Little witch

Trapped

Adeline's POV

I woke slowly, the weight of warmth surrounding me like a heavy blanket. It took a moment for me to realize where I was—and more importantly, who I was wrapped around.

Titus.

I was nestled into his chest, my head pressed against the hard muscle of his shoulder, his arms locked securely around me. My legs were tangled with his, and every time I shifted even slightly, his grip tightened. He was like an immovable force, pinning me down with his sheer presence.

I tried to wiggle free, thinking maybe I could slip out unnoticed, but the moment I moved, a low growl rumbled from deep within his chest, vibrating through me. Instinctively, I froze.

His grip tightened, and he pulled me closer, burying his face into the crook of my neck. "Stay," he muttered, his voice still heavy with sleep, sending a shiver through me.

"Titus," I whispered, trying to keep my voice steady. "I need to get up."

He didn't respond right away, only shifted slightly, pressing his nose deeper against my skin. The sound of his breathing slowed, like he was drifting back into sleep, and I let out a soft sigh of frustration.

"Titus, come on," I insisted, attempting to wiggle free again. But his response was another growl, deeper this time, and I felt his arm wrap tighter around my waist.

I gave in, slumping back into his hold. There was no fighting him. He wasn't going to let me go anytime soon, and a small part of me didn't even want him to. So, I stayed there, pressed up against his chest, my mind racing as I tried to make sense of everything.

My gaze shifted to his face. He looked peaceful, his dark hair tousled, lips slightly parted as he slept. There was something so vulnerable about him in this moment, something I rarely saw. The hard edges of his face seemed to soften in his sleep, and I found myself studying every detail, unable to look away.

He had me completely trapped in his arms, and yet, I didn't feel trapped. There was a strange comfort in being held this tightly, like he was grounding me somehow.

After a while, I felt his body stir beneath me. His breathing changed, and his eyes fluttered open. For a second, he just stared down at me, a slow smile creeping onto his lips.

"You're awake," he murmured, his voice husky from sleep.

"Yeah," I replied quietly. "I've been awake for a while now. You wouldn't let me go."

He grinned, his eyes darkening as he pulled me even closer. "Can't let you go," he said, his voice deep and serious. "Not yet."

I frowned, still confused. "Why not?"

Titus's expression shifted slightly, something more primal flickering behind his gaze. "Because of the heat," he said after a pause, his voice low. "It's starting."

"The heat?" I echoed, my stomach twisting at his words. I had read about it in my research on wolves, but I never thought I'd be hearing it directly from him.

Titus sighed, resting his forehead against mine for a brief moment before pulling back to look at me. "Heat is... intense. It's when our wolves need to bond more than ever. Blaze is in the early stages, and it's why I can't let you go." His eyes flickered with gold as he spoke, his wolf close to the surface. "He wants you close. He *needs* you close."

I felt my cheeks flush at the intensity in his words. "Is it dangerous?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"For you? Never," he reassured me, his hand moving up to brush a strand of hair from my face. "But it's going to be hard to keep him at bay. He's protective, possessive... and territorial. Especially with you."

I swallowed hard, feeling a rush of nerves. "So... you can't let me out of your sight?"

He nodded slowly, his hand cupping my cheek. "Not for a while. You're my mate, Adeline. Blaze doesn't want anyone else near you, not even for a second. And I can't fight him on that right now." His voice softened, almost pleading. "I know it might be overwhelming, but it's part of the bond. He won't hurt you. But he won't let you go, either."

I stared at him, trying to process everything he was saying. The idea of being so closely tied to him, to his wolf, was overwhelming. But as I looked into his eyes, I realized something else.

I wasn't afraid.

I nodded slowly, trying to hide my nervousness. "Okay," I whispered, my voice shaking only slightly. "I trust you."

Titus's expression softened as he leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "You're stronger than you think," he murmured against my skin. "And I'm not letting anything happen to you. Not now, not ever."

I let out a small sigh, relaxing into his embrace. His arms tightened around me, and for a brief moment, I allowed myself to sink into the comfort of his presence, knowing that for the next few days—maybe longer—I would be bound to him more closely than ever.

I just hoped I could handle the heat.