“Well I guess that makes things easier.” I laugh.
“For you maybe. It's gonna take all my self-control to stay away from you when you are.” He laughs. “Having an animalistic side that is totally controlled by instinct can be a bit of a bind.”
“Noted.”
I sit up and my feet dip into the warm water of the pool. I take his hand and drag him back into the water. I wrap my legs around him and we float there holding each other. He rests his chin on my head and inhales the scent of my hair before planting small soft kisses on the top of my head.
“So out of curiosity just how good is your sense of smell?”
“Put it this way...When we go back tomorrow everyone is going to know what we just did.”
“Oh crap so my dad... everyone will assume that we're together.”
He chuckles. “If we were together we would be mated. With Lycans sex is different than being Mates.”
“Ok... So what does it take to be Mated? I just assumed that was the wolfy term for being in a relationship.”
“Not quite. If we were mated than you wouldn't just smell like you've been thoroughly fucked.” His whispers that last word huskily in my ear and I bite my lip with a satisfied smile.“Our own unique scents would merge together and we'd both smell more or less the same. As for the actual mating, It sort of depends. If it's two wolves then they have sex in their wolf form and complete it by biting each other to signify claiming one another. With Nymphs it's different. The ancient tradition was the same but as the nymph can't transform... You can see how that sort of died out.”
“Wow I need more booze for this convo.”
Lukas carries on after we've both refilled our glasses and I have taken one huge gulp.
“Nowadays they would mate and the Lycan would shift immediately after to perform the bite. There's also a ceremony where we ask Zeus and Gaia to bless the union. If they're Moira then that bond alone is stronger than anything else and there's no need for a bite or mating ritual. Although I believe some have still done it regardless.”
“Wouldn't you biting me make me a werewolf?”
“If you were human and it was a full moon then yes. But you're a Nymph. You're Naturally immune to werewolf venom.”
He kisses me deeply and brushes the hair from my face. I snuggle into him and we watch the sunset together in silence.
Chapter 18
I wake in the morning with the sun rise and find myself wrapped under a blanket snuggled tight against Lukas. His hand is absent-mindedly brushing up and down my shoulder. I enjoy the quiet comfort as my eyes adjust to the morning light. I can feel the world around me stirring as animals face the dawn andbegin to wander. Eagles soar lazily overhead. Their caws echoing over the mountains.
Last night was incredible and I can't help but smile when I remember it. The rest of our evening was much more PG with dinner and long light-hearted discussions late into the night before pushing our two beds together to make one. Lukas held me all through the night despite him not needing to sleep. It took a while for my guilt and worry to subside enough to finally doze off but clearly I managed it. Now more than ever I want a way out of my bond with Alistair. I never want to see him again. He sickens me after all the terrible things he's done and If he ever shows up to cash in on this bond between us I will not go down without a fight. My future isn't with him. It's with my family and the pack. Maybe even with Lukas. I know with Lukas I could make my Dad proud.
Lukas places a kiss on the top of my head and I look up to him with a smile.
“Good morning.” I say as I kiss him.
“Mmm. Morning. Coffee?”
“You know me to well.” I chuckle.
He stands totally naked and goes over to the camping stove. I watch him. Taking in every inch of his perfect, powerful body. I bite my lip as I remember last night. His hands all over me. His lips, his tongue. It all felt so good.
He makes us both a coffee and takes them back to the bed. He watches me hungrily as I sit up letting the blanket fall to my lap.
“I could wake up to you naked every morning.” He says his voice deep with desire.
“Maybe you will.” I murmur over my cup.
“Only a maybe? I best take my fill of you now then as I may not get another chance.” His eyes darken as his gaze rolls slowly down my body.
Tension and longing fill me as I watch his appreciative expression turn into one filled with deep, heated lust. His eyes flash amber as his animalistic side rises to the surface. I bite my lip as he leans in closer to me. He pulls the blanket down my legs his eyes trailing the movement. His fingertips brush back up my leg then along my inner thigh. Stopping near the top to then glide over my hip.
When he speaks his voice is deep and husky with need. “Iwasgoing to make us breakfast but I'm hungry for something else first.”
