouth. His hands roamed my back, yanking me closer, my breasts pressed tight against his chest. 

I felt his cock, hard against my stomach, a promise of what we’d shared before. I rolled my hips, grinding against his erection, and he groaned deep, the sound pure need. His fingers dug into my ass, halting me. 

‘Not here, he rasped, voice strained, body 

I’m 

not stopping.” 

screaming the opposite. “If we start his chest, feeling his heart pound. ‘Then don’t, I whispered, nipping 

That restraint, the way his muscles tensed–it set me on fire. I dragged my his lip. “Fuck me, Jace.” 

nails 

His eyes blazed, control fraying. He surged to his feet, water streaming down his gorgeous frame, and hauled me from the tub. We hit the plush rug nearby, lips crashing, hands everywhere–gripping my ass, teasing my nipples, sliding between my thighs to stroke my clit. I gasped, hips bucking as he worked my cunt, fingers circling, stoking heat that coiled tight. 

“God, you’re so wet,” he said, kissing down my neck, sucking hard enough to mark. I clawed his shoulders, grinding against his hand, chasing that edge. 

“Now,” I begged, voice breaking. He pressed his cock against my thigh, teasing my vagina with slow, deliberate strokes, never entering. The friction drove me wild, my body trembling as he sucked my nipple, pushing me over. My orgasm hit hard, a cry tearing free as pleasure roared through me. He followed, groaning, his release spilling hot against my skin. 

We collapsed, panting, then crawled back to the cooling tub. His hands trembled as he washed me, fingers lingering on my breasts, my thighs, memorizing every inch. I mirrored him, tracing his body, finding spots that made him shudder. 

“Whatever goes down tonight, he murmured against my temple, toweling me dry, “hold onto this. Us. Right now.” 

I pressed my hand to his chest, his heartbeat steady under my palm. Whatever tonight threw at us, we’d face it side by side, this fire between us stronger than anything trying to rip us apart. 

Just after noon, Jace suddenly stiffened. His head tilted slightly–the telltale sign of receiving a mind–link message. 

“The elders want to see me,” he explained, already pulling on clothes. 

“Now? Seriously?” 

“It’s about tonight. His expression darkened. “They want to discuss the… situation with Phantom.” 

“They need to talk about this right now?” I couldn’t hide my annoyance. 

“They’re anxious,” he explained. “This chance comes once in generations.” He paused. “To succeed, I need to mark and bond with someone tonight.” 

My heart stuttered. ‘Mark and bond? You mean…” 

“With my true mate. His eyes held mine, intense and unwavering. 

The silence between us stretched, filled with unspoken questions. 

‘And if you don’t find this true mate?” I finally asked, voice barely audible. 

He took my hands in his. “Aria, there’s something I need to tell you-” 

1/2 

Chapter 53 

A sharp knock interrupted us. 

Alpha?” Hunter called through the door. “The elders are waiting.” 

Jace cursed under his breath. This discussion isn’t over,” he promised, squeezing my hands before standing. “We’ll pick it up again soon. 

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