It simply isn’t fair. No one should be that good-looking.
We walked through the archway, and everything went dark for a minute. I was instantly on high alert as my eyes tried to adjust. I hated spaces like this. They were perfect for an ambush.
However, all of that changed when the tunnel suddenly opened, bathing us in a soft glow and revealing one of the most amazing places I’d ever seen.
It was a small, natural cavern with water trickling through gaps in the rock and creating an underground grotto. Someone had installed underwater lighting, the crystal-clear water shining with a bright-blue hue.
But as breathtaking as that was, the most amazing feature was the ceiling and the walls surrounding the shallow pool. The dark rock glittered, the lights shining off the minerals embedded in it, making them shimmer like tiny diamonds.
I gasped in awe of the beauty around me.
“Welcome to the Starlight Grotto,” Caelan said as he gestured to the room. “We don’t usually let outsiders come here. You’re one of the first, but since you’re going to be part of this pack, I figured it was allowed.”
I stopped in my tracks.Did he say I was going to be part of this pack?
It hadn’t occurred to me yet that as Caelan’s mate, I would have to leave Thunder Moon. He outranked me, and it was customary for the lower-ranking wolf to follow their mate.
I’m going to have to leave my pack. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Sad? Relieved? It’s not like they even want me around, but that pack’s been my whole life.
“Come on,” he called as he waded into the water, oblivious to my inner turmoil.
I stepped down onto the ledge, the water lapping over my ankles as I tried to clear my thoughts.
One step at a time.
I hesitated for a moment, knowing that I’d have to undress if I wanted to follow him.
Should I just swim in my clothes? They’ll be a mess when we return to the pack house if I get them wet, and I don’t really want to spark any rumors about what Caelan and I were doing out here.
Slowly, I pulled the fabric over my head, holding my breath as I revealed the deep-red bikini underneath.
A deep rumble filled the cavern, and I glanced up at Caelan just in time to see the fire that flared to life in his eyes. He was on me before I could blink, his muscular arms wrapping around my waist as he pulled me into the water toward him.
“Mine,” he growled, burying his face in the crook of my neck.
His warm breath danced across my flesh, leaving goosebumps in its wake as he inhaled my scent. A shiver ran down my spine as an unexpected pleasure fluttered through my core.
He scooped me up, wrapping my legs around his waist. One hand rested on the underside of my upper thigh, supporting me as the other encircled my torso, his fingertips trailing across my skin and leaving sparks in their wake.
“I promise,” he breathed, his voice growing huskier as he spoke. “I won’t do anything to push you, Shade. I’ll wait as long as it takes, okay? But seeing you dressed like that”—he gulped—“it’s taking everything I have to control myself.”
“I’m sorry,” I whispered as he carried me deeper into the grotto.
“Oh no, baby. Don’t be sorry,” he groaned. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Everything about you draws me in. I’m just trying to be a gentleman. I know you need to take things slow, and I’m okay with that. It’s just challenging. Like earlier. You have no idea how much I wanted to kiss you.”
“That was my first kiss,” I replied softly, blushing and keeping my eyes on the water to avoid the surprised look I expected to see in his.
“I’m honored you saved it for me,” he whispered, brushing his cheek against mine. “To have been the only one to ever taste your sweet lips feels like winning a prize. But I promise, next time I’ll ask your permission first.”
He winked, and a thrill raced through me.Next time. He wants there to be a next time!
I draped my arms around his neck, feeling at home with him, like this was where I was always meant to be.
“Like maybe right now?” Caelan rasped, his tone growing increasingly strained.
“What?”
“Can I kiss you now?” he whispered, resting his forehead against mine. “Please, Shade.”
