Epilogue
CHASON HARLOW-TRU
Halloween Night
Last month, if someone had told me I’d be naked in the woods, evading my shifter mate while trying to get caught, I’d send them straight to the psych ward.
I creep forward, tugging the blanket tighter, executing my well-planned adventure that a naughty escape artist cat almost ruined. I swear Nyx makes a game out of cockblocking us. My goal is to make it seem as if I put a ton of effort into hiding and escaping. But that’s the last thing I want.
I want Rafe to track me, catch me, and fuck me into a coma.
It’s what any witch would want on a full moon. My magic is at its peak, and his wolf needs prey. I’m willing to sacrifice my body for whatever he needs. I snort to myself as if it’s a sacrifice.
Rafe howls, getting closer. I walked in circles to throw him off. I also brought more than one change of clothes to stash around, spreading my scent and hopefully driving him mad.
He convinced me to take time off from the hospital, and we spent days and nights in bed.
After he first claimed me, I couldn’t be more than a few feet away without needing him. We took full advantage of the time to solidify our bond.
My skin prickles, and the hair on the back of my neck stands up. Rafe has me in his sight. The urge to run consumes me, and I’m bolting before I decide. My laugh echoes in the forest when I realize it was his idea for me to run.
My legs burn as I avoid bushes and fallen trees. He’s given up being stealthy, yipping and snorting with excitement behind me. It spurs me forward.
My only warning is a streak of fur before he pounces. He runs parallel and cages me into his chest, landing on his side so I don’t hit the ground first.
“My good boy found me.” I coo and scratch his ears.
“As if I wouldn’t track you to the ends of the earth,” he says after shifting to his naked human form and kissing me.
“Is it as good as you hoped?” I ask, spreading the blanket beneath us.
“Exceeds all expectations. My mate’s a clever witch who thinks of everything.” Rafe arranges me on my hands and knees to play with the plug.
“Clever enough to make it fun.” I push my ass back onto his hand. “But remember that if you cross me, I’ll mask my scent and you’ll never find me.”
“Never say never.” He covers my back with his body and enters me in one thrust.
We picked an isolated part of the woods so we wouldn’t be caught, and we can howl at the moon. Through our connection, Rafe encourages me to let loose. He yowls and I follow his lead. It’s oddly gratifying, as if the sound has been waiting for me to release it.
My magic builds and I don’t harness it, letting it free. Rafe says in his wolf form he’s more in touch with nature and his natural instincts, and I’m eager to do that with my magic.
Rafe lifts my torso up so that with every thrust we’re skin to skin, his front to my back.
“I have to claim you again,” he pants.
“Yes,” I moan like the slut I am for him.
Tonight feels different.
More.
As if nature approves and is blessing our union.
I love the sensation of the double pleasure the bond creates. We become one physically and spiritually. We complement each other on an elemental level.
Our love reaches new heights through union, and my magic envelops us. Our hearts beat in perfect staccato rhythm. I want to live in his skin.
“I’m close,” Rafe says into my shoulder, ready to bite.
“Do you feel it too?” I ask. There’s a tether between us, separate from the mating bond. It swirls, tightening and weaving us together. “Oh, Goddess of the Moon,” I mutter.
“Chason,” Rafe groans as his teeth sink into me as we come together and the tether becomes roots anchoring our magic and love deep within us.
His knot swells, securing our bodies when we might drop from exhaustion.
“That was… that… what was that?” Rafe lowers us to the blanket, on our sides so he doesn’t crush me.
I open my mouth to say “I don’t know” but I do. “A soul connection. Magic,” I whisper in awe. “I thought it was a legend.” I settle into Rafe’s arms.
“You’re a legend,” he says without irony or sarcasm. “My legend.”
“Now we have two connections. Bound for life.” I stretch back to kiss his lips.
“Forever.”