?Chapter 129:

His voice cracks, and I can hear the pleading edge. He’s trying to protect me—like I need that right now.

Anger res hot in my chest. Not from blushing or embarrassment, but from something sharper, darker—jealousy. The thought of some mate, some bitch out there who’d touch him, stroke his wolf’s silky fur, made me want to scream. I grunt in frustration. Screw it. Even if Ace tore me apart, I didn’t care. I wanted to be his first, not some faceless mate waiting to swoop in and take what’s mine.

I bite down on my bottom lip, forcing back the growing knot of jealousy.

“Let him out, Ryder,” I whisper. “I want to be the one to touch him first. Not her.”

He snarls, his hand tightening in my hair, dragging me closer until our lips are almost brushing.

“You think you can handle that, Jas? Handle him?”

His voice is dangerous, teasing, but there’s a flicker of something else. Fear. Not for him, but for me.

“Stop treating me like I’m some fragile doll. I want all of you,” I hiss back, defiant. “Or is it that you don’t want me to be the one?”

He flinches, just for a second, but it’s enough. The air around us shifts, thickens, like a storm ising. His breathing grows heavier, his wolf just beneath the surface, aching to break free.

“Don’t push me, Jasmine.” His voice is strained, a low warning. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“You don’t make decisions for me, Ryder baby,” I slurred, my voice dripping with defiance.

His eyes darkened, jaw clenched. “Fine. Let’s have it your way.”

One second he was speaking, the next, a wall of soft fur mmed against me, his massive body pinning me down. He was beautiful, damn it—and big. I mean, what did I expect? He’s a Lycan King. It wasn’t my first time seeing him like this, in his wolf form, but being this close? Touching him? This was a whole new level. And hell, he was gorgeous.

“His name is Ace,” Ryder’s voice echoed in my mind through the link, smooth and dark like melted chocte.

“Ace?” I whispered, my fingers gently brushing against his fur. His eyes, a deep, molten amber, stared down at me, filled with… tenderness? I almostughed. Was this the beast Ryder had warned me about?

M?????? ?????????????? ???? ??????????????????.??????

Ace growled softly when I said his name, but not in anger. His tongue darted out, hot and rough, yfully licking my skin. His nose pressed against me, sniffing, like he was memorizing my scent. His tail wagged behind him like a damn puppy, circling me with care.

Rough? This guy? I smirked, running my hand through his fur, watching as his eyes fluttered closed under my touch. The big bad wolf, Ryder said, was supposed to be dangerous, but this… this was something else.

I chuckled. “Didn’t you say he’d hurt me? This guy looks like he’s ready to cuddle.”

Ryder growled low through the link. “Don’t be fooled. Ace can tear apart anyone who threatens what’s his.”

I arched a brow, my hand still stroking Ace’s fur. “Well, then, I guess it’s a good thing I belong to him, huh?”

Ace’s growl deepened, but there was no danger in it. Just… possession. He nuzzled my neck, his hot breath fanning over my skin, and I let out a soft sigh, caught between amusement and something deeper, something that felt like surrender.

For a beast who was supposed to be rough, Ace was the softest thing I’d ever felt. But there was an edge in the way he held me close, like he was staking a im.

“Warning me not to push him too far.”

“I like him already,” I teased, my voice barely above a whisper.

.

.

.