Chapter 13
Ileave Sebastian”s cabin, my thoughts a whirlwind. A database of shifter blood samples. Claims of voluntary donations. Murders in my woods. And Ava...her scent, her touch.
My wolf itches to break free, to run wild and clear my head. I shed my human form, embracing the shift. Fur ripples over my skin, muscles contort, and bones reshape. With a final shudder, I stand on four legs, my senses heightened. The forest calls to me, and I answer.
I dart into the trees, my paws barely touching the ground. The wind rushes past, carrying the scents of pine, damp earth, and the distant hint of rain. I revel in the freedom, the power surging through my veins. This is my territory, and I dare the human police chief to try to catch me here.
But even as I run, my mind reels. How could this have happened? Who would create such a database, and why? And what does it have to do with the murders? The questions gnaw at me, refusing to let me find peace in the solace of the wilderness.
I skid to a halt, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The forest looms around me, silent and watchful. I close my eyes, focusing on the sounds of the night: the rustle of leaves, the distant hoot of an owl, the faint patter of raindrops beginning to fall.
And beneath it all, the faintest trace of Ava”s scent.
My heart clenches, and I can”t help the low growl that rumbles in my chest. I”d thought I”d put our relationship behind me. But it only took one time seeing her and feeling her near for every unfulfilled promise to come rushing back. The pain, the guilt, the longing.
I shake my head to clear my thoughts. I can”t afford the distraction, not now. My life is at stake. I must protect my Pack.
But as I turn to continue my run, I can”t help but wonder if I”m running from more than just the questions plaguing me. If, deep down, I”m not just running from the past, but from the possibility of a future I”d long thought lost.
A future with Ava.
For a moment, I think I”m hallucinating. Ava”s wolf, her sleek silver coat shimmering in the moonlight, stands at the edge of the clearing. I blink, certain she”s a figment of my imagination, a manifestation of my thoughts about her. But then she moves, her graceful gait carrying her closer to me.
My heart pounds. We met at the spot where we made love for the first time all those years ago. The memories flood back, a torrent of emotions I”ve tried to suppress. But this time she could be taking me into custody on murder charges.
I shift letting my human form come forward. My wolf isn”t hidden though. He”s always with me always lurking just beneath the surface. We circle each other as the air crackles with tension. Our eyes lock in a silent conversation. The years melt away, and it”s as if we are back here for the first time again.
Ava”s wolf dips her head and then starts to shift herself. I hesitate, torn between the desire to recapture what we once had and the fear of opening old wounds. But as I look into her eyes, my protective instinct rises at her vulnerability.
We move together, our bodies brushing against each other as we explore the familiar contours of this sacred space. The wind whispers through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. It”s a symphony of sensations, a dance that transcends words.
She takes a step toward me, longing fills her eyes. I close the distance between us, my hands finding their way to her hips as I pull her close. Our lips meet in a passionate kiss, years of pent-up emotion pouring into the moment.
We tumble to the ground, our bodies entwined as we explore each other with a desperate hunger. I run my hands through her hair, the soft curls tangling around my fingers as I deepen the kiss. She moans softly, her nails digging into my back as she presses herself against me.
I can feel the heat radiating off her, the fire that burned between us is now a raging inferno. I trail my lips down her neck, tasting the salt on her skin as I move lower. She gasps as I reach the sensitive spot just below her ear, her body trembling beneath me.
I slide my hand up her body, my fingers tracing the curve of her waist. My hand cups her breast and she arches her back, her breath coming in ragged gasps as I tease her nipple. I can feel her heart racing, the beat matching my own, and we lose ourselves in the moment.
She runs her hands over my chest, her touch sending sparks of pleasure coursing through my body. I slide my hand down her stomach, my fingers move lower. Her bare skin feels like silk under my touch. The moon”s glow paints her body in a soft, ethereal light, making her look like a goddess.
I trace my fingers along her thigh, savoring the sight of her bare skin. I can sense her anticipation, her body tensing under my touch. My heart races as I look into her eyes, seeing the same desire reflected at me. My hand finds the slick wetness that beckons me, and I feel her gasp as I tease her clit with feather-light strokes. Her hips buck instinctively, her body reacting to my touch as I slowly build the pressure. The connection between us is undeniable, a magnetic pull that draws us closer, despite the obstacles in our way.
