Managing Maddis while he attempted to mark Bella was no small task. It demanded every ounce of Luke’s willpower to suppress his own beast and resist his natural instincts. Deep down, he wanted to mark her too. When Maddis had taken control, his mouth hovering over her marking spot, a part of Luke was tempted to let it happen—to let Maddis take the blame. But he knew it couldn’t go that way. Their wolves were already bonded; Bella wasn’t going to tear Tyler away from Maddis.
She had made that clear—Tyler was Maddis’s. It was just a matter of time before she fully embraced the Mate Bond gifted to them by the goddess. Now, Luke watched her intently. Maddis, lurking in his mind, seemed to revel in the chaos he had stirred, practically rolling in amusement.
That bastard was toying with their mate, Luke suddenly realized.
You can’t do that to her, he muttered to Maddis.
Why not? Look at her—all flushed, hot, and bothered, Maddis responded slyly.
Luke’s eyes moved to Bella. Sure enough, her cheeks were tinged pink, and he caught the faint scent of her arousal in the air. She stood there, her breathing heavy, pupils dilated, heart racing. But what captured his full attention was the way her fingers traced her mark spot—slow, deliberate strokes. Luke fought the urge to grin at her reaction to Maddis’s near-marking. Perhaps his wolf had almost succeeded in swaying her.
Luke knew firsthand what it felt like when a mate touched you—that electrifying sensation, like sparks of pleasure igniting wherever they caressed. The more aroused you became, the more intense the feeling grew. Bella hadn’t acknowledged his apology for Maddis’s behavior. She simply stared at him, silent and unreadable.
Maddis had left a love bite on her—a temporary mark, but it looked striking. Goddess, Luke wanted nothing more than to pick up where Maddis had left off.
Do it, Maddis teased, playful and relentless.
Instead, Luke took a step back, giving them both some much-needed space. “Bella, please stop doing that,” he said after a moment, noticing her hand still lingering on her mark spot. The scent of her arousal was driving him to the edge. If she didn’t stop, he wasn’t sure he could hold back from marking her completely.
Bella blinked, as if snapping back to reality. Her hand fell away from her neck, and she shook her head without offering an apology. “You need to control your wolf,” she said softly, her voice devoid of anger. Whatever frustration she might have felt seemed overshadowed by the lingering effects of her arousal.
Her head tilted slightly, as though she were listening to something. Luke sharpened his own senses and caught the sound of children stirring upstairs.
“What do you want to do?” he asked, referring to the fact that his children were about to meet him for the first time.
“Out,” she said abruptly, snapping to attention. She hurried over, grabbed his arm, and dragged him toward the back door before shoving him outside. He let her, completely stunned by her sudden willingness to touch him.
“I haven’t told them about you yet. I need to do that before they see you,” Bella said firmly.
“Well, actually…” Luke began, but Benzy interrupted him.
“Let’s go, boss. We’ll get you showered and cleaned up while Bella talks to them over breakfast,” Benzy suggested, steering Luke away.
“I didn’t agree to that!” Bella snapped, her tone sharp.
“Bella, I’d like a proper introduction—today,” Luke said pointedly as Benzy continued to push him further away from her, away from his mate and his pups. He didn’t like it, but if Bella wanted to explain things to the children first, he would give her the chance.
The sound of happy, chirping voices filled the house; the children were likely in the kitchen with Jody by now. It was no surprise that Benzy was hurrying him away.
“Jayla,” Luke said before leaving, “if you don’t feel comfortable staying here after this morning, you and the children can use the Luna Suite.”
He walked in silence for a while, his thoughts turning inward. Maddis was calm now, content with the knowledge that marking Bella would come in time. It was just a matter of seduction.
You remember how to do that, right? Maddis teased him.
Yes, Maddis, Luke replied curtly. What’s with the sudden change in attitude toward Tyler and Bella?
Maddis snorted. She’s my mate. I want to play with her like we used to—but now, it’ll be even more fun.
You weren’t like this the last time you were mated, Luke commented, confused.
Tyler’s different, Maddis said matter-of-factly. She’s more fun, mischievous even.
Luke shook his head and let Maddis stew in his thoughts. He couldn’t figure him out—it was like his wolf had developed an entirely new personality overnight.
Just one, Maddis snarled, clearly tracking Luke’s thoughts. I’m just happy now, he added, almost smugly.
Benzy interrupted Luke’s musings. “So, that was interesting—Maddis nearly marking what’s yours?”
Luke sighed. “He says he wasn’t going to. Just playing with her.”
“Didn’t look like playing from where I was standing,” Benzy replied. “Jody didn’t seem bothered by it either.”
“I don’t care what Jody thought,” Luke said, irritation seeping into his tone. “After what he did to her, sending her distress levels through the roof, he has no right to an opinion. Bloody stupid, all of them.” He scratched the back of his neck and rubbed his eyes, exhaustion creeping in after being awake all night. “Do you think she’ll tell them?”
“Who knows? But she can’t run now,” Benzy said with a laugh. “Tyler’s clearly smitten with Maddis. It’s obvious. She won’t let Bella leave. From the way he walked her into the pack house and Tyler’s reaction in the kitchen, they’re mated now, aren’t they?”
Luke chuckled. “Yes. Many times. She didn’t even argue about it—no fight, nothing.”
Benzy laughed softly. “Looks like Maddis’s faith in Tyler wasn’t misplaced. He was completely confident she’d accept him, and she did.”
Luke nodded, reflecting on Maddis’s unwavering belief. He’d had his doubts, but Maddis had never questioned Tyler’s feelings. Now, there was no chance he’d ever let her go. He was curious, though—how would she react to him half-shifted or in a rage? But that was a problem for another day.
