You are exactly who our pack needed.
With those words that had my emotions all flaring and messy, he left. The barrier inside swelled with the love I felt for all of my pack. Especially the love I felt for Len.
Sure, we’d known each other for five minutes in the great scheme of things, but I’d felt this love from the first time we were together. The scattered memories showed me the playful way he’d cherished and cared for me, and the attention he paid to everything that made me who I was. It also reminded me of the ache in my soul that I’d carried every day after that, even when I had no idea why it was there.
That ache was Len.
My head swung toward him. He was watching me, and waiting patiently as he always did for me to reach the obvious conclusion.
True mate. True love.
We moved at the same time, his hands landing under my ass as he lifted me effortlessly into his body. Just like Mera, I was already wrapping my legs around his waist, needing the closeness and the feel of our powers colliding.
His mouth was on mine as I took my next breath, strong hands biting into my skin. He pulled me as hard against him as was possible. The kiss deepened, and everything else faded away, until I was forced to lift my head and suck some air into my lungs.
We were parted enough to see our pack had vanished to give us some privacy, which was nice of them. Returning to Len, I noticed the stormy color of his eyes, and it made me smile. Words of love almost left my lips, but he got in first.
“I don’t ever want you to think that you’re not an important and valued member of this pack,” he told me, his expression serious. “I didn’t even understand what I was missing until you returned in my life. Fuck, I’ve searched a lifetime for you, Storm. I’ll never let you go now.”
Gah.How was it even possible to feel so many emotions and not die from the actual ache in my chest? It was a good ache, but also powerful.
“I love you, Winter,” I whispered, having no idea if the timing was right, butwho really gave a fuck about timing?We didn’t have a damn clue what was waiting for us around the corner in this land of monsters, so I would take the opportunity now to tell him how I felt. “I loved you before we were torn apart, and it’s only grown over the years. You and Tabitha are the best part of my existence, and I… just need you to know.”
The intensity of his gaze was unraveling me. Those silver storm eyes darkened. Soon they were a swirling mass of power, and I wondered if I’d broken him with my declaration.
He moved lightning-fast, taking me by surprise when he kissed me, his tongue pushing forward to stroke against mine so we could taste each other. “Le tunia, formia, letina, maforta.”
He chanted that phrase between strokes of his tongue, and I wished for the knowledge to understand what he was saying.
Thankfully, he followed them with English. “You are the light, the energy, the creation, the wonder,” he told me. “There’s no true English word, but in Faerie we say that you’re theall. The sum ofallthat makes us whole.Allwho complete us. My love.”
He kissed me again, whispering words of love between each brush of our lips, and by the time he was done worshipping me, I was an aching mess of need and emotions. “Len, I don’t think I can wait until we’re done here to feel you again,” I said, voice rasping. Part of me was terrified that we would fail today and I’d never know his touch again. I had to be loved by him one last time.
His groan against my mouth added to the arousal dancing through my center. “I have an idea,” he said softly. “Give me a second.”
He gently dropped me to the ground, and it took a moment for my balance to return. The way my body reacted to him felt like it should be illegal.
Destructive and beautiful.
Part of myall.
“Stay right here,” he commanded, dropping another orgasm-inducing kiss on my lips.
He disappeared into the darkness, but I could still feel the pulse of his energy, which was comforting. He returned a few minutes later, shooting me a soft smile. “I spoke to the others, and we all agree that a few hours rest is on the cards. Angel and Galleli especially are drained from ferrying us across.”
“Aren’t we being drained here though?” I asked. “As badly as I need a few hours with you, I also know we’re in a life and death situation.” Sadly, that had to be the priority.
Len shook his head. “Now that the guardians have faded, there’s no drain on our energy. Shadow and the others confirmed this. We conquered this part of the labyrinth, and the drain will ease until we encounter the next obstacle.”
Okay, cool. That made sense. I no longer had to feel guilty that I was asking our pack to lose their energy while I got a good thorough fucking. No matter how okay with the idea my lower half was.
“A little alone time between mated couples is a good energy booster anyway,” Len said with a slow smile. “Proven and fact.”
Crossing my arms, I shook my head at him. “Is that right? Proven and everything? Who did this study and where do we sign up?”
He stepped into me. “Research starts today,” he whispered, hands tracing along my face and down my sides. Heat and power followed, bolstering my barrier inside. “Are you ready?”
Was I ready?Apparently, I needed to state it in clear and precise terms. “Len, I’m going to need you to fuck me,” I breathed. “Right. Now.”
