She pulled away from him, her eyes going wide with the shock of how much she craved him. She couldn’t stop moving, writhing, her hips bucking. “My skin hurts, Fyodor.” She began tearing at her shirt, desperation causing her to rip at the material. Her nails were longer, curved and very hard. One tore a strip of skin from her ribs. It hurt, but not nearly as much as the fire building between her legs did.

“Stop.” He made it a command. “Evangeline. Let me. Just breathe for me.” He dragged the shirt from her and flung it onto the pillow.

A part of her realized what a sacrilege that was for him, but she could barely breathe with wanting him. Her hands dropped to her pants, but he pushed them away and tugged the material from her hips. When he had her naked, she rolled away from him, coming up on her hands and knees, a low keening sound escaping as her body undulated and rocked.

“Let me help you, Evangeline,” Alonzo said. “I’m right here. You aren’t doing this alone.”

This was a million times worse than what happened earlier. Every single cell in Evangeline’s body felt raw and inflamed. Her bones ached. Her breasts were on fire. Between her legs that burning need built and built until she thought she might go a little insane.

I’m sorry. I can’t control it. It’s so much worse than the other times. So strong. Heat. Fire. Burning. I don’t know what to do.

Evangeline took a deep breath and let it out. Her leopard was in distress. So much more than she was. When she touched her cat, she found fear. Chaos. Guilt. The guilt was overwhelming. She shook her head and forced herself to think past the terrible roaring in her head. The hunger, the need for sex was so strong, she feared she might go insane, but her leopard needed her to be strong.

Her leopard had always, always been there for her. Twice she’d gone through the Han Vol Dan. Both times her leopard had deemed Evangeline too young and she somehow had managed to hold on and not emerge. She didn’t want to force Evangeline to accept a man not worthy of her. She’d suffered. Her leopard had suffered for her.

No, Bebe, this is your time. Something beautiful. We can do this. Alonzo is right here. He’s a good man. I know he is. He’ll take care of me and then your mate will take care of you. I want you to emerge. I want you to run free. This time is your time. Don’t try to hold back.

You’re afraid.

Only because the need is so strong. I’m not afraid of Alonzo. I want you to emerge. We’ll do this, Bebe.

She soothed her leopard even as her body grew hotter and more demanding.