As her head landed against his chest yet again, Tobias pulled her closer to him. “You’re tired.”
“I’m fine,” she yawned. I want to stay up here a little longer, her mind thought rebelliously even though he was right.
“You didn’t sleep last night.”
“No,” she admitted reluctantly, “I was too worked up about what was going to happen tonight to get much sleep.”
“You will sleep.” He stood, lifting her into his arms. Her eyes closed shut tightly at the change in position, convinced that they were going to fall to an early demise. They did fall, but it was intentional on Tobias’ part. He leapt from the tree branch and allowed them to fall to the next. He continued to jump and fall until they reached the safety of the ground.
Her heart in her throat, Alex gave Tobias a rather feeble smack to the shoulder in retaliation for his actions. “This ordering me about stuff has got to stop and no more jumping from trees like that. You scared the life out of me. You and your wolf are merging faster than I would have thought possible. Or is he just as bossy as you? Seriously, I was sort of hoping that would have stopped.”
Tobias replied only with a smile before running off at breakneck speed to return to the entrance of their cave. It was only then that he decided to respond to her earlier comments. “We both want what’s best for you and that’s why we do it.” He smirked, moving her to a small recess in the cave, where the grass was thicker and softer beneath his feet. He lay her down onto the soft floor, draping his shirt over her body for extra warmth and leaning against the wall beside her.
“I know exactly what’s best for me, I don’t need you two ordering me about.” She stated; her attempt at being authoritative ruined by the loud yawns that peppered her declaration.
“Of course you do dearest but that isn’t going to stop either of us ordering you about.” He smiled, pulling the shirt up to her neck as she fell further into the arms of sleep. “Mine.” he growled softly, once she was fast asleep, gently caressing her soft cheek. “Perfect.”
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Though the cave had been almost pitch black at night, the sun’s rays somehow managed to reach Alex’s eyes from the depths of the cave. Her eyes fluttered open as the rays from the sun hit her and she began to stretch, shaking off the last vestiges of sleep. Tobias could feel her waking beside him and he inhaled deeply, enjoying her scent as it filled his senses, while loathing the idea of waking himself. He had hunted not too long ago, catching an aging doe. His wolf had gorged itself and now he was suffering from the after effects as lethargy held him captive. Alex, however, didn’t seem too affected as she sat up apparently having finished the last of her morning stretches. Looking at her palms, she noticed that a thin layer of grass had covered them in her sleep and the same could be said of her knees. Dusting the grass from herself, she found the skin beneath it was healed and she smiled. Thank you. Now definitely awake, her head turned in search of Tobias, when her eyes landed on him, they widened in shock, revealing more green than he could ever remember seeing.
Heart racing, she allowed her eyes to scan Tobias’ frame, while he scrambled to all four paws. He was large, easily reaching and perhaps even passing her waist, though she had come to expect a large body from all the time she had spent with Ryan, his size easily dwarfed that of his cousin. A thick coat of light grey fur covered his entire body, becoming paler as it moved along his new frame until his thick tail was pure white. His coat looked almost like snow and she reached forward hesitantly intent on discovering how it felt, lightly stroking his cocked ears with her thumbs and marvelling at how soft the fur was. The wolf remained still under her questing hands, allowing her to explore to her heart’s content. Her hands embedded themselves in his soft fur, rubbing firmly against him; before her hands moved down to stroke his well defined legs, her fingers skimming over the large paws. Her exploration stopped abruptly and she sat back, realising that she wasn’t even sure that this animal was Tobias.
“Tobias, this is you right?”
The wolf padded towards her on silent paws and she instinctively shuffled backwards. If a wolf could have smiled, she was sure that the expression on the animal’s face would have qualified as one, it moved closer before stopping in front of her. Amber eyes stared at her for a moment before it’s long muzzle bumped into her nose. She giggled at the cold sensation but it left her abruptly as the muzzle was rubbed lightly against her cheek. Any fear she might have had disappeared at the reassuring and familiar actions of the wolf and she found her hands once again running through its soft fur.
