Chapter 34 Intensity
ARYA
Luca and I trained for two hours. He was relentless, pushing me harder than anyone ever had. Teaching me to punch, to block, to use my size against larger opponents.
And through it all, the sexual tension was suffocating.
Every time he adjusted my form, his hands lingered. Every time I landed a hit, his eyes darkened with approval and arousal. Every time we grappled, we ended up pressed together in ways that had nothing to do with combat training.
“Enough,” he finally said, both of us sweating and breathing hard. “You’re a fast learner.”
“You’re a good teacher.”
“I’m adequately motivated.” He tossed me a water bottle. “Tomorrow we start on your wolf training. Shifting, control, combat in wolf form.”
“With you or Caspian?”
“With me. Only with me.” The possessiveness in his voice sent shivers down my spine. “I don’t trust anyone else that close to you.”
“Possessive much?” I grumbled, even though I didn't fully hate it. But he didn’t need to know that.
“You have no idea.” He moved closer, backing me up against the tree again. “Do you know what it’s taking for me to not claim you right now? To not bite that pretty neck and mark you as mine for all the world to see?”
“What’s stopping you?”
“Your three-month request. Your need for time.”
Right. I think I'm starting to regret my own stubbornness.
His thumb traced my pulse point. “Those three months are going to be the longest of my very long life, Aeliana.”
“Maybe they don’t have to be.” I couldn’t believe I was saying this. My cheeks were on fire. Not that it stopped the words from leaving my mouth. “Maybe we can… explore the bond while still taking things slow?”
“Explore how?” His golden eyes burned with need. He knew exactly what I meant.
“I don’t know. This?” I pressed my mouth to his. Spurred on only by the need burning in my core. Shitting off any possibility of rational thought. He responded immediately, his lips moving against mine hungrily. One of his hands gripped my waist, tugging the closer while the other went to my hair. “Just this. Getting to know each other. Building trust.”
“Just kissing?” His voice was skeptical.
“And… other things. Maybe.” I’m sure I resembled a tomato now. “I’ve never done this before. The flirting, the seduction, the wanting someone so much it hurts.”
“Neither have I. Not like this.” He kissed my forehead tenderly. “Then we’ll figure it out together. Explore at your pace. But Aeliana?”
“Yes?”
“I’m going to seduce you so thoroughly that by the end of these three months, you’ll be begging me to complete the bond.”
“Confident.”
“Determined.” He stepped back before we could get carried away again. “Shower then come down for breakfast. Bardon wants to continue your history lessons.”
“You’re not joining us?”
“I have king business. Boring treaties and political maneuvering.” He grimaced. “But I’ll see you at lunch. And dinner. And probably find excuses to see you several times in between.”
I liked how he was straightforward and honest. Not hiding how he wanted me. For someone who has gone years feeling invisible. It was the best feeling. Still, I had to tease him. He was nothing like the Lycan King I heard about. Everyone painted him to be this threatening figure. But he was soft.
“Clingy king.”
“Devoted mate.” He headed toward the house, then turned back. “Oh, and Aeliana? You might want to avoid Ryker today.”
“Why?”
“Because that wolf has been in love with you for years, and watching me kiss you like I’m starving for it is probably torture for him.” His expression softened. “I don’t enjoy his pain. But I also can’t stop touching you. So maybe give him space to adjust.”
He was right. I’d been so caught up in him that I’d barely thought about how this was affecting Ryker.
After I showered, a really cold one, because I needed to cool down the heat in my blood, I found Ryker in the library with Bardon. Both looked up when I entered.
Bardon’s expression was knowing. Ryker’s was carefully blank.
“Good morning, child,” Bardon greeted. “I trust you slept well?”
“Well enough.” I deliberately didn’t look at Ryker. “You wanted to continue the lessons?”
“Indeed. We were just discussing—” He paused. “Actually, Ryker, would you give us a moment?”
Ryker stood without a word and left.
The moment the door closed, Bardon fixed me with a serious look. “You’re falling for him.”
“Is it that obvious?” I chewed my bottom lip thoughtfully. Looking around the room to avoid the gaze of the older man.
“Your neck has a rather noticeable mark that wasn’t there yesterday. And you smell like him.” Bardon’s smile was gentle. “I’m not judging. The mate bond is powerful. But Arya, be careful with your heart.”
“Why?” I asked, my throat feeling raw and tight at once.
“Because kings don’t love like ordinary males. They love with the same intensity and dedication they rule. Absolutely, possessively, sometimes destructively.” He pulled out another ancient text. “Luca’s father drove three mates to madness with his obsession. His grandfather started a war over a perceived slight to his mate. This bloodline loves with a fervor that can be beautiful or terrifying.”
“You think Luca would hurt me?”
The words sounded almost impossible, even though I'd uttered them. Which was insane, because I didn't even know the man that well. I just knew the way he made me feel when he was close. I couldn’t deny the attraction, the need burning in my blood anytime he was within arm’s reach. I’ve never felt that for anyone.
“No. I think he’d burn the world down for you. " Bardon sounded sure of his words. "And you need to decide if you’re ready for that level of devotion.” He hummed as he opened the book. “Now, let’s discuss what happens when a Moonborne completes a mate bond with a Lycan King.”