Luna's pulse spiked with excitement rather than fear. "Then feed. Take what you need."

The trust in her voice seemed to undo him completely. Marcus had probably never fed from a lover before, never allowed himself that intimacy. But Luna was different. Luna was everything he'd been denying himself.

He bit gently, just enough to taste, and Luna arched beneath him with a soft cry of pleasure. Her blood was intoxicating—wild and sweet and perfectly Luna. He drank sparingly, healing the marks with his tongue, but the taste of her lingered.

"More," she whispered, her hands roaming his body. "I want more."

Marcus kissed his way down her body, worshipping every inch of skin, until Luna was writhing beneath him. When he finally joined with her, it was with a reverence that surprised them both.

They moved together like they'd been made for each other, vampire and werewolf, predator and predator, finding a rhythm that was both desperate and tender. Luna's claws extended, raking down his back, and Marcus welcomed the pain, the proof that this was real.

When Luna shattered around him, crying out his name, Marcus followed her over the edge, burying his face in her neck as the world exploded around them.

They lay tangled together afterward, unnecessary but comforting. Luna traced patterns on Marcus's chest, her touch gentle now, soothing.

"So," she said eventually, "about that bait plan."

Marcus chuckled, the sound rusty from disuse. "Right. The case."

"We'll need to be convincing." She looked up at him through her lashes. "Think you can handle pretending to be in love with me?"

Marcus caught her hand, bringing it to his lips. "Who said anything about pretending?"

Luna's breath caught. "Marcus..."

"I love you," he said simply. "I've loved you since the first time you walked into my precinct and turned my world upside down."

"Even though I'm a werewolf?"

"Because you're a werewolf. Because you're strong and fierce and you see something in me worth saving." He kissed her palm. "I love you, Luna Blackwood. All of you."

Luna was quiet for a long moment, then she smiled—soft and genuine and completely devastating. "I love you too, you complicated vampire."