When the Mercury Alpha male finally spoke, it was to Roni and Marcus. “Is it what you guys want?”

Marcus looked at his mate, who was worrying her bottom lip. He could sense through their bond that she was seriously considering it, but something held her back. “What is it?”

“I like the idea of not having to choose between packs, but we’d still have to choose where to live, so I don’t see how belonging to both packs would make much difference.”

“We could just do what we do now: spend a few days a week here, and spend a few days a week at Phoenix territory.” It would mean that Roni had a break from Kathy when she needed it—as Eli predicted, the woman still did her best to taunt Roni and interfere in her life. Nick had eased up a little, but it was still irritating.

“That could work.” The arrangement would allow her to break away from her family’s hold without actually leaving them.

Nick nodded, handing Willow over to Shaya. “Then that’s what we’ll do.”

“You sure?” Roni didn’t want him to do it if he were truly against it.

“I don’t want to lose you to another pack, and I don’t want Fuller here twenty-four/seven. This works for me.”

Marcus chuckled, seeing the humor in Nick’s eyes.

Turning to face each other, the two Alphas sliced their palms and then slapped them together. Roni felt it as the links combined. It wasn’t like the two were one, but like each was an extension of the other. Everyone on the dance floor immediately sensed it and crowded around them. To Roni’s relief, they all seemed happy with the decision. In actuality, though, the only opinion that truly mattered was that of her mate.

Long after the celebrations were over, as she was fixing him a late-night snack in her lodge—their lodge—she asked without looking at him, “Are you sure you’re okay with being a member of both packs? I mean, you don’t feel like you’ve betrayed Trey?” It would be stupid, but she could understand it.

From his seat at the kitchen table, Marcus replied, “Hmm.” He had no idea what she’d asked. Come on, did she really expect him to understand a word she said when she was strolling around in nothing but a tank top and a pair of boy shorts? It was one of the hottest things ever and gave him little peeks of that ass he loved. It didn’t matter that he’d been inside her only twenty minutes ago. He could never get enough of her.

Confused by his response, she looked over her shoulder . . . and rolled her eyes. “Could you stop ogling my ass for just one second?”

“Hmm.”

Placing his sandwich on the table, she repeated her questions. And he looked at her with pity.

“Of course I’m okay with it.” All he’d wanted was a solution that made her happy. She was happy. Problem solved.

Feeling his sincerity through the bond, she relaxed. “Just checking.” By the time she’d cleared the countertop, he was done eating. As she went to take his plate, he lifted her and placed her on his lap, straddling him.

He bit her bottom lip. “I’m still hungry.” But this was another kind of hunger. “Feed me.” The second her mouth opened for him, he thrust his tongue inside. He took what he wanted, gave her what she needed. Fisting a hand in her hair, he yanked her head aside and latched onto her pulse—sucking, nibbling, and marking. Claws pricked into his arms warningly, reminding him he was dealing with a dominant female who would let him lead but wouldn’t let him push. So he bit her hard, reminding her she was dealing with a dominant male who couldn’t be handled.

She hissed out a breath. “I should claw you for that.”

“So vicious.” Bunching up her tank top, he peeled it off and flung it aside. “It’s one of the things my wolf loves most about you.” He growled in approval when she leaned back and draped her arms over the edge of the table, arching her body so that her breasts thrusted upward.

“That’s because your wolf is bloodthirsty.” The words came out kind of breathy, since he was now suckling her nipple while his skilled hands lightly but possessively skated over her. There was nothing hurried about his movements. This seduction was languorous, almost lazy.

“I love that you’re vicious, but I also love that you’re softhearted with those who matter to you.”

Offended, she scowled. “I’m not soft.” She lost her scowl when he moved onto her neglected nipple. At the same time, one hand gripped her hip and began grinding her against him. She could feel him, hard and hot, through her shorts.

“Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” He punctuated that by biting the peak of her breast. He cupped them both in his hands, marveling at how perfectly they fit there. How perfectly she fit against him. “Mine.” He licked his claiming mark. “My Roni.”

“Yes,” she agreed. And he was hers. Achingly gorgeous, charming as hell, danger prettily dressed—and all hers. Her stomach clenched as his hand slid inside her shorts and smoothly drove a finger inside her.

He groaned. “You’re already wet for me.” The thought had his cock throbbing, demanding release. Marcus ground the heel of his hand over her clit with each thrust of his finger, all the while kissing and biting her neck. She squirmed and moaned, making it clear exactly what she wanted. Withdrawing his finger, he shoved it inside her mouth. “Suck.” Boldly holding his gaze, she sucked and licked.

Roni suddenly found herself sprawled on her back over the kitchen table, her legs hooked over his shoulders, and her boy shorts in shreds. Apparently the unhurried seduction was over. “That was my favorite pair.”

Shoving down his jeans, Marcus fisted his cock. He was heavy and aching, and her hungry gaze almost made him come right then. “You want this inside you?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me. Tell me you want it.”

She licked her lips as she watched him stroke himself. “I want it.”

Cupping her ass, Marcus angled her just right and plunged deep inside her, seating himself to the balls. Jaw clenched, he fucked her just the way she liked it—hard, fast, rough, and deep. Seeing her lying there with her hair flowing around her, those breasts bouncing with each thrust, and her pussy stretching over his cock, he knew he wouldn’t last long. Her claws shot out, leaving deep grooves in the wood as she arched against him, moaning. “That’s right. I want to hear you.” Her eyes flashed wolf, making his own wolf lunge toward her.