by Salem Cross
Again Mae cried out. My mouth came up and crashed down onto hers. One of my hands slid past the waistband of her pajama bottoms, and my fingers found her intimate folds. Mae arched into my touch, gasping into my mouth. She was so wet and ready for me. My body responded immediately. My thumb circled her swollen clit. As her desire pooled between the junction of her legs, I slid two fingers inside of her. Her intimate walls clenched down around me and I smiled against her lips. I stroked her unhurriedly, ensuring that her pleasure would build slowly. Mae’s breathing turned to pants. Our tongues clashed. Mae groaned as she neared her climax. She moved against my hand, needing more.
I pulled away from her mouth with a grin and tilted my head, so my mouth was against her ear.
“Tell me you want to Join with me.”
This time there was no hesitation. “Join with me, Rylan.”
Her voice was husky and while I loved that I had caused that, it was her words that caused my erection to harden to its max.
I could not stop the pleased growl that rumbled through me. I switched up the caressing and tempo between her legs, knowing she was close. Her orgasm came hard and fast. Mae arched her back as it crashed through her. Her body shook as pleasure radiated outward, causing her legs to tremble. The way her mouth was shaped into a “O” as her eyes closed was delightful. When Mae came down from her high, I withdrew my fingers.
I removed my pants, and Mae watched as my cock sprang free. The excitement and pleasure that flickered across her face made me growl again. I knew I was larger than average. The first time we came together I was afraid I would hurt her. But somehow, we fit perfectly. Mae sat up and took me in her hand. The feel of her soft hand wrapping around me was beyond bliss. As she slid her hand up and down my shaft, my body shuddered. Her smile became wider. Her grip tightened and I shuddered again. I closed my eyes and tilted my head back.
When Mae’s mouth suddenly wrapped around my erection I hissed in delight and surprise. It was followed by a long animalistic growl. I let her pleasure me with her mouth. She sucked on me, taking me deep into her mouth until I touched the back of her throat. When she pulled back, her tongue swirled around the head of my erection. She reached out and gently took my balls and fondled them. I barely heard my strangled cry as she continued this slow, glorious torture. She let go of my balls and reached between her legs. God, she was getting turned on all over again just pleasing me. She was perfect. Absolutely perfect.
But there was no way in hell I was going to allow her to pleasure herself when that was what I wanted to do for her.
I reached forward and hooked my arms under her shoulders. She gasped, letting go of me. I took the opportunity to toss her further back onto the bed. I reached forward, tore her pajama bottoms off, and then crawled on top of her. As she parted her legs, I leaned down to press my erection against her entrance. I paused, and Mae groaned in frustration.
Mae’s brown eyes, now speckled with violet, stared up at me with a wild desire that I knew mirrored my own. Her face was flushed, her lips swollen from our kisses, and her curly hair had spilled over her shoulders. She was stunning. My heart stuttered at the enormity of finding her. Fate had blessed me with this incredible woman, and I was going to do everything in my power to cherish her for the rest of our lives. She was all I wanted.
Mae was mine.
The searing heat that greeted me as I pushed against her opening was heavenly. As I sunk slowly into her, she arched her hips upwards and spread her legs wider. I gritted my teeth as I forced myself to continue my slow push. She was so tight. The soft sigh of pleasure that escaped her echoed in my head, and I growled in response.
Mine.
The moment I was completely surrounded by Mae, I closed my eyes and savored the feeling. There was nothing more perfect than her. I started moving, needing the friction between us. Mae met every thrust, every demand I made of her body. Her nails raked down my back as her legs wrapped around my waist to pull me closer.
I felt her body tighten and heard her breath quicken. I pulled my lips from her mouth and inhaled the smell of her arousal. Then I bent down at the base of her neck and inhaled the smell of her blood pumping through her veins. My mouth watered, my soul cheered me on, and my cock hardened further. This was it. I was about to seal our fate and our lives together.
