by KC Kellersen
He whispered so softly, “So perfect. Mine. Mate bond or not.”
The love in his face matched what I felt in my heart. I leaned up and captured his lips. I felt his now soft member twitch slightly against my core. He groaned and rolled to the side of me, taking me with him. He cradled my head against his chest as we tried to catch our breaths.
After a while he leaned down and kissed the top of my head. “You really are going to be the death of me…” he whispered out.
I chuckled softly. “I think I did just die. I didn’t know it would feel like that!” I had no idea what to expect, but the bliss I was experiencing was too much for words. I couldn’t have anticipated this.
“Me either. We should have done that weeks ago!” he said with a low chuckle, that rumbled through his chest. I laughed with him and then we fell into a blissful silence. My body was limp and sated, draped across his chest, legs tangled together. In the arms of the man that I loved, sleep claimed me.
Chapter 20
Oliver’s POV
I woke up feeling both sore and happy. Alina was still asleep in my arms. Thank the Goddess, that this beautiful smart, incredibly sexy woman was mine. We might not be able to feel the traditional mate bond, but I didn’t care. I would love her for as long as I lived. I wasted so much time on the guilt of loving her, when she was meant for me all along. Fynn was right, waiting for her was the right thing to do. Did you know?
I could only guess, but I figured it out after the ambush.
Well damn, you could have said something. I was irritated, but I shrugged it off. I had her in my arms now. We fit together so perfectly, even without experience. Considering the scratch marks down my back and the bite marks across my chest, I would say she enjoyed me as much as I enjoyed her.
I felt my groin tighten with the memory of her soft supple body moving under me. She was the perfect match to me, in every way. The overwhelming need to be with her again built. I tried to tamp it down, but she shifted on my chest. Unknowingly rubbing her body against my arousal.
“Time to wake up Kitten.” I trailed a finger over her bare back. Her skin was so soft, I wanted to kiss every inch of it. No, I would kiss every inch. She was mine. There was no limit on my time with her.
“Mmm… I don’t want to. Good dream.”
“You have some naughty dreams little Kitten.” I chuckled at her when she sat up abruptly and looked down at me. My laugh died when my eyes locked on her very naked breasts right in front of my face.
“You are absolutely adorable when you’re flustered. And quite frankly torturing me. So, unless you’re going to come back down here you will need to cover up this delectable body.”
“Well now that I am awake, I don’t think I want to cover up. I would, however, like a shower.” She got up from the bed, a little flushed, and I watched her go with mixed feelings. While the view was amazing, I wanted her right back here, in my arms. “Care to join me?” she called over her shoulder. As if she had to ask! That would be my pleasure! I hopped up quickly and followed her into the washroom.
I joined her in the shower, as she adjusted the water temperature, I rubbed my hands around her waist and kissed her; Over her shoulders, her neck and down her back. She tried to turn back towards me, but I had a better idea. I took her hands in mine from behind and placed them on the tile.
“Don’t move,” I commanded in her ear. Exploring her body, I touched and tasted, nipped and squeezed until her head fell back and she pleaded with me. I reached down to her slick heat and push one finger inside. She was hot and pulsing.
“Are you sore?” I asked into her ear.
“Oh no!” she moaned out, pushing back into my hand.
I ignored my own desire and added another finger. I kept a hard rhythm, in and out until she cried out, coming all over my fingers. My body was already on edge and I knew I would come quickly, so I wanted to make it good for her. I took my time bringing her to a fervor pitch once more. When her body started quaking, I grabbed her hips and entered her slowly.
Fuck, she was so tight! Yes, I was going to come, and quick. I bit back the need to go hard and pulled out slowly, pushing back in at the last second. I watched as she took my entire cock, over and over again.
“Oh, that feels so good,” she said with a moan and she arched her back, taking me even deeper. With a low growl, I lost any semblance of control. I pressed her body completely against the tile and pushed into her hard. I pulled out halfway and thrust deep again, and again. Building speed with every thrust. The slap of my balls against her ass echoed through the shower, along with her moans.
“I’m not going to last Kitten… Fuck!” I said as warning. I could feel my balls drawing up as the agonizing pleasure built. She pushed back up against me hard, her body started shaking. She screamed out as her orgasm rocked her, spilling her juices all over my cock. The spasms that shook through her inner muscles strangled my dick and shot me over the edge. “Alina!” I growled out as my body shook, her tight pussy milking every last drop of come out of me. When I could think straight again, I pulled out of her and turned her around kissing her deeply.
“I love you Oliver,” she said when my lips broke from hers. It just dawned on me that I had not told her. Not straight out. I kissed her deeply and poured my feelings into the kiss. When I felt my body begin to stir once more, I pulled back. Insatiable doesn’t even cover it. I could spend the rest of my life buried inside this woman.
“You are my life. I love you Kitten.” Hot steamy kisses followed and both of us were ready for round three.
When we were both sated, we finished showering and I got dressed.
Knock. Knock. Knock. I left Alina in the washroom, as she was still getting dressed and closed the door behind me. I went to open the door with reluctance. I wasn’t quite ready for the outside world to intrude on our happy morning. I looked at the clock, well afternoon now. With Liam’s worried look, I remembered all that I needed to do. Now that Alina was awake.
