Page 23 of Echoes From the Void (Shadow Locke Shifters #3)

Chapter 22

Frankie

Matteo’s gentle touch rouses me from a dreamless sleep as he lifts me from the couch. The movie credits roll across the screen, casting shifting shadows in the dark room. Through heavy-lidded eyes, I glimpse Tori and Finn tangled together on the opposite couch, peaceful in their shared slumber.

A jaw-cracking yawn escapes as Matteo cradles me against his chest. I burrow into the warmth of his arms, savoring this rare moment of tranquility. We won’t get many of these precious seconds of peace. Right now, I need this.

I need him.

“Where is everyone?” I murmur against his neck, breathing in his familiar scent.

“Well,” he whispers, amusement coloring his tone, “Leo is passed out in the bedroom with Dorian, ironically.”

Sleep vanishes instantly as I jerk in his arms.

His low chuckle reverberates through my body.

“They’re what?” I hiss, warring between exhaustion and curiosity.

Matteo’s lips brush my forehead. “They’re just sleeping,” he chuckles again. “But I wouldn’t mind seeing where that goes either.”

Mixed emotions flutter in my chest—a hint of disappointment tempered by hope that they might discover their own connections naturally.

“Bishop?” I ask.

“He decided to keep watch.” Matteo carries me into the bedroom, nudging the door shut behind us. “He’s making sure we all get some rest.”

I hum softly, accepting but not pleased. For now. I’ll deal with Bishop’s overprotective streak in the morning.

Alone at last with Matteo, the mating bond pulses between us, demanding completion.

My alpha instincts surge forward. I drag my tongue along his neck, letting my extended canines graze his artery. His full-body shudder and deep moan send satisfaction coursing through me.

He retaliates by tossing me onto the bed. A surprised giggle—so foreign yet perfectly right—escapes my lips. The sound belongs to someone lighter, someone who hasn’t seen the darkness I have. But maybe that’s who I’m becoming with him.

Matteo’s lips quirk upward as he arches an eyebrow. “What do you think you’re up to?” The playful challenge in his voice makes my heart race.

I flash him a bold grin, propping myself up on my elbows. “What do you think?” The words come out as a purr.

Darkness floods his eyes as he stares down at me, predatory intent written in every line of his body. “I think you’re playing with fire, little alpha,” he growls, the sound low and dangerous.

That growl ignites something primal deep inside me, sending electricity racing down my spine. I rise slowly, holding his gaze. “Maybe I like the heat,” I whisper. My fingers curl into his shirt, pulling him closer.

He yields to my touch, allowing me to draw him in until barely an inch separates us. His warm breath fans across my face, and I lose myself in his eyes—dark brown with flecks of molten gold that seem to spark with power. Time stretches like honey, the air between us crackling with possibility and need.

Matteo surges forward, claiming my mouth in a kiss that steals my breath. I dissolve against him, arms wrapping around his neck as he presses me into the mattress. His weight anchors me, a delicious contradiction of comfort and electricity that makes my shadows purr.

When we break for air, my fingers trace the hard planes of his chest. “I want this,” I breathe, the words carrying the weight of everything unsaid between us. “I want you.”

Something tender flickers in Matteo’s eyes as his lips curve into a gentle smile. “Are you sure?” His fingers brush away a wayward strand of hair, the touch impossibly soft. “There’s no rush, Frankie. We have time.”

“That’s the thing.” My hands tremble against his chest, betraying the fear I’ve tried so hard to hide. “We don’t have time. You’ve seen it—the void consuming Shadow Locke’s borders, devouring our world piece by piece. The shadows...” My voice catches. “They’re thinning, slipping through my fingers like smoke.”

Darkness floods Matteo’s expression, his protective instincts rising to the surface like a storm. “Frankie...”

“No.” I press my palm to his cheek, forcing him to meet my gaze. “Listen to me. The void grows stronger every day. You feel it too—how the shadows fight us now, wild and untamed. They’re destabilizing, and we both know what that means.”

His arms lock around me like steel bands. Through our nascent bond, his fear bleeds into mine—not for ourselves, but for our pack, for each other, for everything the void threatens to consume.

“I won’t wait.” My voice gains strength with each word, fueled by desperation and determination. “I refuse to look back with regret, counting moments we could have shared. Not when tomorrow...” The words die in my throat, too terrible to voice.

“Tomorrow the void could devour Shadow Locke.” Matteo’s voice comes out rough, raw with emotion. “Tomorrow we could lose it all.”

“Everything except this.” The words emerge as a fierce growl. “Except us. Our bond. Our pack.” I drag him closer, my shadows reaching for his, intertwining until they become one dark tapestry. “I choose you—not because time is running out, but because whatever time remains, I want to spend it as yours. Completely yours.”

A growl rumbles through Matteo’s chest, reverberating through my entire body. His next kiss burns with desperation, with possession, with promises too profound for words. When he pulls back, his eyes blaze with shadow power, turning them obsidian.

