POV: Elara
The profound relief of neutralizing his curse was a fleeting illusion.
The moment the molten magma in his veins surrendered to my silver light, the barrier between us completely vanished. And without the terrifying threat of being burned alive, the raw, unfiltered gravity of the mate bond slammed into me with the force of a collapsing star.
The Awakening Heat didn't just return; it mutated. It was no longer just the agony of a breaking seal. It was a biological mandate, fueled by the intoxicating, suffocating proximity of the massive male kneeling right in front of me.
My body was entirely flushed, my skin radiating a dangerous, feverish heat. The heavy scent of his dark cedar and burning ash completely hijacked my nervous system. It smelled like domination. It smelled like
