Page 13 of Shifting Hearts

EPILOGUE

Forever Claimed

Paris

One year later

I f I’ve learned anything this past year, it’s that some men don’t know how to let go.

Gabriel tried. Goddess, did he try.

He showed up at my parents’ door with flowers, with apologies, with promises that meant nothing. He brought the Alpha into it, whispering poison about broken bonds and mistakes that could be forgiven. He even stood before the whole pack once, begging me to see reason.

But no one could change my mind.

Not because I’m stubborn. Not because I wanted to punish him.

But because the moment Ranger marked me, the moment the bond sealed us together, there was no room for anyone else. Not in my heart, not in my body, and not in my soul. And the more Gabriel pushed, the more I saw the truth, I never belonged to him. I was always meant for Ranger.

Now, a year later, I lie beneath the man who became my everything, my legs wrapped tight around his waist as he drives into me with deep, possessive thrusts.

His storm-grey eyes lock on mine, dark and raw with need, his muscles straining as he pins me to the bed we share. The air is heavy with our scent, the mark on my throat pulsing with every snap of his hips.

“Say it,” he growls, his voice rough with hunger. “Say who you belong to.”

“I’m yours,” I gasp, clinging to him, nails raking down his back. “Always yours. I belong to you and no one else.”

He snarls, the sound vibrating through me as he buries himself deeper, grinding into that spot that makes my vision blur. “Mine. My mate. My forever.”

“Yes! Fuck, Ranger….” My voice breaks, tears stinging my eyes as the bond surges hot and alive, reminding me of everything we’ve survived. Gabriel’s rejection. My pain. Ranger’s restraint. The fight, the passion, the claiming.

It all brought us here. And now all I want is more.

“Breed me,” I beg, wrapping my legs tighter, pulling him in as deep as he can go. “Fill me, Ranger. Make sure no one ever doubts I’m yours.”

His roar splits the air in the cabin as his thrusts grow brutal and relentless. His lips dragging over the mark he left on my throat. His cock pounds into me, thick and unyielding, my body clenching around him, begging for his seed.

“You want me to breed you?” he snarls against my skin, his teeth scraping over the scar. “To fill you so every panther in this damn pack smells me on you, in you?”

“Yes!” My scream breaks into a sob as pleasure wracks me, my back arching off the bed. “Please! Fuck! Give me everything.”

He loses control. His hips slam into me, savage and perfect, every thrust a renewed claim, every pummel of his cock inside me branding me as his all over again. His cock swells, locking us together, and when his release hits, it’s devastating and fulfilling.

Hot pulses of seed flood me, thick and endless, his roar vibrating through my bones as he buries himself as deep as possible, grinding against my pussy.

The bond flares, brighter than it ever has, as my own climax crashes through me, tears streaking my cheeks as I chant his name, over and over, my body milking him, greedy for every drop.

When it’s over, he collapses on top of me, still buried inside, his breath ragged against my throat. His hand trembles as he cups my face, forcing my eyes to his.

“No one,” he vows, raw and certain. “Not Gabriel. Not your parents. Not even the fucking Alpha. No one will ever take you from me.”

I smile through the tears, my body still quivering around him, my soul so full it aches.

“No one could. I’m yours, Ranger. Forever.”

And when he kisses me, it’s not soft. It’s not gentle. It’s everything.