Page 21

TWENTY-ONE

DRAKEN

D raken’s heart soared as Lorelei kept pace with him through the moonlit forest. Her white wolf form moved with natural grace. His heart swelled with pride at how quickly she’d adapted to her wolf nature.

Ready to shift back? he asked through their mate link.

Her wolf gave a happy yip in response. They stopped in a moonlit clearing near the castle walls. Draken shifted first, then watched in amazement as Lorelei transformed back to her human form with perfect control.

“That was incredible,” Lorelei said, wrapping her arms around herself. The summer night air brushed against their bare skin. “But I didn’t exactly plan ahead for the clothing situation.”

“I’ve got you.” Draken swept her into his arms, cradling her against his chest. Her soft curves pressed against his muscles, sending electricity through his body. “Though I must say, I prefer you like this.”

“You would.” She laughed, nestling closer. “But I’d rather not give the entire pack a show.”

Using his bulk to shield her from view, Draken carried her through the castle’s side entrance. The stone corridors were mercifully empty as he made his way to his master suite. His wolf preened at having his mate so close, so trusting in his arms. He shouldered open his bedroom door and headed straight for the massive en suite bathroom.

“This shower is bigger than my first apartment,” Lorelei marveled as he set her down.

“One of the perks of being a prince.” He adjusted the water temperature and activated the multiple shower heads.

Steam filled the marble-lined space as he guided her inside. Water cascaded over them both as he reached for his soap. The scent of sandalwood filled the air as he worked the lather across her shoulders.

“Mmm,” she hummed as his hands moved lower. “That feels amazing.”

His fingers traced the curve of her spine. “You’re amazing. The way you shifted, how naturally you took to your wolf form.” Pride surged in his chest.

She turned her body to face him. “It felt right. Natural. Like that part of me was just waiting to wake up.”

The sight of her - wet, naked, and completely his - sent desire coursing through him. “May I wash your hair?”

Her eyes softened. “I’d like that.”

Draken turned her around and worked shampoo into her hair with gentle fingers, massaging her scalp.

“That feels soooo good,” she sighed, leaning back against his chest.

“You were meant for this world. Meant for me.” He pressed a kiss to her wet shoulder.

“I can’t believe I ever doubted it.” She turned back to face him, water droplets clinging to her lashes.

He couldn’t resist her any longer. He captured her lips in a passionate kiss, pressing her against the shower wall. Her hands slid up his chest as she returned the kiss with equal passion.

His hands slid down her slick body as he deepened the kiss, his wolf growling with approval as her fingers tangled in his wet hair. The steam from the shower wrapped around them like a warm embrace, but it was nothing compared to the heat radiating between them. He broke the kiss just long enough to hoist her up effortlessly, her legs wrapping around his waist like they were made to fit there.

“Draken,” she gasped, her breath hitching as he nipped at her neck, his teeth grazing the spot where he’d marked her. The sound of his name on her lips sent a jolt of desire straight to his core.

“You’re mine forever,” he growled, his voice low and rough, the alpha in him unable to hold back the possessive claim. His hands gripped her thighs, holding her steady as he pressed her back against the cool marble wall. The contrast of the cold stone against her heated skin made her shiver, and he smirked, trailing kisses down her throat.

Her eyes fluttered shut as he rocked his hips against her, his arousal pressing insistently against her warmth. She let out a soft moan, her fingers digging into his shoulders. “Draken, please?—“

With one fluid motion, he entered her, his length sliding deep inside her. Her soft gasp turned into a moan, her head tipping back against the wall as he started a pace that was as primal as it was relentless.

“That’s it, my love,” he murmured. “Let me hear you.”

Her moans grew louder, echoing off the shower walls as she clung to him, her nails leaving faint marks on his skin. The sensation spurred him on, his wolf reveling in the way she responded to him, the way her body tightened around him.

“You feel--“ she whispered, her voice trembling with pleasure. “Draken, I’m?—“

Her words broke off into a cry as her orgasm hit, her body trembling wildly in his arms. The walls of the shower shuddered with the force of her earth powers, water sloshing over the edges as she pulsed around him. He growled, her pleasure driving him to the edge as he thrust deep, surrendering to his own release with a low, guttural groan.

For a moment, they stayed like that, pressed together as the water cascaded around them, their breaths mingling in the steam-filled air.

“Well,” Lorelei finally managed, her voice still breathless, “that was... intense.”

Draken chuckled, nuzzling her neck. “You’re telling me. You’re lucky we didn’t bring the whole castle down.”

