Chapter 32 Flesh and Fur
FLESH AND FUR
“When two souls are ready, the body follows. In that joining, spirit meets flesh, and the old magic remembers its shape.”
—Elder A?na
Noel
“Look at me,” Theron says, breathless.
The water in the stream I sit in is unusually warm, almost like it’s absorbing the heat of my embarrassment.
Theron is on his knees in front of me, fur soaked and clinging to him, his crystals shining bright.
His size is overwhelming. His cock—huge, hard, and impossibly close to me—makes my face burn hotter than I ever thought possible.
I force myself to look up, to meet his gaze, though my heart feels like it’s about to beat out of my chest.
His giant paw slides over my arm, the vólkin soap leaving a fragrant trail on my skin.
The tenderness of his touch makes my stomach flip, and I press my thighs together. Goddesses, how can someone so massive be so gentle?
“Your muscles are beautiful, Noel,” he murmurs, his deep voice sending a shiver down to the wrong place.
I’m going to pass out.
I’ve led soldiers, trained for hours, until I could barely stand, fought like a woman possessed. Yet here I am, undone by a simple bath, by Theron’s patient touch and the way he looks at me like I’m the most precious thing he’s ever seen.
This is beyond any bath I’ve ever had.
“In our lessons, we learn about pleasing our mate.” His eyes lift from my arm to meet mine again. “We learn that human females’ breasts are sensitive.”
I swallow hard, my pulse pounding in my ears.
“May I?” he asks.
I nod slowly.
His paw moves up my arm to my shoulder and then down to my chest. His touch is delicate, as if I might shatter under his paw. When his fingers brush over my nipple, a whimper escapes before I can stop it. I freeze, my breath caught, and his eyes flick up to mine.
“Is it good?” he asks as his fingers graze the same spot again.
“Mm-hmm,” I manage, my throat too tight for words.
His eyes darken, and he leans closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. “I want to taste it, my dove.”
I stare at his mouth, at the way his tongue flicks out to glide over the tips of his sharp fangs. The sight alone sends a jolt of heat through me, and he lowers himself to my chest.
Slowly—so slowly it’s maddening—he traces his tongue over the sensitive skin, the warmth of it flares up my nerves. “Theron,” I gasp, my fingers curling into his mane.
He growls low in response, the sound vibrating through me, and this time, when his tongue moves again, he doesn’t break eye contact. His gaze locks onto mine, so predatory it leaves me dizzy.
“You’re so incredibly soft,” Theron murmurs against my chest. His nose brushes over my now hardened nipple, and I’m overwhelmed by the sensation. “I have waited so long, Noel,” he continues, shifting to the other breast with aching slowness. “So long, I thought I’d go mad.”
My head falls back, my breaths coming faster as Theron’s tongue traces a trail of fire over my skin. How did I never know it could feel like this? I’ve never touched myself like this. How much pleasure have I missed?
“Theron,” I whisper, Heat pools low in my stomach, the wetness between my thighs . . . It’s not from the water.
“Mm?” he hums, his nose gliding up the curve of my neck.
Another whimper escapes me, my skin prickling in response to his touch. I feel like I’m melting, piece by piece.
“Whenever I . . . touch myself,” I admit, my voice shaky, “it feels good, but . . . I don’t know how to take it further.”
He growls, the sound rough and primal. His strong arms wrap around me, and his paws cup the curve of my arse as he lifts me.
Water cascades off both of us, the droplets falling into the stream echo in the room, and I cling to him instinctively. My legs wrap around his hips, and I press tightly against him as he lowers us both to sit back in the stream. I can’t even close my legs around him.
“Where do you touch yourself, my beautiful mate?” he asks. He settles me on his lap, my chest pressed against his, my heart hammering as I look into his eyes.
My thighs are spread open on either side of him, and I feel so exposed.
I know Theron sees, but his gaze remains locked on mine, not straying, not pushing.
He understands. He knows I want to explore this, but at my own pace.
That silent understanding eases some of my nerves, though it doesn’t calm the need building inside me.
I’m so aroused right now, it’s staggering. His cock—rigid and thick—stands between us, and my breath hitches as I glance at it. A bead of white trails down the length, and I swallow hard.
Taking a deep, shaky breath, I lower my hand between my thighs. “Here,” I whisper, brushing my fingers over the spot that makes my legs jerk.
Theron’s eyes drop to my hand, his expression completely focused, his mouth parting as if he’s forgotten how to breathe. “Your clit,” he says, his voice low and husky.
A wave of mortification washes over me. “Don’t say it out loud!” I hiss, yanking my hand away.
He catches my wrist before I can escape, his grip firm, but not enough to hurt. Bringing my hand to his mouth, he inhales, his chest rising with the motion. My eyes widen, heat crawling up my neck.
Oh . . . oh.
When he licks my fingers, I swear I see his eyes roll back.
“You are sinfully delicious,” he growls.
I blink in disbelief, my heart pounding wildly.
“Let me,” he says, his paw sliding down to replace my hand.
