8. Arden
Chapter 8
Arden
A rden popped into consciousness like a bubble rushing to the surface of the Ocean.
Shane was gasping next to her on the bed.
When did he get here?
“What the ever-loving fuck was all that, lass?”
Arden startled, looking at an anxious Bergstrom hovering over her and Shane.
Arden’s voice was rough.
“It was woo-woo, Bergie. Big woo-woo.”
Bergstrom handed them hydro-packs, his voice gentle as he watched them closely.
“I was scared for ya. I came to check on ya. You were moanin’ and cryin’ out for Shane. I went and got the fella. Found him in the same state and carried his ass here.”
Shane sounded shaky.
“Thanks, Bergstrom. We were scared, too.”
They took long moments to recover, consuming without protest, every bit of food and drink Bergstrom gave them.
When they were done, Shane implored the gruff male.
“Can I stay with her? I don’t want to be alone. And she doesn’t want to be, either.”
Arden cuddled closer to Shane.
“He’s right. I want him to stay.”
Bergstrom looked at them with compassion.
“Listen, a Shumal is around to protect a lass from fearsome beasts with claws and fangs. No offense, lad, but you seem as weak as a kitten.”
Shane took offense.
“Hey! I am not weak .”
“There’s the lad I know. Would you rather I bed down on this side of the door, or the other side?”
Shane peered at Bergstrom, then Arden, and back to Bergstrom. He dramatically fell back onto Arden’s bed with a groan.
“I am exhausted . So weak. Like a kitten. Meow .”
Bergstrom surveyed Shane knowingly.
“Thought so.”
Arden giggled.
“Did you just meow ?”
Shane pointed at Bergstrom.
“You want him snoring on this side of the door?”
Without a beat, Arden turned to Bergstrom with a completely straight face.
“Meow.”
Bergstrom regarded them blankly for long moments, then snorted.
“Keep it down, ya pussies.”
He stood up to leave as Shane protested.
“I am not a pus…”
Arden firmly put her hand over Shane’s mouth, stopping his words.
Bergstrom froze, turning to peer at them with an eyebrow raised. Arden smiled up at Bergstrom, her eyes blinking up innocently, her tone a tiny plea.
“Meow?”
Arden turned to Shane, licking her lips as she removed her hand. He was deeply appreciative.
“Mee-yoww.”
Arden leaned down to passionately kiss Shane. They barely heard the decisive snick of the entry closing with Bergstrom on the other side.
When Arden pulled back, she admired Shane’s kiss-swollen lips and his lambent gaze. His voice was low and thick.
“I have never been so happy to be called a pussy.”
Arden laughed, then gasped as Shane reached under her thin nightgown and stroked up the seam of her sex.
Shane grinned.
“What have I found here ?”
Arden gasp-chuckled.
“A pussy?”
His tone was soft and sexy.
“Me-yow, my lovely.”
Shane softly caressed her silky flesh, pleasuring her while watching her face intently. He was so handsome. So loving.
“You have a glow around you.”
Shane’s gentle touches continued, his gaze amused but penetrating.
“Like I’m healthy?”
“No. An actual glow. It’s part of how I knew you were mine.”
Shane reached his free hand up, cupping her cheek to bring her down for a deep kiss. He licked his lips as they parted, as if savoring her flavor. She adored his taste.
“I am yours, Arden. I knew it when you introduced yourself. You’re the one I’ve been searching for.”
Arden understood completely.
“We found each other.”
“Yes.”
They kissed.
Arden spoke absentmindedly, but resolutely.
“We are going to find our Lio, too.”
“Yes.”
“Let’s talk with Captain Valen tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Another luscious kiss. Shane’s voice was unrecognizably deep with arousal.
“Tomorrow.”
Shane removed her nightgown and his t-shirt and sleep-shorts. His hands caressed her as she greedily stroked and kissed all she could reach of his beautiful body. She adored finding those places that made him gasp and twitch, or arch for more. He made her writhe and moan.
She straddled him, both gasping as her slick softness pressed his hard length. She lifted to take him, but hesitated.
I want more.
Shane caressed over her arm as he nodded in understanding.
“You want them here, don’t you?”
Arden nodded, feeling a little sad they weren’t.
“I do, too.”
Their gazes met, eyes searching. She wondered out-loud.
“Can we wish them here? Like, here , here?”
Shane smiled.
“It’s worth a shot. It’s just more woo-woo, right?”
Arden snickered.
“Okay. Let’s close our eyes and wish .”
When they opened their eyes, there were shadows of shape and form with them. She could feel their cool, ghostly touches.
Vai’s voice was faint, but clear.
“Thank you, loves, for inviting us here with you.”
Gratefulness rose up in a warm tide within Arden. She had all her Mates with her, at least in spirit, as she’d longed for. She felt the burn of tears before they fell.
Shane lovingly wiped them away. She breathed and relaxed, her passion igniting fierce, deep, and true for her gentle man.
His voice was soft.
“You ready?”
“ So ready.”
She lifted as Shane held his cock up for her to take. She sank down on his delicious, hot shaft, feeling a sense of homecoming as he filled her.
Possessiveness struck Arden hard. She leaned close as she staked her Claim.
“I Claim you, Shane. You’re my Mate. Mine . Forever.”
Shane moaned.
“Yes, love. Yours. Forever.”
Vai’s spirit-voice intoned.
“Arden Pon’Vogel has Claimed Shane Davenport.”
Arden and Shane thrust together in sensuous counterpoint, moaning their pleasure in each other. Kissing in a frenzy of lust, they petted and stroked everything in reach, their gasps driving each other on. She peaked just before Shane joined her, both calling out sharply as they shuddered and came.
Gradually, their kisses and strokes calmed, becoming soothing.
Cool fingers stroked her spine. She looked over at a spirit-mist Rally, still in a pleasured haze.
“Thank you, beloved Mates, for sharing this with us. Find us. We hunger for you. Until the MateBond is Sealed, the soul-seeker will come after you. Be careful.”
And then they were gone.
Arden and Shane looked at each other, determination blazing in their gazes. His words were firm.
“We will find them.”
Arden nodded.
“Yes, we will .”
But Arden wasn’t done with Shane. Not even close to done. Her hips undulated as she clenched on him tight.
Shane groaned.
He rolled Arden onto her back, his lips taking her kiss and her mind as he began a hard, steady rhythm.
“Let’s work out some tension first, shall we?”
Arden moaned her agreement as he gave her another deep, heavy thrust.