Chapter 017 Moonlit Binding
Mine. Mine. Mine.
The chant hammered in Julian's skull, wolf and man in sync for once. He bent low, nose buried in the crook of Quinn's neck. Her scent hit him like a drug—clean soap, faint vanilla from her skin, spiked with fresh arousal. Sweet. Human. Ours. A growl tore free, vibrating through his chest. She shivered under him, tiny frame quaking, but her hands slid up his back anyway, nails biting into his shoulders. Desperate. Trusting.
"Please, Julian," she breathed, voice wrecked.
That plea snapped the last thread. Days of holding back—fights, stares, that goddamn pull—gone. Vapor. He scooped her up like she weighed nothing, legs hooking his waist on instinct. Stride ate the balcony distance. Kicked the door shut behind them. Click barely registered. Only thing that mattered: bury himself in her. Now.
Dropped her on the bed. Followed down fast, blanketing her small body. Wolf howled inside, triumphant as she arched up, clutching him tighter. Mouth crashed to hers. Tongue traced her lips. She opened wide, hungry, matching his fire. Tongues battled, kiss turning filthy deep. Her moans punched through him, hips writhing, driving the need hotter.
Claws pricked out, snagging her shirt's neckline. Ripped clean. Fabric shredded. Moonlight poured silver over her breasts—small, perfect curves, nipples peaked tight. Mouth watered. Primal. Had to taste. Head dipped. Lips sealed around one bud. She cried out, sharp and needy. Cock throbbed hard. Licked the peak slow, savoring salt-sweet skin. Her fingers knotted in his hair, holding him there. Switched sides. Same worship. Hand dragged down her belly, soft and warm, dipping into panties.
Growl ripped free against her flesh. Fingers met slick heat. Soaked. Ready. Thumb circled her clit. She bucked, gasps ragged. Stroked deliberate, mapping every twitch, every whimper. One finger slid in. Tight. Clenching hot. Nearly broke him. Added a second. She tensed, soft cry escaping. Distant warning flickered—too small, too new—but drowned in her scent, her heat. Claim. Mate. Bind.
Need clawed deeper. Fingers out. Knees nudged her thighs wide. Positioned. Her eyes cracked open, glazed lust, lips swollen. Gaze dropped to his cock. Tongue flicked her lips. Triumph surged, wolf preening. Wants us. Her hand wrapped him tentative, guiding to her entrance. Wet tip kissed her folds. Fire raced veins. Groaned back, control fraying.
"Julian." Eyes locked his. "Now."
Pushed in. World cracked.
Tight. Burning hot. Perfect vise. Vision blurred. Halfway buried, her shocked cry pierced the haze. Froze. Balls deep in need, but— "Kitten?" Voice gravel. "You okay?"
Eyes huge, moon-glow silver. Shaky nod. "Just... give me a second."
Held still. Absolute. Felt her pulse around him, fluttering wild. Vulnerability hit hard—trust like this, gift bigger than pack, power, anything. Kissed her forehead soft. "Take all the time."
Long beat. She shifted hips, testing. Tiny rock. Electricity jolted him. Slow smile bloomed on her face. Confidence sparking back.
"Okay." Breathless. "I'm good."
"Look at me." Command low, edged. "Don't look away."
Eyes held as he sank deeper. Inch by stretch. Watched her face—watched pain fade, body yield, new hunger coil. Seated full. Hips flush. Held.
Moved then. Slow drag out. Thrust in. Rhythm built, her nails raking light, legs clamping waist. Met him eager. Whimpers to gasps to cries. Angled hips. Hit deeper. Her head snapped back, arching full.
Watched her unravel. Brilliant mind lost to pleasure. Undone. For him. Climax crashed her—screaming his name, convulsing, milking him ruthless. Edge shattered. One final plunge, deep as bones. Release ripped free, blinding roar. Yanked out last second. Knot swelled threatening—no lock. Not without yes.
Collapsed elbows braced, still half in her, hearts slamming sync. Face to neck. Inhaled deep. Grounded. Fangs ached, dropped long, screaming to mark. But no. Permission first.
"Wow," she rasped finally, hoarse. "Brain short-circuited."
Rumble built chest, satisfaction pure. Rolled side, tugging her close. Tiny against him, head in shoulder crook, pink hair wild fan across skin.
Traced her hip curve. Warm flush lingered. Should regret. Full moon. Human. Pack eyes tomorrow. Risked authority, stability, walls decade-thick.
Didn't. Not a fucking second.
Terrifying.
Moon hung high still, silver flood drenching sheets. Pull thrummed skin, restless. Mark urge potent. But edge dulled. Slipped bed quiet. Wet cloth from bath. Returned. Stroked her folds gentle. Blood streaked rag. Froze.
"Fuck, kitten." Whisper rough. "Hurt you?"
Cheeks pinked. No flinch. "Just a little. Beginning. Never done it before."