I don’t even have time to process his words before his finger glides over the spot I touched, gently pressing. A jolt of intense pleasure shoots through me, and a small cry escapes my lips.
“Goddesses,” I whisper, my thighs trembling as I grip his shoulders, fingers tangling in his wet fur. This—this is unlike anything I’ve ever felt.
“Just like that, my dove,” he breathes. “Let me show you how good it can feel.”
It feels . . . incredible. Yes, yes.
His finger shifts, sliding back, brushing over my entrance. My body clenches, and my breath catches as his gaze lifts to study me, hooded and dark.
“My mate,” he pants, his voice strained.
He pulls me closer. My breasts flatten against his chest, the solid warmth of him surrounding me. I barely notice when he moves, his cock now nestled between my arse cheeks, and suddenly, I’m keenly aware of just how big he is. I’m literally parted.
Theron’s large paws grip my hips as he begins to guide me back and forth. The friction builds instantly, and I lean into his mane, letting its softness anchor me as we move together. Each time my clit brushes against the base of his hard knot, a moan slips from my lips.
Theron’s breaths come heavy, matching my own.
His paws glide me faster, urging me over his thick cock, and I let him.
Goddesses, this feels so incredibly good.
My head spins with it, my body completely overtaken.
I pant into his mane, my forehead pressed against him, the strong, rapid beat of his heart pounding against my chest and forehead.
The sensations, the sounds we make, his deep growls with my breathless cries. Somewhere through the haze, I hear his voice, saying something about how incredible it feels. I can’t make out the words, but I agree completely.
The pleasure coils tightly, building higher until I think I might shatter. I grip his fur desperately as the pressure becomes too much.
“Theron,” I gasp, my voice breaking. “I . . . I—”
A shaky cry escapes me as the tension inside me snaps. My whole body tenses, then melts into release.
“There you go,” he growls between clenched teeth.
Theron’s roar echoes in the house, loud and raw, but I’m too spent to react. I collapse against him, completely undone, my body limp in his arms. My head rests on his shoulder, the frantic rise and fall of his chest is the only thing I feel.
I never thought intimacy could be like this.
We stay quiet for a while, both of us catching our breath, the sound of running water filling the space around us. Theron nuzzles his nose into my hair with a motion so gentle I feel like I’d slip right into the stream if he weren’t holding me in place.
“How do you feel?” he rumbles against my ear.
“Very good,” I whisper, my body too relaxed to move.
He chuckles. His claws glide along my back, tracing slow lines before moving up. “I would love to comb your hair.” His claws are already working through the tangles in my locks.
“You’re doing it now,” I murmur, my words muffled against his fur.
“I want to do it like humans do,” he explains, “with a comb.”
“Mm. Tomorrow morning.” I lift my face to look at him, only to find he’s already watching me.
“Hello,” he says, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at his mouth.
“Hello,” I mumble, suddenly feeling shy. Why is this so embarrassing?
We stare at each other in silence for a few moments, and then we both smile for real. It feels simple. Warm and nice.
My curiosity gets the better of me, and I ask, “Have you ever done this before?”
His gaze doesn’t waver. “I have not.”
“All these years and you’ve never . . . found release?” My eyes drift to the beautiful crystals on his forehead as I fight the heat rising to my cheeks.
“I have,” he replies matter-of-factly.
I hum in question, tilting my head to meet his eyes again.
“I have pleasured myself many times before.” His large paws tighten their hold on my thighs.
I don’t mind. In fact, it feels . . . good.
“Especially since I met you,” he adds. “There have been days I sought release more than once.”
Oh Goddesses above. My eyes widen, and the heat burning my face spreads like wildfire. I swallow hard, staring at him in disbelief. This is too much for me in one day.
Theron rises from the water with me cradled in his arms, then sets me down on the bed before grabbing a fresh set of furs to dry me off.
“Don’t say you can do it yourself.” He grins, wrapping me snugly in the plush furs.
I can’t stop the smile that spreads across my face.
He steps back and gives himself a vigorous shake, sending water droplets flying everywhere. I laugh when they hit my face, but the moment is short-lived as he shakes again, splashing me even more.
“Theron!” I frown, though I can’t hide my amusement.
My gaze stays on him longer than I intend. He stands tall, his fur shining from the water, his muscles so defined they seem sculpted. There’s something mesmerizing about the way he stands—graceful and powerful, like he was built for both battle and beauty.
When Theron catches my stare, he freezes.
Why is he looking at me like that?
My cheeks flush as he starts walking toward me, his steps slow. I can’t make sense of the look in his eyes. Could it be . . . No, surely not. Again? Are we really going to— Again?
“Theron?”
He stops in front of me, leaning down until his face is so close I can feel his breath on my skin. “How about we heal you, my little mate? A healing session after a mating lesson.”
I swallow hard as his mouth hovers only inches from mine, the heat of his body dries my skin but . . .
“Who knows,” he whispers, his voice deep, “maybe my tongue can heal more than open wounds.”