Chapter 11
Rylan’s POV
The moment Ronan hits the wall, time slows. The crack of stone reverberates through the chamber as his body slides to the floor, but my focus narrows to Selena. Her knees buckle, her breath catching on a strangled gasp as the backlash of the broken bond hits her.
I’m already moving, catching her before she falls. My arms wrap around her waist and ribs, pulling her back against my chest. The contact is electric, skin to skin, heat to heat.
“I’ve got you,” I whisper, but the words are drowned by what happens next.
The silver light of the truth rite bends, drawn to us like metal to a magnet. It swirls around our bodies, cocooning us in ancient magic that feels both foreign and achingly familiar. The energy doesn’t fight us, it recognizes something primal between us, something it bends to rather than controls.
My wolf, so long leashed and controlled, surges forward with such force that I can’t contain him. He rises to the surface of my consciousness, merging with me rather than fighting for control.
“MINE,” he roars through my mouth, the word echoing with dual voices, man and beast as one.
I feel Selena stiffen in my arms, then relax as something within her responds. Her head tilts back against my shoulder, her eyes flashing with silver fire as her Lycan, long suppressed by Ronan’s herbs, rises to meet mine.
“MATE,” she answers, her voice carrying the same dual quality.
The chamber falls instantly silent. I can hear heartbeats, the shallow breathing of the elders, the rustle of fabric as wolves shift uncomfortably in their seats. In my peripheral vision, I see Elder Miriam’s hand rise to her throat, Elder Darius’s eyes widen with recognition.
The truth rite flares brilliantly then begins to fracture, silver light splintering as the ceremony destabilizes under the power of what’s happening between us.
“This ceremony is suspended,” Elder Darius announces, his voice cutting through the silence. “We will reconvene tomorrow at noon.”
Whispers erupt around us. I don’t hear the words, don’t care to. Selena trembles against me, her body processing both the shock of the broken bond and the surge of our new connection. Her legs are unsteady, her breath shallow.
Without hesitation, I sweep her into my arms. She weighs nothing to me, my strength amplified by the need to protect, to claim, to shelter. Her head tucks against my shoulder, trusting, yielding.
Not one person moves to stop me as I stride from the chamber. Not one voice rises in protest. They know, all of them know, what they’ve witnessed. A true mate bond revealing itself is sacred, ancient, beyond their authority to interrupt.
The walk to my suite passes in a blur of stone corridors and startled faces. I kick the door shut behind us, and suddenly we’re alone, wrapped in silence broken only by our uneven breathing.
I set her gently on her feet, but keep my hands at her waist to steady her. The bond between us hums, a physical presence that connects us chest to chest. It doesn’t control, it invites, it offers, it whispers of possibilities.
“Selena,” I manage, my voice rough with restraint. “We don’t have to...“
She steps forward before I can finish, pressing her body fully against mine. Her hands slide up my chest, over my shoulders, fingers tangling in my hair as she pulls my face down to hers.
“I choose this,” she whispers against my lips. “I choose you.”
My control shatters like glass. I capture her mouth with mine, tasting her for the first time, sweet, warm, perfect. The kiss deepens instantly, her lips parting on a gasp that I swallow hungrily. My hands span her waist, lifting her against me as I walk us backward until her back meets the wall.
Take her. Claim her. MINE.
I pin her against the wall, my body caging hers. The impact knocks the air from her lungs, her tits pressing against my chest, her thighs parting instinctively.
Her scent is everywhere, sweet and savory, the aroma of her arousal cutting through the remnants of pain.
My mouth crashes onto hers, my tongue forcing its way past her lips, claiming her in a kiss so deep I taste the copper tang of her blood from where she bit her lip. She moans, a desperate, needy sound, her nails raking down my back.
“Fuck, Sel,” I growl against her lips, my hands rough as I grip her hips, grinding my cock against her softness. She’s so small compared to me, her curves fitting against my hardness like she was made for it.
“You feel that? That’s us. That’s our unbreakable bond.”
