I called a cab, directing the driver to the Black Forest.
He looked at me like I was crazy, mumbling something in German that I couldn’t understand. I threw him a tip, hoping it would convince him. Reluctantly, he put the car into gear and drove off.
There was barely any visibility on the roads, forcing him to drive slow, the windshield wipers working as fast as they went but it still wasn’t enough to ward off the rain.
Cracks of thunder boomed loudly as if warning us to stay away.
He slowed his car as if asking me if I was still crazy enough to go through with this.
I placed another large bill in his passenger seat, determined to see this through.
All these dreams I’ve been having lately had to mean something.
I didn’t care what it took, I would find him again.
Eventually, we reached the trail head. I paid him handsomely before I grabbed my hiking bag from the trunk.
Braving the rain, I entered the forest, the mud treacherous. Everything about my training as an ecologist told me to turn around but I was following my heart. The pendant grew hotter.
Wiping the rain from my eyes, I continued, following my instinct.
I reached a fork in the road.
Did I turn right or did I turn left?
I stood there, contemplating my decision. I couldn’t remember what route I had taken when I was here five years ago. The obvious choice was right. Higher ground.
But the left path looked familiar somehow.
Before I could make my decision, I heard it. The music.
It was hard to decipher in the deafening rain, but it was there, however faint.
I listened. It was coming from the left.
Without hesitating, I started running down the path, my feet sinking into muddy puddles, nearly getting stuck but I kept on, my heartstrings tugging.
I could see his face so clearly now. He was reaching out to me, beckoning me forward.
I quickened my pace, running blindly at this point, weaving through trees and jumping over logs. My only focus was on following the music, of finding him.
It was getting louder. I was getting closer. Adrenaline pumped through my veins, keeping me motivated on this crazy expedition.
Certainly, I had lost my mind.
I stopped suddenly. The music was gone. All that was left was the sound of thunder in the distance. I cursed under my breath, looking all around me but all I saw were fir trees.
I had no idea where the path was at this point.
I was soaked to the bone and shivering. All my supplies were wet. The mud was up to my ankles.
What would happen to me if I was stranded out here?
I looked up to the sky, hoping there would be a break in the clouds, a silver lining. That’s when I saw him.
He was soaring overhead, circling above the tree tops, his roars masked by the thunder. No. He was the thunder.
He swooped down, taking a sharp left turn before he started to fly away from me. My eyes widened before I took off in a sprint. I wasn’t about to let him get away from me. I kept him in my sights, doing my best to avoid a collision with a fir tree.
My lungs started to burn, but I kept hot on his tail. I couldn’t lose him. Not again.
But, just when I thought I would catch up, he disappeared.
“Fuck!” I screamed, thinking it was hopeless. I was so close.
I was just about to give up when I noticed the castle.
There it was. Just like I remembered it.
In a daze, I moved forward.
Was this really happening? Had I finally made it after all this time?
Just like in my dream, the door was open, creating a bridge across the now flooding moat. Carefully, I stepped onto it. The weather-beaten wood creaked underfoot, but it seemed sturdy enough.
Taking a deep breath, I crossed over it.
Inside the castle, a relaxing warmth instantly wrapped around me, keeping me from shivering. I looked around, wondering which way to go when the music sounded, as if ready to guide me in the right direction.
I followed it faithfully until I reached the dragon bust.
Its dark red eyes glimmered like it had been expecting me.
I pushed on it, opening the door.
Inside, the music was at its loudest, spilling from the phonograph. On the table, two goblets of wine were set up.
“Titus?” I called out, only peeking my head into the room.
When I received no answer, I opened the door completely, stepping inside.
“Titus?”
Again, there was no answer.
Had I come all this way for nothing?
Chapter 10
It felt like someone had reached inside of my chest and ripped out my heart.
Numbly, I walked up to the goblets of wine to find that one of them was empty while the other was full to the brim.
I picked up the one that was full and took a sip, the liquid warming my throat as it made its way down to my stomach. The warmth spread through my bones until the chill of the rain disappeared.
Addicted to this warmth, I took yet another sip, my cheeks turning rosy in color. As I finished the drink, I heard something behind me.
I turned around quickly, but no one was there.
Suddenly, someone hugged me from behind, their powerful arms wrapping around my waist, pulling me closer. “I was wondering when you would return to me…” His voice was thick and smooth, like liquid velvet.
I shuddered, my heart skipping a beat. It was him.
“Titus…” I breathed, letting my hands fall onto his, feeling each individual finger, making sure that he was real.
