Riven felt his resolve crumbling, and he took an uncertain step forward. Just that small movement had Ronan closing the distance, cupping Riven's flushed cheeks and leaning down until their foreheads touched.
"I'm sorry," Ronan whispered, his voice trembling with sincerity. "I should have never left you."
Riven's breath hitched, his hands tentatively reaching up to clutch the front of Ronan's shirt. A small, pitiful sound escaped his lips, and Ronan pulled him closer, wrapping his arms securely around him.
The embrace made Riven's heart ache, and his body relaxed, finally letting go of his restraint. He hated that he craved this touch so much, but his instincts were relentless. Riven's ears flattened against his head, and he buried his face in Ronan's shoulder, trying to calm his uneven breathing.
Riven's world was spinning. The warmth from Ronan's touch seeped into his skin, and despite his instincts screaming at him to relax and submit, his mind remained turbulent and restless.
