The Keeper Finds Her Mate

by Red Phoenix

  Layla glanced around at everyone in attendance as she waited, grateful that they knew her and approved of this mating with Valen. It made the moment that much more meaningful to her.

  Jerric moved behind them with Valen’s mating blanket. He held it up for all to see and blessed it, before placing it around their shoulders and covering them with it. Then he stated, “Before the Daric Clan, Valen of the West and Layla of the West become one. Forever entwined. One flesh, one soul for eternity.”

  “One flesh, one soul…” the people echoed.

  Layla turned to face Valen, holding the warm blanket against her, a symbol of his protection and love. She put one hand on his chest. “My heart is your heart.”

  He leaned forward and touched his forehead against hers, gazing into her eyes. “My spirit is your spirit.”

  She felt breathless as she lost herself in those intense green eyes.

  One together for eternity…

  Amira spoke next. “We of the Daric Clan will no longer recognize Valen and Layla as individuals. One flesh, one soul; they will know no other.”

  Layla thought of her father, who would remain alone until his death. It was the way of her people, this mating for life. It was beautiful in its strength of unity, but heartbreaking when one partner passed too soon. Yet as she stared into Valen’s eyes, under the warm caress of the blanket, Layla understood that she would never want another.

  Jerric removed the blanket from them, signaling the end of the ceremony. The entire clan raised their chins towards the night sky and howled long and forcefully. With each mating, the clan grew stronger.

  Now it was time for Layla to pass out the seasoned deer meat to each member of the clan, from the respected elders to the youngest child. Valen stood beside her, his hand resting on the small of her back. The meat represented Valen and Layla’s commitment, “one flesh, one soul”, and the clan’s consumption of it symbolized their acceptance of the pair.

  Layla felt close to tears as she passed out the meat to her clan. It was an intimate moment shared with each individual in attendance—a personal connection affirming the clan’s importance in their lives and future endeavors as a mated couple.

  Once the entire clan had been fed, Amira gave the signal. One at a time, each person threw a piece of wood onto the fire as Valen and Layla watched. The blaze grew larger and larger, filling the night sky with its light. By adding to the flames, the people were agreeing to support the couple on their journey. The ancestors of old were joined with the living in the sacred moment.

  Layla looked up at the twinkling stars and smiled. She felt her mother’s presence and had no doubt that she was with Layla now.

  The roar of the fire was drowned out by tribal shouts of celebration. The festivities had begun, and it would be a spirited night of revelry. For Layla, it was the long wait until Valen took her to his tent to consummate the pairing. She longed to know the feeling of being alone in his arms.

  Having tasted intimacy before, she desired to know Valen’s body, to experience mating as a hallowed exchange of spirits.

  The drink was passed around but Layla refused to partake. She wanted nothing to cloud her mind when they coupled for the first time as humans. Everything that had happened before was no longer relevant.

  All the mattered to her was here and now…

  Valen glanced at her throughout the night as the men of the clan teased and advised him. Each time their eyes met, Layla’s breath caught. She felt nervous and giddy.

  Triss noticed and laughed. “The way you watch each other, I can only imagine what you are thinking, Keeper.”

  Layla grinned, unashamed of her desire. It was expected that a mating pair lust for one another. Physical attraction assured a strong partnership and numerous offspring to strengthen the clan. She smiled at Triss as she nodded in Renz’s direction, the object of Triss’ own desire. “And what about you, Triss? Will there be another mating ceremony in our near future?”

  “Look away,” Triss pleaded, blushing a deep red. “He is not even thinking of a mate yet.”

  Layla ruffled her hair. “Then I think you need to start hinting a little harder. You will be of age soon.”

  Triss was about to reply when she got a funny look on her face and smiled. “It appears your mate wants to retire for the night, Keeper.”

  Layla shivered, knowing he was coming for her. She resisted the urge to turn around, waiting for the moment when he drew near enough and touched her.

  “It is time,” Valen said in a voice gruff with need as he laid his hand on her shoulder.

  Her whole body trembled at the contact. She let out a nervous little sigh before turning to face him. “I am ready, Valen.”

  He wrapped her in his blanket and escorted her to his tent. The entire village whooped and howled their approval as they disappeared inside.

  Layla wondered what he was thinking. Ever since they were pups, Valen had waited on the sidelines hoping for this moment. He’d even faced the possibility of losing her—but now she was his.

  Would that realization make him tender and patient, or would his animal need take over and make this first coupling rough and painful?

  She looked at him, trusting that Valen would be gentle. However, she could feel the wolfish desire radiating from her mate and it frightened her a little. That fear was heightened as soon as they entered and he grabbed her by the neck, pulling her to him and crushing his lips against hers. Layla cried out in surprise but immediately melted into the embrace, responding to his possessive hold.

  His hands tore at the laces of her dress, ripping it off her with desperation. He explored her skin with a ravenous touch, panting heavily in her ear.

  “Valen, don’t…” she gasped.

  He instantly stiffened and then pulled away.

  Layla suddenly regretted her words, not wanting to lose the contact with him, and reached her hand out to bring him back.

  “No,” he said. “Tonight you are not my Keeper.”

