by Brie Paisley
Hearing Melena’s cries of sorrow, I jerk my head in the direction of the sound. Her pain crashes through me, and all I want is to hold her close to me, while I comfort her, until I find a way to take her pain away.
However, it seems I’m destined to sit here, while my mate cries out my name, begging me to come back to her. The wolf has yet to move, and I have a feeling he’s making me experience this moment for a reason. Maybe, it’s a form of punishment, so I don’t utter a single word. At this point, I’ve said all I know to make him see reason, and if this won’t make him change his mind, nothing else will.
I’ve always known that the wolf was stubborn, and at times, uncompromising. Somehow, I lost my way at remembering that he’s a part of me too, and I regret that most of all. I’ve forgotten that the wolf has wants and needs too, just as much as I do.
As I start to fully believe I’ll be stuck in here forever, the cage suddenly disappears. At first, I don’t fully understand what’s going on, but then, I look at the wolf still sitting in front of me. Letting out a heavy sigh, I slowly move forward, until I’m only a few inches away from him.
Reaching up, I run my hand through his thick, dark coat, making sure he understands how much I appreciate a second chance. Using my other hand, I cup his face, as I lean down, and then place my head onto his. As he lets out a deep sigh, I claim, “I’ll do everything in my power to make this up to you. Everything I do from here on out, I’ll remember this moment, because it’ll remind me to never take you for granted again.”
Once the promise is spoken, the wolf licks my cheek, and then, I’m suddenly laying outside on the ground. It takes me a few moments to realize what’s going on, and then, I grin widely, as soon as I figure it out.
The wolf set me free.
Closing my eyes, I thank the wolf, and then, I sense Melena. Snapping my eyes open, I instantly find her, sitting all alone, and the sight makes my heart break. She seems so small and a little broken, as she sits with her legs close to her chest. Each sound of her cries cuts me down to my soul, and I realize how much I fucked up with her, too.
If I hadn’t been so careless with my wolf, then she wouldn’t have had to endure all of this alone.
Going to her, I push down the awkwardness of being on two legs again. Nothing else matters, but getting to her, and then, making sure she knows that I’m here for her. The moment I reach her, I gently lay a hand on her shoulder, as I utter, “Regina meis.”
She quickly snaps her gaze to me, and her eyes widen, as if she can’t fully believe that I’m here. Caressing her cheek, I use my thumb to wipe away her tears, as I claim, “I’m really here, and I’m not going anywhere ever again.”
“I thought I’d never see you again,” she says with fresh tears, rolling down her face.
Wiping them away, as soon as they fall, I state, “I know, and for that, I’m so sorry. I tried and fought so hard to come back to you.”
As a small cry leaves her lips, she falls against my chest, and then wraps her arms around my waist. Holding her tightly, I run my hand through her soft, blonde locks, as all of her pain and sorrows break free. The instant I feel what she is, I have to suck in a deep breath, as it rushes through me, like a tidal wave.
I honestly don’t know how she’s able to stay so strong, because what I’m sensing from her, it’s too much for one person to handle. I know that she’s been through so much in her life, but in this moment, she’s just a woman that’s on the verge of losing herself.
The moment I realize this, I sense something else deep inside of her. Frowning, as I try to figure out what it is, I hold her closer. I’ve never experienced anything like this before, so it takes me a long while, before I’m finally able to put a name to what this force is.
It’s a dark presence that’s attached itself to her soul.
Even now, I sense it trying its hardest to break free, and then take over her completely.
Before I get a chance to ask her what this is, I feel her hands slowly sliding up and down my back and sides. Leaning back, I suck in a deep breath, realizing her sadness is now being replaced with something more carnal.
Standing still, as her delicate, small hands run down my stomach, I use mine to tilt her head up. Once her golden gaze lands on me, I state, “I’m really here, Melena.”
She nods, and then roughly says, “I need you, Malik. I need you to claim and mark me again. Remind me that I’m yours.”
