The Marking Ceremony #9
“I thought we could toast our mating with some champagne,” Caelan said hesitantly. “But I understand if you don’t want to.”
“One drink won’t hurt,” I said. “Besides, it’s not like it will have time to hit us much anyway.”
Caelan grinned, walking over and grabbing the two champagne flutes that had been tucked safely against the rock. He popped the bottle and poured each of us a glass before handing one to me. He lifted his, staring adoringly into my eyes as he spoke.
“Shade, my love, I want you to know that you are my heart and soul. I love you more than words could ever do justice. I love you more than I ever thought I was even capable of,” he said in surprise.
I smiled, my heart swelling as he confessed his feelings for me.
“You’re everything I could’ve ever dreamed or hoped for in a mate,” he continued. “I know we’ve had to overcome some unique challenges, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way. I’m honored to be your mate and beyond grateful that you’re willing to be mine.”
He clinked his glass against mine, the pure sound ringing out in the night. “To you, my love.”
We each took a drink, and I stared up at him lovingly. I wanted to mirror his gesture with sweet, thoughtful words of my own, but I was at a loss for what else to say.
The old Shade would’ve grown anxious and upset that she couldn’t offer her mate a loving speech in return. She would’ve worried that he might not understand how she felt because she couldn’t put it into words like he had.
But those were the old Shade’s problems, and I wasn’t her any longer.
I was the new Shade now. The Shade who felt better about herself and had confidence in her abilities. The one who had learned to love herself and welcome the love from the people she cared about most. The one who was ready to be Caelan’s mate.
The new Shade wouldn’t overthink this moment as the old Shade would. The new Shade wouldn’t let anything ruin an experience as special as this.
I took another long sip from my glass and looked my mate directly in the eyes, trying to convey all my love and desire for him into my gaze. “Make me yours, Caelan.”
Completing the Bond
SHADE
Caelan needed no further encouragement.
He whisked the flute out of my hand and set the pair aside, pulling me against him and wrapping his arms tightly around me. His lips met mine in a slow, tender kiss as his fingers slowly undid the laces at the back of my dress, loosening my corset.
“Part of me wants to just rip this off,” he murmured, his mouth traveling along my jaw and down my neck. “But I really love how you look in this.”
The dress slid from my form, falling gracefully to the ground as he kissed the place where his mark would lie. He sucked the skin gently, my knees buckling as my body melted into his.
“Easy, baby,” he whispered. “I haven’t even gotten started yet.”
He took a step back, and I heard his sharp intake of breath as his hungry gaze slid over every inch of me.
“I swear to the Goddess, Shade,” he said, his voice low. “Every time I see you like this, it’s somehow better than the last.”
He grabbed my waist and yanked me against him, catching me in a searing kiss. My tongue flicked along his lip, and I felt him smile as he opened for me. We moved together in a sensual dance as we explored each other’s mouths, delighting in the taste of one another.
I reached a trembling hand up, loosening his tie before slowly starting to undo the buttons of his shirt. I fumbled the first one three times in my eagerness to get it off.
He groaned in frustration, stepping back just enough to rip it open. Buttons flew off, landing in the brook and disappearing beneath the water.
“Caelan!” I gasped. “You have nothing to wear back to the party now.”
“I wasn’t going to wear a shirt anyway, Shade,” he grunted, discarding the garment as he closed the space between us again.
“You weren’t?” He chuckled, trailing kisses along my neck. “I want everyone to be able to see your mark. To know I’m yours. Wearing a collared shirt kind of defeats that purpose.”
“Oh,” I muttered as an excited thrill raced through me. He wants to show off my mark. Goddess, why is that such a turn on?! “Don’t get shy on me now,” he growled playfully as he tilted my chin up.
I ran a hand through his hair, gripping the soft strands tightly as I pulled his lips back to mine and kissed him hungrily.
A low rumbling sound vibrated through Caelan’s chest. He reached up, cupping the back of my head as he moved me into a better position. I felt his fingers glide over my skin, urging me to take a step back.
He lowered me onto the bed gently, both hands now roaming across my body and leaving a scorching heat in their wake.
His fingers danced down my stomach and over my hip. He grumbled in displeasure as they met the thin lace of my underwear. I heard the quick snick of a claw tearing through the waistband before he ripped them away entirely.
“Caelan!” I gasped. “I needed those.”
“No, you didn’t,” he mumbled, his lips hovering over my skin.
