by Gift .
“Rayne, Roman, report to the arena please.” Was all he said, and then he ended the mind link. “Weird, I guess we have been summoned” I said dramatically putting the back of my hand to my forehead and fake fainting, and then we both busted out laughing.
Roman paid for breakfast as a gift to me, he swatted my wallet away when I tried to pay him back. We headed outside and jumped back in his Supra. I loved this car, it was flashy and awesome looking, not to mention fast.
We got to the pack house in no time, Roman drove like we had extra lives. Luckily I did, I wasn't so sure about him though. Wynter laughed in my mind at the thought. We were both in such a good mood today that extra lives or not, driving with Roman was worth it.
We arrived at the pack house and Roman and I headed towards the arena. It seemed quiet in the pack. Usually there are tons of wolves running around on patrols, working, shopping, or just walking around.
But the place was a ghost town, which struck me as strange. Once we got to the arena I stepped in through the entrance first.
“SURPRISE!” I heard, everyone yelling in unison.
I jumped back in shock and then started laughing hysterically.
Chapter 60
My entire pack was here! Roman came in behind me yelling surprise and blowing into one of those little horn things that make an obnoxious noise with streamers on the end. I couldn’t help but laugh at his childlike nature.
There were wolves cooking all kinds of food that I definitely wanted to eat even though I swear we had just eaten. There was an open bar on the other side of the arena which I was definitely going to partake in, and the whole arena was decorated in gold decorations.
I noticed that everyone there was wearing something gold. Some more than others, but most were wearing an accent of gold, all matching my dress.
Raziel really went out of his way to plan this and I smiled at the thought. I could hear Electronic Dance Music, my favorite genre, playing in the background and wolves were out dancing on the dance floor.
There were streamers and balloons in gold and black set up in bunches around the arena and the tables.
I couldn’t believe he made such a big deal out of my birthday, it was just a birthday. Where was he anyways?
I was shaken from my thoughts when I heard, “Hello Beautiful.” Raphaels Silky voice penetrated my mind. He had mind linked me. “I didn’t think my presence would have gone over very well, but I wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday, beautiful. You look absolutely stunning, don't ask me how I know.” He said with a snicker, “and I hope you have the most wonderful day.” He purred into my mind, his words washing over me like molten silver.
I was still upset with him over his selfish actions causing me to lose my mate bond, but I was getting over it slowly. I still appreciated his gesture. “Thank you Raphael, I am not going to ask how you even know what I'm wearing, but I appreciate your words.” I said back.
Then I felt the mind link dissipate, taking the feeling of falling silver glitter along with it. Alpha Drake then came out of the crowd with Reya in tow, and scooped me into a big hug. “Happy Birthday, Rayne” He purred in my ear, which, for some reason, gave me cold chills which I blatantly ignored. And then he handed me a small box.
“You didn’t have to get me anything” I told him and I punched his shoulder. “I know, just open it” He said back, with what I thought was almost a smile.
“Wow this is beautiful” I said as I took the bracelet from the box. It was small and dainty, silver and gold twist in color and it sparkled when the light hit it.
“Thank you so much,” I said with a genuine smile. It really was beautiful. He put it on my wrist for me and I admired it turning my wrist side to side watching it sparkle. It was exquisite and I planned to wear it often.
“Would you like a drink?” He said to me, “Yes sir!” I said back enthusiastically. Alpha Drake put his arm out to escort me, I never thought we would have a good enough relationship for me to be comfortable on his arm, but here we were.
I took his arm and we headed to the bar. I could feel the eyes of basically everyone on us as we walked. I ignored it. When we got to the bar, he ordered brandy, of course, and I got a Strawberry Daiquiri. I liked the fruity shit better anyways.
“Sorry I can’t turn it gold for you” He said with a laugh. “For shame” I said back with an exasperated sigh. And then I busted out into laughter, and I know I saw a smile on Alpha Drake's face even if it was only for a split second.
Just then a slow song came on, “Would you do me the honor?” Alpha Drake purred. Then he bowed deeply and held his hand out to me.
I briefly remembered the last time he asked me to dance and what the outcome was. Wynter was laughing so hard in my mind and I couldn't help but smile.
Things were so much different now, I could get used to this. I took just a brief second to take in Alpha Drakes outfit. It looked as if we planned it which made me laugh even more inside because of how hard I tried to not match him the last time he suggested it.
He was wearing a black suit with a gold suit vest and gold shoes. He also had a gold pocket square. His dark hair was perfectly styled and his Ocean Blue eyes seemed to be swimming in emotion even though his face was solemn as usual.
“I would be honored to” I replied back softly and put my hand in his as he led me to the dance floor. He spun me around and pulled me in close. It was actually nice to be in close proximity with someone of the opposite sex, without my mark going wild and burning the hell out of me.