My cock jumps, hearing the lust and desire laced in her voice. I can’t deny her anything, especially, as the wolf realizes how much she needs his brand, too. It’s like it’s all he can think about now, which pushes me into action. I sense how much she needs this, so for now, I’ll give her what she craves. Afterwards, I’ll whisper sweet nothings in her ear, as she leans on me for support.
Sliding my hand into her hair, I grip it, and then, I pull her up. Closing the distance between us, I place my lips over hers. Devouring her how I want, I relish the feel of her, and everything about her. As I dip my tongue inside of her sweet mouth, my cock jumps, and then, my hunger for her spikes, when she lets out a throaty moan.
With my other hand, I move it down, and then, I slide it underneath her shirt. Caressing her breasts, I take my time, making sure to heighten her pleasure even higher than it already is. The more I tease her, the more she lets me know how much she’s ready to take my hard cock deep inside of her. It’s hard to ignore her desires, mixing with mine, and I realize that I’ve never wanted her more than I do in this moment.
Tilting her head back, I kiss down her neck, making sure to leave my mark in its wake. The wolf pushes me to bite her again, but I want her crying out my name, as I’m deep inside of her tight pussy, when I claim her again.
Just the thought of sliding inside her wet and hot pussy, makes my entire body shake with so much need, and it’s so powerful, that it makes me lose my breath. Losing the hold on the control that I thought I had, I picture her naked, and then her clothes are suddenly gone. Glancing up, I smirk, knowing my mate is so tuned into my wants. This isn’t the first time that she’s used her powers to our advantage, and I’ll never complain about it, especially, when I sense her protection spell around us. The first time that we were together, she caused a slight earthquake, so it’s good to keep her spell up, just in case it happens again.
Now that she’s free of her clothes, her hands reach for me, pulling me in close. Taking her mouth once more, I kiss her hard and deep, knowing how much she wants it, too. It’s as if we’re both desperate for one another, and it’s getting harder to hold back the urge to take her rough and hard.
As she pulls away from our passionate kiss, she states, “Take me, Malik. I promise, you’re not going to break me.”
Touching her lips with my fingers, I utter, “I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t,” she says sweetly, and then, a bed suddenly appears.
Smirking, I pick her up, as I claim, “Devious witch.”
As I lay her down onto the bed, she says, “Wicked wolf.”
Reaching down, I groan, as my fingers touch her hot pussy. Melena lets out a throaty moan, as I slowly dip a finger inside of her, and then, she cries out my name, when I use the back of my hand to push against her clit.
“I’ll show you a wicked wolf,” I state huskily, as I repeat the same motion.
“Malik, please,” she begs, and I love the sound of her voice in my mind.
It’s like a silky caress, mixed with desire and need all at the same time.
Teasing her a bit more with my hand, I take her mouth once more, and then, swallow down her cries of pleasure. Feeling the wolf pushing against me, I groan, sensing his own needs, racing to the surface. His only thoughts are of four words, and when he makes me see those words, I get hit with their force, making me want to act on them instantly.
Taste.
Claim.
Mark.
Mine.
Breaking our kiss, I quickly move down to act on the first nee
d that I sense. The first taste is unlike anything that I’ve ever felt or experienced before. Letting out a groan, I use my tongue to lap at her essence, while I use my finger to thrust deep inside of her.
As my bewitching mate rotates her hips to meet my thrusts, I use my arms to make her stay still. “Don’t move.”
“Please, Malik. I need more. I need you.”
Her plea sends a rush of euphoria down my spine, so I slip two more fingers inside of her. At the same time, I lick and suck on her sensitive clit, all the while, she screams out my name, as she suddenly comes on my fingers.
Letting her ride out the waves of pleasure, the wolf stomps his paw in my mind, reminding me that we’re not finished yet. Smirking, I quickly agree with my companion, because I crave so much more from her as well.
Slowly taking my fingers out of her, I sit up, and then, I place my hands on her hips to move her, so that she’s laying on her stomach. Swaying, when I sense how much she wants this, I raise her hips up, positioning her just how I want.