Her hands tangle in my hair, yanking hard enough to sting. “I feel it,” she gasps, her voice trembling. “I want it.”
That’s all the permission I need.
I strip her with brutal efficiency, tearing the ceremonial robes from her body until she’s bare before me, nothing but moonlight spilling over her skin. Her tits are full, heavy, the nipples tight little buds begging for my mouth.
Her waist flares into hips I could grip for hours, and between her thighs, fuck, she’s dripping, her pussy glistening, swollen, aching for me.
“Beautiful,” I rasp, my fingers tracing the dip of her waist, the flare of her hip. “So fucking perfect.”
She shivers under my touch, her breath hitching as I drop to my knees in front of her. The scent of her pussy is intoxicating, rich and sweet, and when I drag my tongue through her core, she cries out, her fingers clutching my shoulders.
I groan against her, the taste of her exploding on my tongue, sweet, savory, mine. My hands grip her ass, holding her open as I feast, my tongue swirling around her clit before I suck it between my lips.
“Rylan, please...” Her voice is a whine, her thighs trembling.
I can feel her getting closer, her muscles tightening, her breath coming in short, sharp gasps.
I pull back just enough to growl, “You gonna come for me, mate?”
“Yes… yes... ” I insert two fingers inside her, curling them up to hit that spot that makes her back arch.
I add a third finger, stretching her, preparing her. She’s tight as hell, her inner walls fluttering around me, her hips rolling in time with my thrusts. I can feel her getting close, her muscles tensing, her breath hitching.
“Come for me, baby,”
Her pussy clenches around me, so tight, so hot, and when I seal my mouth over her clit and suck, she screams, her orgasm ripping through her. Her juices coat my fingers, my chin, and I drink it down, groaning at the taste of her.
She’s still trembling when I stand, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. Her eyes are glazed, her lips swollen from kissing, her skin flushed. And then her gaze drops to my cock.
I haven’t even taken it out yet, but the bulge in my pants is impossible to miss. I groan, my cock throbbing, pre-cum leaking into my boxers. Her eyes widen.
“That’s... ” She swallows hard. “Will it fit?”
I smirk, my fingers working the fastenings of my pants. “You were made for me,” I murmur. “I’ll take my time.”
When I free my cock, it slaps against my stomach, thick and heavy, the head already weeping. Her breath hitches, her tongue darting out to wet her lips.
Stroking myself slowly, my thumb spreading the precum over the tip. My lips hover over her lips, as I press them against her soft sweet lips.
I break the kiss, fighting for control against my wolf’s demands. “Selena, I need to know... “
“I’ve never...” she whispers, her cheeks flushing. “I’ve never done this before… With anyone. But I want you. I trust you.”
The admission sends a wave of possessive pleasure through me. Mine. Only ever mine. My wolf growls a low and possessive growl. My hand stills. The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Virgin. Fuck, I have to make this special.
“I’ll take care of you,” I promise, lifting her again, I press a kiss to her forehead, and carry her to the bed. We’ve got all night. And I’m not nearly done with her yet.
I gently lower her to the mattress, maintaining my lips on hers. My lips trail down her throat.
She’s panting, her breasts rising and falling with every ragged breath, her nipples hard little points as I take one in my mouth my hand slides down, palming the other. Her moaning is like a song to my ear.
My fingers travel down my sides, brushes gently against her stomach, lightly on her thighs, to her core, gathering her wetness. She’s wet as hell, her hips bucking against my hand, her moans filling the room.
“You’re so wet for me, baby,” I growl, circling her clit with my thumb. “Such a good girl.”
“Please,” she begs, her nails raking down my hair. “I need... ”
“Patience, little wolf.” My cock throbs.
“Gonna go slow,” I promise, my voice a rasp. “I wanna make you feel so good, baby.”
Her nails dig into my shoulders. “I trust you.”
And fuck, those words undo me.
I guide my cock to her entrance. The head of my cock brushes against her entrance, and we both freeze at the contact. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, please…”
My cock is pressing against her tight core.