Stepping away from her warmth, Tobias cocked his head at her and she frowned. “What is it Tobias? You can understand me right?”
He nodded, before jerking his head to the side and stepping back from her. She stood and he moved further back into the cave. Her hand trailed along the stone walls, as they walked along the familiar path to the spring. The path was still dark, even in the day and she felt a sense of apprehension fill her as she walked without the firm guidance of Tobias’ hand on her elbow. The tip of his white tail caught her attention as it swished back and forth and she smiled at the realisation that she could see it, the pure white of it acting like a beacon through the darkness. Light soon filtered through the holes in the cave’s roof and the spring came into sight. He moved forward until he was standing at the edge of the water, jerking his head in its direction. Understanding quickly dawned and she walked closer to the water, stripping her clothes and watch before slipped into the spring.
From the edge of the spring, Tobias watched as she bathed, his tongue lolling as occasional glimpses of her skin became visible through the water. She swam leisurely in the spring for a while, before reaching the conclusion that she was sufficiently clean. As she stood from the water, Tobias found himself cursing the wolf body he was trapped in and the restrictions it placed on his actions. Droplets of water ran along the curves of her body and even in his lupine form he found his body reacting to the sight of his naked mate.
What I wouldn’t give for a pair of hands, he cursed.
Now you know how I feel 99 percent of the time, his wolf chuckled. To look but not be able to touch? It’s the worst kind of torture. Especially when I have you constraining my actions.
Never again, he groaned. When you even get a slight inkling to touch her just let me know and I’ll spirit her away to a nice private place so we can be alone.
Finally! We’re making progress with you. After all these centuries, you’ve finally seen the light of reason!
You have no sense of reason, Tobias commented dryly.
I don’t need it to see the sense in touching our mate whenever possible and there’s nothing you can say to contradict me now that you and I are finally on the same page.
Alex began to shiver as the cold air touched her damp body and he shook himself out of his reverie. Wrapping her arms around herself, she watched as Tobias padded out of sight and slowly walked after him. He rounded a corner, into a hidden alcove and she followed, a small smile appearing on her lips as she took stock of the clothes that were folded neatly in a corner. The wolf returned to her, a clean white towel between it teeth, which she took gratefully, wrapping herself in its warmth. Eyeing the pile of clothing, she stepped further into the alcove, choosing clothing very similar to the ones she had worn the previous day, a simple shirt and shorts.
“Tobias?” The wolf’s head whipped round, staring at her with large amber eyes. “I’m hung –” Her stomach decided to make itself known with a loud and audible growl. “Hungry.” Another wolfish smile followed her statement, before he trotted out of the alcove and she ran after him, grabbing her discarded watch as they passed it. Following the brightness of his tail, she walked through the darkness of the tunnel that connected the main part of the cave to the spring. They reached the central part of the cave and he continued on, leading her further into the light until they reached the entrance.
The forest spread out before them, tall
green trees stretching heavenward while thick shrubs formed the underbrush. She squinted against the bright rays of the sun, its light seeming more intense after spending most of the night in the dark. She frowned at its position in the sky, confused as to why it was so low. A quick glance at her watch told her that she had slept most of the day away. No wonder I’m so hungry, I missed breakfast and lunch. I didn’t realise I was that tired. Her stomach decided to press its case once more, grumbling loudly in protest of the lack of food.
Padding forward and out of the cave, he yelped at her, gaining her attention before motioning for her to follow him. They walked in silence through the forest and she noticed that the path that they walked along seemed to have been hastily made. The ground beneath her feet was relatively fresh and untrodden as the wild underbrush had been hacked back and now was nowhere near where they walked.
“Tobias?” The grey wolf in front of her stopped, turning its head back to look at her. “Did you do this?” She waved a hand, indicating the path. He nodded. “You know you didn’t have to, I could have moved the plants myself.”
