Conall
Ivy shakes beneath me and I'm still trying to pull myself together.
My jaw loosens and I gently let go of her shoulder.
My stomach drops in relief when I realize there's no blood and I didn't accidentally hurt her.
At least, not that way. Still I need to soothe.
At this point, it's biological instinct.
I can still see the indents where my teeth pressed into her skin.
My tongue finds the edges and licks. Her breath stutters beneath me.
I band an arm around her middle and lift her, sitting back on my ankles and pulling her with me so the knot doesn't tug. She wraps her arms around me and pulls me closer, hugging me around the middle.
"I like this, and it feels nice," she starts. "But how long do we need to stay out in the woods?" She swats at something with her free hand and I chuff. "I don't like bugs."
Normally a mated pair would have to stay together until the knot decreases. Which can take hours, I explain. My hound's voice layers over mine. Finding a mate has closed a bit of the rift between him and I.
"Hours?" she near-screeches.
But, I go on, I know a shortcut.
"What kind of shortcut?" she asks. Always so suspicious.
This may feel weird.
My limbs snap and pop. Parts of me collapsing and reforming. After so many years, it's not painful anymore but it's always uncomfortable. Like putting on your least favorite outfit.
My cock changes too, the knot reducing and disappearing. I'm still buried in her tight body, but we're no longer stuck together. I move her, sliding her off my shaft. She curls into me instantly. Head tucked under my chin, arms wrapped around my torso, face buried in my chest.
"Are you okay, Freckles? Are you hurt?" God, if I hurt her in hound form, I would never let that side out around her again.
Ivy shakes her head, the cold tip of her nose tracing between my pecs. "So good," she mumbles. I want to howl knowing I've pleased her.
Instead I scoop her into my arms, not wanting her to risk her feet. I hadn't realized until after that she had no shoes on. I examine her feet, but they look unbloodied. Just a few surface scratches. Her arms loop around my neck and I nuzzle into her hair, loving her sleepy, well-loved scent.
"You were perfect for me, pretty mate,” I say. “You took my knot so well."
Her lips find the edge of my jaw, pressing a kiss there before she settles back against my chest.