Chapter 27 

Chapter 20 

JACE 

Toly shit. She just asked me to shower with her. My heart hammered against my ribs as I struggled to keep my composure. This wasn’t how I expected the night to go 

“Yes, sure. Then stay, I told her, trying to keep my voice steady while Phantom practically roared inside me. I promise I won’t cross any lines. day stop, and I’ll stop immediately.” 

She nodded, and I could hear her pulse racing. The scent of her arousal hit me like a physical blow. I swept her into my arms, carrying her through the training area to my private quarters. Every step was a battle against my instincts. The Alpha in me wanted to claim her immediately, but I forced those thoughts down. 

When I set her down in my bedroom, her eyes were wide but determined. 

“Second thoughts?” I asked, giving her one more chance to back out. 

She shook her head. The trust in her expression nearly undid me. 

I removed her training gear with careful hands, my fingers working at the buckles of the leather armor. Each time my fingers brushed against her skin, electricity shot through me. When she stood before me in just her underwear, I forced my eyes to stay locked on her face. 

“You can change your mind anytime,” I reminded her, though Phantom was howling in protest at the very thought. 

O 

After a quick kiss, I carried her to the bathroom and set her down. I turned my back, fighting every Alpha instinct that screamed at me to watch her undress. 

“I’ll go in first,” I said, stripping quickly and stepping into the shower. 

The warm water did nothing to cool the fire in my blood. I heard the soft rustle of fabric as she removed her remaining clothes, followed by the sound of her stepping into the shower behind me. 

“Use anything you need, little one,” I said, keeping my back turned. 

“Thanks,” she whispered. 

“May I turn around? I promise to keep my eyes on yours.” 

“Okay.” 

I turned slowly, locking my gaze on her face though every cell in my body begged to look lower. I tilted her chin up and kissed her, tasting the sweetness of her mouth as my hand guided hers to my chest. 

“I don’t mind you exploring, Ria.” 

Her fingers traced across my chest, exploring the tribal markings that identified me as Alpha. My jaw clenched tight as Phantom fought for control. The beast wanted to take her, mark her, claim her right there in the shower. I refused to let him. 

She reached for the pine–scented body wash and began washing my chest. Her small hands moved down my abdomen, making my muscles tense with each touch. Every stroke of her fingers was torture and ecstasy combined. 

“Turn around,” she instructed, her voice stronger than before. 

I complied without question, though turning my back went against every Alpha instinct I possessed. Her hands worked across my shoulders and down my spine, stopping respectfully at my waist. The restraint she showed only made me want her more. 

When she finished, I stepped under the spray to rinse off, then turned and pulled her close, kissing her deeply. My hands tangled in her wet hair as our 

1/3 

stics pressed together. 

*Thank you, Ria. 

You’re welcome, Alpha 

The title on her lips sent a surge of possessiveness through me. Let me wash you now, little one. 

She nodded, turning to give me access to her back. I started with her neck and shoulders, working out the tension with my thumbs, then moved d spine. Each touch was both torture and pleasure. I wanted nothing more than to press her against the shower wall and take her, but I held back. 

Let me help with your hair,” I murmured, voice tougher than intended. 

She faced me, letting me clean her completely. When my hands moved to her breasts, I kept my touch respectful yet thorough. Her nipples hardened under my palms, and I heard her sharp intake of breath. Finally, I knelt to wash her legs, breathing in her scent, growing dizzy with the sweet smell of her arousal 

‘I can smell you, Ria,” I said quietly, my voice thick with desite. 

Her face flushed with embarrassment. 

‘Don’t be embarrassed,” I told her. “It’s natural. And intoxicating.” 

I stood, bringing my face close to hers. “Would you like me to… take care of you?” 

“I… Her voice caught. “I’ve never had a partner.” 

“I know. I can tell. I brushed my thumb across her lower lip. “I won’t cross that line. I just want to make you feel good.” 

She swallowed hard. “Okay. You can touch me.” 

I guided her under the spray, rinsing soap from her body, then turned her so her back pressed against my chest. 

“Stay still, little one,” I commanded softly, my Alpha voice slipping through. “Just like this.” 

My hands moved to her waist, holding her steady as the water cascaded over us both. I pressed myself against her back, letting her feel my hardness without pushing for more. 

“Do you want this?” I whispered against her neck. 

“Yes,” she breathed, and pushed back against me. 

I growled low in my throat as she moved against me. One arm wrapped around her waist while my other hand slipped between her thighs, finding her most sensitive spot. She gasped, her head falling back against my shoulder. 

“Let yourself feel it,” I encouraged, my voice a low rumble against her ear. “Tonight is about you.” 

My fingers moved in steady circles, building her pleasure as she whimpered and pressed back against me. I held her tightly as her body tensed, then trembled with release. She cried out, the sound echoing off the shower walls as I supported her weight. 

“That’s it, little one,” I murmured, pressing kisses along her neck as she came down from her high. “You’re so beautiful when you let go.” 

When her breathing steadied, I turned off the water and wrapped her in a towel, then kissed her softly. “Go get dressed. I’ll join you in a minute.” 

After she left, I turned the water to cold, letting it shock my system. Phantom prowled restlessly, dissatisfied with my restraint. 

She’s OURS. Why wait? Take her now! 

“Not yet,” I growled. “She deserves better. 

2/ 

Chapter 27 

She wants us. I can smell it on her. 

“And she’ll have us. When she’s ready for everything that means. 

I dried off and wrapped a towel around my waist, finding Aria in my bedroom wearing one of my t–shirts. I hung to her mid thigh, making for or eve more irresistible. 

‘This okay?” she asked, tugging at the shirt. 

“More than okay,” I replied, grabbing sleep pants from 

my drawer. 

I dressed quickly and joined her on the bed, maintaining 

A 

respectful distance despite wanting to pull her against me. 

“What are you thinking?” I asked, noticing her troubled expression. 

She bit her lip. “What if the pack finds out? They’ll think I’m trying to sleep my way to safety.” 

“No one needs to know what happens between us,” I assured her. “Until I mark you, your scent won’t change.* 

This sentence comes from my heart, and the words that followed also 

gave Aria 

a 

sense of security. 

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