by Kassie Cox
“That sounds good to me.” Draven gave a yawn before slapping Elias on the shoulder and making his way to the large house. Adelina shot a side glance at us and then followed the Guard, her hips swaying with each step. The farther they got, the tighter my mates held me.
“I’m sure you need a lot of rest.” I jumped at the release of breath on my ear, a long moan leaving me when he captured my lobe between his lips. When he swept me off my feet, I laughed wildly, staring into his golden eyes.
Elias studied me, looking over every feature of my face with a stormy edge to his stare. My expression fell to confusion as I tried to decipher where his mood was coming from and what I had done to turn this happiness around so quickly. I feared my words wouldn’t come out correctly, so I raised my hand to his jaw. Tracing the outline with my fingers, I imagined it was my tongue licking hot trail down his perfect frame. I wanted everything from him, wherever he was willing to give it.
“You can’t die again, Keres. I won’t be able to make it through that again.” His voice was hard, his eyes becoming watery as the words left him. I could not speak. “My mate threw herself in front of another man, took a knife to the chest and then died in my arms. It felt like my heart was being ripped from my body.”
“I’m so sorry.” I whispered, repeating the words as I pulled his face to mine and kissed him softly. The feel of our lips on one another’s created a landslide inside of me. I tried to ignore the urge to strip naked right here and beg him to take me.
“Let’s go inside, I want you to get plenty of sleep after what you went through.” He pulled his face away from mine, and I could feel the uneasy tension between us. It made me uncomfortable, to care so deeply about how Elias viewed me.
I didn’t want him to be upset with me or scared that I would hurt him again. After leaving him and hurting him, I understood why he may be reserved, but feeling him pull away makes my own chest hurt. My eyes stung as I held back the tears and tucked my head into his chest, trying to hide my shame. I knew, though, that my mate would be able to feel it. Elias was always aware of me, and I wouldn’t take that for granted again.
My eyes stayed shut as I tried to think of something positive. Instead my mind played the words from the Moon, her declaration of my future. I urged myself to ignore her words and never set foot near that damned castle again. I never wanted to see Valor again, but the heart inside of me wanted to help those people. I wanted to bring justice to a rotten King and repay the death he’d given me. I barely noticed as we enter the pack house because I was breathing heavily, becoming angry as I thought of the betrayal of a friend, or someone who was supposed to be one.
Valor had left me to die in the middle of a field, with a dagger that he’d stolen and then imbedded into me. A man who was supposed to lead others to greatness, a human overseeing so many lives had betrayed the woman who would’ve given her life for him.
“Let’s clean the blood off of us.” Elias whispered, and I gave a weak nod. My jaw clenched as I held back the anger that was eating me from the inside out.
There were so many things at once: anger and agony, the guilt of hurting someone who’d trusted me but the sadness of knowing he’d rather me die than to live away from him.
I was set on my feet gently and stripped of the dirtied clothing. My arms covered my chest, and my head stayed lowered as I waited for the next instructions from my mate. I was surprised when he began dropping his clothing to the floor as well, my eyes widening when he walked to the shower and turned the water on.
My core was dripping, heat coming off me in waves as I imagined all the horrible things I’d like him to do to me in this shower. The last time I’d seen him replayed through my mind, a never-ending movie of him naked above me. How I wish I hadn’t stopped him.
When I stood under the warm water, I allowed my eyes to close, the peace of this moments melting around me until a large digit landed on my shoulder. I froze, head still tilted to the ceiling as my lids clenched. Elias dragged his skin across mine, from one shoulder blade to the other, then down my side. An unrecognizable sound left me--a moan or a plea, I wasn’t really sure. This was torture.
My insides curled, every inch begging to be touched as the blood and dirt was washed from me. The death I recovered from went down the drain, the past running away from me. But I was running for the future where my body begged to be touched and taken. I wanted to begin the bond and fully mate with a male who was meant to be mine.
“It’s there now.” His voice was low, sensual as he continued to stroke me in places that shouldn’t have felt this good.
His nail dragged along my hips, and he moved behind me. With a small step, my mates’ body pressed against mine. The hardness against my back almost dropped me to my knees; the need to have him in my mouth again was difficult to push through.
“What is?” I questioned, my words shaky and unsure as I thought of bending over and touching my toes in an invitation I was not sure if he would take.
Elias avoided answering my question, and instead, he pushed me forward with his body and washed the grime from himself. My eyes finally opened when I felt his hand around my neck pulling my head against his chest as he ground his erection into me. A choked moan was all I could give as his free hand moved across my stomach and downward until his fingers were circling my clit. I could only hope the water raining down on us hid the arousal between my legs.
“Mine.” My nails dug into his wrist as I pushed harder against him, wanting his cock somewhere else entirely but enjoying the feeling of it against me for now. Knowing I could excite my mate brought a strange pride to my chest.