“Hey man, you’re awake!” When he looked over my shoulder and didn’t see Alina he asked, “Where’s Alina? Is she okay?”
“She’s awake and much better today. She should be just getting out of the shower. She’ll be out in a few. I am headed down to get the future alphas together. Once the spell is broken, they will go looking for them anyways.”
I could see the relief in his face, but he said, “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“Yeah, we’ll keep them outside until it’s over. But I think the recovery will go better with them there.”
“Alright. I’ll trust you. I will go let Nana and Mark know Alina’s awake.”
He left and Alina came out of the bathroom. It had been wonderful in this little bubble we created, but it was time to have the heavier discussions. I inhaled deeply to start the conversation, but she was all over it.
“You know you never did answer me earlier. What happened while I was asleep?”
“The good news is that the white wolf is among us.”
“What? Here? Where? Who?” She was as surprised as I felt when I talked to Ruby. So, I told her the whole story.
“How did you find a spell to free the alphas?”
“Your mom…”
She cut me off, “Had a dream?”
“Yeah. How did you guess?”
She laughed and said, “She’s been doing that my whole life. I should have known.” Her silver eyes were brimming with excitement. I knew our moment together was over for now.
“Go see them Kitten. I have something I want to do. I’ll meet you and Liam at the cells.”
I snuck out the back of the packhouse, not because I didn’t want to be with Alina. I felt she needed a moment with her family alone to explain things. Give them a chance to make their own opinions without me present when she told them about us. I knew she would. I also wanted to help the alphas. I knew that they would feel their mates once they had their wolf-spirits back.
I started with Ruby, since we
would need her and her sister, Tillian, was Ryan’s mate. I made my way over there quickly. It was easy to find since the village wasn’t very deep. Most of the cottages connected with the tree filled courtyard or the main road. Ruby, Tillian, Addy and Lyra were all standing out front when I got there, just waiting.
“Oliver! We’ve been waiting for you!” Ruby exclaimed as I walked up.
“What do you mean you have been waiting for me?”
“She told me you would be here this afternoon to get me and that I should get Lyra and Addy here too.”
Well it was convenient and a little creepy. Addy was Dales mate and Lyra was Cords mate. I just stared at them all. The white wolf was creepy but amazing. I couldn’t wait to meet the illusive woman.
“That white wolf certainly is something, considering I didn’t know I was coming here until about 10 minutes ago. Are you guys ready to see your mates?”
All three women lit up. I just noticed the vast differences between each of the future lunas. Tillian had blonde hair and green eyes. Lyra had red hair and hazel green eyes. And Addy had black hair and brown eyes. Zetia had brown hair and blue eyes. There was one of each, if you added in Alina with her light blonde hair and silver eyes, not that she was a Luna.
“About damn time! Liam wouldn’t let us in to see them at all!” Lyra said. I could imagine smoke coming out of her ears. She had a temper that competed with the stereotype.
“Will they know us?” Addy asked, much more reasonably.
“After Alina and this little angel get done, they will. Come on,” I said, then I swung Ruby up onto my shoulders. She squealed in delight. Oh, the everlasting joy of children.
We walked back towards the cells. The girls talked amongst themselves. Trying to guess the exact events of meeting their mates, with true recognition. I saw Alina standing with Zetia and Liam. They were laughing, but I could see that her eyes were still a little red and swollen. When her eyes fell to mine, her smile turned radiant. If she didn’t tell them about us before, she just did. I could read the love easily, even from a distance.
Mate
Fynn acceptance and love for her made me smile. I was almost expecting him to fight me on our relationship until we had the mate bond back. But he didn’t, just accepted her word as truth, just like I did. Neither of us wanted anyone but her.
“Hey Alina, this is Lyra, Cords mate, Addy, Dales mate, and Tillian, Ryan’s mate. And finally, Ruby, Tillian’s sister and our special little pup.” I pointed to each woman in turn, then lifted Ruby off my shoulders. There were small pleasantries exchanged but everyone was anxious for this to be over.
“You ladies stay out here with Liam. Alina, Ruby and I will get this done,”
“Wait, I thought I needed the help of a kitten?” Ruby asked worriedly.
“He,” Alina gestured to me, “calls me his little kitten. That’s why the white wolf told you that.” She smiled at her and I saw Ruby relax.
We walked into the building that housed the makeshift cells. All three men were pushing against the bars, their meals untouched. Even with their wolfsbane cuffs on, they were trying to get out. Guilt rode through me. How could I have left them in here, even for a few extra hours while I was with Alina? It was irresponsible. They probably hadn’t eaten or slept since we left the castle.
Alina caught my eye and shook her head; she didn’t agree with my guilt.
I couldn’t have done this earlier. I was too weak, even now I am not sure how much power I can truly summon to help. Don’t you dare start taking blame that isn’t yours.
Her voice in my mind was strange, beautiful but strange. It sounded like her but didn’t. Her wolf-spirit was just as feisty as her. I smiled at her. Guilt subsiding for the moment.
