The Lost Queen

Chapter Ten

Daya's P.O.V.

I have to pee.

That's the only thought running through my mind as I lie sprawled on Kaden's chest, staring blankly at the black walls of his room. The steady rise and fall of his breathing, the warmth of his body beneath mine, the way his scent—woodsy and sweet with an underlying musk—wrapped around me like a cocoon, made it ridiculously hard to move.

I had tried to slip away earlier, but his arms were locked around my waist like a vice, holding me captive in the most frustratingly comfortable way. He was a furnace, his heat seeping into my skin, lulling me into a lazy contentment I couldn't afford right now. But the pressure in my bladder was relentless. I needed a plan.

Carefully, I shifted, moving inch by inch to avoid waking him. My left leg made it over his, and I lifted myself slightly, straddling him in a slow, calculated maneuver. My heart pounded as I prepared for phase two: sliding my right leg off, rolling away, and making a break for the bathroom without disturbing him.

But just as I began to shift, Kaden's arms loosened, his body tensing beneath me. His eyes snapped open.

"Shit."

I froze.

His piercing gaze locked onto mine, a slow, mischievous smile stretching across his lips as realization dawned. The amused glint in his eyes sent a fresh wave of heat crawling up my neck. His hands slid from my waist to my hips, his grip firm, possessive—enough to make my breath hitch.

"Good morning," he murmured, voice thick and husky with sleep.

Damn him.

A rush of embarrassment flooded through me as my face burned. Without thinking, I buried it in the crook of his neck, inhaling deeply. The scent of him was intoxicating, all warmth and cedarwood, with a hint of something darker, something undeniably him.

He smells so good.

Yes, he does. My wolf, Cora, swooned, her voice dripping with admiration.

I could feel her stirring, fighting for control. What are you doing? I asked, trying to rein her in.

I want mate. Let me take over. Just for a little while.

Before I could argue, she pushed forward, her presence washing over me like a tidal wave. It wasn't painful, just... intense. I could still see, still feel, but I was no longer in control.

Cora leaned in, nuzzling against Kaden's throat, inhaling deeply like she wanted to drown in his scent. Then, boldly, she pressed a soft kiss to his jaw. A shiver ran through him, his fingers tightening on my hips in response. She continued, leaving a trail of lingering kisses along his neck, reveling in the low, approving sound rumbling from his chest.

Kaden's breath hitched. Then, in a single swift motion, he flipped us over, pressing me into the mattress beneath him. His weight, the heat of his body caging me in, sent a thrill down my spine. His eyes, usually a warm brown, darkened into something almost predatory—coal black, filled with hunger.

His lips crashed into mine.

A spark ignited, spreading like wildfire as his mouth moved against mine, claiming, devouring. His hands roamed, sliding over my curves, gripping my waist as if he never wanted to let go. My legs instinctively wrapped around him, pulling him impossibly closer, every nerve ending in my body on high alert.

This was getting out of hand.

I tried to wrestle control back from Cora, but she was relentless, her desire bleeding into my own, making it impossible to think straight.