Chapter 21
NADIA.
Ididn’t know how long I stayed wrapped up in Riley’s arms as we hugged each other under the tree. I couldn’t stop sobbing. My heart was so full of love for him, and I wanted to tell him that, but I didn’t have the courage. Not yet.
But one day, I will. One step at a time.
For now, it was enough that he said he wanted me here with him. Because there’s nothing in the world I want more right now than to be with him.
I felt his hand brush against my hair as he pressed our bodies closer, his warmth mixing with mine and his musky scent swirling around me. I could get used to this.
“Hey, stop crying… I hate it when I make you cry.” His voice was so soothing and calming. Too far from the Riley I was talking to in the car earlier.
“It’s not a bad cry. I’m just happy.”
“Yeah?” He asked as he let go of his arms around me.
I slowly pulled away from him, wiping my tears with the back of my hand as I nodded my head.
“Am I making you happy? I’m only good at giving shit to people…” He smiled sheepishly like he wanted to hide his face, and it didn’t slip my eyes the way his cheeks started to be tinted with red.
Was my Alpha blushing?
I giggled as I moved my hands to his cheeks, pressing my fingers together against his skin to pinch him. “I didn’t know a moody Alpha like you knew how to blush.”
“Blush?” He asked, his forehead creased.
“Yes, it makes your cheeks turn red.”
“I know what blush is, but I definitely don’t blush.”
“You just did.”
“Something is wrong with your eyes. Let me check.” He chuckled as he put his hand on my chin and began raising my eyelids with his finger as if he was checking something.
I laughed heartily as I swatted his hand away. “What are you doing?”
“Just making sure you don’t have an eye problem or something.”
“I don’t have a problem. Maybe you have…”
“I do. Look here…” He pointed at his bottom lip. “I think it needs some kisses or something… It’s fucking painful.”
I rolled my eyes at him, crossing my arms against my chest while faking a scoff. “Smooth move, Alpha.”
His lips tugged in a wide grin, but before he could utter a word, I slammed my lips against him and kissed him again.
His hand immediately cupped the back of my head as he kissed me back, bruisingly hard before he pulled away in a sudden movement.
“We need to get back to the packhouse or I will end up fucking you here. And this place is a route for patrollers and those who just want to let their wolves out.”
My eyes widened at his words as I scrambled on my feet to get off of him, embarrassed at my action, only to be more embarrassed when I saw his dick. He was having a hard-on, and it was pointing up in my direction.
“How are we going back to the packhouse? Are we too far from the car?” I asked him, my eyes diverting elsewhere, avoiding his manhood.
“I think the car was already picked up by someone, if not Dominic. So we need to run on our wolves back to the house. It’s probably thirty to forty minutes of running. If Arrow gets too tired, you can hop on Hunter’s back.” He said it too fast like he was giving instructions to his warriors.
“Okay, that sounds good.”
“Shift now.”
“What? So bossy! And you?”
“I’ll shift later. It’s my time with Arrow. And tell her to behave, I’m the Alpha here.”
I rolled my eyes at him playfully before standing on my toes, tilting my head up to meet his eyes. “An Alpha bows down to his Luna, don’t forget that.”
A smug grin tugged at his mouth before he offered me a salute. “Yes, my Luna. Not just bow down, I will only go down on you too!” And then he winked at me, a teasing grin playing on his lips as he licked them.
I had to clamp my legs together to stop my core from throbbing and getting wet. Goddess, this man knew how to drive me wild.
He crouched down, one knee touching the ground as he looked at me. “Take off your shirt before you shift.”
I nodded my head as I walked around the tree.
I heard Riley calling after me and telling me not to hide from him, but I was ignoring him. He looked too perfect naked and I knew I couldn’t match up to that, so I hid behind the big tree before getting naked and shifting into my wolf.
In seconds, Arrow came out, carrying the folded shirt between her teeth, and was greeted by a smiling Riley.
“Fuck that! Just wow!” he motioned with his hand, urging Arrow to approach him. “Come here!”
My wolf whimpered as she walked toward our mate, swaying her tail, too eager to get his attention.
“So fucking beautiful!” Riley cupped her neck and started rubbing it gently while Arrow started licking his face.
I was enjoying what I was seeing. Riley looked so carefree as he laughed and pampered my wolf with rubs and kisses. I wished he would laugh more often instead of the scowl on his face.
After a while of them playing and flirting with each other, Riley connected with my mind. ‘Are you ready to run home?’
Home? I’m already home. I couldn’t help but smile internally at my own thoughts. I had never felt more at home than I did at this moment.
Riley felt like home.
‘Yes.’ I answered him, and he gave Arrow a nod before he shifted.
Hunter then reached for the folded shirt on the ground, trapping it in between his fangs before nudging his snout into Arrow’s ass, earning a snarl from my wolf.
‘Run, little mate. Don’t let me catch you.’ Riley teased. Arrow didn’t need more heeding as she immediately sprung forward and in the direction Hunter pointed with his snout.
Not long after we were already treading the forest line, Hunter was leading the way, but he was running beside me, not letting me out of his sight and proximity.
The forest was beautiful. The smell of fresh air and the rustling of leaves as our paws thudded the earth gave me a peaceful heart. Although the run was making my wolf and I breathless, it was my mate who was taking my breath away.
He was wonderful, and he overwhelmed me with his kindness.
This run was connecting our wolves together, but his constant checking to see if I was still okay was making me feel special. For the first time, someone cared enough to ask me if I was tired and I needed to be carried. He might be just asking about today, but it held a new meaning for me.
All my life, I carried myself alone. I learned to stand on my own and not be dependent on anyone. And Riley was making me feel like he was ready to carry and take care of me. All I needed to do was to say it.