Chapter 16
Fatima
I heard Zander roar from behind me and felt his seed trickle down my thigh. His body went rigid and he paused for a long moment before he began to thrust inside me once again.
“Mine,” he growled. “I will claim you many times, and all will know I belong to you and you belong to me.”
“Yours I agreed.” He was so damn sexy like this. His commanding tone along with his ability to take the lead was everything I’d ever dreamed of.
I had feared that Zander might not want me.
I had convinced myself that he was taking care of me simply as a friend, but now I knew the truth.
He wanted me as much as I wanted him. I might not have luminescence, but I had a mate, one that would love me even though we’d never glow.
I didn’t think that was possible, but here we were proving that sometimes, love truly does conquer all.
Zander’s cock began to vibrate once again, but this time it also grew pleasantly warm. It only added to my arousal as he worked my clit and moved his other hand to pinch my nipple.
The pleasure was nearly overwhelming, and I had to remind myself to breathe.
Every inch of my body hummed with pleasure as Zander thrust into me over and over again.
He would pull nearly all the way out. I felt every ridge and vein slowly pass through my channel and over my g-spot.
Then he would thrust all the way in at a deliciously quick pace.
He did this over and over again, until my own orgasm welled up within me. Every fiber of my being felt languid as if I’d been dipped into a warm bath. Warmth pooled in my belly as my back arched and my body grew tight. I did not have to linger long on the precipice of the ultimate pleasure.
Zander quickened his pace ever so slightly, which was exactly what I needed. Pleasure rushed through me like a fire through dry wood, and I cried out as my channel squeezed my mate’s cock and bliss radiated out from my core.
Zander cried out as his own orgasm rushed through him. He held me tight as his body stiffened and he spilled into me a second time.
His. I was his and he was mine. Life couldn’t be better.
CW: descriptions of wounds and blood
We cleaned up then Zander flew me back to the village. We walked into the entrance hand in hand. Butterflies flooded my stomach as everyone stopped and stared. Soon shock turned into broad grins and knowing looks.
“My mate and I have returned,” I announced and everyone erupted in cheers.
Zander lifted me into his arms as if I weighed nothing and placed a hungry kiss upon my lips.
“I am yours, now and forevermore,” he vowed.
“Together forever,” I agreed.
We had just started to walk down the path toward Zander’s house when Tarak ran past us, shouting an urgent message.
“Quickly! I need all the hunters and shifters to meet me in the woods!”
Tarak himself shifted into his Tanuki form and ran into the forest.
Zander set me down with a frown on his face. “I will return as quickly as I can,” he promised.
“I’ll be waiting for you,” I assured him.
“I will help you move your things into my house when I return. Unless you prefer I move my things into yours,” he was quick to add.
“I’d rather live at your place. It’s bigger and holds a lot of memories for you,” I replied as I squeezed his hand.
He squeezed mine in return, then followed the others into the woods.
“Congratulations,” Taylor squealed as she rushed over to me.
“Thank you,” I smiled up at her. “You were right, luminescence isn’t everything.”
“I knew you’d get there,” she grinned.
“Do you know what the guys are doing?” I asked. It looked like nearly all of them had left.
“No,” she shook her head. “Gabby said Axon ran into the village from the forest, and had a rushed conversation with Tarak. Then they were off gathering all the hunters.”
“She didn’t hear what they said?”
“No, she was too far away to hear.”
I hugged my arms around my middle and frowned.
“I wouldn’t worry. I’m sure they’ll be back soon. Do you want to hang out at my place until they return?” she offered.
“No, I want to start moving my stuff into Zander’s place.” I liked the idea of Zander coming back to find me making myself at home.
“Don’t move anything heavy,” Taylor warned in her bossy mom tone.
“I won’t,” I assured her and we went our separate ways.
I walked over to the cabin I’d been living in, and pushed open the door. A cool draft blew through the space and made me shiver. It was always cold in here, at least that’s how it felt compared to Zander’s house. I always felt warm and safe there, and now it was going to be my home.
I had very few things here, just my bed of furs, some clothes, and my knitting projects. The furs were too heavy for me to carry, so I opted to gather my clothes and knitting supplies instead.
Zander’s house was well organized with baskets that lined the walls filled with supplies. I found two empty ones and placed my things inside them.
That was it. I’d officially moved in, and it was far easier than I anticipated. It made me feel silly. I’d fought my attraction for Zander for months. If I’d known how easy it would be to fall into a beautiful life together, I would have chosen him a long time ago.
I should have chosen him before I even luminessed to Drelic, but I wouldn’t dwell on that now. The past was the past, and had I fallen in love with Zander before that fateful night, I wouldn’t have the baby growing inside me right now.
No one knew why, but it seemed couples could only conceive during luminescence.
Zander and I could have all the sex we wanted, but we’d never make a baby.
Built in birth control was another benefit to being with my mate.
I only wanted the one kiddo, and now I’d have them.
The three of us would be a little family just like I’d always dreamed.
Time ticked by as I waited for Zander. What did Tarak want with all the hunters?
Knock. knock. “Can I come in?” A familiar voice cut through my thoughts.
“Yep!” I shouted as I got up to open the door. On the other side was Drovo holding a large piece of wooden furniture.
“Delivery!” he announced then walked past me into the house.
“Where do you want it?”
“Want what? What is that?” I asked.
“It’s the cradle that Zander ordered. Sorry it took me so long. I’ve been busy.” Drovo smiled. He’d taken to fatherhood quite well. He loved taking care of Kavo and Kayla more than anything.