Taking my cock in my hand, I gaze at her tight pussy, glistening back at me. I know she’s ready to take me, when she moans out another plea, and I realize that I can’t hold back any longer.
Guiding myself inside of her, I move slowly, because I still worry that I might hurt her. The process is agonizing, since I’d love nothing more than to bury myself deep inside of her with just one thrust.
“Do it. Please, Malik, do it.”
“Fuck,” I grunt out, because I can’t deny my mate anything.
With one single thrust, I only stop, once I’m all the way inside of my queen. Holding still for a moment, while she adjusts to my size, I realize that she’s already ready for me to move. Giving her what she wants, I feel drunk from the sounds of her moans and cries of complete and utter pleasure.
Keeping my pace slow, but hard at the same time, I growl loudly, when her tight walls begin to clench around me. She feels so fucking good, and she’s so fucking wet that it’s becoming increasingly difficult not to come inside of her right this minute.
However, I push my own need down, forcing myself to give her more pleasure. But then, I make the mistake of glancing down, and I let out a throaty groan, as I watch my cock easily sliding in and out of her. It’s the most erotic sight that I’ve ever witnessed, but it’s also making me want to come way too soon.
Jerking my gaze away from the amazing scene, I lean down, and then use my hand to grab her throat in between her generous breasts. I still continue to fuck her hard and deep, because I know that’s how she wants and craves it the most. I clearly sense how close she is to her own orgasm, so I quickly show her what I want as well.
As she moves her hair off of her shoulder, she willingly offers her delicate neck to me. Licking my lips, the wolf surges forward, making me act only on need. Using my teeth, I bite her hard, knowing that it’ll leave my claim behind.
At the same time, Melena cries out my name, as her orgasm rushes through her. I keep my hold on her neck, as she rides out the waves of pleasure, while I finally let myself come right along with her. Slowing down my pace, I make sure to lick and then kiss the tender mark on her skin, while making sure she feels just how much I love her.
“I love you, too,” she whispers back, and I let out a deep sigh, thinking this is what coming home must feel like.
That’s what she is to me.
Home.
Running my hand up and down my mates exposed back, I let out a sigh of content. In all of my years, I never once thought I could feel so much euphoria. At times, I find myself thinking that all of this is just a dream, and if it is, I never want to wake up.
However, it seems no matter how happy I am, there’s always something hanging over us. Pulling Melena closer, she lays on my arm and chest, as I try to work through all of her conflicting emotions. It’s still a little strange having to figure out her needs and wants from my own, since they’re so strong.
“They’ll understand why you had to do what you did,” I softly claim, as I realize it’s what she did to Alrick that’s bothering her so much.
As she glances up at me, she states, “I know that they fear me more than anything.”
Frowning, I cup her cheek, and then say, “Give them time to get to know you first.” Letting out a heavy sigh, I know The Elders have done more damage than necessary. “All of these changes are hard for them, too. We’ve been enemies with the covens for so long, and that means the pack is still adjusting to all of the changes as well.”
“Do you think that’s why Alrick and Reid tried to take you out of the picture?”
Leaning up, I shake my head, and then claim, “Alrick and Reid are more alike than people like to admit. They both stick to their rules, because it gives them a sense of control. However, Alrick has hated witches, since The Dark Ages, and I’m not sure that’ll ever change.”
“And Reid?” She asks, and I look away, hating how much my friend has changed. For a long while, I try to find a reason for what he did. There’s a lot to consider, especially, knowing how we were raised.
Feeling her arms wrapping around me, I turn my head, so that I can gaze into her golden eyes. “I won’t make excuses for either of them, because of their own fear for change.”
“I highly doubt they’ll change their minds about me now.” She utters, and before I can tell her that it doesn’t matter, she adds, “Maybe, Alrick is right about witches.”
