Ronan pov
The mate bond was killing me.
Not literally. But close enough that Edward wouldn’t shut up about it.
*Claim her,* he demanded for the thousandth time that day. *She’s right there. Our mate. Take her. Mark her. Make her ours.*
“Not yet,” I muttered under my breath.
*When? When she leaves? When someone else takes her?*
“She’s not going to…” I stopped myself. Arguing with my wolf was pointless. “She needs time.”
*We’ve given her time. Three weeks. She’s happy. She’s staying. Claim her before it’s too late.*
He had a point. But rushing Elyse would destroy everything we’d built. Every moment of trust. Every careful step forward.
I couldn’t risk that. Couldn’t risk losing her because I couldn’t control myself.
Even if it was torture.
Being near her was getting harder. Her s