I turned to Ruby who was hiding behind me slightly. “Alright, Ruby here is the spell. From what Liam told me, you just need to read this aloud. Try to call on your power as you do it.” She nodded shyly.
“Don’t worry Ruby. I will help you and they will not be let out until we have freed them. Alright?” Alina put Ruby at ease.
I took a deep breath and waited for the magic. Fear and anxiety rolled through me as I watched Alina take Ruby’s little hand in hers and step towards the alphas. This was the moment I had been waiting for, for 10 years. For the alphas to get their wolves back, for the spell to be broken, for my mate bond to return. Alina looked over her shoulder and smiled. My fear slipped away. No matter what happened, I would have her.
“Unwind the loyalty on this hour – by the blood of your alpha power – center you will and mind once more - to the Queen you submit no more – mend the bond in your soul – over your wolf only you control.”
So many things happened simultaneously as Ruby chanted the words. I felt Ruby’s power rise higher with every word. I felt Alina’s power grow at first, then drain rapidly. I saw Alina’s knee’s shaking as she pushed her power to Ruby. I saw each alpha fall to their knees, at the same time I did. The searing pain in my head, was one that I only ever felt once before.
By the time Ruby was finished my head was throbbing. I squeezed my hands to my head to stop the pounding. Fynn?? Are you alright?
MATE!
With his words, I pushed the pain aside. I needed to focus, and Alina was the light at the end of tunnel. The light that would end my suffering. My Alina.
“It worked, get the future lunas in here,” I said to Ruby as I pushed to my feet, I needed to get to Alina. She was weak and holding the wall for support. I walked wobbly over to her and pulled her into my arms, turning so my back was supported against the wall.
MATE!!
The feeling of electricity at our touch was exhilarating. I had my mate-bond and I had my mate in my arms. The feeling of love that I felt for Alina would have been enough for a lifetime; but the feeling burning through my body and soul was more than I ever expected. Loving her doesn’t cover it. I needed her. She was my life, my breath, my sun, my moon. My everything.
I tilted her chin up and kissed her. All the love I felt this morning and all the other newer, bigger, stronger feelings that I felt, poured into her. The way she returned the kiss told me that she could feel them too. I felt my skin itching along my chest, with pride, as the mating tattoo returned to my skin. It would be a perfect match to hers. She was mine and I would get to keep her for the rest of my life.
Gone. Gone were all the fears that I had of being alone. All the fears of becoming feral. All the fears of loving Alina and not being her mate. All the fears that she would be mated with someone else.
She was mine! There were others crying, talking, and laughing all around me as Liam let the alphas out of their cells. But I couldn’t focus on anything but the beautiful little Kitten in my arms. Hell, the world could be burning around us, and I wouldn’t care. My body was on fire for her and I wanted to brand every part of her body with mine, starting with this kiss.
Epilogue
“Free shifters of Ayorlyn. We are all here to celebrate the return of Ayorlyn’s future. Our alphas are safe and free! A special thanks to a special pup, Ruby! Because of her power, we are able to celebrate today. Another special thanks to a special couple. They both faced so much; They sacrificed themselves so that we could be here today. They forged new hope for our future and brought our future alphas home. I present to you, my daughter, Alina and her mate, Oliver!” My mother announced and cheers echoed through the night.
“How can I be afraid of a crowd after everything I have been through?” I asked Oliver quietly. It was crazy, facing this boisterous crowd should be easier than facing Irene every day for a month!
“Come on Kitten, you know they won’t stop until you address them. I know you can do this!” I felt the nerves in me. And I realized exactly what I needed to do. I grabbed Oliver’s hand and walked out into the center of the village. People were shouting and yelling.
“Thank you!” Oliver called and the crowd grew silent. “You have all heard my story over the past couple days. Now it is time for A
lina, the true hero of this story, to share hers with you.” I threw him a glare. Thanks for throwing me under the bus!
I took a deep breath and spoke my truth.
“I won’t go into all the details; Tonight is not the night for that. However, I have something that I would like you all to know. A few of you know this already, so don’t ruin it for everyone else.” A chuckle murmured over the crowd as the people relaxed. “35 days ago, I left this village, filled with fear. Fear, that I was heading off to my death and terrified that I was a coward. But I went anyways… At one crucial point, before we could feel the mate bond, I decided to trust this man with my life.” I gestured to Oliver, “I was scared, but I did it anyways. Tonight, I was afraid to address you all. But here I am, pretty damn scared.” Another round of chuckles. “I did all those things, and I will continue to do things like them. Let me tell you why.”
I took a breath and squeezed Oliver’s hand for support. “It’s okay feel fear, or uncertainty... It’s okay. As my mother once told me, it’s alright to be afraid, as long as you don’t let it stop you from doing what is right!” A cheer erupted over the crowd. I held up my hand to finish. “Tonight, though… Tonight is not a night for fear, but celebration. Let us celebrate this small victory with joy and love. For tomorrow we face Lillian and Sarina. We will face them with determination…anger… strength… courage… and, just a touch of fear!”