My fingers tug at his shirt, the fabric tearing under my grip, and I feel Eric’s hands on my shoulders, his lips moving lower, trailing fire across my skin. It’s raw, consuming, the kind of heat that could burn this whole pack house down. 

I want more—more of Rick, more of Eric, more of this bond that makes us whole, even without her.

“What the hell are you guys doing?” a voice snaps, sharp and raw, cutting through the haze.

I freeze, my lips still on Rick’s, my hands gripping his hair. I turn my head, slow and deliberate, and there she is—Lia, standing in the doorway, her eyes wide with shock, her face a storm of fury and something else, something that makes my wolf howl. 

My smirk widens, slow and deliberate, as I meet her gaze, letting her see every bit of the monster she hates.

### chapter 23: tangled in his arms 🐺🔥🌙


"who dares do this?" rick's voice growls, sharp and cold, his grip on my arm steadying me as i tremble against his chest. his eyes burn with anger, his face a storm, and i feel the mate bond flare, a warm pulse despite my hate for him.


i pull back, my voice shaky. "rick, it's okay. i just need to rest somewhere. it not a big deal let just leave."


he grabs my hands, stopping me, his touch firm but gentle. "no, lia," he says, his voice low, fierce. he turns to zara, who bows his head, his smirk gone. "did you do this?" rick asks, his tone dangerous.


i want to tell rick to stop, to let it go, but his face is set, his jaw tight. "rick, please," i whisper, my voice weak. "just leave it."


he ignores me, grabbing zara by the neck, his voice a snarl. "you're a pack warrior, zara, but don't forget who the alpha is—or who her mate is."


Chapter 24 - chapter 23