His thighs slapped against mine, slow at first, then harder. My toes curled inside my boots, but I didn’t care. I pushed myself onto him, impaling myself deeper until his knot began to strike home.
“Yes,” I howled.“Gi’e it tae me.”
He muttered something under his breath, his hand leaving my throat to claim my other breast. He used them like handles, fingers biting in as he grunted, pounding into me with feral abandon.
Brutal. Hard. Uncontrolled.
His knot pressed deeper, and I pushed back, chasing that beautiful stretch—the burn I’d missed. I wailed as my body shook, the tension in my belly cresting.
Like a dark storm smashing against the cliffs, I shattered—letting go as he drove his knot in and out of me.
His roar followed as he slammed his knot into me one final time. I clenched around him, my muscles contracting harder as his hot seed filled me once again. The relief was devastating—and the peace that followed made me realise we could never be apart.
Not from the mating.
Not from each other.
The bond met and merged in the aftermath—soft, tender—as its tendrils locked together.
Tears rolled down my cheeks.
He lifted me gently and turned to sit, holding me on his lap.
“Hush, my love. Our bond can never be severed. It will only grow,” he murmured, kissing my shoulder as his hands rubbed soothing circles over my chest and belly.
And for the first time, I understood—I could already be with child.
I rested my hand over his. Our children would never know bitter cold or hunger.
Man or wolf, neither of them would fail us.
Madadh agreed.
Chapter 31
Thaddeus
Her sorrow, hope, and contentment were all twisted together in our bond, and it made us ache for her. The way her hand rested over mine on her belly, I knew she was thinking of our pups—our future, even if it was still shadowed by her past.
Wulfric was silent, but I felt his fierce, protective nature flare and surge through the bond. I could not fault him. I felt the same.
I glanced at the clock on the mantel.
It was Christmas Day, and Callum had accepted my invitation—a reassurance I hadn’t known I needed.
“Merry Christmas, my love,” I whispered.
Her head jerked up as she turned to look at me. I winced at the tears in her eyes—but then she smiled, bright and unguarded.
“Merry Christmas, Sassunach.”
I began to chuckle. She groaned—and clenched around my knot.
“I will show you what this Sassunach is capable of,” I murmured.“You will not be able to walk come Christmas morning.”
I slipped my hand between her thighs, and her head tipped back as a ragged breath tore from her lips. Her slick, beautiful cunt rippled around my knot, stealing the air from my lungs.
“You will be Lady Wulverton,” I said, my voice low and steady,“and we will lead our kind into a new dawn, Euphemia. Because without you, I am nothing.”
