As she took the last of him inside her, she looked up to see Felix watching her face, alert to any signs of distress. There were none. Not here, not now, not with Felix. She panted lightly as she watched him, a grin of triumph spreading across her face. Felix smiled back and leaned forward to kiss her again, the extra contact warm and affectionate.
Rising up a little, she moaned as he rubbed against her inner walls. Then she moaned again as she pushed back down, slowly at first, dragging out every wondrous sensation. Felix began to breathe heavily, his pants joining hers. The scent of sex grew in the air, mixing with her own scent and that of Felix. The combined aroma was heady and powerful, drugging her senses. She continued to ride him, up and down, up and down, her movements becoming faster, wilder, as the last of her control snapped. She was so close, so very close, and she could tell that Felix was not far behind her. Still, she needed something else, something more.
“Felix,” she wailed.
“I know,” he growled, bucking his hips up to meet hers, the sounds of sex echoing through the room as their bodies slapped together. “May I?”
“Yes, yes!” He could do anything he wanted as long as he made her come.
One hand left her waist to dip between them, pressing firmly on her clit, sending sparks through her body.
“Oh… Oh!” She was beyond speech now. Beyond thought. She felt her polar bear’s teeth breaking through ready to bite. Felix’s own teeth were showing as he panted. “Bite me, Felix. Claim me.”
He looked at her, checking on her once more, making sure that she was certain. Unable to summon the breath to repeat herself, she simply nodded.
Felix rubbed even more firmly at her clit and then suddenly pinched it just as she sank her teeth into his shoulder, tasting his rich lion blood and claiming him as hers. She flew over the edge, all control stripped from her as she shuddered helplessly, awash in a sea of pure ecstasy. She was vaguely aware of Felix’s teeth breaking her skin, sending her into yet another wave of bliss, prolonging it and shattering her soul. It seemed to last for an eternity. She was aware of a sharp break within her as the last of her bond with Ryan snapped, freeing her from him, even as her new bond with Felix tightened, tying them together. Finally, she quieted, gradually coming back to herself, aware of the tears streaming down her face and the trembling of her limbs.
“Sara?” Felix’s voice sounded worried. “Did I hurt you?”
She opened her eyes and lifted her head to look at him. He swore, gently lifting her from him and cradling her in his arms, his hands stroking and soothing her. Overwhelmed, she snuggled into him and let the tears come, knowing without a doubt that Felix had her, that he would keep her safe until she recovered.
“I’m okay,” she managed to tell him. “It’s just with everything… I feel overwhelmed. I’m not hurt and I don’t regret it.” She sniffed. “I just need a minute.”
He nuzzled the top of her head, making her feel safe, protected, even loved. He continued to hold her close, pressing little kisses to her hair, letting her cry as long as she needed.
Finally, the tears dried up, and she took a shaky breath. Looking up into Felix’s concerned eyes, she smiled tremulously. “Thank you. I think I’ve needed to do that for some time.”
His brows rose. “The making love or the crying.”
She snorted. “Both. But I meant the crying. The bond snapped, Felix. I’m free of him.” She smiled, but it was still a little shaky. “It’s just such a relief. And us together? Wow. I knew it would be good, but I wasn’t prepared for it to be quite so… so…” She trailed off, unable to find the words to describe it.
“Fantastic,” Felix supplied with a sigh.
“Yeah.” That was it. That was exactly what it was. “It really was. I guess I just wasn’t ready to have it tear down all my walls like that. It’s a good thing, Felix, it just caught me by surprise.” She stroked her hand over his chest, delighted to be touching her mate.
“So you’re sure you’re okay?” His concern was sweet but unnecessary.
She kissed his chest and then looked up at his beautiful face. “I really am. I’m very much okay. More okay than I’ve ever been.” She grinned at him, the smile coming easier this time. “I can’t guarantee not to freak out or cry in the future, but I’m happy. Tired, but happy.”
