The beast within me rises, obliterating any thought other than Malice. Mate. Bond. The half of me that terrifies me the most wants my mate more than anything, and right now, I have neither the will nor the desire to fight against it.

Malice’s hand slides up my spine, cupping the back of my neck and holding me in place as he devours me. My body is putty in his hands, moving with him and molding to each gentle twitch of his muscular frame. I never realized what this feeling was before, but it all becomes clear here in Malice’s arms. I want to please him in the way only his mate can. To bring this powerful creature to his knees and make him beg.

But before I can do any of that, Malice slides his other hand between my cleavage, drawing my attention to the pleasurable sensation of his rough skin on mine. I wait for him to touch me as I’ve been craving, but he continues up my neck and jaw, stopping there and teasing the corner of my mouth with his clawed thumb.

Malice breaks the kiss abruptly, a low whine echoing in his chest as he stares deep into my eyes. My mouth falls open with a question, but before I get the chance to voice it, Malice’s fingers shoot past my lips, forcing something small and round to the back of my throat.

He rips his fingers out just before my teeth clamp down—a mistake I realize only after Malice uses his hand to hold my jaw closed. With his other, he pinches my nose closed, cutting off my oxygen and ability to spit out the weird wax ball.

Swallow, he orders.

When I refuse to do so, he painfully tightens his grip around my jaw. A cruel smirk tugs at his lip as the tips of his claws dig into my skin, dotting the surface with bright red pearls of blood. Swallow and you get your air back. It’s really very simple, little one. Obey.

My gaze hardens as my heart rate increases, desperate for the oxygen my mate is withholding. Is he allowed to do that?

Fuck you, I snarl, fighting against his hold as dark spots line my vision. You and your creepy-ass, ugly-ass eye.

Malice sighs heavily, and his grip tightens further. Impossible creature… would it kill you to listen to me for once?

Actually, it would. My eyes narrow on his insipid smirk, rage heating my skin. Why do you look so happy?

Because the wax is already dissolved.