He shrugged his shoulders. Didn’t want anything getting too close to you. Not everything in this forest is safe, especially with you being human.
Again he found himself cursing his wolf form and the lack of a human voice box. Unable to tell her why he had done what he had done, he continued onward, soon leading her to a grove filled with different trees. He moved easily among the trees, running off when the scent of ripe peaches assaulted his nose. Laughing she chased after him, winding through the trees, being especially careful of low lying branches to prevent herself from falling again.
“Tobias, wait,” she chuckled, losing sight of him as he sped off. A sharp growl caught her attention and she followed it, finding him pawing at the base of a peach tree. His head turned from her to the tree and realisation dawned.
“Food for me right?”
He nodded and she walked forward. Gripping the hem of her shirt, she pulled it away from her skin, holding it out in front of her as she stood beneath the tree. Mind giving me something to eat? she asked the whispers in the back of her head. A branch filled with juicy and ripe peaches lowered to her and the fruit dropped neatly from the braches into her make shift basket. Thank you. She caught sight of Tobias at the edge of the clearing and walked towards him, following him as he led her to a bubbling stream. Lying down in the wide and clear expanse of the stream’s bank, he watched as she walked towards him, glad that she had overcome her earlier fear of him. Surprising him, she leaned back against his exposed belly and began to eat the fruit she had acquired. You never cease to amaze me dearest.
The fruit now eaten, she rose from her position against Tobias’ stomach and walked towards the stream and began to wash her hands of the sticky juice of the peach. The water called to her and she stripped her shoes from her body placing her feet in the fast moving water and walking into the centre of the stream. The water wasn’t deep and so she stood easily within it. Tobias watched her from the bank, curious as to what she was doing. His curiosity was soon appeased when she placed her hands in the water and thrust them towards him, soaking him with water. He growled low in his throat before jumping into the water with her. Just because he lacked hands, it didn’t mean he was defenceless. His thick tail could skim more water in her direction than her small hands and he struck hard. She was quickly drenched from head to toe. Laughing, she ran further down the stream and threw more water in his direction and he retaliated. They played in the water until the cold began to make Alex shiver and they returned to the bank allowing the sun to dry her clothes and his pelt.
They lay together in silence watching as the day passed, the sun setting and streaking the blue sky red and orange as it disappeared from the horizon, until it was gone and the sky darkened. The stars twinkled above them as they waited for the appearance of the moon. It didn’t disappoint, the large white orb soon appearing against the starry backdrop of the sky. A calming breath was the only step she took to prepare herself, having accepted what was going to happen tonight.
The light of the moon caressed his skin like a familiar friend and Tobias felt a sense of triumph overcome him as his body began to change beneath Alex’s head; his skin losing the fur of his lupine body as it transformed back into that of a human. A moment passed as he gained control of his changed body, reacquainting himself with his new form. The grey of his eyes that was evident immediately after the change, quickly shifted to the wild amber and his body sprang into action.
His arms tightened around her before he rolled them in the grass until he lay above her, his body cradled between her spread thighs before grinning widely at her, his wicked smile promising a night full of pleasurable surprises. His lips crashed against hers, the sharpness of his fangs stinging her lips before his slick tongue entered her mouth. She moaned at the sensation as their tongues met, her body reacting to the kiss as her nipples tightened beneath his chest and she grew increasingly damp between her thighs.
“Xandria,” Tobias groaned, drawing away from her lips to take in her flushed face.
His head lowered to her neck on another groan as though he couldn’t prevent himself from touching her. Keeping his full weight off her small frame by leaning on his forearm, he allowed his free hand to run the length of her side, giving her tantalising glimpses of what would happen when she lay naked beneath him. A string of warm kisses were peppered along the slender column of her neck and she found herself craning it to the side to give him better access. His mouth moved, his kisses shifting inwards as he progressed towards the hollow at the base of her throat.