“Not yet…” I fought to get the words out loudly enough for his ears to pick up, and I was spun around before being lifted into the air and pushed against the shower wall. We were no longer being hit by the water; instead, I watched as remaining drops fell across his handsome face. Burning eyes met mine as I pushed my chest closer to his and soaked in the warmth. My legs wrapped around his thick waist, and my wet core pressed against him.
“Do you think you should risk dying again today, Little Mate?” My heads tilted, confusion clear on my face as he gave me a sinister grin. “When I start fucking you, I won’t stop until you’re exhausted beneath me begging for mercy. Can you handle another earth-shattering event today?”
My only response was my mouth on his, thrusting my tongue into his mouth as I ran my fingers through his hair. I pulled at the locks, wanting one last view of my mate before making this official. Golden orbs verged on the edge of black as heavy breaths left his mouth, canines extending as we appreciated one another. Without explanation, he carried me from the shower, each step brushed his erection against my sex, and I couldn’t hold back the moans.
“You will never leave me again.” Elias threw me onto the large bed. I was surprised as I watched him stand over my naked body. “I will be the only man to touch this body; no false King will take what’s mine.”
Every inch of my being was viewed as he pushed my legs open then closed. Pulling my arms to his body, he licked and sucked each of my fingers. Eventually, Elias’s mouth hovered above my belly button, watching my expressions as he moved downward. Bypassing my most sensitive place, his tongue burned a path to my ankle, then dragged those sharp teeth all the way back up. I was practically begging him for it, needing his body to unite with mine as I watched his thick cock stand to attention for me. When I reached for it, he slapped my hand away.
I leaned up to wrap my arms around his neck, begging for something more than this teasing. Instead, he used his large hands to grip my legs and spread them wide as dragged me to the very edge of the bed, my ass practically hanging off as he lined up with my entrance. My mouth opened, preparing for whatever sound would leave me when he finally took me and my hot dreams became reality.
If this was my reward for dying, then I was beyond okay with the knife I had taken to my chest. The strong emotions running through me were so much more than lust or attraction. T
his was pure love, an endless stream of adoration that I had never known before. I was thankful that I got this opportunity to love and be loved by someone like Elias.
I’d always imagined love as something that happened over time, an emotion that slowly but surely made its way into you—but with this, it was immediate. The bond between mates, before being fully completed, is already so strong that I wondered how anyone could go a day without her partner. A minute away from this man would kill me.
“That,” Elias gripped my face between his hands, the gold staring back at me with passionate intent, “is what’s there. That love, the one thing I’ve wanted from day one.”
He thrust into me; my gasp of pain and pleasure was caught by his lips and he stilled while I adjusted. We fit together perfectly. My nails dug into his shoulders as he began to move away, drawing a long whine from my lips before he gripped the back of my head with one hand and found my clit with the other.
Elias wouldn’t let me look away when he began fucking me. When my body melted into his and we made our way to the edge of forever, he was sure to keep eye contact. Those long teeth of his seemed to become bigger.
I felt I was on cloud nine as I took everything I could from the man. My soul practically ached to connect with his, to become whole after so many years of numb existence. I finally got the chance to have it all, everything I’d missed out on presented to me in one fine package.
“I love you.” I cried between thrusts; the words quickened his pace.
“Every fucking day,” his hand descended on my sex, slapping it and making me yelp in pleasure, “I’m going to show you why you should say those words.”
Elias tipped my head back, and my breasts bounced between us as our bodies met one another. Moans and pants and pleas for more floated through the air around us; I couldn’t get enough.
“My Little. . .“ I didn’t hear the last part; my screams of pleasure drowned out any remnants of the words as his canines pierced my skin. It was the same place he’d marked me the first time, but this time it was so much more.
Endless ecstasy flowed as we fully connected; his thrusts became more sporadic as I held onto his body as tightly as I could, allowing him to ruin me for anyone else. I teetered on the edge of a climax saying anything to make him get me there. I begged with promises of forever as he growled into me, somehow pushing those canine deeper. Our souls entwined into one, bringing us closer than I had ever imagined being with another and making me whole.
“I love you.” He growled, pulling his teeth from my neck and connecting our eyes once more.
I finished to his words, yelling praise into his lips as they pressed against mine. The pleasure rolled through me, drowning me with waves as he continued to crash into me until he reached the point of no return. Our bodies didn’t separate when we were finished; instead, he flipped us over so that I lay on top of his naked chest. Covered in sweat and content, I pressed a long kiss to his neck on the place where I would mark him if I had long teeth and a tail.
Our hearts seemed to sync, our breathing eventually slowed, and I fell into a peaceful sleep. I knew my dream would never outweigh my reality, and I looked forward to waking up next to the one that held my heart.