“Mine,” he snarls, the word both prayer and claim. “My alpha, my mate.”

“Show me,” I plead against his lips. “Prove we’re alive, that we’re real, that the void hasn’t stolen everything. Make me feel it, Matteo.”

Matteo claims my mouth with bruising intensity, desperation fueling each hungry kiss. His hands map my body like he’s committing me to memory, leaving trails of fire that make my shadows writhe. I arch into his touch, craving more, needing everything he can give. Our ragged breaths mingle in the darkness as the world narrows to just us.

His lips break away to blaze a path down my neck, hovering over my thundering pulse point. The scrape of fangs against sensitive skin promises the eternal bond we’re about to forge. My heart slams against my ribs, my entire body trembling with anticipation.

“Frankie,” he breathes against my throat, his voice a primal rumble that makes my shadows dance. “You’re mine. And I’m yours. Until the void takes everything.”

His fangs pierce my flesh, and I gasp—not from pain, but from the overwhelming rush of our bond snapping into place. Power surges through me like lightning, raw and electric, resonating through every fiber of my being. Our shadows merge and twist together, becoming an intricate dance of darkness until I can no longer distinguish his essence from mine.

My nails dig into his back as emotions crash over me in relentless waves. The euphoria is unprecedented, more intoxicating than any shadow-high. His love floods my senses, followed by his bone-deep devotion and primal need to protect. His fears and hopes and dreams cascade through our connection until I know him, truly know him, in ways mere words could never express.

Matteo shudders against me, his breath hitching as our bond solidifies. When he pulls back, his eyes are glassy, his pupils blown wide. A trickle of my blood stains his lips, and he licks it away, a low hum of satisfaction rumbling in his chest.

“Your turn,” he whispers, tilting his head to expose his neck. My eyes lock onto his pulsing artery, and my canines ache with the need to mark him. While his bite initiated our connection, only my mark as alpha can anchor and complete our bond—a power unique to female pack leaders that males can’t replicate.

I rise up, wrapping my legs around his waist and flipping us over so I’m straddling him. He lets out a surprised huff, then grins, his hands resting on my hips. I lean down, my hair curtaining our faces as I brush my lips against his neck.

“Mine,” I growl softly, echoing his earlier sentiment. Then, I bite down, claiming him as fiercely as he claimed me.

Matteo’s body arches beneath mine, a guttural groan ripping from his throat. His fingers dig into my hips, anchoring me to him as our bond strengthens, becoming an unbreakable tether between our souls. I feel his pleasure, his pain, his everything. It’s overwhelming, exhilarating, utterly consuming.

When I finally release him, I’m panting, my body slick with sweat. Matteo looks up at me, his eyes filled with such raw emotion that it steals my breath. We stay like that for a moment, caught in each other’s gaze, reveling in this shared moment before he surges forward.

All restraint slips away as he rips my shirt off my body and tosses it across the room.

His eyes roam over me, hungry and appreciative, making my skin flush with heat. I reach for his shirt, my fingers trembling with urgency.

But he stops me with a gentle hand on my wrist. “Let me,” he whispers, his gaze never leaving mine.

He slowly unbuttons his shirt, revealing the broad expanse of his chest, the ridges of muscle that flex with each movement. I watch, captivated, my breath catching in my throat as he shrugs the garment off his shoulders, letting it fall to the floor.

His hands rise to my face, his thumbs tracing the curve of my jaw as he leans in closer. “Frankie,” he murmurs, his voice full of emotion. “I love you. I’ll always love you, no matter what the future holds.”

The sincerity in his words makes my heart swell, a tear slipping down my cheek. I brush it away, smiling up at him. “I love you too, Matteo,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. “And I trust you to protect our pack, to protect me, no matter what.”

He nods solemnly, his eyes burning into mine, the weight of our bond filling the room. Then, with a deep breath, he leans in, pressing his lips to mine in a tender, loving kiss.

As our lips meet, the world around us fades away. It’s just Matteo and me, lost in our own private universe, the shadows swirling around us like a cocoon. His hands explore my body, gentle yet firm, tracing lines of fire across my skin. I mirror his actions, committing every inch of him to memory, every scar and plane of muscle.

The urgency between us builds, our breaths growing ragged, our hearts pounding in sync. Matteo’s hand cups my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen. He pulls back slightly, his eyes searching mine.

“Are you sure, Frankie?” he asks again, his voice hoarse with desire and restraint. “We don’t have to rush this.”

I smile, my heart fluttering at his consideration. But I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I take his hand, entwining our fingers, and guide it to my chest, letting him feel the pounding of my heart.

“This is what I want, Matteo,” I say, my voice steady and sure. “I want you. I want us. And I want it now, before tomorrow comes and steals our chance away.”

His eyes darken, a mix of desire and determination swirling within them. He leans in, capturing my lips in another searing kiss, this one filled with promise and resolve. I melt into it, wrapping my arms around his neck, ready to lose myself in him completely.

