I wake up in the middle of the night, as a sudden heat overwhelms me. I’ve never experienced that before: my body seems to be on the edge of exploding. I turn to face Alec’s muscular chest, which seems cold beside my body for the first time since I met him.

His proximity is almost too much, as his sweet fragrance does not help much. On the contrary, it even worsens things as my body temperature turns hotter.

Alec, can you wake up? I need you. You're all I need to make it stop. Please…

That’s all I can do and try: mind-link my mate as my mouth is dry, and I don’t think I am able to say a word.

The only thing that seems possible right now is to jump on him and get the only thing that obsessed me: his body. My ears catch his light breathing and the pulsing blood in his veins. My eyes stare at the crook of his neck despite the complete darkness surrounding us in the room. I have to grip the sheets of my pillow to prevent myself from jumping on him.

Selene, what the fuck is going on?

She is the only one who can answer me, as Alec seems to be profoundly dreaming.

I’m as hot as you are, Olivia. I think I should step back because you asked me to care about my sexual urges and that I wouldn’t mind waking up Ares… It is just like we are in heat which is absolutely stupid as we could not be more pregnant than we already are. I’ll try to see if I can have answers from Moon-Goddess. Good luck, Olivia.

And there she leaves me with my heating up body, on my own.

As I move the bedsheets, I catch a glimpse of Alec’s male glory, and damn, I could eat it for sure by now. But I definitely can’t assault my mate while he is sleeping. What kind of animal would it make me?

I need to get away from him and fast.

I jump out of bed and rush to the bathroom. I have to cool my body down and stop this suffocating state of mine. Is it possible to be that hot?

I move to the mirror, and I'm shocked at how red my cheeks are and how sweaty my naked body is. It glitters like I had been covered with sequins that would shine like diamonds.

I enter the shower and put my body under the cold water as I turn it on. If for a second the water helps, the ease that started in me evaporates quickly, leaving me with this unbreathable need.

I get out of the shower and stay here, sitting on the cold tiles for a moment. I don’t need a towel as my body dries on its own in a few minutes because of my radiating hot flesh.

I get out and sit on the couch, away from the bed. Despite my hard fight with myself, I can’t stop staring at Alec like a hunter would at their prey. I grip the couch, my claws getting out of my fingers.

Alec moves and turns on his side, trying to catch my missing body. All I can see is his perfect, muscular ass now teasing me.

Shit Alec, you’re not helping.

I wish I could come closer to hide his body under the cloth, but yet, I don’t trust my urges right now. I let out a painful whimper.

Alec instantly wakes up and sits on the bed, looking for me. I know his eyes catch mine within a second.

“What’s going on, Liv? Is anything wrong?” He asks, turning to the other side to switch on the light. He does not have time to reach it before I already stand above him, straddling him.

“Okay, I see,” he says, a smile on his face.

His hands grab my waist, and he starts to rub my skin. The touch is exquisite, a strange combination of lust and tranquility raising in me.

“You already tried the cold shower?”

“Yes, I did. Was not a success,” I wail. Alec catches my neck softly, and I lean on his chest, my head listening to his calmly beating heart.

“What’s wrong with me, Alec?”

“I would say nothing, as you’re a lycan. Most lycans can only breed with their fated mate. It happens that we can with a chosen mate, but it is rare. So when we find our mate, we are deeply needy to ensure our species survives.” He kisses my head, one hand still on my neck and the other on my lower back.

“Why does it happen when I’m already on my way to perpetuate our bloodline?” I ask him.

“I swear it’s awful, Alec.”

“I don’t know, Olivia. I suppose I could ask my mother because maybe it’s because of your… specificity. But it’s like two in the morning, Olivia, and I don’t feel like waking up my mother to have a little chat about my mate’s heat,” He says.

As I move my head to sniff his neck, my teeth grow longer in my gum.

“Okay, you move away a little. You can’t mark me now. Just relax, I call my mother. Breathe, Olivia,” he says before he gets up.

He goes to the bathroom without a look at me. I hear some water running before he comes back with two cold towels.

“Here, wrap yourself in the towels. We’re going to figure out something, fiery wolf,” he whispers before he kisses my cheek.

As I wrap myself in the towels, Alec takes his phone. Then he sits in the bed, against the headboard, and I put my head on his lap, away from his neck.

He calls a number, puts the speakers on, and a male voice finally answers after the third beep.

“Alexander, it’s two in the morning…” the voice I recognize as the King says.

“Is mother by your side, father? We’ve got a little issue with Olivia right now,” Alec answers.

“Is the room safe, Alexander?” Alec’s mother’s voice asks in an icy tone.

“Yes, mother. It’s been checked by Jackson, Eva, and Olivia’s brother before we went to bed. Plus, I have Taylor, Adam, Lucas, and Elisa posted in and out of the packhouse, alongside ten wolves of Blue Lakes, to make sure there are no intruders in it,” Alec answers with a slight smile on his lips.

“Good. Let me guess what your problem is. Olivia is burning hot, even if our little heirs are on their way to the throne,” Alec’s mother says before yawning.

“Well, yes. How do you,” Alec starts before being interrupted by his mother.

“Alexander, I’m your mother, and I’m pretty sure you figured out Olivia, and I have some common points,” she answers, her voice calmer than before. In the back, I can hear Alec’s father, who lets out a sound, showing he understands the situation.