A low growl passed his lips as he met the collar of her shirt and her eyes flew open at the unexpected sound, her body freezing beneath his. “Tobias, what’s wrong?” Her question was answered with the sound of ripping fabric as her shirt was torn from her before he sat back on his haunches, wild eyes roving her exposed body. He gently fingered her stiff nipples though the thin material of her bra, rubbing a straining peak between his thumb and forefinger while gently scraping the other with the tip of his finger.
His light touches made her nipples ache and she arched her back, thrusting the soft globes deeper into his hands, trying to force his touch to become firmer. He smirked at her, showing even more sharp teeth, which failed to arouse any sense of fear as she struggled to sate her body’s desires. His touch remained light and she whimpered in distress. His smile widened at the mewling sound, the fabric of her bra falling prey to his sharp claws, freeing the warm flesh of her breasts.
A light breeze passed them, running over her throbbing nipples and hardening them even further. She groaned at the sensation while struggling to rub her thighs together to relieve the ache that was there. Tossing his shirt aside, Tobias eyed the straining peaks before falling on them ravenous. His warm mouth sucked one, his tongue flicking around the peak as he suckled hard. “Tobias.” His name fell from her lips on a loud moan as she arched her back further. Switching to the unattended breast, he began sucking, dividing his attention between the two. The heady scent of her arousal rose, surrounding him in a cocoon of her desire and he felt his tenuous control begin to falter.
He stood, shrugging himself out of the confining denim of his jeans and letting his hard shaft escape the confines of the tight material. He sighed in relief once he was free before stalking towards his mate, his eyes wilder than she could remember seeing. “Off,” he growled, his gaze lowering to the shorts that covered her. Struggling to remove the offending item of clothing with trembling fingers, she was too late to save her clothing as sharp claws shredded them without touching her. Naked beneath his gaze, she fought the impulse to cover herself, sighing in relief as he came to lie back in the soft grass beside her.
His hands easily spread her legs; fingers trailing gently up the warmth of her inner thighs as he made his way to his destination. Wetness greeted his questing fingers as he reached the apex and he groaned at just how wet she had become. He str
oked the seam of her outer lips before pressing a thick finger deep within her, giving her no quarter this night and forcing her to accept the full length. Her head thrashed wildly on the grass as her body accommodated the intrusion. His thumb stroked small circles around the small bundle of nerves assured to pleasure her and she moaned in response, her hips moving in time with his firm strokes. Another finger was added, stretching her even further and she could feel the pleasure begin to build within herself. “Tobias!” she gasped, struggling for breath as a third finger entered her body.
“You’re close dearest.” He smiled, moving his three fingers faster within her. “Do you want to come?”
“Yes, Tobias, please,” she panted, desperate for release.
His head lowered and his warm talented mouth replaced the firmness of his thumb. He licked her frantically as his fingers continued to move within her, preparing her for him. His lips clamped over the small bud and he growled against her, the vibrations sending her over the edge. She came, closing her eyes as her loud scream carried through the forest while he continued to lick her, her tight sheath clamping hard on his fingers.
No more, I can’t take anymore. Need to be inside her, need to be inside her now.
Her body relaxed and he was able to reclaim his fingers, licking them clean before grasping the base of his shaft. Her eyes opened as she felt him rub the thick head of his member along her wet seam. He pressed forward, wedging the head inside her and pushing to gain further entry. Her body stretched, trying to take him deeper, a slight burn building as he pushed more of himself into her small body. “Look at me dearest.” Her green eyes turned to him, immediately noting the specks of grey that peppered his amber gaze.
“You’re mine, do you understand?” She nodded. “Say it.”
“I’m yours.” He pushed forward a little more and she gasped. While the stretching was odd, it felt as though it could sow the seeds of pleasure, the burning sensation that accompanied it however was distinctly unwanted.
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