Kira’s back pressed lightly against the tree as Kieran’s lips lingered against her neck, warm enough to make her entire body tremble.
“Careful, Kira,” he murmured. “You’re making it very hard for me to behave.”
Her pulse raced wildly.
For someone feared by the entire pack, Kieran touched her with shocking restraint — like he was constantly holding himself back from something far more dangerous.
Kira tilted her head slightly, giving him more access without realizing it.
A low growl vibrated from his chest.
“Kira.”
The warning in his voice only made heat curl deeper inside her stomach.
“You keep saying my name like that,” she whispered.
“Because you’re testing my control.”
Her lips curved faintly. “Maybe I want to.”
Kieran lifted his head slowly, gray eyes dark with hunger.
That look alone nearly destroyed her composure.
“You have no idea what you’re asking for.”
“Then tell me.”
For a moment, he simply stared at her like he was fighting himself.
Then his hand slid slowly along her waist, pulling her flush against him again.
“Kira,” he said quietly, “wolves don’t love halfway.”
The words softened something inside her chest.
“When we want someone… it becomes instinct. Possession. Protection.” His thumb brushed lightly against her hip. “Obsession.”
Her breath caught.
“And you think you’re obsessed with me?”
A dark smile appeared on his lips.
“I know I am.”
The honesty in his voice hit harder than she expected.
Kira looked away first, suddenly overwhelmed by the intensity between them.
Nobody had ever wanted her before.
Not like this.
Kieran noticed the shift in her expression immediately.
His touch softened.
“What is it?”
Kira hesitated before answering quietly, “I don’t understand why you look at me like I matter.”
Something painful flickered across Kieran’s face.
He stepped closer until there was barely space between them.
“Kira,” he murmured, “the moment you walked into my life, you mattered.”
Her heart nearly stopped.
The forest around them faded completely.
There was only him.
His warmth.
His scent.
His hands on her body.
Kieran touched her cheek gently, his forehead resting against hers once more.
“You make me weak,” he admitted softly.
Kira blinked in surprise.
“You? Weak?”
A quiet laugh escaped him.
“Only for you.”
And before she could respond, Kieran kissed her again — slower this time, deeper, like he wanted to savor every second of her.
Like he already knew he would never be able to let her go.