She laughed, the sound light and carefree, and he felt a warmth spread through his chest that wasn’t because of the shower. “Guess we’ll have to work on controlling that part.”

He pressed a soft kiss to her lips, his hands still gripping her thighs. “That can be arranged.”

She smiled wide, her eyes meeting his. “You’re insatiable.”

“Can you blame me?” he teased. “When I’ve got the most beautiful mate in the world?”

Draken turned off the shower with a flick of his wrist, reaching for the softest towel he owned. He wrapped it around Lorelei first, drying her with gentle, deliberate strokes. She shivered under his touch, her skin still warm from the water and their shared passion. He couldn’t resist pressing a kiss to her damp shoulder.

“You’re perfect,” he said, his voice thick with need despite having just claimed her in the shower. His wolf stirred again, restless and hungry for more. He quickly dried himself off, tossing the towel aside before scooping her into his arms.

“Draken!” she squealed, laughing as he carried her out of the bathroom and toward the massive four-poster bed. The silk sheets shimmered under the moonlight coming in through the windows, and he laid her down gently, his eyes drinking in the sight of her sprawled across the silken expanse.

“Cold?” he teased, crawling over her. His body hovered above hers, his muscles flexing as he braced himself on his arms.

“Not anymore,” she whispered, her hands sliding up his arms to his shoulders. Her touch sent a jolt of electricity through him, and he lowered himself, pressing his lips to hers in a searing kiss. Her response was immediate, her fingers tangling in his hair as she arched into him. The taste of her drove him wild.

His hand roamed over her body and soon reached between her thighs. She was slick with desire already, and the scent of her arousal made his head spin. “Tell me you’re ready for me again.”

She smiled, her eyes dark with longing. “Always.”

He guided her onto her hands and knees. The sight of her like this, so primal and vulnerable, sent a surge of possessiveness through him. His hands gripped her hips, pulling her closer as he positioned himself behind her.

“So beautiful,” he said, his voice thick with admiration. He traced the curve of her spine with one hand.

Draken entered her slowly, savoring the way her body welcomed him. “You feel incredible,” he groaned, his hands grabbing her hips tighter as he began to move. The slow rhythm soon became fierce as pleasure coursed through his body, his thrusts plunging deeper and harder. He reached around her, his fingers finding her most sensitive spot, and massaged her in time with his fast movements. Her cries of pleasure filled the room, and her body tightened around him, pushing him closer to the edge.

“Draken—“ Her words broke off into a gasp as she came apart, her body trembling violently. The walls around them shuddered, but not as much as before. He growled low, his own release crashing over him as he spilled himself deep inside her. For a moment, he stayed like that, his forehead resting against her back as they both caught their breath.

“That,” she panted, turning her head to look at him with a grin, “was... something else.”

He chuckled, shifting to pull her into his arms. She curled against his chest, her fingers tracing his skin.

“Get some rest,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “We’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

“Mmm, sounds ominous,” she teased, her eyes already drifting shut.

“Nothing you can’t handle,” he replied, his voice warm with pride. As her breathing evened out, he watched her sleep, his heart full in a way he’d never imagined possible.

Her soft breathing filled the quiet room as moonlight spilled through the windows, casting a silvery glow across their tangled forms. His finger traced her neck, right over the mark that claimed her as his.

He smiled as he remembered her transformation. His Luna, his beautiful mate, had been a wolf all along. The realization should have brought him more relief than it did. But as he gazed down at her sleeping form, he found himself chuckling softly at his own stubborn prejudices.

“I would have loved you either way,” he whispered, careful not to wake her. The truth of those words settled deep in his chest. Somewhere between teaching her to control her earth powers and watching her stand up to Gideon, he’d stopped caring about what she was and started caring about who she was.

Her strength, her wit, her determination – those qualities had nothing to do with being human or wolf. They were purely Lorelei. His wolf rumbled in agreement, completely content with their mate pressed against them.

The earth trembled slightly beneath the castle, responding to whatever she was dreaming about. Draken tightened his hold on her, nuzzling her hair. His fierce, powerful mate who could shake mountains in her sleep. Human or wolf, she was exactly what his pack needed. What he needed.

Sleep began to tug at his consciousness, but he fought it for a few more moments, wanting to savor this perfect peace. His last thought before drifting off was that perhaps it was time for the Moonshadow pack to revise some of their old beliefs about humans. After all, their Luna had proven that power could come in unexpected packages.