Episode 17

Ezra spent the entire day avoiding Esmeralda. He was too heartbroken and hurt to even look at her after being blindsided by the news of her betrothal that morning. Consumed by rage and jealousy at the thought of Damian, or any man for that matter, having Esmeralda, he couldn't bear the sight of her. His mind tortured him with images of her and Damian making love, he wanted to drive a sword through Damian's heart.

He was particularly upset with her for not giving him a heads-up or letting him know about it sooner. He couldn't understand why she had kept it a secret, and he wondered if she had feelings for Damian. But considering they hadn't seen each other in years, his jealousy was driving him crazy with the assumptions that consumed his mind.

Late at night, he finally returned to his quarters. He had spent the entire day trailing the vampires for King Aaron, trying to figure out what they wanted with Esmeralda. Eventually, he managed to locate the vampire who had escaped during the attempted kidnapping. It took every ounce of self-control for Ezra to restrain himself from attacking the vampire. He had followed the vampire to his lair—a massive mansion in the city of New Orleans. Tomorrow, he would report his findings to King Aaron. For now, all he wanted was to drown his sorrows in alcohol and sulk.

Once in his room, he took off his shirt and shoes, poured himself a drink, and headed into the bathroom. Suddenly, his ears picked up the sound of footsteps and the creaking of his door. With lightning-quick speed, he had his hands around the intruder's neck, claws sprouting from his fingers as he slammed them against the wall. His blood turned to ice when he realized it was Esmeralda.

"Are you insane? I could have hurt you," he said, releasing her from his grip and stepping backward as his claws retracted.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to frighten you," Esmeralda replied, rubbing her sore neck where he had held her.

"What are you doing here, princess?" he asked, taking in the sight of her. She looked beautiful and vulnerable in her nightgown, the sheer material outlining her slender figure. He fought his body's reaction to her by turning away. This situation was dangerous—him drunk and her barely dressed, close to him and close to a bed. He reminded himself that he was upset with her.

"We need to talk. We haven't had the chance because you disappeared this morning," Esmeralda pleaded.

"I have nothing to say to you," he responded, his voice cold and his demeanor distant. He couldn't even look at her.

"Please, Ezra, just give me a chance to explain."

"Explain what? That you are to marry that pompous asshole or that I am to be relegated to your shadows and watch the woman I love marry and mate with another? There's no need to explain. I've got the message loud and clear."

"Don't be like this, Ezra. This isn't my fault. I tried to reject this proposal, but Lord Tristan is so far up my father's ass that he won't see reason."

"Go back to your room, Esmeralda."

"No!"

He turned to face her. "Go back to your room."

"I said no. I'm not leaving you, not while you're this upset with me."

"I'm not upset."

"But you are. You're flushed and angry."

"Well, that's what happens when one is under a lot of pressure."

"I'm pressuring you?"

"No, it's the pressure of all my emotions. I love you, Esmeralda," he blurted out without realizing it.

"You love me?"

"Yes, Esmeralda, I burn for you. For me, the sun rises and sets with you. You are my moon, controlling my every move like the ocean. I am half-mad with desire, and it's all because of you, Esmeralda," he confessed.

"I love you too, Ezra. I always have," she responded.

With a smoldering look in his eyes, he approached her, and heat rose to Esmeralda's cheeks as he closed the gap between them, pulling her into a passionate kiss. The intensity of their kisses increased, and he turned her around, loosening the strings of her nightdress. Their lips locked once more as the room filled with a charged sexual energy that consumed their minds. Their breathing became rapid, heavy, and labored with tension.

"I need you so badly, Esmeralda. You have no idea what you do to me," Ezra murmured as he kissed her neck, her gown dropped to the floor, leaving her standing naked before him.

"I need you too, Ezra," she whispered, her lips swollen from their kisses. His eyes roamed over her body, scanning every part of her. She was magnificent.

They kissed again, and as her hardened nipples grazed his chest, he grew hard and excited.

"We need to stop," he pleaded, pulling away.

"Why?" she asked, confused.

"You are betrothed. I can't take your virginity. It will ruin you if you don't bleed on your wedding night."

"I don't care about that, Ezra. I want you. Don't you want me?" she questioned, her voice filled with longing.

"I do, with every fiber of my being, but I love you too much to ruin you," he confessed.

"Ezra, please, no. I love you and want this," she implored.

"Put on your gown and leave, Esmeralda," he urged.

"No!" she exclaimed defiantly.

"Why don't you ever do as you're told?" he asked, still dazed from their kisses, his skin burning with passion and desire.

"I want this. I need you, Ezra," she said, reaching for his arm and gently grazing it.

He rushed towards her, pressing her against the wall. His hands caressed her body, and their lips met in a passionate kiss. Moving lower, his lips found her nipples, teasing them gently, driving Esmeralda wild with ecstasy. Moaning with pleasure, she was lost in the moment.

But Ezra abruptly pulled away, realizing that things were about to go too far. Summoning the strength of his wolf, he forcefully threw himself across the room to the other side, causing furniture to scatter as he fell.

Startled, Esmeralda stood still, her lips swollen and her body aroused, watching him distance himself from her.

"Please, Esmeralda, leave now. I do not want to ruin you. I am trying to protect you," he pleaded.

She took a hesitant step towards him, but he growled, his wolf flashing its fangs.

"Stop! Don't come any closer! For once, Esmeralda, listen! You need to leave now," he warned, his voice laced with pain. His inner wolf was in agony, and so was he.

With tears in her eyes, Esmeralda picked up her nightgown and silently exited his room, leaving both of them overwhelmed by their emotions.