  He took a few moments to calm himself and then he moved back to her, wrapping his arms protectively around her.

  “Our first time was not a choice made by either of us.”

  She looked up and kissed his scruffy chin. “But tonight is.”

  He looked down at her and growled lustfully. “And I will love you well, my little flower.” Valen’s reference to her nickname made her feel cherished and safe.

  This time his kiss remained passionate but was laced with tenderness. She matched his kiss with her own avaricious hunger, longing to know every inch of her mate.

  Valen pressed her to the floor and began running his hands over her small breasts. Her nipples were already hard with anticipation. He lightly squeezed them, making her loins tingle with need.

  “Oh, Valen,” she whispered, kissing him more deeply. He played with her body as if she were a new tool—something to study, explore, and use with appreciation. When he leaned over and began sucking her breasts, she felt her womanhood burn with heated desire.

  An entire evening of waiting—a lifetime, really—had her craving the release she knew he could provide.

  Layla was equally curious to explore him, and pulled off his shirt, exposing his hairy chest underneath. She ran her hands over his hard muscles and coarse hair. Not to be outdone, she leaned forward to lick his manly nipple. The skin around it was salty with sweat, but the little bud felt good between her lips and she attempted to suck it. He chuckled, complaining softly, “Enough, Layla, that tickles.”

  She looked up and smiled before moving to the other one and flicking it with her tongue. He grabbed her and pulled her whole body on top of him. She felt his hard shaft against her stomach and lifted herself up so she could look at the outline of his manhood straining under the leather of his pants. With lover’s hands, she removed his moccasins first, before releasing his manhood from its tight confines.

  She stared at his shaft, examining it. It was tan like the rest of him, almost shiny from being stretch
ed so tight. The round head of it reminded her of the texture of his lips. She bent down and kissed it, delighting in its warmth.

  Valen groaned from deep within his chest as she watched clear liquid ooze from the tip. She licked it tentatively, wanting to know his taste.

  It was not as bitter as Etan’s, so she took another long lick to fully appreciate his flavor. Again he groaned, making her wet between the legs.

  “Come here,” he insisted, grabbing her by the waist with both hands and placing her mound on top of his shaft. She expected that he would take her, but he simply rubbed her slickness over his shaft. The friction was delightfully arousing…

  Layla closed her eyes and threw her head back, concentrating on the erotic pressure. His hands moved from her hips to her breasts, cupping and squeezing them. She tilted her hips in an attempt to push his shaft inside, but he shifted to stop her.

  “No.”

  She looked down at him questioningly, wondering if she had done something wrong.

  He gently rolled her to his side and began playing with a stray curl that had settled on her cheek. “We have all night. I do not want to rush our first time.”

  She smiled shyly. “But I ache for you.”

  He twirled the strand around his finger. “As do I, which makes it even more arousing to wait.”

  She stuck out her lower lip in a pout and he leaned over, chuckling as he kissed it. “First you tell me to stop and then you whimper when I decide to take it slow.”

  Layla shrugged. “I am a complicated wolf.”

  He grinned in response as he changed position, settling himself between her thighs. “I liked the way you reacted to Maska’s tongue and want to see if I can garner a similar reaction.”

  She held her breath, watching him lower his head to her mound. The feel of his tongue caressing the folds of her womanhood was sensual, but the pleasure he found in her taste and smell was profound to her.

  Valen pressed his fingers onto the most sensitive area of flesh between her legs and rubbed it slowly, causing a delicious burn. She arched her back as her body sought more of his pressure.

  “Good?” he growled between her thighs.

  She arched even more in answer.

  He chuckled softly as he began licking her with long, hard strokes as he slowly teased her opening with his finger. She shook her head as if in protest and he asked in surprise, “No?”

  She bit her lip and smiled. “I’m shaking my head because I can’t believe it feels so wonderful.”

  He growled lustfully, resuming his long licks as he slowly penetrated her with his finger. Layla let out a muted gasp, surprised by the intimate feeling of being explored from the inside. He rolled his finger within her slippery tunnel and a cold chill settled over Layla as her body began to tense. He did not stop licking as he continued to caress her inner walls until the tension became so great that it burst into a glorious explosion of pleasure.

  Layla howled passionately as her inner muscles tensed and released around his finger. Valen groaned as he lapped up the wetness that flowed from her. Then he crawled up between her legs and settled on top of Layla, his shaft resting against her still-quivering opening.

  Her inner walls were wet but tight, making his entrance a challenge. She had expected it would be easy, since she had been taken this way before.

  Valen looked down at her. “Layla, this wolf loves you. There is no reason to fear me.”

  He nuzzled her neck and bit down as he forced his manhood inside her. She began trembling, his bite sending bolts of lightning to her groin.

  Her body slowly opened up to him and he gave a deeper thrust. “That’s good, Little Flower. Let your mate love you.”

  She stared into his green eyes, as this man—this wolf she had known since childhood—expressed his passion with tenderness.

  A tear escaped from her eye and rolled down her cheek. “Valen…”

  He growled possessively as he licked the tear away before pushing in farther. He began stroking her with his shaft, grunting with each thrust. But then he shook his head. “More—I need more of you.”

