Valen slammed the door shut as he entered his study, his breathing ragged and his heart pounding. He leaned against the door, his eyes shut tightly as he tried to compose himself. His body was still reeling from the intimacy he had shared with Ella. Every moment in her presence was like standing at the edge of a cliff, teetering between restraint and giving in to the bond that tugged relentlessly at him.

He raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. Why does it have to be this hard? The thought of claiming her was a constant whisper in his mind, but he held back. Ella deserved more than...