Page 14 of Echoes From the Void (Shadow Locke Shifters #3)

Chapter 13

Frankie

Early morning light filters through Shadow Locke’s empty corridors as Bishop’s claiming still pulses through me—a heady mix of power, vulnerability, and raw connection that’s changed everything. The bond thrums inside me, bright and alive, connecting me not just to Bishop but to the others waiting. A new sense of purpose fills me, one I can’t ignore any longer.

Leo is next.

The pull toward him feels different than it did with Bishop. Where Bishop was strength and stability, the slow deep burn of a connection years in the making, Leo is pure light and warmth—an explosion of energy that draws everyone into his orbit.

I find him in the tower’s common room, sprawled across the couch with his head buried in mismatched cushions. His arm shields his eyes, exhaustion evident in every line of his body despite the scents of chocolate and vanilla that fill the room. My heart clenches at the sight—this man who carries everyone else’s happiness even when his own shoulders sag beneath the weight.

“Leo,” I whisper.

His arm shifts, one green eye blinking up at me. He grins despite the shadows under his eyes. “Hey there, alpha. Come to steal my cookies again?”

I can’t help smiling. “Not this time. Though I wouldn’t turn one down if you’re offering.”

He sits up, patting the cushion beside him. “Always got one for you, Frankie.” He reaches for a plate on the coffee table, but his eyes search my face. “You look different,” he says, curiosity warming his tone. “Something happened last night?”

I take the offered cookie, but my attention stays fixed on him. On the way his smile softens, the way he watches me with that familiar light in his eyes—the one that’s always said he’s here, no matter what. “Yeah,” I say, voice low. “Something important.”

Leo’s grin widens, excitement sparking in his expression. “Bishop, huh?” He sets the plate down, leaning closer. “I can feel it. The bond. It’s clearer now.”

“It is.” I let the bond flare between us, letting him feel everything—the heat of Bishop’s devotion, the strength of our connection. Leo’s breath catches, his eyes darkening.

“Damn,” he breathes, voice raw. “That’s... wow.”

“It is.” I reach for him, cupping his cheek. He leans into my touch, eyes fluttering shut for a moment. “Leo, you don’t have to hold back anymore. I’m ready. If you are.”

For a heartbeat, silence stretches between us. Then Leo’s face splits into that brilliant, joyous grin I’ve come to need like air. “You kidding? I’ve been ready since forever.” He pulls me into his lap in one fluid motion. I laugh, the sound bright and free, as his arms wrap around me.

“No more waiting, then,” I murmur against his lips.

“No more waiting,” he echoes, and then he’s kissing me like he’s been dying to, like he’s been dreaming of this moment. Where Bishop was careful restraint until he broke, Leo is pure, unfiltered passion. His hands roam my back, pulling me closer as his shadows curl around us, wrapping us in his essence.

My knees settle on either side of him and my hands grip his hair, exposing his throat to my lips. Without an ounce of hesitation, I bite down. His hips come up pressing his cock into my core and a different need settles deep inside of me.

He shivers as I trail kisses down his neck, his pulse racing under my lips.

“Frankie,” he whispers, my name a prayer on his lips. His hands roam my sides, sending shivers down my spine, stoking the fire within me. The bond between us pulsates, growing stronger, more vibrant with each touch.

Leo’s warmth is intoxicating, his joy contagious. It’s like basking in sunlight after a long, snowy night. His hands find the hem of my shirt, slipping underneath to caress my skin. I gasp at the contact, my body yearning for more. I help him pull the shirt over my head, my hair cascading down my back. His eyes, greener than ever, take me in with such reverence it makes my heart swell.

“You’re so beautiful, Frankie,” he murmurs, his fingers tracing patterns on my skin, sending delightful shivers through me. I feel his desire echoing mine, our bond amplifying every sensation. It’s exhilarating, overwhelming, and I never want it to stop.

My hands explore the planes of his chest, feeling the heat of his skin through the thin fabric of his shirt. I tug at the hem, impatient to feel more of him. Leo chuckles, a low, rich sound that sends warmth pooling in my belly.

“Someone’s eager,” he teases, but he’s already lifting his arms, helping me pull the shirt off. The sight of him, all tanned skin and lean muscle, makes my breath catch. I trace the lines of his collarbone, marveling at the way his skin seems to glow in the early morning light.

Leo’s hands settle on my hips, his thumbs tracing circles on my skin. “You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this,” he murmurs, his voice husky. “How long I’ve wanted you.”

I lean in, pressing my forehead to his. “Show me,” I whisper, and he groans, pulling me closer.

Our lips meet again, and this time there’s no holding back. The kiss is deep, passionate, full of all the longing we’ve both been carrying. I feel Leo’s shadows wrapping around us, warm and comforting, as his hands roam my back, unhooking my bra.

As the garment falls away, Leo pulls back, his eyes dark with desire. “God, Frankie,” he breathes, his hands ghosting over my sides, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “You’re perfect.”

I shiver under his touch, my body arching into his hands. The bond between us pulses with each caress, growing stronger, more intense. I can feel Leo’s desire, his joy, his love, all mingling with my own emotions until I can barely tell where I end and he begins.

“Leo,” I whisper, my voice thick with need. I roll my hips against him, drawing a low groan from his throat. His hands grip my waist tighter, guiding my movements as we find a rhythm together.