“She has not marked you yet?”

“No, Moon-Goddess told us to wait until we’ve fixed some things,” Alec answers. I don’t need to look at him to know he is waiting for his parents’ reaction to him mentioning Moon-Goddess.

“Yes, I know. Ares and Selene told me,” the Queen answers as if it was totally natural, a bit of outrage noticeable.

“You know Selene?” I question the Queen, almost jumping to sit on the bed.

“Your highness,’ I add, realizing I might sound too familiar.

“No Highness, Olivia. You’re having my grandchildren. Liana will be fine with you, sweetheart,” she answers, kindness flooding out of her voice.

“I have known Selene for years. Don’t ask me why - neither Moon-Goddess nor our wolves could figure out - but she succeeded in reaching our nest once when she was a very young pup as she missed Ares. Since then, Jaci and I used to come along with Ares to play with her. You two are strong, Olivia. I can’t wait to meet you and see who Selene’s human part is,” she adds.

Even if we are thousands of miles apart, I feel like she is benevolently smiling. For some reason, I imagine she is on her bed, in some silky dressing gown, her back lying against the King’s chest while he’s playing with her hair.

“Thank you, Liana,” I whisper. As I move my eyes to meet Alec’s, my sudden urges to jump on him and make him mine more than he already is, take over me again. I gulp, and Alec makes me come closer.

I sit between his legs, my back against his chest, and he plays with some strands of my hair. Finally, he slowly whispers that he loves me and that everything will be fine to help me relax a bit. Surprisingly, it helps a lot.

“How am I supposed to fight the urge to mark Alexander, Liana?” I ask without a trace of shame or doubt in my voice. I can hear discreet chuckles both from Alexander and his father.

“Gray wolves are really possessive. More than any lycan. You are the Silver wolf, Olivia. You are even more possessive and demanding than any other wolf. As Selene and Ares marked each other, and Selene completely turned, the needs won’t calm until you and my son mark each other. Until then, you will be aroused like hell to seduce Alexander and make sure he lets his guard down for you to succeed in your task,” she says before she laughs.

“Sex can help a little. Nevertheless, Alexander must be careful if you choose this solution. Another solution is to be apart. Your need to mark him will soften if he is out of reach, but it won’t fill the possessiveness,” the Queen adds softly.

“Just try to figure out a way to help your mate while getting rid of the threats, Alexander. I’m certain Olivia and you will choose the best way. Have a good night, son,” she answers before she hangs up the phone.

“What the hell?” Alec says, looking dumbfoundedly at the phone. Then he sighs, putting it on the bedside table.

“Well, I think we’ll have to….”

Before he can add more, I turn, and my lips attack his without an ounce of shame. Sex can help is the only thing I remember; obviously, I can’t run away from my house in the middle of the night.

His hands grab my butt, and he answers my kiss without restraining much. Our tongues fight each other’s, moans disturbing the silence that reigns in the building.

Alec takes me and lies down on my back as our bodies part.

“Okay, I think I know what the option to survive this night is,” he says before his mouth brushes my neck. I can feel his fangs growing a little against the crook of my neck, right where my shoulder meets it.

“Just a few more days, Olivia. I swear,” he whispers.

One of his hands grabs my right breast, his other hand supporting him. He moves his mouth down to my breast to gently bite my nipple. My entire body tenses at the touch, arousal growing in me. Still, my body temperature seems to cool down, and the need to mark my mate changes into a new one. I want every part of him in one unbearable orgasm.

Alec lowers his hand, so it reaches my most intimate zone. I shudder as his hand brushes my already swallowed pleasure button. Then his thumb starts lovingly rubbing my clitoris, and I can’t restrain the growls from coming out of my throat.

He does not need to enter me for me to come. I scream with pleasure as I have never before.

“You feel better, little wolf?” he asks me softly, moving to kiss my lips as he stops caressing me.

I push him away, then throw him on his back. I place myself above his thick, erected limb.

“We’re not done, prince Alexander,” I let out with a husky voice. I’ve never been that bold regarding intimacy, but I notice my mate’s eyes filling with lust. He can’t hide a thing before my tongue caresses the head of his dick. It moves at the touch, and Alec moans.

“A problem, big wolf?” I ask him, a lusty grin on my face. He shook his head, and I put his sex in my mouth. I move up and down slowly, my tongue licking even if his prominent member does not leave much space in my mouth.

As Alec moves his hips slowly, I make quicker and deeper thrusts. As his moans turn into bestial growls, I know I made the right move. We keep on for more minutes, Alec’s hands grabbing my hair slowly to stop me.

“Olivia, I’m gonna come,” he groans. I focus as much as my current state allows on Alec for him to understand that I don’t care about having him coming in my mouth. As I keep thrusting, he gently stops my head as I’m at the end of it before he cums inside me, his sex getting more profound in my mouth again. I reach my orgasm just as he does, our aroused groans answering one another. His seed is hot in my mouth, and I instinctively gulp, thankful he didn’t come when I had him entirely in my mouth, or I would probably have choked.

Alec pulls him out of my mouth and takes the sheets to clean the corner of my lips, a little smile on his lips.

“Are you better now, little wolf?” he asks me, sitting me between his legs again, one arm wrapped around my breast and the other playing with my hair.

“Yes, thank you, Alexander,” I answer, resting my head against his chest.

At least, for now.