Page 36 of Tender Wild

Jared couldn’t think straight long enough to obey.

“Mine,” Miguel murmured, nuzzling Jared’s neck. “Mi solecito. Mi elegido.”

He sank his canines into Jared’s shoulder, making him cry out, his orgasm shattering him.

The sharp pressure at Jared’s shoulder lessened as Miguel retracted his canines free, licking the wound.

Jared leaned forward, lips brushing Miguel’s throat. The salt of sweat mingled with something uniquely Miguel—earthy and rich. His canines found the junction between neck and shoulder, canines lengthening as his cheetah surged forward.

“Do it,” Miguel groaned. “Claim me, kitten.”

With a vibrating purr, his canines sank into Miguel’s flesh, breaking skin with surprising ease. Copper flooded his mouth as Miguel’s blood hit his tongue—hot, alive, sacred.

Mine! The bond formed instantly, clicking into place like a key finding its lock. Jared gasped against Miguel’s neck, overwhelmed by the sudden rush of connection—emotions not his own cascading through him. Desire. Protection. Belonging.

Miguel’s body tensed above him, a guttural sound that was half-growl, half-gasp escaping his throat. His hips jerked forward once, twice, his cock pulsing deep inside as he came. The physical sensation combined with their mental connection created an intensity that stole Jared’s breath.

Carefully, Jared released his bite, tongue instinctively lapping at the puncture marks to seal them.

“Fuck,” he whispered, trembling as the aftershocks rippled through him. His mind buzzed with the newness of their bond, like discovering an extra limb he never knew he had.

Slowly, Miguel eased himself free, both of them hissing at the oversensitivity. A trickle of warmth escaped Jared as Miguel rolled to his side.

He studied Miguel’s profile in the dim light. His mate looked wrecked in the best possible way—hair wild, lips swollen, a fine sheen of sweat glistening on his scarred skin. The bite mark on his neck stood out stark against his tan skin.

“Feel different?” Miguel asked, turning to face him.

“Like someone rewired my entire body.” Jared’s fingers traced the mark he’d left, feeling strangely possessive. “I can feel you. Inside my head. You?”

“Like you’ve crawled inside my head and made yourself at home.” Miguel pulled Jared against his chest. Their bodies slotted together perfectly, Jared’s back against Miguel’s front, strong arms encircling him. One hand splayed across Jared’s stomach, anchoring him in place. “Bossy even in my thoughts.”

Jared snorted, then he closed his eyes. “Xavier’s going to lose his mind.”

“Let him.” Miguel’s fingers traced lazy patterns on Jared’s hip. “You’re mine now.”

The possessiveness in those three simple words sent a thrill through Jared. “Yours,” he agreed, linking his fingers with Miguel’s. “And you’re mine.”

Chapter Nine

Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt.

The persistent vibration against wood yanked Jared from deep sleep. His eyelids felt glued together as he forced them open, momentarily blinded. Sunlight streamed through half-drawn curtains, painting golden stripes across the unfamiliar bed.

Where in the hell am I? Disorientation gripped him for three rapid heartbeats before memories flooded back—hyenas, fighting, Miguel’s hands, the mating bite still tender on his shoulder.

Oh yeah. His mind drew out those two words like a lightbulb had just lit up over his head.

Bzzzt. Bzzzt. Bzzzt.

His buzzing phone was a determined little sucker. The device vibrated right toward him, the screen lighting up with his mom’s face. Next to him, Miguel slept on, dark hair falling across his forehead. One arm was flung across his eyes, mouth slightly open, soft snores escaping with each breath.

Dark lashes rested against his cheeks, his features relaxed in sleep.

“You’re lucky you’re so damn cute,” Jared muttered, wincing as he stretched to grab his phone. Every muscle protested the movement, reminding him of last night’s fight and naughty festivities.

He swiped to answer, stifling a yawn. “Hey, Mom.”

“Jared Anthony Fortelli!” His mother’s voice sliced through the morning haze like a machete, making him jerk the phone away from his ear. “Do you have any idea how worried we’ve been?”

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