Page 26 of Rebel for Claws (Rebellious Mates #4)

TWENTY

ALARIC

T he fire crackled in the stone fireplace and illuminated the dark hut.

Outside, the moon hung high in the sky, its silver light filtering through the cracks of the shuttered windows as snow continued to fall in silent, relentless waves.

Vivian was wrapped in Alaric's arms, her head resting against his chest and her breathing steady but soft.

She had just shared her deepest pain with him, and in that moment, he knew she trusted him completely.

And she knew he would stand beside her through anything—through every trial, every battle, and every storm.

Alaric tilted her chin up with a gentle finger, his thumb brushing over her lower lip.

Her eyes met his, glimmering with vulnerability and something deeper—something that made his chest tight.

He leaned in, claiming her lips in a slow, tender kiss, pouring every ounce of his devotion into it.

It was a promise, a vow, and a declaration all at once.

Vivian responded immediately, her hands fisting in the fabric of his thermal shirt as she deepened the kiss, her need for him blazing through her every movement.

Her hunger mirrored his own, and it ignited something primal within him, something he could no longer contain.

When they broke apart, both panting slightly, Alaric didn't hesitate.

His hands moved to the hem of her thermal shirt, and she didn't stop him.

They undressed each other with a desperation that bordered on frenzy, shedding layers until they were both gloriously naked, the firelight casting flickering shadows over their bodies.

Vivian was breathtaking, her skin glowing like polished marble in the warm light, her curves perfectly sculpted, and her violet eyes dark with desire.

Alaric's gaze raked over her, his wolf stirring restlessly, demanding possession.

"You're mine," he growled, the words low and rough, his Alpha instincts surging to the surface. "Every inch of you."

Vivian didn't argue. Instead, she pushed him back onto the worn rug, her hands firm and commanding as she straddled him.

Her lips crashed into his, fierce and unrelenting, and Alaric could feel the raw, aching need in her touch.

She kissed him like she was starving for him, and the thought sent a jolt of possessiveness through him.

He gripped her hips, his fingers digging into her skin as she moved against him, her body flush against his.

But Vivian wasn't done. She broke the kiss, her lips trailing down his neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

Alaric groaned, his head falling back as she bit down gently on the sensitive skin, her teeth sending shivers down his spine.

She continued her descent, her lips brushing over his chest, his muscled abdomen, until she finally settled between his legs, her breath warm against his throbbing length.

"Vivian," he warned, his voice a low growl, but she ignored him.

Her hand wrapped around him, her touch firm yet tender, and his hips jerked instinctively.

When her mouth followed, warm and wet and perfect, Alaric swore under his breath, his hands tangling in her hair.

The sensation was overwhelming, her tongue and lips working in tandem to drive him to the edge of oblivion.

He could feel his control slipping, the tension coiling tightly in his abdomen.

"Stop," he commanded, his voice rough with need. He pulled her off him, his hands gripping her shoulders as he sat up. "I want to be inside you when I come."

Vivian's eyes darkened, but she didn't argue.

Instead, she leaned in, capturing his lips in another searing kiss as Alaric laid her back on the rug.

His hands roamed her body, worshiping every inch of her as he returned the favor.

He started at her neck, his lips trailing down her collarbone, her chest, and her stomach.

He nipped and licked his way down her body, his touch deliberate and unhurried.

When he reached her core, her breath hitched, and he looked up to see her watching him with hooded eyes, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

"Alaric," she whispered, her voice trembling with need.

He didn't make her wait. His tongue flicked over her sensitive clit, and Vivian's back arched off the ground, a moan escaping her lips.

He kept his pace slow, savoring every sound she made and every shudder that ran through her body.

Her hands fisted in his hair, urging him on, but he refused to rush.

He wanted her unraveled, completely at his mercy.

Just as she was teetering on the edge, her body trembling with the promise of release, Alaric pulled away. Vivian let out a frustrated growl, her eyes blazing with both desire and irritation.

"You're cruel," she accused, her voice breathless.

Alaric smirked as he climbed on top of her and positioned his cock at her slick entrance. "You'll thank me in a moment," he promised, his voice thick with anticipation.

His eyes had shifted to gold, a sign of his wolf rising to the surface, and he pushed into her slowly, savoring the way her body stretched to accommodate him. He could feel every part of her inner walls pressing against him, so warm and so tight, and it was enough to make his head spin.

Vivian's breath hitched, her hands digging into his shoulders as he filled her completely. "Alaric," she whispered, her voice shaky with raw need. She was already arching into him, her hips urging him to move.

But Alaric took his time, his thrusts deliberate, each one designed to drive them both to the brink of madness. He leaned down, his lips brushing against her ear as he growled, "Patience, Vivian."

