Page 222 of Kingdoms of Night

I closed my eyes, imagining what he would look like above me.His icy blue irises glowing in the night. His hair falling around his face in feral-like waves. His stubbled jaw clenching. His hands reaching…

“Riley.” His voice had dropped to a whisper.

Fading.

Leaving.

Morphing into a—

His knuckles brushed my cheek.

And his purr…

Oh, wolves, his purr is the most amazing sound in existence. So warm and soothing. So perfect.

I leaned toward his touch, lost to this dream, lost tohim.

The rumble increased, his fingers moving until his palm wrapped around the back of my neck, providing me with the dominance my inner wolf craved.

I sighed. “Jonas.”

“I’m here.”

“You’re not,” I whispered. “But that’s okay. I understand.”

“No, Riley. I’m right here.” He put a little growl in his tone, chasing away a hint of the purr.

My brow furrowed, my eyes opening just a smidge. I expected the dream to end. But it didn’t. Instead, his concerned face stole my vision. “Jonas.”

“Yes.” He gave my nape a squeeze and released me. “I had to find some supplies to get the generator and pump working. It’s on now. We should have water soon.”

He was squatting before me.

And looked like he was about to stand.

So I launched myself at him to keep him close, terrified that he would leave me again. Fearful that he mightdisappear.

“You’re real,” I marveled, burying my nose in his neck. “Oh, moons, you’rereal.” I couldn’t stop shaking, my need to cling to him overriding all thought and reason.

This wasn’t because of my heat.

Or maybe it was all because of my heat.

I didn’t know.

I just knew that I neededhim. Not his knot, but the man. “Jonas.”

“Hey,” he murmured, his arms coming around me. “It’s okay, Doc. I’m here.”

I shook my head. “You left.”

“To gather supplies.”

“To punish me,” I said, not listening to him. “You left to punish me. And I deserved it. I’ve been… I’ve been rude. Disrespectful. I’m sorry. I… I was trying to push you away. I didn’t want towantyou. But my wolf. My wolf… I’ve had to take so many more suppressants to avoidthis.To avoidyou. I… I…” I wasn’t sure what else to say.

There was so much I needed to apologize for.

I just wanted him to stay.

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