Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Seraphina
A shiver runs down my spine at his growled words.
My wolf is beyond ready to present for her Alpha and take his mark.
She flashes images of what it will look like to have his big body against mine as he thrusts inside me.
My body heats, and I can feel my arousal.
Kael breathes deeply and lets out a low growl, letting me know he's scented my need.
"You're driving me crazy, little wolf."
I giggle and nuzzle him again. "Sorry, not sorry."
He quickly stands with me in his arms and strides out of the cave past Saint, who is laughing at our antics.
"Where are you taking me?" I ask nervously.
"Home," he says, carrying me through the dense forest.
"Wouldn't it be faster if we shifted?"
"Yeah, Your Highness, wouldn't it be faster if we shifted?" Saint says mockingly.
I'm eventually going to have to ask about the whole 'Your Highness' thing, but I'm guessing it's just Saint being a smartass. He seems to have that personality.
Kael sets me on my feet, giving me a heated look. "Fine. The faster we get to the palace, the faster I can claim my mate."
He takes a few steps back, and in seconds, a huge black wolf is standing in Kael's place, surrounded by his ruined clothes.
Kael's wolf is bigger than any wolf I've ever seen.
He's taller than my five-foot-three inches by quite a bit.
His dark eyes are almost as black as his fur.
I should be terrified standing in front of such a formidable beast, but I'm not. I feel safe in his presence.
He closes the distance between us and rubs his head over my chest and stomach, then circles around me, rubbing himself all over my body.
I giggle at him acting like a puppy instead of a fierce wolf.
Once he's pleased with his scent-marking, he backs up and sits with his head cocked to one side.
I don't hesitate any longer before shifting into my snow-white wolf.
She shakes out her coat and immediately goes to her mate.
They spend several moments sniffing and rubbing against each other until they are both satisfied with themselves.
Saint lets out a yip, and I turn to see a large russet-colored wolf where he once was. He tilts his head to the side, then lowers his head as if to bow to me. It's a giggle-worthy moment for sure.
How about you lead the way to wherever home is instead of acting like a dork? I ask Saint through our newly formed mindlink.
His eyes widen, and a feeling of shock rushes through the bond. How? he asks.
This time, I do giggle. You bonded to me, Protector. This is a perk. We don't have to be official packmates because our bond trumps all others. I already told you this.
Wow. Okay. Kael is going to be pissed.
I roll my eyes, but don't disagree. Before I can say as much, Saint turns and unsurprisingly runs to the east. I look to my mate, and he indicates I should follow. With a happy yip, I turn and chase after Saint with Kael on my tail.
We run for, I'm guessing, around an hour before I start to see signs of life.
We pass small houses and gardens as we go.
A little wave of sadness flows through me at the reminder of the simple life I lived with my parents.
Kael's wolf moves closer as if he can feel my sadness and is giving me strength.
My mind drifts to what my life with Kael will be like. Will we have babies and live in a small cabin in the woods, or will we live in the packhouse like most ruling Alphas do?
So many questions.
After a few minutes, we come across bigger buildings.
I can't tell what they are because we are running behind them, but I can smell a lot of wolves in the area.
Saint seems to be keeping us away from the main pack, which I greatly appreciate.
Kael is the leader, and there will be a lot of questions about who I am and why a strange wolf is running with the leaders of their pack.
Even though Kael and Saint know my Omega status, I've decided to err on the side of caution and keep the Beta facade in place for now.
Until I'm mated and marked, there's still a chance for another Alpha to claim me, and I won't risk it.
I'm shocked when we approach a palace. Not a mansion like my old pack's packhouses, but a legit palace.
Saint pauses at the tree line. He steps behind a copse of trees for a moment and comes back wearing a pair of sweatpants.
Kael nudges me toward the same trees. He obviously doesn't want me changing in front of Saint.
I inwardly giggle at that because he obviously doesn't remember the fact that I shifted in the cave with clothes.
In less than a beat of my heart, I shift, putting myself in a lovely white dress with delicate yellow flowers dotted on it.
This time, my shift actually registers because Kael immediately shifts into his human form, wearing nothing but a look of shock.
My eyes widen. He's all tan skin and muscles…
so many muscles. My eyes trail down from his broad shoulders to his chest and perfectly sculpted abdomen to his Adonis belt that leads into an impressive sight.
I blush while I take in his body… He's huge all over.
His cock thickens at my perusal. My arousal drenches my panties in response to his thick length.
My wolf is demanding that I present for our mate and let him have his wicked way with us.
She's ready to take over and make it happen.
It takes all my self-control to keep from rushing to him.
He finally breaks my trance by yanking on a pair of sweats that do absolutely nothing to hide his massive erection.
"You shift with clothes."
I giggle, not pointing out that he's already seen me do this trick once. "Fae magic has its perks."
"Neat trick, little miss faery," Saint says, sounding amused. "Shall we go inside before someone catches us sneaking around?"
Kael takes my hand in his, threading our fingers together. We walk hand in hand toward the castle.
"Anyone want to explain why your packhouse is a literal palace?"
Saint barks a laugh. "Haven't you figured it out that your mate is the king of all wolves?"
I stop in my tracks, mouth agape. "W-what?"
Kael grimaces. "I thought you would realize when you learned my name. When you didn't, I figured it was best to wait until I got you home to explain. I didn't want to spook you after everything you've been through."
"I can't be mated to a king!" I say incredulously, tears filling my eyes. "No way. There's got to be a mistake. I'm a nobody!"
Kael immediately pulls me into his arms and lifts me off my feet.
I wrap my trembling body around his as he carries me inside.
I bury my face in the crook of his neck, breathing in his comforting scent.
How can I possibly be mated to such a powerful Alpha?
If he's the king… once we mate, that would make me the queen.
Oh, sweet Goddess, what have you done?
It doesn't take long until we're alone in a room that smells of my mate. He sits with me on his lap and runs his fingers through my hair.
"You're okay, little wolf."
"I can't be your mate," I wail, tears falling faster.
I can feel his worry and anger at my words. Surprisingly, our bond is already making itself known, and without us being marked. Our bond is stronger than I ever thought possible. Nothing about what my parents taught me regarding mate bonds talked about such a connection.
"You are my mate, Sera. Make no mistake about that. You're mine and I'm yours."
"But—"
He cuts me off. "No buts. We are Goddess-given mates, and she never makes mistakes about such things. We are fated to each other in this life and the next."
I let his words wash over me. He's right. I've trusted in the Goddess my whole life, and she's obviously had a hand in guiding me down this path. As scary as it might be, I need to trust that she knows what's best and that she's gifted me the right mate.
After a few deep breaths, I'm able to get myself under control. "I don't know how to be a queen. I've spent most of my life living in a small cabin apart from my pack. I can't even begin to imagine what being a queen will entail."
He chuckles. "You don't have to worry about that. I'll be by your side the whole time."
I study his dark eyes and see nothing but truth in them.
Feeling brave, I cup his cheeks with both hands and press my lips to his.
I intended it to be a quick, sweet kiss, but the moment our lips connect, I lose all control.
It doesn't take long for him to take charge.
In seconds, he has me on my back with his big body hovering over me, his lips devouring mine.
I gasp as he pins me to the bed. I cling to his shoulders, rubbing myself against his hard length as I seek my pleasure.
Our tongues dance as we grind together. The scent of my arousal surrounds us.
Kael lets out a low groan that's somewhere between pain and pleasure. His kiss gentles before pulling back.
"You wreck my control, little wolf."
"Not sorry," I say breathless.
He chuckles and drops another kiss on my lips. "Behave."