My fangs lengthened, and without warning, I sunk them deep into Mae’s neck. Her orgasm was swift and demanding. Her body gripped me and milked me so strongly that my release followed suit. Her blood raced across my tongue and down my throat. Mae’s blood tasted of the sweetest of wines. It rejuvenated my body like the rumored sacred waters of the River of Jordan and brought me closer to the salvation that came with finding a mate. Mixed within her delicious blood, I felt her connection to the gods.
While blood revived a Guardian’s body and brought it back to full strength, Mae’s blood took it a step further. The power in her blood, an ancient power that belonged to a god, not only brought me to full strength, but everything within me intensified tenfold. I would forever be faster and stronger than my brethren thanks to Mae.
I received another dose of this power as her orgasm heightened. The heat of her magic was overwhelming. As it soaked into my every pore, I felt it settle in the middle of my chest, where it would sit for hours until it fizzled away.
It took me longer than it should have to pull away from her. Tasting her power and sensing how it strengthened me always triggered a sort of frenzy in my mind… I had to fight it each time my fangs sank into Mae. It was seductive, to have all that power within my reach. But my love for Mae and the fear of hurting or killing her made it easier to deny the siren’s call to take more blood.
I pulled away when I was full and sealed the marks on her neck with my saliva. When I looked down into her eyes, despite being slightly dazed they were glowing a bright violet. I took advantage of the light trance that befell my mate. I lengthened my nails and tore the skin just above my heart. Blood began to trickle down my chest.
Her gaze strayed to the cut, but then she looked back up to me.
“I love you.”
Her declaration was soft but confident. Even in a trance, she had the mind to let me know how she felt. My heart swelled, and I gently kissed her lips.
“I love you, Mae White.”
Her sweet smile dimpled her cheeks. At the sight of it, I let out a shaky breath. Without any direction, she leaned forward. The moment her tongue lapped at the cut my whole body tensed. My desire flared back up again, but I fought it back as my mate solidified our connection. I cradled her head against me as she drank my blood for the third and final time.
I felt the moment she had taken enough blood for the Joining. My soul rose and reached for hers and the other half of mine she held. We both felt it: Our souls collided, twisted, and welded together. I heard her gasp. The half of my soul that I had been missing my entire life forged itself with the half I held on to. A vast hole had been filled within me. But that wasn’t the only thing I received. I felt Mae’s soul, merged with mine, filling my body to the brim. I felt her love, her life, her very essence searing me, branding me with everything that made Mae who she was. Bliss stole over me. The problems and troubles of the world fell away. The threat of the gods’ return faded until it was nonexistent. The only thing that mattered was Mae.
I breathed in her sweet scent and stole a kiss as her face turned up to look at me with wonder. The moment Mae pulled her head away from my chest, my wound began to heal. She lifted her hand and cupped my cheek. Her touch sent a shiver of pleasure down my spine. Something warm bubbled up in my chest. It took me a minute to realize I was already beginning to sense Mae’s emotions, one of the pleasant side effects of Joining. Her happiness was my own. The joy she was feeling simmered under my skin, tasted sweet on my tongue, and elevated my own happiness. Her joy was more addictive than the power that ran through her blood. I would forever crave this feeling of her happiness.
Still hard despite my release, I b
egan to move in Mae again. In and out, slowly, savoring our new connection. Her body clenched down on me, heightening the bliss I was feeling. I groaned and shifted our position. I sat up and pulled Mae onto my lap so she straddled me. I braced one hand behind me to keep us both upright while the other snaked around her waist. Mae’s eyes widened at the new position just before a mischievous smile spread across her face. Now on top, Mae moved with surprising vigor. Her lips came down on mine hard and another groan escaped me when she bit my bottom lip. Her fingers raked through my hair.
She ground her hips against me, her body gripping me so tightly it was hard to breathe. I could feel her pleasure building. Her cheeks were flushed, her nipples beaded. She was gorgeous. I watched through hooded eyes as she threw her head back and cried out my name as her orgasm swelled through her. Her entire body lit up like a lightning storm, and I was hit with another charge of power. Feeling her undoing fed into my pleasure, and I chased her orgasm with my own.