Possession slammed, knees weak nearly. Virgin. Untouched. His. No one else's claim.
Only if mate her proper.
Wanted it bone-deep. Unsure right—for her, pack, him. But moon sang blood, she curled content naked. One more gift. Tossed cloth. Slid down. Between thighs.
Head popped up. "What are you... Oh my God!"
Cry startled as tongue licked entrance to clit. Swollen sensitive.
"Saliva heals," murmured against her. Jerked again. Smiled. Dove in. Slow laps through folds. Honey-salt-seed taste. Drunk on it. Explored every inch. Clit sucked light. Entrance teased. Learned her. Breathy cries soothed wolf's worry. Make good. Pleasure only.
Finger in. Bucked off bed. Crooked it, stroked spot inside. Tongue circled clit relentless. Came sharp, cry shocked. Shaking. Clench tight.
Panted limp, dazed smile. Stretched beside. Pulled arms. Held.
"Julian." Head heavy shoulder. "That was... wow."
Laughed deep, rumbling shared. "Glad approve."
"Approve? Saw God's face." Propped elbow, grey eyes soft moon-soft. "All werewolves that thorough?"
"No." Certainty absolute. Surprise even him. "Only mates."
Word hung. Fragile bomb. Moon blood-wild, heart walls shreds. Slipped.
"Mates," soft repeat. Face blank. Processing.
"Never left."
Watched gears turn. Analyst mode—scenarios, odds, breaches. No dismiss. Studied.
"What means? Exactly. You. Us. Said no casual. Permanent claim. What looks like? Alpha werewolf. Human."
Expected. Details woman. Specs.
"Bond unbreakable. Distance, fights, death only." Pause. "Me? Luna. Alpha mate. Pack authority. Depends you, acceptance."
"Think accept?" Neutral mask. "Sterling? Stray dog."
"Sterling traditionalist. Fears change. Not pack." Brushed pink strand cheek. "Pack follows me. Accept."
"Human?" Soft. Vulnerable.
"Because chosen." Thumb jaw stroke. "No disrespect tolerated."
"Pressure." Scooted bit, knees hugged. "Here for job. Not Luna werewolf pack."
"Know. No plan."
"This?" Gesture them. "Cosmic fuckup? Universe messing emotionally unavailable?"
Laugh barked. Blunt her. "Like that. Rare gift. Goddess. Perfect match world."
"Think perfect match?"
Looked. Pink chaos hair. Sharp tongue. Social wreck unless code. Stood elders. Challenged him. Looked when trust hard.
"Positive." Knew start. Gut deep.
Silence. Forehead crinkle. Calculations whir.
"So?" Eyes met direct. Compelling. "Official?"
"Two parts. First: mating bite."
Eyes wide. "Bite me?"
Fuck yes. Cock twitched thought. "Mark. Binds permanent."
Expected recoil. Crazy demand. No.
Head tilt. Focus unnerve. "Where?"
Blink. "What?"
"Bite where?" Gesture body. "Hickey? Stitches serious?"
Laugh burst. Real. Unrestrained years. She did that. Shattered control.
"No stitches. Heals fast. Scar stays." Touched neck-shoulder join. "Here. Visible. All wolves see. Mine. Protected. Bound."
Thumb stroked. Shiver. Pulse raced under.
"Wedding ring?" "Painful. Visible. Bar hit-ons."
Laugh again. Warm chest. "Exactly. Less hotel bathroom."
"Right." Nod thoughtful. "Luna. In charge... pack?"
"Whatever want. Ops, events, welfare traditional. Or not. Authority mine. Modernize project solo. No approval."
"Hmm." Mischief smile. "Reason enough. Heirs? Elders talk."
"Important. Second part." Hand her to knot base. Rough ring skin. "Knot. Expands climax. Locks. Seed roots."
Eyes saucer. Scent richer. Sweet.
"Bigger? Not sure possible."
"Possible, kitten. Love cunt filled knot."
Panting now. Fingers flex. Pulled hand off. Talk first.
"Alpha duty: strong line. No pressure kids. Silas heir. Bloodline. Less me."
Frown. Brain reboot. "If Silas, Julie want child Alpha."
Valid. Shrug. "Pressure off me. Hereditary tradition. No law. Sterling wins? Not mine pass."
"More likely human mate." Watch face. "Risk you."
"Everything risk." Growl low. "Want can't have. Distract work. Leave weeks, soul half. Elders challenge." Cupped face. "Not claim? Walk away? Biggest."
Softened. Armor crack. Raw. "Stubborn complicated male, Julian Moonstone."
"Said."
Leaned kiss. Soft search. Question answer. Pulled back. Eyes clear. Sure.
"Then bite me."
Triumph wolf-howled. Teeth ached. Pressed pillows. Body cover. Heat rebuild.
"Sure?" Last out. "No back. Bound. Forever."
"I'm sure. I—"
Phone shrilled. Harsh cut quiet.