He kissed her forehead, stroking a lock of hair back from her face. “We all have issues, sweetheart. We’ll deal with any of yours whenever they crop up. It’s not a problem.”
She yawned and burrowed into him. Exhaustion pulled at her, the exertion of their love-making combined with the emotional turmoil and the stress of the last few months taking their toll.
“C’mon, sweetheart,” Felix mumbled. “You need to get off me for a moment, so I can get rid of my jeans.” He lifted her over to sit on the couch next to him and she noticed that his jeans and boxers were still bunched around his knees where she’d left them. She watched as he removed them, bundling his clothes and hers and handing them to her. Taking them, she watched him in confusion.
He bent and lifted her, cradling her in his arms with her still holding their clothes.
“I don’t think we want your sister coming home to find us naked and passed out on her couch,” he pointed out, carrying her out of the room and upstairs.
When she indicated which room was hers, he gently kicked open the door, walked through it, and casually kicked it shut behind them. Then she was snuggling into a comfortable bed as her mate took the clothes from her and dropped them unceremoniously on the floor. Her lion was a slob. Somehow she couldn’t find the energy to care right now. The bed dipped as Felix crawled in beside her, pulling her into his arms, still remembering to keep his touch light. Rolling over, she lay her head on his chest, listening to the steady, comforting beat of his heart, allowing it to lull her to sleep.
Chapter 12
Felix’s arm was numb right from the shoulder. Totally dead. He desperately needed to move it around, but there was no way on earth he was disturbing his mate. A goofy grin spread over his face at the thought. He was mated. For real.
His mate was currently sprawled over him, cute little snores coming from her as she slept. She had been completely wiped out after they’d mated, sleeping through the whole night without waking once. Alex and Tara had arrived home this morning, making plenty of noise as they bickered about his mother and the wedding plans. Sara had slept through everything, oblivious to her surroundings. Felix wasn’t about to wake her unless it was necessary. A dead arm? Not important enough.
She snuggled in closer as she slept, instinctively wanting to be close to him. He was in utter awe of this woman. After everything she had been through, she had still managed to open herself to him, to trust him. It was a gift, and he’d spend his life trying to be worthy of her.
“Mmm…” she murmured, rubbing her face against him.
Waking suddenly, she shot up, eyes wide and panicked as she stared at him.
“It’s okay, sweetheart,” he assured her. “It’s just me.” He stayed still, giving her a chance to remember where she was.
She closed her eyes for a moment, composing herself, before looking at him. “Sorry. It’s just when I woke up and sensed someone with me…”
“It’s fine,” he said. “Not a problem.” He sat up gingerly, rubbing at his arm. Nothing. Grabbing it with his functioning arm, he swung it around, trying to regain some feeling.
“What are you doing?” Sara’s expression was adorably confused.
“Dead arm,” he explained. “I can’t feel it at all.”
“Why didn’t you move?” she asked. Then understanding dawned on her face. “I was lying on it and you didn’t want to wake me.”
He grunted. Slapped his arm a few times.
“You’re such a goofball,” she laughed. “Here, let me help.” She crawled over and rubbed his arm. One part of his body certainly woke up. Sadly, it wasn’t his arm.
“Ho
ld on,” he said, moving back from her to swing his arm around again. He winced as the blood finally started to flow again. “Ow. Pins and needles. Ow ow ow.”
“Aww, poor baby,” she said. “Want me to kiss it better?”
He grinned at her.
Smiling, she moved closer again, her hair brushing his naked skin as she leaned over to kiss his arm.
“Better?” she asked.
“Oh, definitely,” he agreed. “But now another part of me hurts.” He looked down at his lap.
She followed his gaze and blushed, a naughty little smile crossing her face. “Oh, I’m sure I can help with that too.”
She leaned forward, inches from his aching cock. Her breath whispered over him and he could swear that his cock was straining to reach her. A moment later and her lips brushed gently over the tip of him.