She wasn't having it. Her legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper, and she let out a frustrated groan. "Stop teasing me," she demanded, her voice laced with desperation. Her nails raked down his back, a sharp sting that only fueled his own desire.

"So demanding," he murmured.

But he obeyed, his pace quickening. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breath hot against her skin as he pounded into her with a primal urgency that left them both gasping.

Vivian matched his intensity, her body moving in perfect sync with his, and the connection between them was electrifying.

The room was filled with the sound of their ragged breathing, the crackle of the fire, and the slick, wet rhythm of their bodies joining.

Alaric could feel his control slipping, his wolf clawing its way to the surface.

His teeth lengthened instinctively, a primal urge he hadn't fully realized until it was too late.

Vivian's orgasm hit her like a tidal wave, her body convulsing around him as she cried out his name.

The sensation was overwhelming, and it pushed Alaric over the edge, his seed spilling deep inside her as his body was shuddering.

He felt his teeth sink into her neck, just enough to draw blood, before he pulled away in a panic.

He stumbled back, his chest heaving as the reality of what he'd done crashed over him. "Shit," he muttered, pacing the small hut in a frantic panic. His mind was racing, his Alpha instincts warring with his guilt. "I didn't mean—Vivian, I'm sorry."

She sat up slowly, her fingers brushing over the bite mark on her neck.

When she pulled her hand away, there was a faint smear of blood on her fingertips.

Her eyes met his, calm and steady despite the chaos swirling around them.

"It's okay," she said softly. "It was instinctive. I'm not upset at you."

Alaric stopped pacing, his fists clenched at his sides. "It's not okay," he snapped, his voice rough with frustration. "I should've asked. I should've controlled myself. What if this triggers something? What if it changes everything?"

Vivian stood, her movements graceful despite the intensity of the moment. She crossed the room to him, her hands resting on his chest. "Then we'll handle it together," she said firmly. "You're not alone in this, Alaric."

He wanted to argue, to keep berating himself for losing control, but the certainty in her voice stopped him. He exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging as the tension left his body. "I'm still pissed at myself," he admitted, his voice quieter now.

She leaned into him, her forehead resting against his chest. "I know," she murmured. "But you don't have to be. I'm not fragile, Alaric. I can handle this. I can handle you."

He let out a low groan, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her closer. "You're impossible, you know that?"

Vivian smiled, a small, teasing smirk that caused his chest to tighten. "You're the one who bit me," she pointed out, her tone light despite the weight of the moment.

Alaric chuckled despite himself, the sound rough but genuine. "Fair point," he conceded. He pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering for a moment before pulling back. "Let's get some rest. We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

She nodded, her hands slipping into his as she led him back to the rug by the fire. They laid down together, her body curled against his, and Alaric couldn't help but feel a sense of calm settle over him despite the lingering tension in his chest.

"I'll keep watch," he said, his voice low. "You sleep."

Vivian looked at him, her violet eyes filled with a mix of affection and determination. "Only if you promise to wake me up if anything happens."

"Deal," he agreed, his hand brushing through her silver-blonde hair. She closed her eyes, her breathing evening out as she drifted off, and Alaric couldn't help but marvel at her resilience. She was a force of nature, and he was damn lucky to have her by his side.

Several hours later, the fire crackled softly as Alaric carefully extracted himself from Vivian's sleeping form, her silver-blonde hair splayed across the worn rug like moonlight.

He moved with predatory silence, dressing quickly in his thermal shirt and tactical pants, the fabric whispering against his skin.

The partial mate mark he'd given her hours ago seemed to throb through their mate bond with an unfamiliar energy, and something deep within his chest felt. .. different.

What the hell is happening to me?

He settled into the rickety wooden chair by the window, his eyes fixed on Vivian's peaceful face. The half-bite mark on her neck had already begun to heal, leaving only a faint scar. As he watched her, a subtle tingle ran through their mate bond—electric, foreign, and undeniably powerful.

His breath caught as the sensation intensified. It felt like something ancient and magical was stirring in his bloodstream, dormant genes awakening after a long slumber. The prophecy's words echoed in his mind: unprecedented power... abilities unknown to modern shifters.

Then it hit him.

Every sound in the hut magnified a hundredfold.

Vivian's heartbeat thundered in his ears like war drums. The snow falling outside became a symphony of individual crystals striking the roof.

He could hear Logan's team breathing three miles away and could smell their distinct scents carried on the wind like they were standing beside him.

"Christ," he muttered, gripping the chair's armrests until the wood groaned under his enhanced strength.

His wolf stirred anxiously, but this felt beyond his usual shifter abilities. This was something else entirely—raw, untapped potential flowing through his veins like liquid fire. If a partial marking could trigger this level of change, what would happen when they completed the mate bond?

Will I even be myself anymore?