She’s soaked. I enter her slowly, inch by inch, watching her face for any sign of discomfort. When I meet resistance, I pause, brushing hair from her forehead. “This will hurt, just for a moment.”
She nods, eyes trusting. “I know. It’s okay.” Her body stretches to take me. Like she was made for me.
“Fuck... ” She gasps, her back arching. “It’s... so much...”
“I know, baby,” I groan, my forehead pressing to hers. “You’re doing great, do you need me to stop.” She shakes her head.
“I need words, baby.”
“No, please, don’t stop.”
I capture her mouth in a deep kiss as I push forward, breaking through the barrier in one smooth thrust. She gasps against my lips, nails digging into my shoulders. I remain perfectly still, letting her adjust to the feeling of me inside her.
“You feel incredible,” I murmur against her ear. “So perfect. So tight.”
Her pussy flutters around me, her walls clenching as I bottom out, my balls pressing against her ass. I give her a moment, my cock throbbing inside her, the bond between us humming with satisfaction.
Gradually, her body relaxes. Her hips shift experimentally, drawing a groan from my throat. “Move,” she whispers. “Please.”
And then I move.
I begin a slow, gentle rhythm, shallow thrusts that gradually deepen as she responds. Her body arches off the bed and her hips start thrusting, meeting me thrust for thrust.
I pull back slowly, almost all the way out, before thrusting back in, deep and hard. Selena moans, her fingers clutching the sheets, her tits bouncing with the force. I set a rhythm, slow, deep strokes that have her whimpering, her nails scoring down my back.
“More,” she begs, her voice breathless. “Harder.”
I growl, my control snapping. I grip her hips, lifting her slightly, changing the angle so every thrust hits that spot inside her that makes her see stars. The bed creaks beneath us, the sound of skin slapping skin filling the room.
Her legs wrap around my waist, and then I’m thrusting into her harder, faster as her moans fill the air. I pull back and slam into her again, setting a punishing rhythm.
She’s still trembling from her last orgasm, her pussy slick and ready. I don’t wait. I surge forward, burying myself to the hilt in one rough thrust.
Selena moans, her nails digging into my shoulders, her body stretching to accommodate me. Fuck, she’s tight. So fucking tight, her walls milking me, her heat enveloping me like a glove.
I reach between us, my thumb finding her clit, rubbing in tight circles.
She’s swollen, sensitive, her body jerking at the first touch. I rub tight circles, my thrusts never faltering, and within seconds, she’s coming again, her pussy flooding my cock, her screams echoing off the walls.
Her back bowing off the bed as her orgasm hits her like a freight train. Her pussy milks me, her juices coating my cock, and I lose it. With a groan, I bury myself to the hilt and come, my release pumping into her in thick, hot spurts.
My mouth finds her neck, right where instinct demands.
Her pulse races beneath my lips. The bond surges, sharp and consuming, my wolf rising fast...
Mark her. Claim her. Now.
Selena gasps, her body arching into mine, her fingers tightening in my hair instead of pushing me away.
“MATE,” her Lycan breathes.
Mine answers instantly...
MINE.
My teeth press against her skin. And I stop. The force of it nearly rips a growl from my chest. Every muscle locks, control snapping back into place through sheer will. “Not yet,” I rasp, “Not while they still breathe.”
She stills beneath me, breath uneven, eyes searching mine. “Rylan…?” she whispers. I press my forehead to hers, grounding both of us, forcing the bond back under control.
“After the truth rite is finished,” I say low, steady. “After we end this.” Her brows draw slightly. “End…?”
“Them,” I growl, the word edged with promise. “What they started. What they did.” Understanding flickers in her eyes.
The anger. The purpose. Her hand slides up to my jaw, steady despite everything.
“Together,” she says. That settles it. My wolf stills, not denied... just… waiting. I exhale slowly, my grip on her tightening just slightly.
“Together,” I repeat.
And this time, when I pull back from her throat...
It isn’t restraint alone.
It’s a promise.