Page 12 of Red (Everdark Tales #1)

Rushing through the dense forest with my mate clinging to my back is when I realize the true meaning of freedom. It is the simplicity of the moment; surrounded by the strong scent of pine and earth with only a whistle of the wind to be heard, while I navigate in the dark deep into Appalachian Mountains.

Once we arrive at the destination, where the air is crisp and blackness of the night unspoiled by any artificial light source, she jumps down to the ground. Slowly walking to the ledge of the cliff, she stares breathlessly at the raw beauty of nature stretching in front of her atop the highest peak in the entire state.

I sit on one of the larger boulders and enjoy the view. She’s even more spectacular than the entire illuminated river of stardust painted on the canvas of the night sky above us, outshining the Milky Way.

“It’s incredible!” She approaches me to rest on my lap. “Thank you for bringing me here,” she says as the steam rises where the warmth of her breath meets the chilly temperature outside.

“Of course, my heart.” I snug her closer to my side, hoping I emanate enough body heat to keep her comfortable as we continue stargazing.

Well, she does. My eyes are only on her.

“Question,” she speaks suddenly.

“I’d be surprised if you didn’t have any.”

“I’m really trying to understand where you are coming from, and the stalking kinda makes sense the way you’ve explained it… Not that I condone it!” She gives me a glare. “But what I don’t get is why you keep pursuing me at all?”

“Do you want the obvious answer or—”

Julia chimes in, “I just hate that you have to restrain yourself so much!”

“I don’t. I adore each moment with you.”

“Yeah, me too. But I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for you.” She nuzzles into my neck. “Um, I mean, aren’t there any female werewolves?”

“Actually, no,” I respond, making her head shoot back up. “A wolf mutation gene is passed through the generations. Women born of my kind remain carriers, yet they don’t shift. We’re unsure why exactly it doesn’t affect females the same way. But only biological men transform when they reach their physical peak, usually around mid-twenties to early-thirties.”

Red blinks a few times. “Oh.”

“It isn’t uncommon for the two werewolves to get together, though. And in some cases, even vampires—who we don’t necessarily get along with easily—turn out to be our fated mates. We don’t choose the person… It happens instantly and it can be anyone, no matter what species or gender. But it’s always someone exactly right for us, and vice versa.”

She shivers in my arms, yet I know it has no correlation with the weather. “So I’m not going crazy?”

I smirk. “I don’t believe you are.”

“What did you mean about our lives being interconnected?”

“You die, I die type of situation.”

“But that means you’ll die soon. I’m human, my life span is short. You’ve lived for centuries and now—”

I stop her blabbering. “Your life span will be directly linked to mine after we bond.”

“Ah, I see. Are you immortal?”

I explain, “There are very few things on this planet than can kill a werewolf, but we do age. Just much, much slower than humankind. My ancestors are known to be especially long-lived, exceeding even a millennium. But it primarily depends on the shifting habits. As we gain more experience, we’re able to maintain our human form for extended periods. And when we don’t feel the need to phase anymore, we’re ready to age as people whenever we prefer to do so.”

Her doe eyes are wide and her lips tremble as she asks, “What if I don’t want any of this?”

The thought alone of such an outcome drills a hole through my chest.

“You have every right to reject me, Julia. As I’d keep my distance, you’d stop experiencing whatever is happening to your body currently. Our bonding wouldn’t complete, and you could go back to your normal life.”

Except, she couldn’t because of the hunters. I also don’t have the strength to stay away from her anymore. Yet, I would do my best to respect her decision and keep things platonic.

“But what would happen to you then?”

“It’s not important.”

Taking what would be the cheeks of my face between her hands, she keeps our eyes locked together. “Alex, what would happen to you?”

“I’d never be whole,” I reply honestly. “It’s about your feelings, however.”

“I do feel something… It’s all happening so fast, though. I know you’ve been watching me for weeks, but I only just met you. We haven’t even had a single date yet.”

“What do you call this then?” I wave at the surroundings.

“Fine, it counts.” An adorable dimple in her cheek as she smiles. “But tomorrow we do it my way. Dinner and movie at my place… and me wearing a dress.”

“Mmm, can’t argue with that.”

“You’re still coming home with me tonight, correct?”

“I’m not sure,” I tease. “Perhaps we should slow down. We haven’t even been on a date yet, and you were already begging me to take you. Not a care in the world whether I put a pup in your fertile womb.”

The picture I have in my head of her belly swelling with my young as her breasts become heavy and full of milk does things for me. It’s so carnal, I get crazed straightaway.

“You’re so mistaken about that, by the way. My pills didn’t go bad.”

Oh, she’s going to freak out when I reveal the reason and upsetting her is the last thing I now desire. I absolutely hate hiding the truth from her, but I also need her to choose the life with me, not make her feel like she’s pushed to this.

“I’m positive,” I only tell her. “Regardless, they wouldn’t do much for you with me.”

“Does it mean we can’t have sex without the risk of pregnancy?”

“Impregnation can occur solely during the full moon. And you, of course, must be within the ovulation window at the time. Which you ultimately will be because that’s the way it goes with mates. But it’s highly unlikely for anything unplanned to happen.”