The world narrows down to just us—the heat of Leo’s skin against mine, the softness of his lips as they trail down my neck, the strength of his arms as they hold me close. I lose myself in the sensations, in the way our bodies move together, in the building pressure of our shared pleasure.

Leo’s shadows dance around us, warm and alive, caressing my skin like phantom touches. I feel my own shadows responding, reaching out to twine with his, creating a cocoon of darkness that shields us from the outside world.

“Frankie,” Leo pants against my collarbone. His voice strained. “I need... I want...”

“Yes,” I breathe, understanding without words. “Yes, Leo. Please.”

I rise up, tugging my pants down my thighs. Needing him right here. Right the fuck now.

Leo’s eyes darken with desire as he helps me shimmy out of my pants. His hands roam over my newly exposed skin, leaving trails of heat in their wake. I fumble with the button of his jeans, desperate to feel all of him.

“Patience,” he chuckles, but his voice is strained. He lifts his hips, allowing me to tug his jeans down.

The sight of him, all lean muscle and tanned skin, takes my breath away. I trace the lines of his abs, marveling at the way he shivers under my touch. His cock strains against his boxers, and I can’t resist palming him through the thin fabric.

Leo groans, his head falling back against the couch. “Frankie,” he pants, “you’re killing me here.”

I grin, feeling powerful and wanted. “Can’t have that,” I tease, hooking my fingers in the waistband of his boxers. “I need you alive and well.”

With a swift motion, I pull his boxers down, freeing his erection. Leo hisses as the cool air hits him, but I waste no time in wrapping my hand around him. He’s hot and hard in my palm, and I stroke him slowly, reveling in the way his hips buck into my touch.

“Fuck,” he breathes, his eyes squeezed shut in pleasure. “Frankie, please. I need you.”

The desperation in his voice sends a thrill through me.

I rise up, positioning myself over him. Leo’s hands grip my hips, steadying me as I slowly sink down onto him. We both gasp as he fills me, the sensation overwhelming. For a moment, we stay still, foreheads pressed together, breathing each other in.

“You feel amazing,” Leo murmurs, his voice thick with emotion. His hands roam my back, tracing patterns on my skin. “So perfect.”

I roll my hips experimentally, drawing a low moan from Leo. The bond between us pulses, growing stronger with each movement. I can feel his pleasure mingling with mine, creating a feedback loop of sensation that threatens to overwhelm me.

Leo’s lips find my neck, pressing fervent kisses along my pulse point. His teeth graze my skin, sending shivers down my spine. I tangle my fingers in his hair, holding him close as we move together.

Our bodies find a rhythm, slow and deep at first, then building in intensity. Leo’s hands guide my hips, setting a pace that has us both panting. The room fills with the sound of our gasps and moans, the air thick with the scent of our arousal.

“Leo,” I breathe, my voice catching as he hits a particularly sensitive spot. “Oh god, Leo.”

He grins against my skin, angling his hips to hit that spot again. “That’s it, Frankie,” he encourages, his voice low and husky. “Let go. I’ve got you.”

His words send a shiver through me, and I feel myself getting close. The pressure builds inside me, a coiling tension that begs for release. Leo’s movements become more urgent, his thrusts deeper and harder. I can feel his own climax approaching through our bond, his pleasure amplifying my own.

“Frankie,” he groans, his fingers digging into my hips. “I’m close. So close.”

I nod, unable to form words as the sensation overwhelms me. My shadows intertwine with his, wrapping us in a cocoon of darkness and pleasure. The bond between us pulses, stronger than ever, and I feel myself teetering on the edge.

With a particularly deep thrust, Leo pushes me over. My orgasm crashes over me in waves, my body clenching around him as I cry out his name. The intensity of it is almost too much, heightened by the bond and the feeling of Leo’s own pleasure mixing with mine.

Leo follows me over the edge moments later, his hips stuttering as he comes with a low, drawn-out moan. I feel the warmth of his release inside me, and it triggers another small aftershock of pleasure.

We collapse against each other, panting. Leo’s arms wrap around me, holding me close as we both come down from our high. Our shadows slowly retreat, leaving us bathed in the soft morning light once more.

“That was...” Leo starts, then chuckles. “I don’t even have words. Incredible doesn’t even cover it.”

I smile against his chest, feeling utterly content. “Yeah,” I murmur, pressing a soft kiss to his collarbone. “It really was.”

We stay like that for a while, just holding each other, basking in the afterglow and the strength of our newly formed bond. I can feel it humming between us, a warm, comforting presence that connects us on a level deeper than I ever imagined possible.

Eventually, Leo shifts, his hand coming up to brush a strand of hair from my face. His touch is gentle, reverent. “You okay?” he asks softly, his eyes searching mine.

I nod, leaning into his touch. “More than okay,” I assure him. “I feel... complete. Like a piece of me that was missing has finally clicked into place.”

Leo’s face breaks into a radiant smile, his joy palpable through our bond. “I know exactly what you mean,” he says, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. “I’ve wanted this for so long, Frankie. To be yours. To be part of your pack.”

The word pack sends a thrill through me, reminding me of the bigger picture. Of Bishop, and the others who are waiting for us to come together. “We should probably get cleaned up,” I say reluctantly, not really wanting to leave the warmth of Leo’s embrace. “The others will wonder where we are.”

“Let them wonder.” He rolls his hips again before lifting me up and laying me on the couch, still buried deep inside of me. “I’m nowhere near done with you yet.”

I can’t even reply as he thrusts inside of me again. All I can do is moan in pleasure.