Was he? The low rumble in his chest registered belatedly. He didn’t stop it.

"Go back to sleep."

"Hard to sleep when you sound like a motorcycle engine."

His lips pressed against the crown of her head unhurried, territorial in a way that had nothing to do with strategy and everything to do with the fact that she smelled like home in a world that had burned every other version of that word to ash.

"Fel." His mouth moved against her hair, "If you don’t stop wiggling, I’m putting you in the space."

Her head jerked up, those golden fox ears snapping upright with indignation. "You would not."

"Try me."

"Victor, I swear to every god that survived the apocalypse..."

He kissed her, he kissed her like he was branding his name into the inside of her mouth, one hand sliding up to cradle the back of her skull, fingers threading through silk-soft hair and brushing the base of one twitching ear. She melted instantly, completely, a tiny sound escaping against his lips that made his wings snap fully open behind him.

When he pulled back, her lips were swollen, and her tail had wrapped itself around his wrist without her permission. Her cheeks blazed pink.

"That," she breathed, "is cheating."

"That," he corrected, dragging his thumb across her bottom lip, "is a warning."

Her tail squeezed his wrist tighter. Traitor appendage, she narrowed her gaze at him, flushed and rumpled and so achingly perfect that the protective fury in his chest rebuilt itself from the ground up, fresh and ferocious.

She wasn’t the mission. She was the reason the mission mattered. The reason anything mattered. And the raw, territorial ache she carved into him wasn’t a weakness to manage; it was the only honest thing left in him.

Felicity’s cheeks flushed with heat at his challenge. Victor watched her expression shift, that familiar spark of defiance lighting her blue eyes. She was nothing like the women he’d encountered during his years as a mercenary, those hardened spies.

None of them had this, this softness that somehow never broke. This quiet strength that bent but never shattered.

"Don’t tempt me," she whispered, but her voice had already lost its edge.

They were walking now, at least the group was moving. Victor had insisted on carrying her as it was his turn. Now her small form nestled against his chest, her fox tail occasionally brushing his forearm as they moved.

He couldn’t help himself.

His lips found the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, and he pressed a slow, deliberate kiss there. Felicity’s breath caught, a tiny sound escaping her throat that made his blood heat instantly.

She turned her head, fixing him with a glare that would have made lesser men wither. Victor only smirked, his wings shifting slightly to adjust her weight in his arms.

From ahead, Kai’s ears twitched. The dingo’s shoulders tensed, but he kept his gaze firmly fixed on the road. Beside him, Pope cleared his throat loudly, pointedly examining the surrounding trees.

Victor’s hand slipped beneath her skirt, finding the warm curve of her thigh. Felicity went rigid in his arms, her heart slamming against her ribs like a trapped animal.

"V-Victor," she hissed, her voice dropping to a whisper. "What are you doing right now?" Her skin prickled with heat, a flush creeping up her neck as Victor’s fingers traced the edge of her panties, feeling the dampness already gathering there. She squirmed, her body betraying her even as she tried to maintain composure.

"Haaah—" she gasped as he slipped one finger inside her, slick and eager. The intrusion sent a jolt through her core, her pussy fluttering with need.

"What are you talking about?" he murmured against her ear, his voice innocent despite the wicked curve of his smile. "We’re just walking." His free arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer.

Felicity’s head fell forward, her blonde hair creating a curtain between them and the rest of the team. A moan escaped her, and she quickly pressed her palm against her mouth, eyes widening in panic.

Victor chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through her like a promise. "Shh, fel. You don’t want them to hear how wet you are for me, do you? How your tight little pussy is sucking on my finger like it can’t get enough."

His words were crude, dirty, laced with that commanding edge that always made her submit. He added a second finger, stretching her, curling them to hit that spot deep inside that made stars burst behind her eyelids. She bit her lip hard, tasting the metallic tang of blood mixed with her own salty sweat.

"They’re being very respectful, looking straight ahead," he smiled with a possessive spike that says mine louder than any roar.

Her hips moved against his hand despite herself, Felicity’s body responding to his touch with an honesty she couldn’t control.

Victor watched her struggle, fascinated by the way desire and embarrassment warred across her features.

"Please," she whispered against her own hand, the word barely audible. "They’ll hear."

"They already heard," he replied, curling his fingers to find that spot that made her thighs tremble. "And they’re pretending not to, very considerate of them." His free hand tightened on her hip, possessive, anchoring her against his chest as she belonged there permanently. Which, according to him, she did. "Good soldiers."

Felicity’s eyes fluttered closed as another wave of pleasure washed through her. She bit down on her lower lip, her free hand clutching at Victor’s shoulder. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

"Almost there," he promised, his pace increasing. "Just hold on a little longer."

Victor wondered if any of the others had noticed how his wings had spread slightly, creating a shield around them both.

Felicity’s breathing grew ragged, her body tensing. He could feel her approaching the edge, that delicious moment when control would shatter completely.

"Victor." His name came out strangled.

"Hmm?" Casual. As if he wasn’t knuckle-deep inside her

"They already know," he said softly, watching her face.

Victor watched her face with the focused intensity of a predator tracking wounded prey. The red of his gaze burned brighter than usual, pupils blown wide, and the way his jaw tightened told her he was enjoying this far more than any sane person should. His silver hair fell across his forehead, and a muscle in his throat jumped when she clenched hard around his fingers.