  Valen pulled out and lifted her legs, pushing them towards her head. Then he placed his shaft against her mound again. His eyes were full of possessive love as he penetrated her a second time, sinking in much deeper. She cried out in surprise but grabbed his buttocks, needing all of him. He held her ankle and began sensually nipping her leg as he thrust.

  She watched him in wonder and delight. Being connected like this was life-changing. For the first time in her life, Layla felt completely whole. She whispered to him, “My heart beats for you.”

  Valen released her legs and leaned down, claiming her lips and kissing her deeply. Layla wrapped her legs around his waist and the two began moving in unison—one flesh and spirit—until she felt his shaft swell and pulse inside her.

  As he released his seed inside her, Valen proclaimed, “Together forever, Little Flower.”

  The Light of the Moon

  Her time to act as Keeper had come—the second Bonding Ritual was at hand.

  It was surprising to Layla that she was even more anxious than she had been the first time. Now she fully understood what was going to happen; the ways she would be challenged and the final ritual she would be asked to perform.

  And this time it was to be with Amira…

  Layla shuddered, pushing back an image of the black wolf mounting her. It was best not to think about it, just to submit when the time came.

  The fact was, she was in control here. This was the life she had chosen and she had her father to thank for that. By giving her an opportunity to escape, he had allowed her to fully embrace her fate as Keeper. She would no longer allow herself to feel shame in accepting this responsibility. The clan needed her, and she was proud to honor them with her service.

  Layla closed her eyes and savored the cold water as the elder women of the clan rinsed off the sweet-smelling soap from her naked body. Her white hair shimmered in the reflection of the still water, framing her young face. For an instant, she saw her mother as she gazed at herself.

  Mika was with her. She always would be—Layla understood that now.

  The old women laced up her dress, the same dress she had worn two nights before for her mating. She smiled, thinking back on their time together. It had been more intimate, more spiritual than she could ever have imagined.

  How strange to think that she would be coupling with all four Alphas tonight. Layla suddenly recalled Maska’s comment about taking freshly mated females. He must have been acquainted with how committed they felt towards their new mates. It was going to be hard for her to give herself away to another, much less three.

  Layla was escorted to the center of the village amid much clapping and celebratory howls. The clan understood how close they had come to losing their Keeper and were grateful she had remained faithful to her people.

  She joined the four Alphas waiting for her at the center table. Layla noticed they had changed the seating arrangement from the last moon and wondered if there was any significance to it. This time she sat between Amira and Valen. Maska was on her far left and Etan on the right.

  She smiled demurely at Valen when he complimented her on her free-flowing hair. He leaned over and whispered to her, “I think from now on you will wear your hair down at night.”

  Amira stated his approval, “I agree. The Keeper is breathtaking tonight.”

  Layla could feel Amira’s animal heat, even though they were not touching. She glanced in his direction and was momentarily paralyzed by his impassioned gaze. She felt as if he could swallow her whole with his consuming need for her. It was a side of Amira Layla had never seen or suspected—this raw animal lust.

  Maska was watching her intently, waiting. When she made eye contact, he winked and held up his cup. She picked up hers and the two drank at the same time. The bitter, fiery liquid made its way down her throat, leaving a warm trail she was coming to enjoy.

  Layla tur
ned and nodded to Etan on the other end before she took another sip. He grinned, taking several large gulps of his own draught. She blushed, wondering what role Etan would have tonight. With his large member, it could prove extremely challenging, possibly painful. Layla took another sip, hoping she could handle the task.

  As the celebration played out before her, she studied her people. Layla found herself wondering if there were any traitors among them. She noticed that Maska was observing them as well. His battle experience gave him an edge in recognizing sedition, but try as she might, Layla only saw the familiar faces of people she’d grown up with and loved.

  Valen surprised her when he picked up a piece of meat from his bowl. “Open your mouth, Keeper.”

  She didn’t remember Jerric ever doing anything like that with her mother on the night of the Bonding Ritual. Was it even allowed? But he was her mate, so she obediently parted her lips and took the meat he offered.

  The clan loved it and started howling with approval and amusement. For the first time, Valen’s eyes shone with happiness, unveiled for all the world to see—or at least Layla, who was staring directly into them. Whether it was allowed or not, to see the joy on his face was worth any consequence.

  Layla smiled as she chewed the tender morsel. Never had food tasted as good as when fed to her by her mate. “Thank you, Valen of the West,” she replied formally after swallowing the bite.

  “My pleasure, Keeper.” He leaned in again and growled, “I plan to enjoy those lips tonight.”

  Layla’s eyes widened as she wondered if his shaft would be the one she would lick tonight.

  When the moon crested the horizon, all four Alphas stood in unison. Layla followed their lead, taking Amira’s arm when he offered it to her. Now she was beginning to see the pattern. Whoever led her to the Sacred Hill was the wolf who would take her. She looked up at Amira, trembling when he smiled down at her.

  The five walked in silence, but on the way up she noticed two warriors standing watch at the bottom of the Sacred Hill. It added a somberness to the event. In addition to still mourning the loss of Mika, the Daric Clan was facing the threat of war.