I could feel everyone's eyes on us again. Alpha Drake never showed emotion, or interest in anyone. There were so many female wolves in our pack that adored him, and wished they could be his. So many that wished they could be the Luna of this pack. But he barely gave them a passing glance, at least in public.
I knew he could have anyone he wanted anytime and no one could say anything about it. In fact i’m sure he had done this multiple times, but he wasn’t public about it at all. Any relationship or courtship was in private when it came to him.
So for them to see him dancing with me, publicly in front of the whole pack, I could practically feel the jealousy burning from their glares. That’s why I was so surprised when he used to pursue me right in front of everyone, like in training, or at the club. It was so strange to me after all these years of never seeing him do anything like that. I must really mean alot to him, even if he had a weird way of showing it in the beginning.
I ignored their icy glares and we danced. “You know, if you ever change your mind….” Alpha Drake Started to say, but I cut him off. “Not a chance,” I said with a playful smile. He just nodded and kissed my forehead.
I knew he would drop everything in an instant if I ever were to say yes though, and that thought somehow comforted me. Once the song was over Alpha Drake checked his watch. “It’s 5:30pm, it’s time, my dear. Raziel told me to give this to you.” He pulled out a piece of parchment paper that was folded in half and handed it to me. He then bowed to me again. “Happy Birthday Rayne” He said softly and kissed my cheek, then he headed off the dance floor where Reya was waiting for him.
I opened the parchment and a small gold key fell into my hand. “Rayne, I’m waiting for you in the most magical place that exists, come find me, my love. -Raziel” I instantly knew he meant the Grotto, and he had given me the key to the gate.
Butterflies filled my stomach, I hadn’t seen him all day and I was wondering just what he had planned. He knew I absolutely loved the Grotto, I had asked him to train me there just because of how magical it was.
I spent any moment I could there so I could feel the magic. I thanked everyone and said my goodbyes. Wynter was curious as to what Raziel was up to as well. We both thought this day so far had been amazing. I felt so loved and appreciated already.
I decided to walk to the grotto, rather than materialize. I had been doing so much flitting around lately that just walking was a nice change. I enjoyed Wynters company during the walk aft
er her being gone for so long. It was nice to just sit and chat about everything that had happened the past few months.
She assured me she would never leave me voluntarily, and if it were to ever happen again I needed to try to get her back. I agreed, and would enlist Alpha Drake to help me if that became the case.
We were walking down the path to the Grotto when the most enticing smell filled my nostrils. It was like a forest musk, mixed with a deep rich type of chocolate maybe but also citrus tones? It was hard to explain, but it had Wynter going wild in my mind and I had an insistent need to follow it, to find what was producing such an intoxicating smell.
I quickened my pace and the golden gate came into view. I fumbled with the key, the smell had gotten stronger and my senses were a little out of whack trying to get to it.
I finally got the gate open and almost forgot to lock it behind me. Whatever this scent was, it was driving me crazy. I closed the gate, and walked through the vines covering the entrance to the Grotto.
Raziel was standing by the edge of the lake, under a trellis covered in twinkling lights. His back was to me, but I could see that he was wearing a solid gold formal suit, with black accents and black shoes. Perfectly matching my dress.
The scent was as strong as it could be, filling my entire being with an insatiable need to get closer. I took a couple of steps forward and realized the smell was coming from Raziel.
He turned around to face me, and we locked eyes. I could see the excitement coursing through his face.
“Mate” Wynter and Nero said at the same time, their voices meshing as one in my mind.
Chapter 61
“What??! How?! I said to Wynter” Surprise filled my thoughts. “I have no idea Rayne, Oh my god!” Wynter shrieked. Raziel, as if he couldn’t wait another second, pulled me into his arms. “I knew it!” He shouted, and we locked eyes. “I knew it, but I had to be sure!” He said.
“How is this happening?! I thought my mate bond was gone?!” I exclaimed, confusion and excitement riddled my words. I suddenly felt the familiar Icy chill to the bone feeling washing over me as the shadows appeared from everything and nothing, surrounding us.
It felt as if there were more shadows than usual, as if every shadow that existed had come this time. “Happy Birthday Princesss” They all slithered. “You restored my mate bond?” I asked with a gasp. “We did, only for you though. Letsss keep thissss our little secret.” They said in a multitude of voices. Then they slithered away, taking the icy chill with them as they went.
My mind was bursting with excitement, I could barely even breathe! This had to be why I couldn’t feel the void any longer after the shadows revived me. They must have restored it then, and I've had it this whole time and just didn’t know! I turned to Raziel, “You knew?” I asked him.