Mae sagged against me, and I held her against my chest. Our heavy breathing sounded loud in the silence of the night. I smiled into Mae’s neck as her body shuddered with aftershocks.
“I once traveled to Iceland, long ago, well before the Dutch and the Vikings,” I whispered in her ear. “One night I stood among the glaciers and snow capped mountains, far from civilization. I can remember breathing in the clean air and bathing in the deafening silence. Above me were the green hues of the northern lights, cutting across the sky. While I was unable to find joy or contentment, that was the closest I had ever come to feeling at peace. It is such a simple and short moment in my long existence, but I will never forget it.”
I took Mae’s chin in my hand and looked her in the eyes. Her gaze settled on mine, and my heart swelled under her attention.
“Until recently, I used to think back to that moment quite often, hoping that it would bring me some type of solace. Now, that memory seems laughable. The only moments worth remembering are the ones I have with you, Mae.”
She smiled warmly at me. After planting a light kiss on my cheek she said softly, “There are no words for how I’m feeling right now, but I promise to show you how much you mean to me every day.”
I lifted her off me and gently laid her down on the mattress. I stared down at her body, memorizing every inch of it as if I had not done so every night since we had been together. When I moved, I twisted to lie on my stomach next to her. I called my wings out and stretched them above me. Though they had always been a part of me, they felt new as I experienced them as a whole person. Mae’s eyes lifted to stare at my wings, and again I found myself warmed under the admiration in her gaze.
“Can I touch them?”
“Of course, just be careful. They have sharp edges. We can use our wings offensively and defensively. Our feathers are razor sharp and can cut our opponents if need be.”
Mae nodded in understanding as she turned onto her side and propped her elbow up to place her head in her hand. Curiosity lit up her face. I watched as she lifted her hand slowly and reached out to touch me. Her pretty lips popped open slightly as her fingers ran over my wings. She sat up so she could use both hands to stroke my feathers. I watched her face, feeling her wonder and awe wash through me. I closed my eyes and bathed in this new sensation.
I had come to know Mae well within this past week. I could read her body language, and I could see the flash of emotions in her eyes before she hid it behind a mask of composure. But this… This was new and different. Now I could sense what she was feeling. I would be able to anticipate her needs and wants much easier now. I knew from stories that this new connection between us would only strengthen over time.
Mae’s gasp caused me to tense. I opened my eyes to find Mae cradling her hand against her chest. I could smell blood. Immediately, I sat up and took her injured hand in mine. Down the middle of her palm was a thin bloody line.
“Oops,” she whispered in embarrassment.
I brought her hand up and trailed my tongue over her wound. The skin began to repair itself. After a moment, the cut was gone. Mae shook her head with a small half-smile.
“There, all better,” I muttered and kissed the middle of her freshly healed palm.
“What can’t you do?” she mused out loud.
I chuckled. “A lot.”
Mae rolled her eyes playfully before giggling. Her happiness wrapped around my insides and doubled my own joy. I grabbed a strand of her hair and twirled it around my finger.
“I love you,” I told her.
Chapter Five
Mae
After waking up in a state of complete bliss, the rest of the morning consisted of a whirlwind of changes. First there was the ability to hear Jasmine’s and Arthur’s conversation taking place on the other side of the house. It sounded like they were standing on either side of me, shouting in my ears. Anything they moved or touched seemed to reverberate throughout the silent mansion. The sound of the water from Rylan’s shower was deafening, and even the birds chirping outside had been overwhelming. As if sensing my rising panic, Rylan had suddenly appeared beside me, soaking wet. Patiently, he taught me how to adjust my new ability to hear from great distances.
