My jaw drops hearing what the snake dick is really for. Slowly, I turn to face Khal again and stare at him. "Interesting fact to know..."
Pouting, I slide back in the seat, feeling stupid for not having been raised a shifter. There's so much I don't know—basic things that everyone else learned as children. The inadequacy stings more than I want to admit.
No one dares say anything until Torben finds a place to park and camp for the night. "Little wolf... Let's take a walk until theothers have camp set up." He still has that deep rumble in his voice, and it sends a chill down my spine.
The meadow stretches outbefore us, bathed in the golden hues of the setting sun, painting the sky with streaks of orange and pink. Diaval, Khal, and Easton are busy unloading the SUV, their voices mixing with the rustle of the evening breeze. The air is tinged with the scent of pine and wildflowers.
I come alongside Torben and slip my little hand into his. Slowly, his huge hand engulfs mine, and he smiles. His amber eyes meet mine, a silent understanding passing between us. Something in my chest loosens. With Torben, I don't have to be anything other than what I am. He loved me before I knew I was a wolf, before the mates and the danger and the destiny. He loved me when I was just Feray, the girl who worked at a bar. With a gentle tug, I guide him toward the edge of the meadow, where the trees stand tall, their branches reaching for the darkening sky.
The transition from meadow to new-growth forest is marked by a change in the soundscape. The whisper of leaves replaces the chatter of birds. Light filters through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. My steps are light, senses attuned to the surrounding wilderness, ears picking up the slightest rustle or chirp.
As we delve deeper into the woods, the air grows cooler, and the scent of earth intensifies. The trees seem to cocoon us, embracing us in their natural fortress. Moss-covered rocks and fallen logs create a picturesque scene. Torben nudges me,drawing my attention to a small brook, its waters glistening under the waning light. The babbling of the stream adds a soothing rhythm to the symphony of nature surrounding us. We walk on, our pace unhurried, simply relishing the tranquil ambiance and the connection between us.
Eventually, we find a small clearing, a natural alcove bathed in the remaining light of day. Torben and I settle down, leaning against a large tree, feeling the pulse of the surrounding forest. As the stars emerge in the darkening sky, we sit close, absorbing the serenity of the moment. His lips lower and nibble at the back of my neck, and I feel my core pulse in response to his teasing.
"I've missed you..." His hand rubs my sides, and I arch my back in response.
The confession undoes something in me. With all the chaos, with bonding to Easton and Diaval, I've worried that Torben feels left behind. That my first mate thinks he's become my last priority. Rolling my head to the side, his bites become harder, and his bear growls low in his chest. His hands slide forward and cup my breasts, thumbs finding the gold bars in my nipples.
"You know I love what these do to you." He rubs the tips of his calloused fingers over my nipples before tapping the bars. That simple motion makes my core tingle and flutter, wanting to be filled by him.
"Tor..." My voice is strained and breathy as I lean back against him, feeling his length thickening behind me.
"I know, little wolf..." His hands move from my breasts down my stomach, then to my hips. Gently, he rocks me forward and raises my dress over my hips. His hand moves from me, and I hear the buttons on his pants come undone. My core pulseswith anticipation, knowing Torben is going to give me what I need most. The thick head of his cock slides up and down over my slick lips before teasing me, dipping in briefly before pulling back out again.
"Please, Tor... I need you..." I whine and lower down onto my forearms in full submission to him.
The deep appreciative rumble of his bear makes my core pulse again. There's something primal about being wanted like this—not as a Luna or a mate to mythics, but as his. Just his. "You're so wet for me, little wolf." He caresses my ass reverently. Without warning, he sinks in deeply, burying himself to the hilt. I rock forward and moan from the sudden fullness and heat of his thick cock. My nails shift to claws as I grip the soil.
"Be a good little wolf and stay quiet. Good girls get orgasms." He rocks his hips slowly, drawing out ever so slightly before pushing all the way back in. Torben moves slowly, sliding almost all the way out. I can feel him just barely still in me, and I'm missing his heat. A low whine escapes my lips, afraid he's going to pull out. Inch by inch, he slides his length back into me, and I arch my back, feeling how full I am. The warm tingling feeling stirs low in my belly. I try to move against him, only to have him put his hand flat across my shoulders and press down.
He must sense my impending orgasm because Torben changes his angle and sends me plummeting over the edge. My orgasm washes over me like a tidal wave, stealing my breath and making every inch of me super sensitive to touch. Every thrust seems stronger than the last, drawing out the pulsing of my core.
"I'm so close, little wolf," he pants as he bends over me, caging me in his arms. His thrusts become erratic, rocking me almost to the point of collapsing from his weight. Whining, I dig my clawsdeeper into the earth, trying to keep my balance. His thrusts shudder, and he throws his head back, roaring into the night air as he buries himself deep within me. I feel every single pulse of his cock as he fills me with his seed. His orgasm triggers me to tip over the edge with him. A howl escapes my lips as I tip my head back, joining my voice with his.
Carefully, Torben wraps his arms around me and rolls us to the side. Then he starts laughing. "What's so funny?"
His laughter turns into muffled giggles, but I can feel the vulnerability underneath. "Would it be wrong of me to say I'm jealous sometimes of the others? I don't have the wealth of the other pack-mates. I can't give you what they can."
He hugs me tighter and sighs. The admission costs him something—my proud bear admitting he feels inadequate. My heart cracks a little. How could he not know?
"Unlike everyone else, you can read me better than they can. Their noses aren't as acutely tuned to scent as ours are." When I feel his cock slip free, I roll in his arms to face him. "You taught me to shift, how to hunt—all the important things I needed to be a good wolf. Khal showed me all the plants that can hurt or kill me at the botanical gardens."
Smiling, I pull Torben to me and kiss his lips gently. "You don't give yourself enough credit. Your gifts can't be measured because they're what keep me alive and safe." I watch his eyes glisten in the starlight, and something settles between us. A reaffirmation.
"You are too good to me, little wolf." He kisses my lips gently and caresses my cheek. "We should get back and have dinner, then get some sleep. I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be anadventure." There's a bit of sarcasm in his tone, and I nod, not wanting to poke the literal bear.
"Okay." He hesitates, opening his arms, and allows me to roll to my feet. We walk back to camp much faster than we took to get to the meadow.
As we emergefrom the darkness to where the guys have the fire going, Khal arches a brow and gives me a knowing smile. Torben has been putting everyone else's needs before his, and I finally had the time to make things right with him. I didn't want him to feel neglected.
"Come eat." Diaval waves me over and sets me down on one of the few chairs we have with us. Within seconds of sitting, he's dropped a plate of rare meat and assorted veggies in front of me. Before I can say anything, he raises his hand to silence me. "You need to eat well. After all, we do not know what lies ahead."
"I have to agree with him, Precious. Please eat." Khal backs Diaval up without question, and it makes me look between them, puzzled by their united front. Shaking my head, I decide this is not the hill to die on today.
"Where did we get the fresh venison from?" I look curiously at the guys, and Easton won't meet my gaze.
"Does it honestly matter?" Torben waves his fork in my direction, trying to get me to drop my line of questioning.
