Chapter 86: Discuss
Riven was in the waiting area, slumped against one of the plush armchairs. His face was flushed, a brilliant red that spilled from his cheeks to his ears and down his neck. His breathing was shallow, and his usually bright eyes were looking dull.
He was trembling, his wolf ears twitching restlessly, and his fluffy tail lashed against the side of the chair like it had a mind of its own.
Riven barely registered Ronan’s presence at first, too lost in the overwhelming sensations coursing through him. Heat. Need. Ache. His whole body felt on fire, like something inside was clawing its way out, desperate to be satiated.
He tried his best to stay conscious, fighting the urge to whimper as he clutched the fabric of his pants with trembling fingers.
The moment Ronan stepped into his line of sight, Riven’s ears perked up, tail whipping once before swishing from side to side. His entire body tensed, and his heart hammered in his chest. Ronan’s scent—rich, familiar, irresistible—wrapped around him, stirring his instincts even more violently.
Riven forced himself to stand, his legs wobbling. He bit his lip to stifle a moan that threatened to escape. His rational mind knew he shouldn’t be acting like this, not after everything that had happened, not after Ronan had abandoned him, but his body was betraying him.
As much as he despised the situation he was in right now, Riven couldn’t help but yearn for Ronan’s touch, to have his mate’s arms around him. It was maddening, this push and pull between his mind and body, and it left him helpless.
Riven’s eyes flickered toward Soren, uncertain and a little fearful. Did he look too eager? Did he seem pathetic for wanting Ronan so badly? He didn’t want to appear weak in front of Soren, not when he had just begun to push back against his possessiveness.
Soren noticed the way Riven was holding back, restraining his instincts, and it made his jaw tick with irritation. Despite allowing Ronan inside, Soren had no intention of letting him steal Riven away. His little wolf was still his, no matter how much his body craved his Alpha.