“I knew from the very first moment we met that it would only be you.” A look of pure awe and love covers every inch of his face, his eyes so tender, it catches my breath, holding it prisoner.

“Mate.”

A feeling of completeness washes over me with the small syllable. Any doubts from before are wiped away.

He beams, one of his breath-taking, mesmerizing smiles that pulls me along with him, my own cheeks hurting with the large grin. He takes my hand in his, placing it over his chest where the runes now lie.

We listen to each other and the sounds of our breathing and beating hearts before a loud blast crashes into the building, shaking us from our moment.

Jace’s eyes immediately turn gold, heading toward the nearest window, still covered by the black smoke. He begins to growl and pace back and forth as a feeling of anger, frustration, and unease begins to unfurl in my chest.

I rub the spot, my chest feeling tight from all the emotions hitting me at once. Was this Jace?

I narrow my eyes before turning to him.

“Jace?” No answer, just more growling, and pacing.

I take a step closer. “Jace, are you okay?”

He turns to me, his eyes fully gold as a rumble pours from his chest. He shakes his head once and then twice before tiny bits of amber flicker in his eyes.

He grits out between sharpened teeth. “My wolf…is frustrated…that we’re under…attack…and can’t protect you…All day, he’s been…angry…and anxious…The mate bond….making him…overprotective…and possessive. Won’t…calm…dow—” He stops, his eyes glowing fully gold again, as another blast hits the barrier. His wolf growls fiercer as he paces the room.

I sigh, watching him, his frustration and anger bleeding into my chest. What could I do to help? How could I stop him from feeling so anxious and angry? Then a sudden thought hits me.

I turn toward Jace, a grin growing on my lips.

His wolf needed a distraction. I can help with that.

I take a step toward him, his wolf still pacing. I clear my throat, drawing his attention, before slowly tracing a hand down my chest. He halts his movement, his eyes blown wide as he watches me slowly reach under my top and up to my bra before undoing the clip at the front.

I cup my bare breasts in my palms, my nipples hardening instantly as a slow rumble rolls from his chest. He watches on, his eyes a deeper gold as I rub and stroke my breasts, his gaze glued to my movements, unwavering as he watches me. He growls again, not an angry growl this time, something else, and as I look into his darkened eyes, I understand. He wanted more.

I look at him, his wolf still in control, his eyes intense and dark as I reach for the bottom of my top. I slow my movements, seeking his eyes as I place the hem of the fabric in my mouth, freeing my bare breasts.