Page 98

Rapunzel bursts into laughter as she glances between our animal companions. “Who knew castle politics were so complex?” she jokes.

Queen Lyana looks up at her mate. “I love that Caelen can speak with animals. I wish you could have heard the outrage the palace horses had when the Elves decided to keep some of their Dire Wolves in the stables.”

Ren laughs. “I can only imagine.”

Caelen wraps his arm around Lyana, resting his palm lovingly over her rounded waist, heavy with their child, and presses a tender kiss to her cheek. “Even animals have their political intrigues,” he says, a hint of teasing in his voice. “It’s all rather interesting.”

Ren laughs as he glances at Whiskers and Finik. “It seems I may need to mediate a peace treaty before things escalate into full-scale warfare.”

Malak laughs heartily, giving my shoulder a friendly squeeze. “I’m happy it all worked out well for you, my friend,” he says.

Darting a glance at his own human mate, I smile at him. “And you as well.”

Now that we’ve greeted most of our guests, I’m looking forward to the chase. My mate is the most beautiful female in the world, and I cannot wait to claim her beneath the moon and the stars, in the ways of my people.

CHAPTER 57

RAPUNZEL

As we greet the last of our guests, Ren leans in, a mischievous smile curving his mouth. “Are you ready for what comes next?”

I’m breathless with anticipation. When his sister first told me the details about the mating chase, I wasn’t entirely sure I believed her. But when Ren’s grandmother began to tell me the story of her wedding day to his grandfather, I realized they were telling the truth.

Apparently, most Shifters have some sort of chase involved with their bonding ceremonies. My family thinks we’re leaving for our wedding night in a cottage in the woods. If they knew what we were really going to do, I’m sure they’d find it scandalous.

I mouth a thank you to Ren’s sister as she leads them back to the castle for the wedding feast, before the chase begins. And I can’t help but notice the way Rielle smiles at my brother—Tristan—and the way he gazes at her like a lovestruck fool.

After they’re gone, I turn back to my new husband. A thrill rushes down my spine as Ren leans close, his breath hot against my ear. “Run, my beautiful mate. Run. I’m giving you a head start.”

Gathering my skirts, laughter bubbles in my throat as excitement courses through my veins. Turning swiftly, I dash into the darkness beneath the towering trees.

Moonlight illuminates my path as I weave through the forest, and my pulse quickens as the sound of Ren’s pursuit grows louder and closer.

Suddenly, strong arms wrap around my waist, sweeping me off my feet. I’m breathless and panting as Ren turns me to face him, his amber eyes blazing with possessive hunger. “Caught you,” he growls low in arousal. “My beautiful amira.”

My heart pounds as he lowers me to the moss-covered ground. His gaze holds mine, full of desire as he extends his claws and slices away my gown, leaving me bare beneath him. A shiver runs through me as he touches my face and whispers in awe-filled reverence, “You are breathtaking.”

He captures my mouth in a searing kiss, stealing the breath from my lungs. He pulls back and trails a series of open mouth kisses down the column of my throat. His warm lips brush over my collarbone before moving lower to tease one breast, then the other, sending rippling waves of pleasure straight through me.

“Ren,” I breathe shakily, threading my fingers through his hair, urging him closer.

“I’ve waited far too long to taste you,” he whispers as he moves even lower and then parts my thighs.

He drags his tongue through my already slick folds, and I arch against him, crying out his name as sensations threaten to overwhelm me.

My body tightens as he devours me with his lips and his tongue, balanced on the edge of my desire. Without warning,waves of ecstasy crash over me, shattering me completely as my climax surges, sweeping me away into blissful oblivion.

Before I’m fully recovered, he flips me onto my stomach with effortless strength, parting my thighs once more. His powerful body covers mine, one strong arm banded tightly around my waist to hold me secure.

His other hand slips beneath me, sliding upward along my chest to gently cup my throat, tilting my head back and to the side so he can claim my mouth in a passionate, consuming kiss.

Desire coils tightly within as he pulls back and brushes his lips to my throat, directly over my mating mark. “You are mine,” he growls low in arousal. “Mine to touch. Mine to worship. Mine to love.”

A sharp sting pierces my skin as he sinks his fangs into the side of my neck, renewing the claiming mark. The pain turns into pleasure and the breath stutters from my lungs as he slowly enters me.

CHAPTER 58

REN