“No, he isn’t,” I declare, because what Alrick put into motion has done nothing, but hinder the packs. “The moment his law went into place, he took away so many future mates from the pack. Not only that, but he separated families, making us weaker.”
Shaking my head, I only wish that I was The Alpha back then, so that I could’ve put a stop to those laws. While it’s possible to continue the bloodlines without mates, it’s done nothing but put more fear into the pack. The wolves have stopped trying to exist with anyone other than wolves, and it’s something that I know needs to change. We need everyone to come together, as a whole, to stop this darkness that’s coming.
“Alrick wants to pretend that this dark force that’s coming doesn’t exist, even though, it does. Reid just wants to follow the rules, even though, they’re wrong.”
“You’re a good leader, Malik. I know that you’ll lead the pack in the right direction.”
Pulling her into my lap, I brush back her hair, and then state, “We’ll lead them together, regina meis.”
As her head drops, I use my fingers to tilt her chin up, so that her gaze is on mine. Using our bond, I urge her to tell me what’s really going through her mind. It’s hard to define one single emotion from her, because there are so many, racing through her.
“I have something dark deep within me, and it terrifies me.”
Clenching my jaw, I know exactly what she’s referring to. I felt it, and she’s right to worry about it. The darkness is strong, but I know my mate is stronger. “Everyone has evil inside of them, Melena. The only difference between being good or evil, is how you use your powers. It’s about the intention and actions, and not just the magic.”
She frowns, as she asks, “So, you believe I’m good, because I want to save everyone?”
Grinning, I claim, “I know that you don’t believe you’re the savior , but you are. With you by my side, I know that we can conquer anything.”
“How can you have so much faith in me, while I question everything?”
Holding her gaze, I caress her cheek, as I state, “Because you’re my mate, and I sense how strong you are. I feel how much you want to save your friends inside of The Facility, and how you want to stop them from taking anyone else. Your need to protect is much stronger than the darkness inside of you.”
She nods, but I know that she still doesn’t fully believe me. I know this is hard to take in, because of all that she’s been through. Someone like Melena can’t just forgive and forget what’s been done to her, and I don’t blame her for that. All I can do is
stand by her, and then, remind her who she really is.
“I hope you’re right,” she utters, after a moment.
“No matter what happens, I’ll be by your side to bring you back,” I vow, hoping we never get to that point.
Melena is the most powerful witch, and if she ever gives into the darkness, I’m not sure what’ll happen. However, I have a feeling that she’s stronger than she realizes, and that makes me have faith in her.
No matter what, she’s my mate, and I’ll face whatever evil it is in order to make her believe in herself.
With my mate by my side, we walk inside of the den.
I only have one thought running through my mind, as we make our way back to the assembly room. I’ve never been the one who likes punishing any member of the pack, but right now, it’s needed. Alrick and Reid need to be reminded that I’m The Alpha, so when you cross me, there will be consequences.
So, it’s no surprise at all, when we make it to our destination, and everyone is still there, as if they’ve been waiting for us to return. Melena squeezes my hand, as we enter, and every single person in the room stares at me. I know they thought that I was Rogue, and that I would never return. I don’t know what bothers me more, though. Is it the fact that they gave up on me, or the fact that they were willing to believe Alrick and go along with him?
The betrayal racing through me is what shocks me the most.
I also begin to realize that the way we perceive Rogues, just might be wrong. If my wolf was able to take over me, and then lock me away, who’s to say Rogue wolves can’t be saved? If it weren’t for Melena, I have no doubt in my mind that I wouldn’t be standing here right now. Sensing Melena’s curiosity about it, I notice she agrees with me. It’s something we’ll have to figure out later, when all of this is over.
Pushing out a heavy sigh, no one bothers to move, as we walk further into the room, but their eyes stay on us, when I take a seat at the front of the table. Melena stands beside me with a hand on my shoulder, giving me the strength to do what’s needed.
Glancing towards The Enforcers, I sense their pride that I’m back. They’ll never understand how grateful I am that they stood behind my mate, and that they were willing to fight to keep me here.