Kael finally managed to sleep right before dawn.
Barely slept, really.
Three days straight, he’d been out patrolling the territory alone—so when he finally crashed, exhaustion swallowed him whole. But even sleep didn’t give him any rest. Just darkness. Just instincts. Just her.
That mate bond thumped under his skin like something alive, tied tight to his chest. Liana. Always present. Always close, tucked right up against his consciousness. Even unconscious, his wolf hunted for her heartbeat, protected her scent, tracked every emotion.
The connection was getting too deep. The more he sank into it, the less he could tell the difference between instinct and reason.
Tonight—
His wolf refused to let him sleep.
Mine.
Protect her.
Claim her.
Those possessive urges growled loud in his he
