Chapter 43 Ashwiyaa
Chapter forty-three
Ashwiyaa
“I hope for nothing. I fear nothing. I am free.” -Nikos Kazantzakis
Acool breeze brushes across my face, and I can’t help but smile as I snuggle deeper into the pillow, savoring the peaceful moment.
The bed shifts slightly beneath me, and I feel the gentle touch of fingers tracing over my face, pushing the hair over my shoulder.
The gesture is tender, almost reverent, and it brings a warmth to my chest.
I slowly open my eyes, my smile widening as I’m greeted by Kai’s bright-blue ones staring back at me. We’re both lying on our sides, facing each other, our feet lightly touching under the covers. His gaze is soft, filled with a quiet intensity that makes my heart skip a beat.
For a moment, we just look at each other, no words needed.
The world outside the bed seems distant, unimportant, as if this space between us is the only place that matters.
Kai’s fingers continue to brush gently against my skin, and I reach out, letting my hand rest on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my palm.
“Good morning,” he murmurs, his voice still husky from sleep.
“Good morning,” I whisper back.
My eyes shift downward to where my hand rests on his chest, and I catch a glimpse of a shimmering swirl of gold peeking out. Drawing in a sudden breath, I lunge forward, shoving Kai onto his back so I can examine the marks.
Beautiful golden swirls outline a paw print over his heart.
My eyes are drawn to the other mark on his chest, which consists of a pair of golden wings.
Tears line my eyes as I look up at his neck where my native symbol for love is etched onto his skin.
It’s two hearts intertwined and enclosed within a circle, representing the eternal and unbroken bond of love, and symbolizing the deep connection between two souls.
Kai’s hand reaches up and cups my face. “They’re beautiful, just like you,” he whispers.
I blink and feel tears roll down my cheeks, and he swipes them away. I can’t speak, my throat tight with emotion.
“I will never forget last night. It’s etched into my memory forever,” he says, leaning up and planting a tender kiss on my mouth.
“You were fucking hot, the way you rode me,” he says in my mind, and my eyes fly open.
“You just spoke in my head.”
“I did, baby. Perks of mating.”
“Oh my god.” I smile.
Kai returns my grin, pulling me into his chest and wrapping his arms around me.
“Now I can speak dirty to you all the time, and no one will know.”
I grin as I sneakily pinch his side, eliciting an immediate twitch from him. As his fingers tickle my side in retaliation, I squirm, trying to contain the laughter bubbling up inside me.
Kai releases a sigh and kisses the top of my head, his hand tracing soothing circles on my exposed back. “I could stay here all day, but Lukas said he’d take me into Portland and get us a car so we can start driving back tonight.”
“Okay,” I reply.
Yet I refuse to make a single movement. I keep my head nestled on his chest, feeling the rise and fall of his breath as I trace my fingertips lightly over the mate mark on his heart.
Kai laughs and I look up at him, reveling in his amusement radiating down our newly formed bond.
I stretch my neck up and seal my mouth over his, slipping my tongue into his mouth.
Kai responds instantly, rolling us over and positioning himself between my legs.
Breaking the kiss, he runs his nose along mine.
“I’ve told you before, I will never tire of being inside you. ”
Before I can form a response, he pushes into me, stretching me in one deep thrust. My mouth drops open and Kai swoops in, swallowing my cries as he slowly thrusts into me.
My hips tilt up as I wrap my legs around his waist, our bodies pressing tightly against each other.
With a deliberate slowness, we explore each other’s bodies, our mouths capturing every gasp and moan.
The warmth inside me builds, and sensing my orgasm, Kai grinds his hips, creating friction against my clit. My body trembles and the coil in my lower belly pulls tighter.
“Oh, fuuuckk. Kai,” I moan, my fingers digging into his back as I try to get closer.
Kai growls in response and I feel his body tense, his cock pumping faster now as we teeter on the edge of release.
My body shudders as he lowers his head and bites down hard on my mate mark.
Fireworks explode behind my eyes; a scream tears from my throat as my orgasm rips through me.
Kai’s growls vibrate against my skin as he follows me over the edge.
We stay there wrapped in each other, him still planted deep inside me until our breathing returns to normal.
Kai’s mouth moves over my neck and jaw, skimming my mouth. “So fucking sexy,” he says into my mind.
Kai finally leaves me in bed and takes a quick shower, the sound of running water filling the quiet room.
I stay nestled in the warmth of the blankets, watching the bathroom door, anticipation curling in my stomach.
When he finally steps out, completely dressed, I pout.
The sight of him all put together while I’m still lounging in bed feels almost unfair.
His blue eyes crinkle with amusement as he catches my expression, and he shakes his head with a soft chuckle. “When I get you home, we’re locking ourselves away for days,” he says, his voice carrying a teasing edge.
I arch an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at my lips. “Is that a threat or a promise?”
Kai’s eyes darken, a shadow of desire crossing his face. “Both,” he replies, his voice low and filled with intent.
I sit up in bed with a surge of mischief.
In an instant, I fade out of existence, only to reappear directly in front of him.
His breath catches, and I grin, watching as his eyes dilate, dropping to take in my naked form.
The air between us crackles with tension, and I can see the battle in his mind, torn between staying composed and giving in to the desire that’s clearly written across his face.
“Lukas will be waiting,” he says, dropping a quick kiss to my lips and backing out the door.
I stand there naked and wave. “Okay.”
Kai’s expression looks pained as he turns and heads downstairs. With a lighthearted laugh, I make my way into the bathroom, needing to wash off all the sex. I flick on the shower, step into the warm spray, and close my eyes. I can’t remember ever feeling so carefree before.
“You are finally happy, child.”
“You deserve this. Deserve him.”
“He is perfect.”
My eyes pop open, and a wave of embarrassment washes over me, instantly dampening my happy thoughts.
“Wait, did you guys. . . see all that?”
“No, we don’t just sit around and watch you,” one of the voices says with a laugh.
My shoulders slump with relief. Thank god.
As I cleanse my body, the warm water cascading over me, memories of Kai’s mate mark on my groin flood my mind, vivid and sharp. I glance down, curious to see the marking.
But what I find takes my breath away.
There, where Kai’s mate mark once resided, is a swirl of magic, shimmering with a life of its own. The mark has transformed, now a delicate silver symbol etched into my skin, forming an infinity sign. It’s a reminder of our bond, a tether connecting us on a level deeper than words can express.
Now I’m eager to see what the other mark is.
With the water from the shower still dripping off my body, I reach for the towel and step out, the steam in the bathroom creating a hazy atmosphere.
I move closer to the mirror to get a better view.
The imprint of a wolf’s outline adorns my skin, with the full moon serving as a mesmerizing backdrop.
It’s him, and it’s perfect.