BANG. BANG. BANG. Someone knocked on the bedroom door.
Sara flinched back, eyes on the door. He swore under his breath, his lion roaring inside his head.
“Felix, you in there?” Alex’s voice called through the door. Dead bear walking.
“Busy,” he called back.
“It’s important,” Alex insisted.
Grumbling, he left the bed and walked to the door. He cast a look back at Sara to make sure she was covered and then wrenched the door open.
“Gah,” Alex exclaimed, slapping his hand over his eyes. “Put some clothes on!”
“You said it was important,” Felix pointed out.
“Someone vandalised your salon last night,” Alex said, still refusing to look at him. “I’m sorry, but there’s a lot of damage.”
Felix stared at him. His salon? The place he had lovingly designed and had built to be just the way he wanted it. His place of business where he created fabulous hair for those less blessed than himself.
“Felix? Did you hear me?” Alex asked, fingers splayed a little to peek through.
“How bad?” he asked. Maybe it wasn’t too damaged. Perhaps it was a little graffiti, and a few broken windows.
“Bad,” Alex confirmed. “I’m sorry, Felix. I think you should come down and take a look.”
He nodded numbly and stepped through the door.
“After you put some clothes on!” Alex bellowed, stomping down the stairs.
Soft hands stroked down his back. “Felix? Are you okay?” Sara asked.
He turned to wrap her in his arms, breathing in the scent of her, noting that it now carried a little of his own scent. She was wearing his shirt, and he loved how it looked on her.
“I need to go and see what’s happening,” he said, absently kissing her forehead.
“I know,” she agreed. “Let’s go get dressed and I’ll come with you.”
“You don’t have to,” he protested. It wasn’t hard to guess who would have vandalised his shop, and he didn’t want Sara to have to face it.
“Hey,” she said, pulling back and clasping his face. “We’re in this together now. That’s what being mated means. Your salon got damaged, and I’m going to be there to look over it with you, then I’ll be helping you clean it up.” She sighed. “Besides, I feel safer with you around.”
That clinched it for him. With him and Alex heading for the salon, he didn’t want Sara left alone. Could Ryan have known of their mating? Was that what prompted this attack on his property? He had no idea how this worked, but if Ryan was aware of what had happened, he was bound to be furious. Sara really shouldn’t be without protection until they’d dealt with Ryan once and for all.
Steering Sara back into the bedroom, they got dressed in silence. Felix reclaimed his shirt from Sara, breathing deeply and noting her scent covering the silk. Pure heaven. He hadn’t brought a change of clothes, not wanting to assume anything, so now he simply pulled on yesterday’s clothes. He’d go home and get changed later.
They took Alex’s car to the salon, Tara joining them and casting suspicious glances at her sister. Sara merely ignored her and snuggled into Felix, stroking his chest and giving him comfort.
There was a small crowd gathered around the salon when they pulled up. Katie prowled up and down, gesticulating wildly as she ranted. Leo stood there, arms folded, listening to her as he watched the streets. Felix’s brothers stood by, eyes on Katie, their expressions angry. Ethan and Dana stood a little apart, the wolf’s arm around his mate as he surveyed the damage. Alex’s mother, Anna Russell, stood quietly, her face composed.
As he got out the car, Katie spotted him and rushed over, throwing herself at him and hugging tight.
“I’m so sorry, Felix,” she said. “I know how much the place means to you.”
His brothers came over, awkwardly patting him on the back.
“Sorry, bro,” Dylan said.
“Yeah, it sucks,” Aiden added.
Say what you like about Felix’s family, and many people did, but no matter how much they annoyed the hell out of each other, they really did care. His siblings were hurting because he was hurting. Which would inevitably lead to someone else hurting. Badly.
He nodded at them, too emotional for words, and gently disengaged from Katie. She pulled back, looked at him, sniffed, and then turned to stare at Sara.