“Are you ready to stay with me, my precious little Pearl?” He whispered into my neck, his lips grazing softly against my skin.
“I tried to find you…” I answered, turning to face him. “Why did you make me leave?”
“I had to test you.” He said, repeating verbatim what he had said in my dream.
“Why?”
“To see if you truly loved me.” His bright blue eyes bore into my own, making me weak in the knees.
I nodded my head, unable to utter a word.
“Say it.” His voice took on a hard edge.
I wet my lips and gazed into his eyes, getting lost in their depths. I had left everything behind to find this man. I had a well-paying job waiting for me, I had classmates and friends that would wonder where I went, but none of that mattered.
Deep down, I wanted this. I wanted this man more than anything else in the world.
“I love you.”
A bright smile flashed across his face, exposing his perfect set of teeth. “I knew you were the one when I first set eyes on you.” He cupped my cheeks, pulling it closer to his. “You do not know how long I have been waiting for your return, my Lady.” His lips were so close to mine that I could feel the warmth of his breath dancing across my skin. “Will you stay with me?”
I nodded. “I’ll stay… forever.”
With my final word, he closed the distance between us, kissing me ever so gently, his thumb caressing against my cheek. Inside my chest, my heart fluttered with joy.
He continued to kiss me, the passion between us intensifying. Naturally, I melted into him, my lips locking with his, finding a perfect rhythm. When his tongue traced against my bottom lip, asking for entrance, I obediently parted them. Our tongues tangled together in an erotic dance, his hand running down my body ever so gently.
With my eyes closed, I couldn’t see the transformation that took place all around us. The bleak and dreary room we were in exploded with color. The fireplace roared, the flame transforming from green to blue.
Titus finally pulled away, giving me the opportunity to breathe.
I looked down to find that I was wearing a beautiful blue gown, even more spectacular than the one I wore five years ago. Rhinestones lined the bodice with breathtaking detail. Embroidered dragons lined the hem.
“How d
id you…”
“Shh… Don’t say a word, my love.” He left me for a moment and approached the record player. He pulled out the disc that was there and replaced it with another. When he lowered the needle a beautiful, upbeat melody filled the room. “May I have this dance?” He asked, bowing down ever so slightly.
“Y-Yes,” I said, almost shyly. I felt like I was inside a fairy tale, about to share my first dance with a prince.
At my response, he straightened himself, exposing his transformation. He wore regal attire consisting of a tight fitting jacket adorned with bright blue buttons. Like my dress, embroidered dragons decorated the fabric. On his head was a crown that sparkled with jewels.
Pulling me by the hand, he guided me to his chest, one hand on my lower back, the other clasped with mine. Our fingers locked and we started to dance. Effortlessly, he glided across the room, guiding me through the steps until it became all too natural.
I giggled, tilting my head back, my long black hair in tight ringlets that reached all the way to my waist. I truly felt like a princess.
As we kept spinning, the roof above us disappeared and we were dancing under the starlight. They twinkled and sparkled, shining down on us.
I pressed myself closer to my prince, feeling his muscular chest against my own. He squeezed my hand, holding me tight like he never planned to let me go.
“I wish this night would last forever…” I said, leaning my head against his shoulder as the music slowed down and our waltzing turned into a rhythmic swaying.
“And it will, my love.”
Before I knew what was happening, he scooped me into his arms and carried me out of the room.
He kissed me as he walked through the corridors, making it impossible for me to know where we were going.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, melting into the kiss, feeling like I would never get enough.
The squeaking of a kiss caused me to pull away. Unlike last time, Titus’ bedchamber was bright and cheerful decorated in bright blues and stunning turquoise. His four-poster bed was replaced by one fit for a royal couple, complete with a high-backed headboard and a white satin duvet.
Without a word, he placed me on the mattress that seemed softer than I remembered. My dress splayed out around me and he just stood there staring. “You are so beautiful…” He finally commented, looking awed.
I blushed crimson at his remark, feeling inadequate in his presence.
But, when he climbed on top of me and caressed my cheek with the back of his hand, treating me like his prized possession, I felt my heart shudder and my confidence soar.
Taking a risk, I wrapped my arms around him and pulled him toward me, locking my lips with his. Instantly, the kiss was fueled by our passion, growing hot and heavy.
His lust was obvious as he ripped my dress down the middle, exposing my chest. His fingers roughly kneaded my soft mounds, causing me to moan into the kiss. I arched my back, presenting them to him, my body wanting more.
I was addicted.
