Chapter 293

Chapter 293
【Elsa POV】

I pressed my hands against Leif's chest and pushed him back, creating distance between us. His amber eyes blazed with confusion and frustration, but he let me move him away from the door.

"You're not violent, Leif," I said, trying to keep my voice steady as my heart pounded. "You're just... affected by what's happening to me." The mate bond in my chest ached for his closeness, but I couldn't let us both do something we'd regret. "I think our bond is trying to reconnect now that I'm back."

Leif stepped back, running both hands through his disheveled hair. His chest rose and fell rapidly. "I'm sorry. I don't know what came over me just now." He shook his head as if trying to clear it. "The pull I feel toward you... it's overwhelming."

He lifted his hand slowly, hesitating before cupping my cheek. I couldn't help but lean into his touch, my eyes fluttering closed at the contact. His skin felt like fire against mine.

"Why are you so hot?" he asked, his thumb stroking across my cheekbone.

I opened my eyes, meeting his concerned gaze. "Me? You're the one who's burning up," I protested, even as another wave of heat swept through me. "Your face is flushed. You feel really warm."

"No," Leif said firmly, his other hand coming up to frame my face. "You're the one with bright red cheeks. Your skin is like a furnace."

"I think... I think I might be going into heat," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "And it's affecting you too."

I remembered Casper during my last heat cycle—he hadn't felt this burning hot. Was it different because of my bond with Leif?

Leif's body went rigid, then he leaned forward, his nose brushing along the column of my neck. A low rumble vibrated in his chest, and I felt his breath hot against my skin.

"What do you usually do?" His voice was hoarse, strained. He pulled back to look at me, his pupils dilated. "For your heat?"

I swallowed hard, flashes of memory making my cheeks burn hotter. "I, uh... "

Suddenly, Leif cursed under his breath and closed the distance between us in two quick strides. His hands gripped my hips firmly, and electricity shot through me at the contact. I gasped, my hands flying to his shoulders to steady myself.

"If you keep smelling like that," he said, his voice dropping to a low growl, "you're going to have to leave."

I looked up at him, seeing the struggle playing out across his features. "Edda brought me here," I said honestly. "She basically threw me into the lion's den."

Leif's movements stilled, his grip on my hips loosening slightly. His amber eyes searched my face. "Do you want to leave?" The question came out tight, controlled, as if he was fighting to ask it.

I shook my head without hesitation. "If you want me to go, I will."

His eyes darkened to molten gold, his fingers tightening on my hips again. The pressure sent a wave of pleasure through me, and I bit my lip hard to stifle the sound that wanted to escape.

"I don't want you to leave," he said, his voice thick and rough with need.

I drew in a sharp breath and closed my eyes as familiar fire spread through my veins. When I opened them again, his gaze was locked on my face with predatory intensity.

"If you want both of us to stay rational," I said, my voice trembling despite my efforts to control it, "you need to take your hands off me."

A slow, dangerous smile spread across Leif's face. His hands didn't move. "Who says I want either of us to stay rational?"

My hands moved of their own accord, sliding up his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath my palms. "It's the heat talking," I tried to reason with him, with myself. "This isn't your decision. You're being influenced by—"

Leif growled low in his throat, cutting me off as he pulled me flush against him. He buried his face in the curve of my neck, his breath hot against my skin.

"I've wanted this from the moment I first saw you," he murmured, his lips brushing my throat. "You smell incredible. Wild berries. Something sweet and earthy. I want to taste you. Touch you. Claim you."

His mouth crashed against mine before I could finish the thought. The kiss was desperate, searching, as if he was trying to memorize the feel of my lips against his. He nipped at my lower lip gently, and I melted into him completely.

My mind went blank, filled with nothing but the sensation of his mouth on mine. My hands slid up his chest to wrap around his neck, my fingers threading through his hair as I pulled him closer.

Leif growled against my mouth, the sound vibrating through my entire body. One hand slid up my back to tangle in my hair, angling my head to deepen the kiss, while his other hand moved down to cup my backside, pressing me tightly against him.