James initially thought he'd misheard her. Then he thought he'd misunderstood. But there was no doubt now—the way Elizabeth was looking at him, with wide eyes full of hope, anticipation, and a little fear, left no room for misinterpretation. Hearing the protected she-wolf profess her love sent his heart racing, slamming violently against his ribcage as he galloped. Elizabeth's skin was bright pink, and she couldn't meet his gaze, her eyes flitting up and down, as if she expected rejection. It was adorable and annoying simultaneously. Didn't she realize how deeply he cared for her?
At the same time, he didn't want to push her beyond her limits. It was one thing to believe she was ready; it was another to actually take such an important step. James wrapped a large hand in Elizabeth's hair, pulling her face up. "You thought I'd refuse, honey?" he asked, caressing her sharp jaw with his thumb. "Surely you realize how hopelessly in love I am with you, Elizabeth."
She shrugged, sniffling. "I don't know."
"Oh, my sweet companion," he breathed, pulling her close. "I'm madly in love with you, and it means the world to me that you feel the same. I've just been trying to be patient."
"I don't want you to be patient anymore," Elizabeth grumbled, her she-wolf eyes gleaming neon blue. James showed his fangs and growled softly, until the animal ferocity faded from Elizabeth's expression. "I think I need to be pushed," she added with a pout. "My she-wolf has been begging me to give in for weeks, and I've resisted. I appreciate you giving me time, but I can't do it alone. I... I need help taking this final step," Elizabeth admitted, her knees weak.
James captured her lips with his, understanding perfectly. Loving Elizabeth had been an exercise in endurance, self-discipline, and absolute masochism. "I appreciate it, baby," he purred, kissing her cheek. "And I'm so proud of you for acknowledging and asking for help, but there's no rush." He said this mostly to gauge her reaction. "Just know how you feel and that you're ready to take that step. We can start with getting more intimate and see how you feel."
Elizabeth didn't disappoint the soldier's wolf, giving him a fierce scowl and digging her heels into the ground. "I don't just mean I want you to eat me, James," Elizabeth corrected in a sultry tone, peeking at him from beneath her lashes as his words sank in. "I mean, I want you to claim me," she clarified, licking her lips. His words were becoming softer and more suggestive, and it took everything James had to control his wolf. "I need you to fill me with your big, hard cock, and eat me until I'm ruined. I need you to sink your sharp fangs into me."
"Enough!" James' blood was boiling. While he desperately wanted to take her to bed immediately, he couldn't resist another kiss. He growled, pulling her mouth to his, and Elizabeth immediately responded. They surrendered to passion for a few long, breathless minutes before James regained control. "There's something I have to tell you, before we go any further," he grumbled, angry at his own judgment.
Elizabeth winced, a shiver of dread passing through her. She worried about what would happen to her relationship with James once the war truly started. She'd seen the Alphas muttering and whispering strategies today. And now, with James' furrowed brow and regretful expression, it wasn't hard to guess what he was about to say.
"You're going with Dominic into battle, aren't you?" she stated, her mouth firm.
"He asked me to be his second-in-command, sending Roger on another mission," James confirmed, studying Elizabeth's expression. "The refugees won't need me to transport them daily, as we'll be between them and the threat." He sighed. "It will be a relief."
Elizabeth nodded, her eyes burning. "He'd be a fool to be without you."
"Can you look at me, sweet fellow?" James asked, using that endearment for the first time, feeling the vibrations of his voice resonate through the she-wolf.
She raised her bright eyes to him, and he kissed her again, deeply. "I'm going to do everything in my power to get back home, to you and Sadie. Nothing will keep me away." His need for her intensified, even stronger now that they spoke of separation. Elizabeth simply nodded, arching into his kiss. James pulled back, gripping her hips with alarming force. "Tell me now, Elizabeth," James begged, desperate to claim her but wary of frightening her. "Before we go too far to turn back. Are you sure this is what you want?"
Looking at him, she'd never been more certain. "If you plan to go to war, then you have no choice. You're going to claim me, man." The words held Elizabeth's trademark ferocity, but also a tremor of fear, as if she still couldn't quite believe it was real.
James stripped Elizabeth naked as if she were a precious gift, whose wrapping was too beautiful to tear carelessly. He kissed every inch of newly bared skin, his lips tracing her arms, neck, and shoulders as her blouse came off, then moving down her flat belly to the button of her jeans.
It was torture, the way he lingered where she most craved his touch. He removed her bra, licking and nibbling her spine until she quivered, then doing the same with her panties, rolling them down her hips and focusing his attention on the curve of her hip, the swell of her buttocks, and the inside of her thighs.