Chapter 31
A heavy breath hit my neck, startling me awake as a large hand trailed up my side. Elias pressed his hardness into my back before he pressed his warm lip against my neck, calming me down immediately when he licked the fresh mark. My pussy clenched at the thought of him inside of me again, and I moaned out with pleasure as the place between my legs prepared for him.
He gripped my thigh, pulling it upwards before I felt his cock settle between my legs. My mate rubbed his large member against my center, and I felt him growl in approval at my wetness. I should have been ashamed at how excited I was already, but last night had not satisfied my hunger for him. I didn’t think anything ever would.
“Good morning, My Luna.” I tried to respond but he thrust into me, and it began again. In an endless array of noises, our pleasure thickened the air, and he slowly fucked me.
Maybe made love to me would be the proper wording, as this was less crazed than the previous night. We weren’t chasing an orgasm; instead, he was enjoying everything my body had to offer him as I did the same.
Waking up to this every morning would be a dream come true. His mouth moved to my ear as he began whispering compliments—letting me know just how happy he was with me.
After a few minutes his pace picked up, the dominant side taking over as he gripped my hair and suddenly turned us over. My stomach was on the bed, head pulled back as he began ramming into me. Growls and moans filled the air, and everyone in this pack house knew what was happening.
I didn’t mind, not while he was blowing my mind with every thrust of his hips. I was close, about to fall over the edge as he gave me one hard slap on the ass. I writhed beneath him as my pussy clenched around him in ecstasy. Elias finished as well, one more hard thrust as he buried deep inside of me and filled my body.
“Good morning.” I finally replied, my body content for the time being. We flipped over so that I was now straddling his waist, and I smiled down at the most handsome man I’d ever seen.
His golden orbs pulled me in as I ran my greedy fingers down his muscled body. I wanted to trace every line of him with my tongue and memorize his body like one would a road map. Elias was mine, and if we did things right, he’d remain that way forever.
My body stiffened a bit when I remembered our soon-to-be fate, our newest struggle, and I could only imagine how the Alpha of such a large pack would take the news of our destiny. I had no doubt the last thing Elias wanted to do was rule a Kingdom, but to go against the Moon would be detrimental to the wolves. Their paths were set by what their creator wanted for them. I thought over the news for a few minutes as I watched my mate trace over my naked frame, his fingers turning my body into clay as he touched and learned each piece of me.
Eventually Elias ran his palms over my breasts, brushing my nipples with his large thumbs and his stare became hungry once more. I groaned loudly as he leaned forward to swipe one of them with his hot tongue, flicking the other before turning his mouth to it. He was driving me insane.
“Tell me what you’re so worried about.” He demanded, gruffly. Another flick as I moved my hips against his, begging for the hardness to return so that I might once again get my fill. If I told him the truth, this would end. He’d be caught up in arguing or trying to think of strategies.
My heart pulled at the idea of him becoming mad once more, angry at something I could not control as I was sure he would hate the idea. Elias would never want to follow through with this, but he would be forced. There was a Kingdom of people being hurt, and for once I wanted to help them. I wanted justice for the betrayal, for my own murder—to show the world that although I’ve done horrible things, I could be redeemed.
“The Moon spoke to me while I was gone.” I was unsure of how else to start, hoping he would take the news lighter if he knew whom it came from. His warm mouth pulled away, however, showing me, he would not be distracted during this conversation.
“You don’t look happy with what was said.” His statement caused me to frown, the mood officially ruined. As I shrugged at the man below me, his large hands grabbed mine encouraging me to go on.
“When I’d been at the Castle, before I’d tried to run back here with Draven, I had discovered from Valor’s mother that he’d been very cruel. There were many people who’d attempted to take him out, and I was the last option they really had, to claim the thrown and help get the people out from under a dictator.” A squeeze from Elias made me lay myself against him, enjoying his warmth as I explained further. “Our Moon expects the same thing, for us to take over that Kingdom and mesh humans and wolves together to create peace between species. I’m alive because that is what I’m meant to do, that’s the path she has laid out for me. But I am scared that I won’t succeed, and I will lose everything I�
�ve gained while trying to fulfill others’ wishes.”
Tears of sadness flowed over my cheeks and hit his naked chest, my hands pulling out of his as I tried to take deep breaths and soothe the ache that arrived with the thought of losing my mate. The idea that I may have gained everything I’d wanted just to watch it slip through my fingertips ate at me.
Elias didn’t respond immediately; his breathing picked up as he pondered the small load of information. That day he’d come to the borderline, he had been there waiting on Draven. I’m sure it was a surprise to see me as well. I’d never explained why I had left the castle, so he would only know the things Draven has told him.
Would we have the option to overcome the Kingdom? Get through a Guard that I’d helped create and take control of something that large without significant casualties?
“You expect me to rule a Kingdom of humans?” I gave a small nod, gnawing on my lip in worry. His hands pulled my face to look up at him once more and his smile threw me off.