Matteo’s hands move to my hips, holding me firmly as he flips us over, pinning me beneath him. I gasp at the sudden movement, my pulse spiking with excitement. His lips never leave mine, his tongue sweeping in to dance with mine, claiming me, possessing me.

Our shadows merge, responding to our combined desires, creating a dark haven around us. They pulse and shift, reflecting our emotions, our needs, our love. As Matteo trails kisses down my neck, my collarbone, my chest, I watch the shadows around us grow wilder, more erratic, mirroring the storm raging inside me.

When he reaches the waistband of my pants, he pauses, looking up at me, seeking permission. I nod, my breath hitching with desire.

He smiles, a slow, sensual grin that sends a shiver of anticipation down my spine. His fingers deftly unbutton my pants, sliding them down my hips, his touch leaving a trail of fire in its wake. I lift my hips, helping him, eager to feel his skin against mine.

As the last of my clothing is discarded, Matteo pauses, his eyes roaming over me appreciatively. I feel a blush rise to my cheeks under his intense gaze, but I don’t look away. I want him to see me, all of me, just as I want to see all of him.

He seems to understand, and with a soft smile, he stands up, his hands going to his belt. I watch, my heart pounding, as he slowly undresses, revealing himself to me completely. He’s beautiful, every inch of him, and I reach out a hand, beckoning him back to me.

Matteo takes my hand, entwining our fingers, and climbs back onto the bed, his body covering mine. The feel of his skin against mine is electric, sending sparks of pleasure coursing through me. I wrap my legs around his hips, pulling him closer, needing to feel all of him.

His mouth crashes into mine with a hunger that sets my body on fire. Our tongues clash as we devour each other’s breaths, our bodies grinding together in desperate need of release.

The shadows cast by our writhing bodies dance around us like a sultry striptease performer eager to join in our lustful playground encouraging us to let go of all inhibitions. I can feel Matteo’s heart hammering against my chest matching the frantic beat of my own heart as if we were two wild animals caught in a primal dance of desire seeking satisfaction only found deep within each other’s bodies.

“Frankie,” he growls into my ear before biting down on my lobe sending jolts of pleasure straight to my core, “I fucking need you.” His voice is hoarse with unfiltered lust that sends shivers down my spine making me wetter than I already am for him.

“Yes,” I pant against his lips.

Without breaking eye contact he roughly grabs my thighs forcing them apart granting him access to what he has been craving since day one. my soaking wet pussy begging to be filled by his throbbing cock dripping precum at just the thought of being inside me again.

“You want this pussy don’t you?” I ask him teasingly while running my nails down his muscular back causing him to shiver under my touch. “You want to fuck me hard until I scream your name?”

He groans his approval before burying his face between my breasts lavishing attention on every inch of exposed skin eliciting moans from deep within me that only encourage him further.

“Oh God Frankie you have no idea how much I need this right now” he tells me before grabbing onto my hips pulling them closer so that his rock hard erection rubs against my clit driving me wild with anticipation.

“Please Matteo please fuck me now” I beg him as waves of pleasure wash over me threatening to consume me whole.

Matteo’s eyes lock with mine, dark with desire. “As you wish, my alpha,” he growls.

With one smooth thrust, he enters me, filling me completely. I gasp, my back arching off the bed as pleasure courses through my body. Matteo stills for a moment, his forehead pressed against mine, our ragged breaths mingling.

“You feel so good,” he murmurs, his voice strained with the effort of holding back. “So perfect.”

I roll my hips, urging him to move. “Please,” I whimper, desperate for friction.

He starts to move, slowly at first, building a rhythm that has me clinging to him, my nails digging into his back. Our shadows dance around us, pulsing with each thrust, amplifying every sensation.

Matteo picks up the pace, driving into me with increasing urgency. I match him move for move, our bodies in perfect sync. The room fills with the sound of our gasps and moans, the slap of skin on skin.

“Matteo,” I pant, feeling the pressure building inside me. “I’m close. I’m so close.”

He growls, his thrusts becoming more erratic. One of his hands snakes between us, his fingers finding my clit and circling it expertly. The added stimulation sends me careening over the edge.

I cry out his name as I come, my body shuddering with waves of intense pleasure.

The shadows around us explode in a frenzy of movement, responding to the intensity of my climax. Matteo groans, burying his face in my neck as my inner walls clench around him. With a few more powerful thrusts, he follows me over the edge, his body tensing as he finds his release.

We cling to each other, panting and trembling in the aftermath of our shared pleasure. Slowly, the shadows settle, wrapping around us like a comforting blanket. Matteo lifts his head, his eyes meeting mine. The love and devotion I see there takes my breath away.

“I love you,” he whispers, pressing a tender kiss to my lips.

“I love you too,” I murmur back, my fingers tracing patterns on his back.

For the first time in a long while I fall asleep. and this time. I don’t have nightmare but dreams. Hopeful, beautiful, dreams.