I giggled, shaking my head at the impatient alpha.
“You know,” I murmured in a sultry voice. “For someone who wants me naked so badly, you’re still wearing an awful lot of clothing.”
I tugged on his belted slacks and bit my lip playfully as his eyes met mine.
“Allow me to remedy that,” he said, pushing himself up and whipping off his belt with one hand.
He tossed it away, the force of its impact ringing out with a sharp slap as it hit a tree several feet away.
“Let me,” I teased, undoing the button and zipper myself before sliding them down his hips. “I don’t want you waltzing back into that party naked.”
He grinned, giving me a cocky wink as he kicked them off carelessly. “They can look all they want, baby. It all belongs to you.”
They landed with a splash in the creek, and I gave him a pointed look.
He shrugged. “I’ll mind-link Dillon or Oliver to meet us out front with an extra pair,” he replied, climbing back over me with a ravenous look in his eyes. “Now, stop trying to distract me.”
His fingertips caressed every inch of my flesh, driving my need higher with every stroke. I wriggled beneath him and whined his name, growing desperate at the torturously slow pace he chose. I reached down to grab him, but he pulled his hips away, giving a low chuckle.
“Impatient, baby?” he teased.
“Yes,” I breathed, not ashamed to admit it. “I need you, Caelan.”
His hand slipped between my thighs, his fingers dancing along my sensitive core. I gripped him tighter, uttering a soft moan as his thumb circled my clit. His mouth found that spot on my neck again, sucking gently as he pushed one digit inside me.
I cried out as he picked up his pace, the pleasurable sensations building within me until my orgasm finally crashed over me like a wave against the shore. My body was still quaking as I felt a sudden, unexpected pressure in my gums.
I could feel my canines lengthening and suddenly lunged forward, aiming for the spot where Caelan’s shoulder met his neck. Part of me knew it wasn’t the time, but my wolf was restless. She wanted her mate marked now.
Caelan chuckled, dodging my attempt. “Hold on there, little wolf. I’m more than happy to let you mark me, but it’s not going to be with my fingers inside you.”
He removed his hand, leaving me feeling empty. I felt his smooth head press against my entrance as he lined himself up.
“This might hurt a bit at first,” he warned.
I nodded, encouraging him to continue as he pushed his way inside, sinking into me slowly. I gasped, my hands curling into fists as I struggled to adjust.
“Are you okay?” he asked, watching me carefully.
“Yes,” I hissed. “You’re right. It’s a little uncomfortable.”
He kissed me gently. “I can stop if you want.”
I shook my head. “No. I want this. I want you.”
He nodded, slowly pulling out just a little before he gently pushed his way back in. He set an easy pace, easing me into the new sensation.
After a few strokes, I relaxed, the pain giving way to pleasure as he continued to steadily rock his hips into me.
“Better?” he breathed, his voice strained.
“Yes,” I moaned. “More.”
He groaned as he picked up the pace.
I could already feel the familiar tension building in my abdomen. I was close to my second orgasm of the night.
He must have sensed it because he drove himself in deep and held as my release swept through me.
Ecstasy wrapped me in a cocoon of bliss as I called out his name. Yet, something was missing, something important to bring this moment to its fullest, most rapturous extent. And I knew exactly what it was.
I lunged for his collarbone again, and this time he didn’t attempt to stop me. “Shade!” he moaned as my bite sank into his flesh, marking him as mine for all eternity.
A new energy thrummed to life between us, exploding out from me and rushing into him. His body shivered in delight, the speed and strength with which he drove his length into me increasing.
My teeth retracted from his neck as I sank my nails into his back and held on. “Caelan!”
His grip on me tightened as he pulled back slightly, flashing me a wolfish grin full of sharpened teeth.
“My turn,” he growled.
He struck, his teeth sinking in at the juncture of my collarbone. I gasped, my toes curling as my desire to be marked by him overrode any sense of pain.
My heart was nearly beating out of my chest as a bright light flashed before my eyes, enveloping us both. The sudden surge of power and pleasure that erupted between us was soul shattering.
We cried out together, driven to levels of satisfaction neither of us had ever known before as our spirits became one. I had never felt so complete, so full of love as our emotions mingled.
Our chests heaved as the aftershocks continued to ripple through us for several minutes. Caelan brushed a strand of hair out of my face, his eyes dropping to the fresh bite on my neck.
“Mate,” he growled, leaning down to kiss me.
Shade Kendrick
SHADE