Little witch

Turmoil

Blaze and Titus POV

Titus had been doing everything he could to control himself. After Adeline's questions about completing the bond, Blaze had been a constant presence in his mind, pushing, clawing, desperate to claim what was theirs. But Titus was holding him back, unsure if Adeline was truly ready for what the bond would mean. He had seen the hesitation in her eyes, the fear that lingered just beneath the surface.

He could sense her growing trust, her willingness to be close to him—closer than anyone had ever been. But that didn't mean she was ready to commit to something as permanent as a mating bond. Titus didn't want to push her too fast, didn't want her to feel trapped by the intensity of what they were.

Still, Blaze wasn't making it easy.

She wants us, Blaze growled in his mind, his voice a rough whisper. You felt it. She's ready. Stop holding back.

Titus clenched his jaw, his hand tightening slightly around Adeline's waist as she sat curled up in his lap. She was so warm, so soft against him, and Blaze's need to complete the bond surged through him like wildfire.

But Titus knew better than to rush this. He had seen what happened when wolves pushed their mates too fast, when they gave in to their instincts instead of listening to their partners. It was dangerous. It could break everything.

She's not ready, Titus responded internally, trying to keep his voice steady, even though the pressure of Blaze's desire was becoming harder to ignore. I'll wait for her. We have to wait.

Blaze growled low in his mind, frustrated. She wants it. You heard her. She asked about completing the bond. Why do you deny me what's ours?

Titus closed his eyes briefly, trying to center himself. He could feel the tension building between them, his wolf and his human sides warring over control. His grip on Adeline tightened slightly, and she looked up at him, her green eyes filled with curiosity and trust.

"Titus?" she asked softly, her voice cutting through the haze of his internal struggle.

Titus blinked, his gaze focusing on her face, her wide eyes searching his as if she could sense the turmoil inside him. He fought for control, for calm, even as Blaze roared in the back of his mind, demanding he claim her.

But then, before he could stop it, Blaze pushed forward, his voice slipping past Titus's control. "Are you ready?" Blaze's words were more forceful, more demanding than Titus had intended.

Adeline stiffened slightly in his lap, her eyes widening in surprise. She tilted her head, confusion flickering across her face. "Ready... for what?" she asked cautiously.

Titus cursed under his breath, trying to regain control, but Blaze was too strong now, too determined. His voice was low and rumbling as he spoke again, the words spilling out before Titus could stop him.

"To complete the bond," Blaze said, his eyes glowing slightly as he looked down at Adeline. "You asked about it. I need to know if you're ready. If you want this."

Adeline stared at him, her breath catching in her throat. She seemed unsure, caught off guard by the sudden intensity in his voice. "I... I don't know," she admitted, her voice soft. "How do we... how do we complete it?"

Titus's heart pounded in his chest, every muscle in his body tense. This was the moment. If he told her, there was no going back. Blaze was already too close to the surface, too ready to claim what was theirs. But Titus had to be honest. He couldn't hide the truth from her.

He took a deep breath, his voice steady but rough around the edges as he explained. "I have to mark you. On your neck," he said, his hand brushing gently against the spot where his wolf wanted to sink his teeth, right at the base of her throat. "It's... intimate. The bond is completed when we're together. Physically."

Adeline's breath hitched, her cheeks flushing as the meaning of his words sank in. She shifted slightly in his lap, her hands gripping the fabric of his shirt. "You mean... when we're..."

Blaze nodded, his words more direct than Titus was. "Yes. The bond is stronger, it takes better, and way more pleasurable if I'm fucking you"

There was a long silence, the weight of the conversation hanging between them. Adeline's cheeks had been painted red at Blaze's words. Blaze was pacing inside him, desperate to push forward, to take what was his, but Titus forced himself to remain still, to give her the space she needed.

Adeline swallowed hard, her fingers tracing the line of his collarbone as she thought. "And... if we don't do it?" she asked quietly.

Titus sighed, his hand sliding up her back, fingers tangling gently in her copper hair. "If we don't, Blaze will keep pushing. The bond will keep pulling us closer until we can't fight it anymore. It'll be harder for both of us, especially him."

Adeline's eyes flickered with uncertainty, but there was something else there too. A glimmer of curiosity, of desire, that she was trying to hide but failing to suppress completely. She bit her lip, her gaze dropping to his chest as she processed everything.

"I... I don't want to rush," she said softly, her voice shaking slightly.

Titus's heart squeezed in his chest, and he nodded, his grip on her tightening slightly. "I don't either. I'll wait as long as you need, Adeline. But just know that it's getting harder for Blaze. He's already..." He hesitated, not wanting to scare her. "He's already struggling."

Adeline looked up at him again, her expression conflicted. "I don't want to make things harder for him. Or for you."

Titus cupped her cheek, his thumb brushing gently over her soft skin. "You're not. This is your decision. I'll wait for you, no matter what."

Blaze growled in his mind, frustrated but still satisfied to be this close to their mate. Titus could feel his wolf's longing, the primal need to mark her and make her his forever. But he also knew that forcing it would only push Adeline away.

For now, he would wait. Even if it was killing him inside.

"I'll be here," Titus said softly, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Whenever you're ready."

Adeline leaned into his touch, closing her eyes as she rested her head against his chest. "Thank you," she whispered.

Titus held her close, feeling the warmth of her body against his, his mind swirling with thoughts of what was to come. Blaze may have to wait a little longer, but one thing was certain—he wouldn't let her go.