Her breath comes in ragged gasps as I explore every inch of her, my touch eliciting whimpers of pleasure that fuel my desire. Our intensity threatens to consume us as we surrender to the passion that”s long been denied. I can feel her body quivering beneath me, her muscles tightening in anticipation. Our souls intertwine, and every touch and gasp strengthens our bond.
I lean in, capturing her lips again in a searing kiss that leaves us both breathless. My tongue dances with hers, teasing and tasting, as I guide her closer and closer to the edge of ecstasy. Her moans fill the air, mingling with my groans of pleasure as her body trembles in my arms. I can feel her heart racing, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she finally reaches the peak.
The way she responds to my touch and her body yields to mine is intoxicating. I know I would do anything to protect her, to keep her safe from the shadows. As I hold her close, I can”t help but marvel at the connection that binds us together, a force that”s stronger than any obstacle we may face. Our love is a beacon of hope in the darkness, a testament to the power of fated mates. And I”ll do everything to keep it burning bright.
I feel her body quivering beneath me. Our souls intertwine, and every touch and gasp strengthens our bond. But even as we revel in the intensity of our passion, I can”t help but feel a pang of guilt. I”ve failed her once before, and the memory of that betrayal still haunts me. I can only hope that this time, I can be the man she needs me to be, the Alpha she deserves.
As her body slowly relaxes, surrendering to the tender embrace, I hold her close, my heart swelling with a powerful mix of emotions. The warmth of her skin against mine, the softness of her breath on my neck, the sensations I”ve yearned for.
”I never stopped loving you,” I whisper into her ear. My voice, usually so commanding and resolute, now softens, revealing a vulnerability I share only with her.
I can feel her pulsing around my fingers, the waves of pleasure washing over her as she cries out my name. It”s a sound that reverberates through me, igniting a primal instinct within me to protect and cherish her. I continue to tease her, drawing out the orgasm as long as I can, savoring each gasp and tremor that ripples through her body.
The air around us crackles with energy, and I lean in to capture her lips, my body aching for the connection we once shared. My cock enters her, welcomed by the warmth and familiarity of our union. I can”t help but groan in pleasure as her body clenches around me, every muscle reacting to our movements in perfect harmony. It”s as if we were made for each other, our bond running deeper than just physical attraction. Our pace increases, the rhythm of our bodies matching the pounding of my heart. The intensity builds between us, and I”m lost in her warmth and the feeling of being so intimately connected to another being. It”s a moment of pure ecstasy, and I want it to last forever.
Without a second thought, my canines extend. An instinctive response to the primal need coursing through my veins. I”ve waited my whole life for the moment I claim my mate.
As my teeth sink into her shoulder, a mix of ecstasy, relief, and a deep, unshakable love for this woman captures my heart. The sharp, delicious pain on my shoulder tells me she”s claimed me as her mate in return, sealing our bond.
I look into her eyes, and the world seems to fade away, leaving only the two of us in this perfect, intimate moment. Our gazes hold a promise of forever, and I know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, we will face them together as one.
We collapse together, our bodies entwined. Her scent fills my senses, and I can”t help but feel a sense of peace wash over me like a soothing balm to my weary soul. Our hearts beat in unison. My fingers trace the curve of her jaw, savoring the softness of her skin. I drink in the beauty of her face, illuminated by the moonlight filtering through the trees.
”Is it safe to assume that we don”t have the calvary coming to arrest me?” I whisper afraid to break the spell but not wanting to be caught unaware.
”I arrested the killer,” she says as a tear falls down her cheek.
”Do you want to talk about it?”
”No. Not now,” she says as she pulls me close. ”Right now, I don”t want to think about anything but this moment.”
I draw her close, my fingers gently tracing the curve of her jaw as I gaze into her mesmerizing green eyes. I hesitate. My lips hover just above her lips. ”What changed?”
Her eyes bore into mine. ”Aiden died because he trusted a human. And that human felt justified in his actions because he thought Aiden was inferior because he was a shifter. It has to stop.” A tear slid down her face. ”I knew it was stupid eight years ago to let fear and prejudice win. But now I can fight for what I want.”
”Fight?”
”Well, I was ready to fight, but I like this better.” She smiles and my heart races with anticipation as I lean in, capturing her lips in a kiss filled with every ounce of my longing and desire. In this single, soulful moment, I hope to banish the shadows of doubt that lingered between us. My mouth moves against hers with fierce determination, the years of pent-up emotions surfacing as I strive to make her understand how deeply she claimed my heart.