“Zander ordered a cradle? When?”
“A few moon cycles ago,” Drovo shrugged then set the cradle down next to the bed.
“He didn’t mention it to you?” the dryad shifter asked.
“No,” I shook my head as I knelt down next to the beautifully crafted cradle that would soon hold my little baby.
“It must have slipped his mind,” he shrugged.
“I can’t wait for him to see it.”
“It shouldn’t be much longer,” Drovo replied. “They went out looking for Gil. Axon spotted him and ran back to the village to tell Tarak.”
“That’s where they all went?”
“Yep,” Drovo nodded. “Tarak asked me to stay behind in case anything happened here. If all goes well, they’ll convince Gil to bring Anusha back.”
The mention of my friend’s name made a knot form in my throat. It’d been months since she’d been taken. No one had any idea where she was or how she was doing. We all felt so helpless. There was something about Gil that made him nearly impossible to track.
“I hope they’re successful,” I replied in a somber tone.
“We’ll get her back,” Drovo gave me a comforting smile.
I looked down at the cradle again and marveled at the details. “This is really beautiful, Drovo. You did an amazing job.”
His ears turned a dark blue as he blushed. “I pride myself on making furniture that will last. Your baby will be safe in there.”
“Thank you again,” I replied as I patted my round belly. It wouldn’t be too much longer until we made use of the new cradle.
“I better get back to Kayla and Kavo,” Drovo bowed his head with a smile and left.
I stared at the beautiful cradle for a long while admiring the wood etching of the vines and animals Drovo had placed there. I had been lost in thought imagining my future with Zander when I heard a commotion outside my door.
I rushed outside to find Orsu carrying Zander over his shoulder toward the house.
“What happened?” I asked as Orsu laid Zander down onto the furs.
“We were attacked by two solete birds. Gil, Jax, and Zander helped drive them away, but Zander got injured.”
My mate laid on the bed unconscious and pale. Blood seeped from his leg and shoulder at an alarming rate.
“We have to stop the bleeding.” I grabbed some clean rags from one of the storage baskets and started wrapping Zander’s wounds.
“Someone get Sozu!” Orsu shouted.
A moment later Neelu was at my side inspecting Zander’s wounds. “These will need to be sewed shut. Vianna, get me my medical supplies.”
I hadn’t even noticed his sister had entered the room. Her face had gone pale and she looked terrified at the sight of her brother so badly injured.
“Go!” Neelu shouted, and the young sirret woman turned and ran out the door.
“She shouldn’t see her brother like this,” the older woman whispered.
“Do you think he’ll live?” I asked, unable to keep the fear out of my voice.
“Yes,” Neelu answered in a firm tone. “We will stop the bleeding and your mate will recover.” Her firm tone left no room for argument.
“Where’s Sozu?” I asked looking over my shoulder and out the window.
“No one knows,” Neelu replied. “He and Favalor went out hunting and haven’t returned.”
I bit back a curse at the bad timing of it all. Of course, when Zander needed a healer, the one we’ve got was out hunting. It wasn’t Sozu’s fault though. No one could have predicted this.
Vianna returned with a basket in her hands.
“Thank you,” Neelu said as she reached out a hand for the basket.
Vianna stood frozen as she stared at her brother bleeding out on the bed.
Orsu, who had remained in the cabin, took the basket from her hands and gave it to Neelu.
“Come, you can help me brew some healing tea for your brother,” the bear shifter suggested as he put an arm around Vianna and led her out the door.
“Goddess bless him,” Neelu sighed and quickly got to work stitching Zander back together.
Zander came too just as she finished.
“Fatima,” he wheezed and squeezed my hand.
“I’m here,” I assured him. “You’re going to be okay.”
“Fatima,” he said my name again and sighed with relief.
Just then Favalor burst through the door panting and out of breath. “I was out hunting with Sozu,” he began as he leaned against the door frame. “The big shifter ran past us, but suddenly stopped when he saw Sozu. I tried to stop him but he was too fast.”
“Stop him from what?” I asked.
“From taking Sozu. He snatched him up in one of his big hands and ran off again.”
My blood went cold. Gil had kidnapped a second person. Not only that, he’d taken the only shifter with any healing abilities.
“Liar,” Zander groaned. “What did you do to Sozu?”
“What? You can’t be serious.” Favalor straightened and his hands tightened into fists.
“I didn’t do anything. We were out hunting together.”
“Liar,” Zander croaked again. “No honor.”
“Go home, child,” Neelu commanded the young hunter. “Zander will not rest if you are here.”
Favalor looked to Neelu then back to Zander and nodded. He left without another word with his tail thrashing behind him.
The hours passed slowly as Zander slept. I thought the worst of it was over, but then his skin grew hot.
“He’s got a fever,” Neelu confirmed as she pressed the back of her hand to his forehead. “There must have been something on the bird’s talons that got into his blood.”
“Shit,” I cursed. My heart raced as a fresh wave of anxiety coursed through me.
“He’s going to make it,” Neelu said in a firm tone as if she were speaking his healing into existence and daring fate to defy her.
“He’s going to make it,” I repeated with a nod.
Neelu and I alternated putting cold rags on Zander’s body in an attempt to cool him down. We administered healing salves and medicinal teas as best we could while he slept, but his fever would not break.
Finally, after many hours of being on my feet and watching over my mate, I gave into the exhaustion that had been weighing heavily on my shoulders.
I laid down next to my Zander and pushed his hair out of his face. “Please live. I need you to live.”
It was a prayer and a plea.