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"Yes, they’ve retreated, and I placed a barrier that extends out into the bay. It may interfere with the locals, but not so much that they will notice or complain.

“Do whatever you have to, Sasha, solidify our borders to the best of your ability." The Alpha's aversion to magic was fading under this new threat. The Alpha stepped away to take a call, and when he returned, it was to alert them that the Coven had sustained an attack at the same moment. "Whatever is going on, they are targeting the supernatural.”

With humans involved, that made the threat a hundred times more deadly. No one wanted to think about the fact that their secret may have been discovered and what that would mean to the paranormal world. The Alpha was barking orders, and people were rushing around. The time to worry was later.Right now, they had to fortify and prepare for whatever was coming.

"Come home with me, Isaiah, before the next battle takes place. I want our bond to be solid, and I want to wear your mark." Aidan stated as they made their way up to the pack house.

"I'm right beside you, sweetheart. Just lead the way." Isaiah held him close to his side as they walked. Derek came up beside Aidan and fell into step with them.

“I want to train you.” He said. “I saw you take on that human and that cougar shifter with nothing but a pocketknife. You have potential, and I want to train you." He turned to look at Isaiah, gauging his acceptance.

“Aidan makes his own decisions, but I agree he is exceptional," Isaiah said, and Derek then turned to Aidan.

“Yes, I would appreciate the help.” With a nod, Derek disappeared, and Aidan and Isaiah headed up to Aidan’s bedroom.

The misunderstandings, the upset, the battle, and the aftermath were forgotten as Isaiah watched his beautiful mate slowly undress. He'd caught hints of the tanned, muscled body beneath the clothing, but seeing it in all its glory was breathtaking.

“Don’t just stand there, strip." Aidan gave him orders, and Isaiah pulled himself out of his stupor and began pulling off his shirt and jeans. Seeing his mate’s body was sending all kinds of sensations through his body. His cock was rock hard at present and throbbing. Aidan had gotten him going out there onthe bench earlier, but this vision was intensifying that reaction to the maximum.

When he slid the tight boxers down his legs and dropped them to the floor, Isaiah froze for a moment, taking in the smooth, flawless perfection of Aidan Kolly. He saw many days and nights filled with the joy and fulfillment of having him in his life.

Isaiah finished stripping and appreciated Aidan’s rapt attention to his finer attributes. Isaiah was a large wolf in many respects, and Aidan was clearly enjoying what he was seeing.

"Come closer, Isaiah." His voice had dropped a few octaves, and it sizzled along Isaiah’s flesh.

In his estimation, if sex were personified, it would look like this gorgeous man standing before him. Isaiah moved closer and slowly took Aidan into his arms, pulling him flush against his hot, feverish body. The touch was electric, sending bolts of sensational awareness through his system, forming the foundation of their bond. The kiss was natural and came as soon as they touched.

Aidan’s lips were soft and yet firm and enticing, pushing him to go deeper and harder. Aidan's scent was tantalizing him, filling his heart and mind with thoughts of love and forever and visions of a most beautiful man. "I love you, Aidan. I knew it within minutes of meeting you. You’re the answer to my prayers and a symbol of everything I desire in this world.”

It was a bold declaration, but it needed to be said. Isaiah needed to get it out and share with his mate the depth of his feelings. Love had come almost immediately upon meeting the man. His presence, his calm demeanor, his kindness, his loyalty, and the ease of their time together brought Isaiah to the realization that he could not and would not live without him.

"I love you too, Isaiah. I tried hard not to, but there is no denying that we are meant to be. I don’t know where it will all lead and what it will mean for my life going forward, but I know in my heart that I need you by my side, and I will not know true happiness without you. You are my rock and my destiny and everything I desire in this world.” He repeated Isaiah’s words, making his feelings clear.

Isaiah moved toward the bed, and Aidan followed. He ran his hand down Aidan’s back as he got onto the large bed and settled himself, stretching out on his back. He turned his head toward Isaiah and smiled that sexy, playful smile that broke down all his walls.

This was his mate, and still, he had difficulty believing it was real. Fate had been exceedingly generous with him, and he would be forever grateful. "You're amazing, my love, and I am so lucky to have you."