“Of course I did, darling. I’m very close with the shadows. That's the reason I couldn’t be with you today, I didn’t want to ruin the surprise.” He purred.
“I knew there was only a slim chance that I would be your intended mate, but honestly from the first day I met you, and I looked deep into those beautiful platinum silver orbs of yours, I felt the pull. I couldn’t be sure, but I knew you felt it too, even if you were afraid of me. I figured if there were a chance, It would be worth whatever risk I was taking to pursue you.” His words were caring and truthful.
He had loved me since he met me, and I couldn’t deny that I felt the pull as well. I always had, I just tried to fight it for all those years, until I finally gave in. The pull between us, courtesy of the mate bond was so strong, Raziel smashed his lips into mine with a fierce hunger.
The mate bond pulling us together like a thick cord, uniting our wolves, and our souls. Wynter knew exactly what to do, so she guided me, I found the perfect spot of flesh on the side of his neck partially on his shoulder and sank my canines in.
He gasped as pleasure racked through his body causing him to shudder. I was marking him as my mate, as my own and his body reacted in turn. He then reciprocated the gesture and sank his canines into my neck partially on my shoulder as well, marking me as his mate, as his. He chose an identical spot for the mark to sit. An explosion of pleasure and warmth surrounded me when he did this.
Normally you have to wait about a week for them to heal and reveal the permanent mark that is left behind, but Raziel placed his hand over my mark and healed it instantly. Surprise took over his face when he moved his hand and the mark was revealed.
It was the most deep beautiful turquoise double crescent moon, The same color as the water from the stream and the well where we first met. One crescent was larger, the other smaller and it was sitting inside the bigger crescent. No vines or filigree, but there were 3 little stars off to one side, and the mark glittered in the light.
I put my hand on his mark and healed it immediately as well. His mark matched mine, they were exactly the same, as all mate bonded marks are. I gasped at the beauty of it. I ran my fingers along his mark sending chills down his spine, just admiring the beauty of the mark.
Each mark was different but matched its mate. No other wolf would ever have this same mark, this was ours alone. He was mine, we were mated. Wynter was content in the process. “Happy Birthday my beautiful queen, now it’s my turn” Raziel purred.
He placed his hand over the side of my face, and I could feel the ecstasy pulsing through me as he marked me. It felt stronger this time, maybe courtesy of our mate bond? But it was definitely stronger. I was reeling in pleasure at his mark and I knew this time it would be forever.
He took his hand away and admired his work just like he had previously. This time I could see the desire in his eyes. I know he was ready, that this was what he was waiting for.
He took me in his arms, our kiss deepening, melting into each other until I couldn't tell where I ended and he began. The pull of both our mate bond, and his mark pushing us both to our absolute limits.
He pulled away briefly to rip my dress from my body, an insatiable hunger growing in his beautiful eyes. I pulled his shirt off and threw it to the side. He was trailing kisses down my body, ripping my panties into pieces when he got to them.
Each kiss sending lightning and pleasure to my core. My hand tangled in his hair, he lifted me up and I wrapped my legs around him. Our desire for each other was clear, it hung in the air between us like a fog, maddening our every move.
He laid me down in the purple and blue grass and started undoing his belt, he pulled it from his pants in one solid movement snapping it to the side causing excitement to course through me, then taking it and wrapping it around my wrists. Holding my wrists with one hand, his other hand explored my body, stopping at each of my nipples and continuing down my body until he met the folds between my legs, glistening with want for him.
He started with 1 finger until I was used to the motion then put in two. “Fuck Rayne, you’re so tight” He growled into my ear causing my body to explode with pleasure once again.
This bond and the mark were no joke, I never wanted this to end. Raziel then pushed my legs apart and positioned himself between legs, I could feel the tip of his throbbing length against my slit. Just this intimate motion had me falling over the edge. “Do you want it, darling?” Raziel growled in my ear, the tip lightly rubbing against my clit, I knew the drill.
“Yes, yes I want it, I moaned out” hungrily. The desire flashed to something carnal in his golden eyes. He released my hands letting the belt fall loose, and used one hand to steady my hips, as he slowly entered me. I could tell he was fighting to be gentle, as if not to hurt me. I knew it was going to hurt, I had never done it before so I was expecting some pain at least.
“Don’t hold back, I want this, I want you, Raziel.” I moaned. His name coming off my lips was the key, he buried his face into my mate bond mark sending pleasure reeling through my body “As you wish.” He growled, and he thrust hard into me.
This action shot pain and pleasure through my entire being, to my core. I dug my nails i
nto his back, and I couldn't contain the moans of pleasure and pain mixed escaping from my lips. Each moan fueling his fire, each thrust harder and more feral.