8. Ciaryn
8
CIARYN
I s there anything more perfect than the feeling of Stella wrapped in my arms?
My cock is still buried deep inside of her. It will be a while before the knot releases. Claiming my mate for the first time had been beyond words. The feeling of her tight cunt urging me to spill inside of her caused my fangs to ache. Soon enough, I’ll ask to mark her as mine—to leave a scar on her delicate shoulder to proclaim proudly that she belongs to me.
For now, I am content holding her supple body against my chest as she relaxes atop me. The glowing fire casts her in soft shadows while highlighting the golden strands of her hair.
Having ensured she was full from the rabbits I caught, we both enjoyed the comfortable silence, basking in our new bond. How is it that we have only known each other briefly, yet I feel her imprinted on my heart? She is embedded in the very fabric of my soul.
Stella is my mate.
I can hardly believe my good fortune that a male like me could be given such a precious gift. There is no denying our bond. My knot would not have formed for her, nor would her scent have drawn me close to her village those nights ago. I had been looking for her even if I hadn’t known it then. Now that I have her, I’m eager to learn as much about my new mate as possible.
My claws skim down her smooth back as she snuggles in closer.
“Tell me more about you,” I whisper.
Stella’s blue eyes meet mine, a wicked gleam dancing in them.
“That sounds like something you should’ve said before coming inside me. We wasted no time, did we?”
I bark a laugh before kissing her pink cheek.
“I can think of no better time to learn more about my mate than when my cock is still deep within her perfect pussy.”
Stella flushes bright red and buries her face in my neck.
“Don’t get shy on me now,” I murmur.
“What do you wish to know?” Her words are muffled against my fur.
“Anything,” I say. “Everything.”
Stella remains quiet for a moment. My hands drift down her back. Smoothing over her backside and traveling back up her spine. After a few more seconds trickle by, she raises her head from my shoulder. Unease dances in her eyes as she takes a deep breath.
“Would you believe me if I told you I was a princess?”
My ears flatten as I raise a brow. Her lips twist at the confession.
“Long ago, my name was Princess Caryssa of Enshire.”
“Enshire?” I repeat, searching her lovely face. “Never heard of it.”
“Good,” she breathes. “It’s far from here and a place I’d never wish for anyone to go.”
I tuck a strand of dark golden hair behind her ear.
“Caryssa,” I say. She wrinkles her delicate nose.
“I hated that name. My parents only chose it to compliment my brother, Carysen. A wicked man. I’ve heard whispers that he's dead, and I pray they are true.”
I blink at her candor—at the harshness of her voice. Her brother must be cruel if someone as kind as her wishes for his death. I gently cup her cheek, skimming my thumb over her soft skin.
“To me, you’ll always be Stella.”
Her smile is brilliant. It chases away the darkness lingering in her gaze.
“That’s all I’ve ever wanted. To be my own person. To belong somewhere—and to someone of my choosing.” Her hand rests atop mine. “That’s why I escaped.”
“Escaped?”
Protectiveness crowds my chest at the thought of her being ill-treated. It makes sense. The situation must have been dire if she had to travel so far from her father’s kingdom and change her name. Still, I can’t help but hold her tighter, reminding her of my protection.
“My father—the King—wanted me married off. My mother only sought to serve him, so she was no advocate for me. That is why I was locked in my room until they could find an appropriate match for me. The day I left, my mother had come to inform me that my betrothal was imminent. If I did not comply, they would throw me into the dungeons. Before she left, my mother’s parting words were that I’d be better off with the rodents.”
A growl slips from between my clenched lips—red hazes over my vision. Every nerve in my body is on high alert. The story she has just recounted breaks my heart for her but also makes me all the more grateful to have found her. If she had not been brave enough to escape, our paths never would’ve crossed. The need to remind myself she is with me burns hot in my veins.
“You will be safe with me always. No one will harm you again. I’ll kill anyone who comes for you,” I vow.
Stella smiles as her hands tangle in the fur of my chest.
“I appreciate that, but I suspect no one is looking for me. It’s been ten years, and I’ve heard barely a whisper of my father or his kingdom. Besides, you’re taking me somewhere deep in The Woods . None of his guards would dare brave that for an inconsequential runaway princess.”
“Nothing about you is inconsequential.”
A fresh blush blooms on her cheeks. Her smile is soft and tender.
“Enough of this sad tale. I’d rather speak about our future. Tell me more about where you are taking me, mate.”
Mate . The word kindles in my blood, and my soul reaches for hers. Even though we are tied together, a part of me still wants us to be closer.
“Like I said before, I don’t know what kind of reception awaits us. My father passed away a short while ago, and I left immediately after. I’m sure they’ll have questions for me—someone may even have taken my place in my absence. They could turn on me.”
The thought is unpleasant but not out of the realm of possibility. A pack without an alpha cannot operate for long. One particular wolf has been eyeing my father’s place for years, and I just gave him a perfect opportunity.
Stella inhales sharply.
“Don’t worry, mate. Nothing will happen to you, I swear it. If they turn me away, I will find us a new home to call our own. I promise you.”
“I don’t want you getting hurt.”
“I have to go back and face them. To honor my father at the very least.” The fire burns low behind her. “You should rest. We’ll reach the den by early afternoon.”
Finally, the knot has gone down enough that I can withdraw from her. Stella inhales sharply at the loss of our connection. Our rush of mingling releases leaks from her and falls to the grass below. She shudders, and I roll her in my arms, fully cocooning her in my warmth.
Stella’s spine molds to my front, and my head rests atop hers. A soft yawn slips from between her full lips.
“Goodnight, Ciaryn.”
“Goodnight.”
With a final deep breath, she fully relaxes. It is not long before I feel her breathing evenly in my arms. I can hear the steady pounding of her heart. I let it soothe me to sleep, all the while silently vowing to Stella that I’ll always provide and protect her no matter what the future holds.
Forever.