When I had dressed for the morning, Rylan taken me outside right away to help me expel the power that had built up overnight. I had looked like a walking glow stick as we left the house. Thankfully we were far away enough that we would never run into anyone. Looking like this would certainly raise a lot of questions. When we were a safe distance away from the house, I let my body find some reprieve from the energy coursing in my veins. While this time I found it easier than yesterday to call upon it, we both found out the hard way that I had acquired a new ability. The energy blast that shot out from my palms had thrown us both backward while in front of us trees snapped in half.
Once we returned to the house, I showered. As I pulled on some clean clothes, I began feeling something in my gut. I mulled over this new sensation swirling around inside me as I headed downstairs. By the time I walked into the kitchen, I realized I was feeling joy. It was an unabashed, pure joy that did not belong to me. When I found Rylan in the family room talking with Jasmine, I realized the emotion was coming from him. The grin on his face, the light in his eyes… The physical evidence echoed the ghost emotion I was feeling. Had Rylan told me this was going to happen, or was this something he’d failed to warn me about? I didn’t get a chance to ask him before Arthur came down and the Guardians disappeared to talk amongst themselves.
Now, as I worked on making breakfast for our guests this morning, I started to take note of other changes that had appeared overnight. Not only was my sense of hearing better, but so was my sense of smell. As I dumped a little of the bacon grease into the pan I was cooking scrambled eggs in, I almost choked on the smell. It was overwhelming. Even the cinnamon and sugar coating the French toast in the oven was too much. As I had been instructed with my new ability to hear, I focused on all the smells in the kitchen. When I was sure I could smell even the fabric of the padded stools pushed against the counter, I focused on the ability to turn it down. Immediately, it worked. My sense of smell returned to normal.
Rylan had told me that my senses would be heightened once we Joined. At the time I hadn’t thought too much about it. Now the idea that I could hear the Guardians’ conversation, even in another room of the house, if I wanted to was thrilling.
As I played with the new settings in my head, I found that there was a small part of my mind that seemed to be fine-tuning itself. When I focused on the sensation, it reminded me of soft static from a radio that couldn’t find a signal. Luckily, when I didn’t focus on it too hard, I could ignore it. After a few minutes I realized that the static I was hearing in my mind was probably my brain trying to tune itself to Rylan’s. This was another thing that came along with Joining with one’s mate. It was strange to know that, soon, I would be able to speak with him telepathically. The thought was exciting and scary.
I turned my attent
ion back to breakfast. Any minute now, wolf shifters would be here. It was only nine o’clock in the morning, yet I felt like an entire day had gone by. My body certainly needed fuel, and if the shifters had risen as early as I had, I’m sure they would be hungry too.
People who shifted into wolves— like real wolves— were coming. As I worked on the sausage, my excitement began to grow. What would they be like? Would I be able to tell that they were shifters? Was I supposed to know about their ability to shift? Would I get to see them turn into wolves?
The Guardians must have sensed the arrival of our guests because they emerged just as the doorbell rang. Arthur went to answer the door as Rylan came to lean against the kitchen counter near me. Jasmine walked into the family room and stood near the fireplace.
I could hear Arthur open the door and greet our visitors. A moment later, he and three strangers came into view. The first shifter to come into view was obviously the Alpha. Even if I hadn’t known the Alpha was a woman, the confidence she radiated would have clued me in. The woman was tall and muscular. Her blonde hair was shaved on either side of her head while the rest of it was pulled up into a bun. Her gaze swept through the first floor, and her nostrils flared.
Behind her was a tall, lean man. He had shaggy mouse-brown hair and a long nose that had obviously been broken several times. The final man who appeared was shorter than both of his companions, but the thick muscles in his arms and the mean look on his face spoke volumes of the danger he could be.
As Arthur led them into the family room where Jasmine was waiting, something shifted between all of us. The three shifters immediately whipped their heads around to look at me. Both men came to stand in front of their Alpha. The shorter one even growled at me. Next to me, Rylan shifted his stance to stand fully erect. Jasmine bared her teeth and took a step forward. Arthur turned and stiffened as he realized his visitors had turned their attention to me.