He responded by taking one of my nipples between his thumb and forefinger, rolling it back and forth, causing me to moan even louder. He didn’t stop even when I broke away from the kiss, pulling at his hair in my pleasure.
Lust burned behind his eyes before he leaned down, taking one of my nipples into his mouth, his sharp teeth teasing the delicate flesh. I moaned his name, tugging at his hair even harder.
I knew this was only the beginning, but already he was playing my body like a violin.
With a loud rip, the side of my dress came undone, his nail slicing through it like butter. I knew this man was dangerous, that he could hurt me if he wanted to, but I was too addicted to his touch to stop. No matter what happened, I wanted him.
I needed him.
He threw away the dress and gazed down at my nearly naked body. Running his nails along my stomach, he grinned at me, his intentions clear. Slowly, he hooked one of his fingers underneath the waistband of my panties. He tightened his grip, causing the fabric to dig into my sensitive lips.
I moaned, wiggling my hips in a moment of discomfort. He chuckled, suddenly ripping them off my body, leaving me naked and exposed.
He licked his lips when he saw my wet little pussy. With one finger, he rubbed my slit, causing me to thrust my hips into the air, silently begging for more. His finger came back soaking wet.
To my dismay, he stopped touching me, his eyes mischievous as he unbuttoned his coat, shrugging it off. Piece by piece he revealed his god-like body to me, causing my excitement to surge.
I stared at him as he unbuckled his belt ever so slowly. I expected him to throw it on the floor like every other article of clothing but instead, he crawled on top of me, straddling my hips, his powerful thighs keeping me pinned to the bed.
Without a word, he wrapped the belt around my wrists, tying them to the little rungs in the headboard. “Now, you’re mine.”
I shivered at his words.
He started kissing my neck, his teeth nipping at my skin here and there as his hand found my pussy once more, rubbing it hard and fast, causing my juices to gather between my legs.
All the while, his cock grew harder and harder in his pants, rubbing against my thighs, teasing me with what I desired most.
His lips migrated onto my breasts, leaving tiny love bites all over them.
I tugged on my wrists, wishing I could run my fingers through his hair, to guide his head to my nipples, but I was helpless. All I could do was wait for his next move.
His willing little prisoner.
He grinned up at me as he kissed my areole, obviously avoiding my nipple on purpose.
I whimpered, my eyes big and wide, hoping to convince him to grant me some mercy.
He just chuckled. “Ever the eager little pet, aren’t you?” He murmured into my cleavage, one of his fingers pushing inside of me.
I gasped, my head tilting back at the sudden intrusion. My pussy tightened around his finger, threatening never to let go.
He forced it in deeper, twisting it around. He started to finger fuck me, my juices sloshing around his appendage.
I bit my lip to keep from screaming but it felt so good.
Then, just when I thought I would climb over the edge, he stopped. He pulled back, undoing his pants and pulling them off. Next came his boxers, his cock springing to life.
It was even bigger than I remembered it, the tip engorged with excitement. Looking down at me, he had a wild grin on his face as he leaned forward, pressing the tip against my eager hole. He left it there as a reminder as he started to fondle my breasts.
I moaned, my eyes rolling into the back of my skull.
He took his chance, plunging inside of me, filling me with every inch of his girth. He paused, letting me adjust, his cock twitching against my velvet insides. He caressed my hips before he grabbed on, so hard I thought I would bruise.
Without a word of warning he started to ram in and out of me, faster and faster until the bed was rocking so hard I thought it would collapse. His balls slapped my ass, turning it a bright shade of red. Still, he didn’t stop.
It was like he had turned into an animal, losing all control as he rampaged inside of me, his cock dominating my pussy, ripping it apart. His eyes were wild and distant as he dug his nails into my hips, using them as leverage to push himself even harder.
I screamed his name, completely blown away by the pleasure that coursed through my body. My toes curled, my thighs tensed, my heart beat a mile a minute.
I screamed louder.
The climax washed over me so hard that I nearly lost consciousness. The only thing that kept me away was the relentless pounding. Titus was on a mission, low, guttural growls emerging from this throat as he pushed himself harder, my pussy growing tender.
I struggled against the belt around my wrists, desperate to cling to him, to claw my nails into his back, but there was no hope in getting free.
His growls grew louder and he leaned down, biting into the
side of my neck. I gasped, pain and pleasure overwhelming my every nerve ending until I could barely take it anymore.
“Titus!” I screamed, my mind going blank, my body turning into putty.
He just continued, pinning me to the bed and fucking me harder. I didn’t even know how it was possible.
Bad, Very Bad Shifters- The Complete Mega Bundle Page 31