#Chapter 137: Bondfire

Amelia When I woke, the room felt quieter than it had in days. Not physically, but something deeper. The air still smelled of sweat and sex and wolf, but the urgency had softened. My body ached in the best way, limbs heavy, lips swollen, skin marked from teeth and hands and heat, but my mind felt clearer than it had since the first spike. Richard stirred when I shifted. His lashes were thick against his cheek, his breathing slow. Even asleep, he kept a hand on my stomach, fingers curled possessively like he didn’t trust the world not to pull me away. I rolled toward him, pressing a kiss to his collarbone. He blinked awake with a soft grunt, looking at me like he wasn’t sure if I was real or a dream still tugging at him. "Hi," I whispered. He smiled slowly. "Hey." I pushed my leg between his, kissed his shoulder again, slower this time. My body wasn’t done. Not really. But the edge had changed. It was slow now. Melting. Like we had time. I reached down, sliding my hand ove