He attempted to ignore the itching in his fangs as he fucked her harder. He lifted her hips and rammed into her. She squealed and grabbed onto him, bucking against him from below.
The intensity grew immense. Her cries turned ragged.
Aurora sank back onto the pillow and she turned her head to the side, exposing her neck and shoulders. “Go ahead, Grayson. Mark me as yours.”
His wolf danced inside. It had been pushing Grayson to claim her as his mate from the first moment they met. Was she truly ready for him to seal their mating with his bite?
Before he grew too excited, he paused, “This is permanent, binding us always. Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
She looped her arms around his neck and ruffled the hair at the back. “Remember what I said about time being precious?”
“Yes.”
She stared into his eyes. “So let’s not waste another second.”
“Okay.”
The desire to mark her grew unbearable. He rocked into her again and bent down, opening his mouth to release his fangs. When the tips pierced the flesh near her shoulder, she gasped.
Her sweet blood flowed over his tongue like nirvana, igniting a primal instinct that focused entirely on her. He’d do anything to protect this woman and wanted nothing more than to love and cherish her. A magical connection grew between them, so palpable that he thought it might be visible and solid in form. Yet, he didn’t see anything but a glowing, iridescent light that surrounded them, growing brighter as it expanded, and then it contracted, filling him with that soul-invigorating light.
They were bonded. He had no doubt that magic had connected him to his mate. An urge to seal their connection on a physical level grew overpowering.
He pulled his fangs out and licked the puncture wounds, and then he fucked her harder, with fierce thrusts that made her cry out.
She tightened and quaked beneath him. “Grayson.”
Her climax ignited his own, and it tore through him with a ferocity he’d never experienced. Pulse after pulse of fiery heat exploded out of him until he was spent. He all but collapsed on top of her, but prevented himself from crushing her with his hot and sweaty body.
When his brain functioned again, he asked her, “Are you okay?”
She gazed at him with warmth in her hooded eyes. “Absolutely. That felt amazing.” She smiled. “You?”
After finally claiming his mate, he felt incredible. He felt euphoric, as if anything and everything was possible. Even as the pack edged ever closer to war, he wouldn’t change a moment of what had happened. With her at his side, he’d be willing to face anything.
He gazed at the woman he loved. “With you as my mate, Aurora, I’m the luckiest shifter alive.”
Chapter 13
Aurora
What a night—a terrifying, amazing, life-changing night.
Aurora was now mated to a wolf shifter, and she had zero regrets. Every part of her sensed that it was right. She knew deep in her being that they were meant to be.
She thanked the goddess for leading her to Grayson. Not only was he the most wonderful man Aurora had ever met, but he was a phenomenal lover. She didn’t know sex could feel that incredible, but she supposed it had something to do with them being so connected. Already, in such a short time, he was such a tremendous part of her life and she couldn’t imagine him not being in it. Their connection would grow with time, and she looked forward to them building their relationship together.
After Aurora gathered her belongings from her hotel room and packed them in her trunk, Grayson said, “Walk with me a minute?”
“Sure.” She took his offered hand, and they walked away from the hotel. “Where are we going?”
“You’ll see soon.” His tone revealed nothing.
His hand was hot and trembling slightly. Or was it hers shaking?
Grayson didn’t say anything as they walked on the brick sidewalks through the village. They passed several restaurants and shops. Curiosity drove her to want to repeat her question, but she’d find out soon enough.
A few minutes later, Grayson stood in front of an empty brick storefront in between a bakery and clothing boutique. The windows were smeared with a white coating.