“Why do I sense a catch?”

“Remember how I told you that a full moon makes my kind a bit more unhinged?” I remind and she nods. “Well, that obviously affects my control around you, too. Add the change in your pheromones on top of that.” I swallow. “And if you think your heat is bad now, just wait until you ovulate.”

“Calendar method and self-discipline it is then!”

“I don’t know about that. Once I have you, I’m not stopping.”

She takes her bottom lip between her teeth, giving me those irresistible bedroom eyes. And I know she’s thinking about it. “Fine, but you’re changing the diapers.”

“Yea? You want me to breed you?” I dig my nose under her turtleneck and onto her pulsing jugular as the scent of her arousal envelopes the air between us. “Oh, it’s so inappropriate of you to be this willing,” I reprimand jokingly while I taste her skin.

“Uh, you left me sorta on edge there earlier, you know.” She plays it off, trying to deny how much the idea excites her. But she can’t fool me. We share the same feral need for each other.

“Now you know how I feel.”

My hand slides down her inner thigh and my digits graze over the seam of her tight pants where I can feel the wet spot.

I taunt, “You’re insatiable.”

“Hey!” She punches my arm, only hurting herself, as I keep petting her pussy. “I can’t help it. You’re driving me wild!”

“How much do you like these?” I ask, my voice nothing but mischief.

“Huh?”

I have no patience to wait for her response. My claw swiftly slashes the material, revealing the sheer lace of her black underwear.

“Just add them to the list of things I need to replace.”

“Fuck!” She quivers in thrill.

I place her down onto the boulder as I kneel in front on the ground. Spreading her legs wide, I rip the crotch area some more and expose her fully.

She starts to giggle, but it ceases when my tongue slides over her saturated panties against the slit of her cunt all the way up to her clit and back down to her entrance.

Her fists clench on the fur of my head as she arches her back, demanding more.

“If only you knew the power you hold over me,” I rasp, more so talking to myself, as I pull this skimpy piece of fabric to the side, baring her dripping hole to me.

Without any warning, my tongue darts in her hot channel as I ravish her, purring. I place my hand flat on her lower abdomen to keep her body from thrashing too hard. With the pad of my thumb, I simultaneously play with her tiny button while I penetrate her deeper.

Julia keeps moaning loudly; an echo of her pleasure travels through the mountains only to disappear in the tranquility of the night. Except wildlife, there’s nobody around in miles radius at such late hour this time of year.

I focus on a much squishier spot inside her on the front wall, resembling a walnut in shape, which judging by her—even more profound—cries, she enjoys the most. Curving the tip of my tongue upwards, I rub it rhythmically, being rewarded by the rush of moisture pooling up.

“Wait! Wait!” Red yanks at my ears.

I retract to give her a breather, but I never release my jaws. “Just let it happen, baby.” I lap up all her nectar. “You’re so sexy,” I assure her before dipping my tongue back into her.

Determined, I continue my previous work, until she gushes out as she orgasms powerfully, constricting. Although she impulsively tries to close her shaking legs, I hold her down in place and make her squirt again.

And again.

“Alex!” she whimpers, completely winded.

Perhaps I got too into it.

“Mmmmm, your body’s made for me to be worshipped.” I then flick my tongue onto her throbbing clit. She jerks, pushing my head away as a reflex, and I can’t hold back a vain laughter. “Would you look at that! Sensitive much?”

“Uh, get up!” she orders me. “I’ll show you sensitive.”

I do just that, raising up, as she straightens to the sitting position. My rigid dick is saluting right in her face, and she wets her lips.

She wraps both her tiny hands around my girth and slowly jerks me off as she asks, “Has anyone blown you before?”

“Only as a man. This cock is all yours, little Red.”

She smiles at that, leaning her face closer as she sticks her tongue out. It wanders along the underside all the way to my tip, and she starts circling my head. Her eyes never leaving mine, her hands still working on my shaft.

When her lips finally wrap around me, my head lolls back as I grunt loudly, spooking all the creatures nearby.

“Suck me, baby.” I focus my vision on her, and she does just that while her cheeks hollow. “That’s my girl! You’re doing such a good job.”

As my passion takes over, I grab her hair to keep her head still, and my hips rock as I begin to fuck her mouth. She gags a couple times yet it only entices me more. Her eyes water and she drools, looking absolutely perfect.

“Fuck! I’m so close…” I give her a warning, but she doesn’t stop. “You want your belly full of my cum?” I ask, to which she muffles around my length, sending vibrations that finish me.

Plunging my length deeper, I feel how I hit the back of her throat. My knot is too large to fit, yet her soft lips are pressed up against it. The sensation overwhelms me and I start coming. There’s too much for her to keep up swallowing and some spills, running down her chin.

After I release her, she collects every last drop with her index finger which she then sucks inside her mouth. “I love your taste.” Her voice beautifully hoarse.

I squeeze her arm and pull her up to attack her tongue. “I’m fucking obsessed with you.” I breathe between kisses—or however else to call it.

“So, are you coming home with me?”

We both laugh as I rush back to her cottage.

I wish this can last…

Please, can this last?