Little witch

Struggling

Titus POV

Titus paced the length of the room, his jaw clenched and hands balled into fists. Inside, Blaze was growling, pacing just as restlessly within him. The wolf was on edge, and Titus felt the full weight of that energy as if it were his own.

"She's ours. We need her," Blaze's voice rumbled deep in his mind, a constant, unrelenting pressure that tugged at every inch of his being.

Titus knew this. He *felt* this. Every fiber of him screamed to close the distance between them, to complete the bond, to make her his in every sense. But he couldn't—he wouldn't—push Adeline. She needed time. This was all new to her, and the last thing he wanted was for her to feel like she had no choice.

But Blaze... Blaze was not as patient.

"She doesn't feel trapped. She's ours—she *wants* to be ours," Blaze snarled, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Mark her. Mate her. Now."

Titus took a deep breath, fighting to steady his own emotions. "I won't push her," he said through gritted teeth. "We agreed to wait until she's ready."

Blaze's growl reverberated inside him, angry and impatient. "She'll never leave. She's already ours. We need her close, covered in our scent."

Titus rubbed his temples, trying to block out the constant pressure from his wolf. He had to stay in control. For her.

"Fine," he muttered aloud, knowing Blaze was still listening. "But we do this my way."

Blaze quieted slightly, though Titus could still feel the impatience simmering beneath the surface. It was a temporary victory, but he knew it wouldn't last long.

Needing a break, Titus decided to head out for breakfast. Maybe some food would help them both relax. Blaze grumbled in protest, wanting to stay close to Adeline, but Titus ignored him, making his way out the door and heading toward the kitchen. He grabbed a few things—nothing too heavy, just enough to tide them over.

When he returned, he found Adeline freshly showered, her damp hair falling in waves down her back. She was wearing nothing but a tank top and shorts, and the sight of her, bare legs and all, made his chest tighten.

Blaze stirred immediately, the wolf surging closer to the surface. "Ours," he growled possessively. The wolf wanted to claim her right there, on the bed, against the wall, maybe even against the window to show everyone who she belongs to, but then he would have to rip their heads from their neck for looking at her.

Titus swallowed hard, trying to suppress the rising heat in his blood. "Adeline," he said softly, placing the food on the small table by the window.

She looked up at him with those beautiful green eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You didn't have to do that," she said, gesturing to the breakfast he'd brought.

"I wanted to," Titus replied, his voice a little rougher than he intended. He walked over to her, offering a piece of toast. When she reached out to take it from his hand, he pulled it back, his eyes narrowing.

"I'll feed you," he growled, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Adeline blinked, her hand frozen mid-air. "I can feed myself," she replied, her voice tinged with confusion.

Titus shook his head. "Not anymore. From now on, I'm feeding you." His voice was firm, almost instinctual. Blaze rumbled in satisfaction at the control, content—for the moment—with this small act of possessiveness.

Adeline opened her mouth to protest, but then she must have sensed the tension in him, the way his muscles were taut with restraint. After a moment, she sighed softly and nodded, allowing him to hold the piece of toast to her lips.

As she took a bite, Titus felt a strange sense of satisfaction roll through him. Feeding her like this, watching her take what he gave, it calmed something primal inside him. But it wasn't enough.

He wanted more. He wanted to see her mouth wrap around- he shook the thought out of his head.

"Adeline," he said after a minute, his voice gentler now. "Go put on one of my shirts."

She looked at him, clearly confused. "Why?"

Titus ran a hand through his hair, trying to find the right words. "Blaze and I... we need you covered in our scent. It'll help... ease the pull." His gaze darkened as he looked at her, his voice dropping. "I don't want to push you into anything you're not ready for, but having you in my scent—it helps keep Blaze calm."

Adeline hesitated, but after a moment, she nodded. She got up and walked toward his closet, pulling out one of his shirts and slipping it over her head. It was far too big on her, the hem falling to her knees, and something about the way it swallowed her up, draping her in his scent, made his chest swell with a fierce sense of pride.

When she returned, he couldn't stop the satisfied smile that spread across his face. "You look perfect," he said softly, his voice full of possessive warmth.

Adeline looked down at the oversized shirt, still fidgeting slightly. "Why does wearing your scent matter so much?" she asked, her voice curious but cautious.

Titus stepped closer to her, gently brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Because heat makes everything more intense. Blaze and I... we're driven to protect you, to have you close, to complete the bond. But I know you're not ready. This"—he gestured to the shirt—"helps us feel like you're ours. It keeps Blaze from going wild."

Adeline bit her lip, processing his words. "So... it's like a compromise?"

Titus nodded. "Exactly. I don't want to pressure you, Adeline. But being close, being covered in my scent—it'll help us both. At least for now."

She looked up at him, her green eyes softening. "Okay," she said quietly. "If it helps, I'll wear it."

Titus's heart swelled at her willingness to trust him, to understand the delicate balance they were trying to maintain. He leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to her forehead.

"You don't know how much this means to me," he murmured, his voice thick with emotion.

Blaze, for the first time in what felt like hours, was quiet—satisfied, for now.