Aidan reached out to him, pulling him in for a sweet but tentative kiss, and then their eyes locked. "I'm the lucky one, Isaiah. Trust is hard for me, and my tendency was to lean toward anger and isolation, which left me with character traits that were often cold and distant. All of that was shot to hell the minute I laid eyes on you. Actually, it was the minute I sensed you were close. I hadn't met you yet, and still, I felt my life changing.” He touched Isaiah’s face and seemed to marvel at the sensations it evoked. “I love you too.” He finished.

All talk ceased for a while, and communication became physical. The touch and the emotions they shared filled the room. The air was heavy with anticipation and want, and it was beautiful. Isaiah moved to lay atop his mate, carefully spreading Aidan’s legs with his own and seating himself between pressing his aching cock to Aidan's. He was hard as stone, and Isaiah could see the expectancy mirrored in his expression.

“I’m going to mark and claim you.” He raised one hand and placed his fingertips against a spot on Aidan's shoulder. "I will bite you here, sealing our bond and coming together as one." He received a shaky but eager nod from Aidan. “You want this?” He had to clarify because there was no going back in the event Aidan discovered he wasn’t ready.

The response was immediate. “I know what the stakes are, and I know what this means. I want this; I want you, and I am ready." He held Isaiah's gaze.

Isaiah took Aidan's lips in a deep, forceful kiss, communicating all his wants and desires in that embrace. Aidan clutched his arms, then his waist, and then the sides of his head, the frantic moves signifying the level of his excitement. Isaiah pushed Aidan’s legs further apart and pressed down, grinding his cock against Aidan's tender, inflamed flesh.

Isaiah reached over to the bedside table and opened the drawer, all while not breaking the kiss, and thankfully found what he was looking for. He pulled back, breaking the kiss just long enough to cover his finger with the slippery substance, and then tossed the tube aside and took Aidan's lips once again. It was like breath for a dying man. That kiss was so invigorating.

He quickly began loosening and penetrating, stretching and preparing with an urgency that steadily became more and more powerful. The need to claim was raging within and pushing his wolf to the surface in wild torrents. His control was held on a razor's edge. "More, Isaiah, more. I need more." Aidan burst with the anxious demand, and Isaiah immediately sped up, forcing his fingers deeper, thrusting and stretching.

"I'm ready, I'm ready." Isaiah knew he couldn't wait any longer, and ready or not, Aidan needed this now. He moved his fingers, and Aidan jerked, seeking more pressure and needingthe stretch. Without pause Isaiah thrust inside his cock long and thick, forcing the channel open, and filling him fully. The stretch sent a shiver through Aidan and was followed by a smile that was part relief and part shock.

Isaiah pushed up onto his palms and started a punishing rhythm of thrusts and grinds that had Aidan vibrating beneath him. He gripped the sheets with both and held on as Isaiah brought them both to the peak of ecstasy. The sounds and scents permeating the room were earthy, heady, and amazing. Isaiah pounded inside and then slammed so deep his vision faded for a second, and then he came.

They tilted slightly, and the light dimed as his body erupted, and the bond so bright enveloped and flashed between them. Isaiah wrapped Aidan in his arms and sunk his teeth into the square inch of flesh he’d pointed to earlier. He drank and held on until he felt Aidan’s warm release filling the space between them.

Aidan trembled and struggled to catch his breath. Isaiah slowly pulled back, licking the wound closed, and they simply held each other for several minutes as they let the energy and emotions settle around them.

“You are mine. You are the wolf’s mate. No going back now, baby.” Isaiah had to force the wolf back several times, so he was certain Aidan had experienced the power that lurked beneath the skin.

"Your wolf is beautiful, Isaiah." Aidan had sensed the direction of his thoughts, which was all part of their growing bond. “I saw him on the beach, and he was magnificent, and I saw him here with me, and he was intense and yet sensitive. I'm very happy, and I see a long and enjoyable future for us, baby." He laughed, and Isaiah gently pulled out and lay beside himwith his arm draped over Aidan's middle. He grabbed his t-shirt off the end of the bed and gave them both a tentative clean-up. Neither was ready to get up or end what they'd started just yet.

“This is just the beginning," Isaiah stated with a touch of pride and placed a proprietary kiss on the side of Aidan's head. “You’re a pack member now with an entirely new set of responsibilities.”

“I think I can handle it.” Aidan chuckle.

“I know you can, baby." Isaiah kissed him again, and then the kiss grew deeper and more urgent. Aidan rolled to lay on top of Isaiah, straddling his waist and raining kisses down his neck and chest. “With you at my side, I can do anything."

THE END