“I will never stop loving you…” Kellan’s eyes were riveted on her, his movements slow and gentle, as he eased himself into her.
Her eyes rose to his. “Kellan…” She swallowed, closing her eyes. A flush rose in her cheeks and he stilled himself. He wasn’t sure if he’d done something wrong, if she was suddenly scared, wanted to stop…he didn’t quite understand.
With her eyes still closed, she spoke, her voice just above a whisper. “I’ve never felt…so wanted.”
Kellan waited, aching to move, afraid he had scared her. She opened her eyes, her gaze locked with his, passion flaring in her eyes.
“Don’t stop.”
And he didn’t, until he took them both to the edge. Clara cried out first, arching up beneath him, her hands clutching at his shoulders and back. He held himself above her, watching her face as she twisted, muscles taut. There was a moment where he felt her contract around him, pulling him deeper. The sensation of feeling her orgasm almost pushed him over the edge, but he wanted to wait, wanted to let her enjoy herself before taking his own pleasure.
Clara had never felt so completely loved or cherished in her life, and clung to him tightly, not wanting the moment to end. But eventually it did, with a burst that left them breathless and shattered, followed by a warm, comforting glow.
“I never want to be away from you again,” she whispered, her eyes searching his.
“You never have to be.” He replied, his voice low, a smile on his lips. “I’ll be by your side for the rest of your life.”
* * *
Many of the villagers stopped to greet her and ask her how she was, and Clara’s heart was warmed by the fact that they all looked at her with quiet respect in their eyes—even the ones who used to look at her with complete distain.
She was even happier when she ran into Lucas, who was enjoying the fresh air, accompanied by a guard. Kellan had been unhappy about letting her near him, but she managed to talk him down, assuring him that Lucas had never once tried to harm her before.
“I’m glad you are well, Clara,” Lucas said earnestly, taking her hands in his. He dropped them quickly at the look on Kellan’s face. “I was out of my mind for the first two days, especially since they wouldn’t let me see you—but at least I know you are in good hands, with the doctor and… him.” He passed another cautious look to Kellan.
“It’s alright, Lucas,” Clara assured him. “I know that you were just trying to do what you saw as the right thing.”
He nodded. “It’s been… interesting, living here these past few days, and getting to know these people. I’m ashamed I ever thought the way that I have. I was wrong about them.” He lowered his eyes.
Clara patted him on the arm. “When I first found my way here I was quite misled in my feelings about them as well. I was certain they would see me as nothing more than a quick meal.” She tossed a grin at Kellan.
“I generally prefer deer to human meat.” Kellan replied, chuckling.
Lucas laughed, his warmth shining through. “So… this is the man you’ve chosen, is it? And you both are happy?”
Kellan gently placed a possessive arm around Clara’s shoulder, who quickly nodded. “We are. And I’m even happier that I can still keep your friendship, Lucas.”
They talked for a bit about how the negotiations were going; how several of the other elders had been taken to the village to help Lucas hash out terms—though unlike him, they were returned at the end of every day. He said that after tomorrow he would be allowed to return to the farm.
“Oh, and before I forget, Dr. Mason sent word to me that your aunt has made a full recovery,” he told her with a broad smile. “She is wondering when the two of you will come to visit.”
Clara stood for a moment in shock. “Is… is that really true?”
“It is.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” She tossed her arms around Lucas for a quick hug, and then spun around to face Kellan. “Can we visit her, please? I was so worried about her. I was afraid she wasn’t going to make it.”
He smiled down at her tenderly. “Of course we can. We will go see her tomorrow.”
They said their goodbyes to Lucas, and Kellan ushered Clara back home, even though she wasn’t at all tired. She didn’t have the heart to be angry with him for being so over-protective—she was still filled with the afterglow of the mating, and her spirits were further lifted after her conversation with Lucas.
“You seem much more relaxed,” Kellan commented once they were inside.
Clara nodded. “I feel like a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders. At the beginning of all this I was worrying so much about what I was going to have to give up no matter what choice I made. But now, at the end, I’m able to keep my family, my friends, and my mate. What more could I ask for? It has turned out better than I could ever have imagined.”
Kellan smiled, pulling her into his arms. She nuzzled against his chest, breathing in the complex scent of his aftershave, clean soap and the underlying scent of Kellan himself, rich and warm and utterly masculine.
He held her gently, his lips on hers, and for a moment all thoughts left her mind. When he broke the kiss, she sighed, running her hands over Kellan’s face, tracing the contours of his lips with her fingertips as he kissed them softly before leaning in to whisper in her ear.
“Miracles usually do.”
About The Author
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Hunter writes contemporary and paranormal romance stories that feature irresistibly powerful alpha heroes and beautifully curvy heroines.
Connect with Adriana on her website at http://www.AdrianaHunter.com and subscribe to her official newsletter at http://www.SpicyTales.com for details on upcoming books!
Facebook: http://facebook.com/AuthorAdrianaHunter
Also By Adriana Hunter
ROMANCE NOVELS
Sweet Surrender
Rock Hard
Fight For You
ROMANCE NOVELLAS
Truth Or Dare
Something Borrowed
For Keeps
Made For The Billionaire
Learning Curve
PARANORMAL ROMANCE STORIES
All American Wolf
Taming The Alpha & Claiming The Alpha
Better Mate Than Never
ANTHOLOGIES
Curve Crazy
To Love An Alpha
Dangerous Desires
Happily Ever Alpha Page 13