“Way to go!” Katie exclaimed, pulling Sara in for a hug. “I finally get a sister.”
Sara blushed a little but returned the embrace with a smile.
“Bro!” Jackson said, looking Sara up and down. “Man, you’re punching above your weight.”
“Yeah, little sis,” Harley chimed in. “You picked the wrong lion.” He shook his head sadly.
“Mine,” Felix growled.
There was a startled silence.
“I didn’t think you even knew how to growl,” Harley said, eyes wide.
“He can growl,” Sara piped up, standing in front of him, hands on her hips. “And he is most definitely the right lion.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders, warmth infusing his body at her defence of him. This was a glimpse of the real Sara, the confident woman who didn’t take any nonsense from anyone. He’d known she was in there, underneath the fear and the trauma, and he would help her to be that person again if it took him the rest of his life.
“Thanks, baby,” he murmured, kissing her hair. He sighed and stepped around her, holding out his hand and gratified when she took it. Stepping around his family, he walked toward the salon, his steps slowing as he reached the door. Sara gave his hand a squeeze and he let go, stepping through the front door.
It was bad.
Sinks had been ripped from the wall, water spraying and damaging the floor and walls. Thankfully someone had already turned off the water and electricity. Not a single chair or counter was untouched. Everything was broken. Every single piece of equipment, every comb, brush, hairdryer, every single thing had been damaged in some way.
“Oh, Felix.” Sara’s voice sounded choked. Tears shone in her eyes and her hand was clamped over her mouth.
He knew she could smell it. She couldn’t possibly have missed it. The stench of male polar bear urine was unbearable, so strong that his eyes were watering. Seriously, how much did Ryan have to drink to produce that much urine?
Turning, he saw that everyone else had followed them in.
“Ryan,” he said. “It has to be.”
Sara nodded, tears running down her face. “It’s him. I recognise the scent.”
He pulled her into his arms, holding her against him, giving her what sense of safety he could. He cupped the back of her head, folding himself around her. Looking over her head, he sought out Alex.
“Yeah, I recognise it as well,” Alex confirmed, his nose wrinkling with disgust. “Overkill much? He knows we’re shifters. We’d have caught his scent easily even without all this.”
His eyes flickered to Anna Russell. She had remained quiet so far, but there were little signs of tension around her eyes and her mouth was set. Alex’s mother was pissed. He didn’t wan
t to ask his question, didn’t want to risk upsetting her. For his own sake as much as hers. Still, he needed to know.
“Mrs Russell?” he asked. Her eyes met his. “I hate to ask, but you’re the only one who will know the answer.” She nodded at him to continue. “Would Ryan have felt it when my bond with Sara replaced his?”
Her mouth tightened for a moment. “Yes, he’d have felt the bond break, just like Sara would have. She’d have been protected from the effects of it by the new bond forming with you. Ryan would have known the moment it happened.”
“Thank you,” Felix said softly. She nodded in acknowledgment.
Alex looked at his mother sadly, knowing she would have experienced the same thing when his father left.
“We need to get someone in to search for fingerprints and DNA evidence,” Ethan pointed out. “So we all need to get out of here and stop contaminating the scene. I assume that everyone was smart enough not to touch anything?”
Everyone nodded.
“Good,” Ethan said. “We all know it was Ryan but our noses aren’t considered evidence. We need proof to satisfy a human court.”
“Only if they find him first,” Katie growled.
“I think the video surveillance should do it,” Anna said.
Felix stared at her. “I don’t have surveillance cameras.”
“Yes, you do,” she contradicted him. “I had some installed as soon as Ryan came to town. Just as a precaution.”
He continued to stare at her. Sooner or later he’d be able to blink.
Anna looked around. “Well, it was obvious that he’d try something and I thought we should be prepared.”
“You realise that we can’t use it if he shifted?” Alex pointed out. This was why shifters disliked surveillance cameras, it increased their risk of exposure to the outside world.
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