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CHAPTER EIGHT

SEBASTIAN

I awake to the feeling of soft hands stroking my fur. The room smells like blood and honeysuckle, but for the first time in my life, I feel true peace.

Slowly, I peel my eyes open and look around. I’m lying by the fire in my room under a thick woolen blanket. The hand petting me belongs to Claire, and my fur isn’t fur at all. It’s hair.

I must have shifted in my sleep, because I’m lying on the floor buck naked. I try to move and wince as I stretch the fresh scabs that have formed along my sides and belly.

Claire gives a little gasp, her hands stilling in my hair. Then she yanks them out, and my wolf whines at the loss of her warmth.

When I look up, her face is pale, and her sea-glass eyes are wide and glistening.

I start to ask a question, but the words come out as little more than a rasp .

Claire hands me a glass of water, which I drain in a few gulps.

I’m suddenly ravenous, and my gaze snaps to the plate of sandwiches resting beside my mate.

“Your pack brothers said you needed to eat,” she says in a tremulous voice. “They said it would help you heal.”

My stomach grumbles. They’re not wrong, but I’m way too keyed up to eat.

“Ah, yes. Where are those tossers?”

Claire swallows. “The scary one didn’t say anything. He just . . . left.”

Nick .

“And the one with all the tattoos said he’d be back tomorrow to check on you.”

“That’s Maddox.”

“I’m sorry,” she stammers, looking more distressed than I am at the news that my pack brothers left before I woke up.

“Sorry for what?”

Her throat works as she tries to find the words. “For distracting you. I-I heard a noise, so I came downstairs. That’s when I saw you and —” She breaks off with a haunted look in her eyes.

I shake my head. I can’t imagine how terrifying that must have been for her to witness, but I shudder to think what would have happened if she hadn’t had the good sense to stay out of the way.

“It’s not your fault. Those bloody bears caught me by surprise is all. If Maddox and Nick hadn’t gotten here when they did —”

Claire’s eyes well up, and I immediately regret putting that thought in her head. “They said you almost died,” she whispers, a few tears trailing down her cheeks. “All because of me.”

My wolf whines at seeing her distress, and I open my mouth to tell her I’d gladly die a thousand deaths to protect her and that precious baby she’s carrying. I want to tell her that she is mine and that I will always fight her battles.

But I’m rubbish with words, so instead I cup the back of her neck and pull her mouth down to mine.

My kiss is frantic, desperate, claiming, and Claire responds in kind. Rising up onto her knees, she thrusts her fingers through my hair and makes a contented sound in her throat.

I pull back long enough to glimpse her face — to make sure this is what she wants. And when I see the need shining in her eyes, my wolf snaps his leash. “Oh, fuck.”

Our mouths crash together again, and I lose myself in her scent. Everything about this woman just feels right, and I’m gripped once again by the driving need to claim her.

My hands push up the T-shirt she’s wearing, exposing the subtle swell of her belly. I plant a kiss just below her navel so she knows just how much I cherish her and the little life growing inside her.

Sliding the fabric up higher, I finally expose those beautiful breasts. They’re swollen and heavy from the pregnancy, and the delicate pink buds are peaked from the cool air.

Blood rushes to my cock, and I bend forward to suck one into my mouth. Claire’s eyes flutter closed, and the breathy little sound she makes drags a satisfied growl from my throat. I work the other nipple with my thumb until she moans in delight.

Feeling impatient, I pull the T-shirt over her head so I can get a good look at my angel. Most of her hair has come out of its braid and hangs in loose golden tendrils.

My hungry gaze skims over her slender shoulders and her magnificent breasts before coming to rest on the pretty pink lace panties she’s wearing. The front is completely soaked, and my cock swells at the evidence of her desire.

“Do I look almost dead to you?” I rumble, gripping the back of her neck.

Claire shakes her head, her full lips parted.

Without another word, I get to my feet and scoop her into my arms. I lay her gently on top of the covers, kissing her slowly and deliberately. Claire fists my hair and pulls me closer, and my animal roars with pride.

The beast in me loves seeing my mate like this — bare and needy and ready for my cock.

Slipping my hand into her panties, I moan against her lips when her slickness coats my fingers. I gently part her delicate folds and circle her entrance until she shudders .

She is so fucking wet for me. My soldier is already standing at attention. It would be so easy to shred this flimsy piece of fabric separating us and ram into her hot cunt, but I want to make this good for her.

Biting my lip, I insert a finger, and Claire makes a contented sound in her throat. I bury my face in the crease of her neck, inhaling her gorgeous scent.

It’s a mistake.

I feel a sharp pinch as my fangs descend, and venom spills over my tongue. I squeeze my eyes shut and will them to retract, but my need is much too great. My whole body is aching to be joined with Claire — the blood in my veins heating for her.

“I need to claim you, love,” I moan against her skin, allowing my hard length to press against her dampness through the thin lace of her panties. “I need to mate you and give you my mark.”

“Your what?” Claire’s voice is slightly breathless. She doesn’t understand a thing about our world — much less the mating mark.”

“My mark,” I explain, voice shaking as I run my nose along her pulse point. “It’s a bite that will embed my scent in your flesh and solidify the mating bond. You are mine , Claire. Mine .” I practically growl the words. “And so is this little one. I want to be sure that everyone knows it.”

I place a gentle hand on her belly, and she covers my fingers with hers. That little gesture nearly undoes me .

I don’t care if it makes me a selfish prick. I need this woman like I need air.

I know I’m not good enough for my beautiful angel. God , do I know it. Claire deserves someone selfless and kind and just as idealistic as she is. But instead, she got me — the monster lurking in the shadows.

Holding my hand over that little swell in her belly, I swear to myself that if she accepts my mark, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to be worthy of her and the baby she’s carrying.

“I’m yours,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “ Please , Sebastian. Make me yours.”

“Are you sure?” My voice comes out choked and raspy, and I force myself to look her in the eye. “Because there’s no going back.”

Claire gives a solemn nod, still holding my hair in a death grip. “Yes.”

And that’s all I need to hear.

With a ravenous moan, I smash my mouth down over hers, kneading her breast with my hand. Claire inhales sharply and arches into my touch, rubbing her mound against my hardness.

My angel is desperate to find a release, and I plan to give her what she needs.

Hooking my fingers in the waistband of her panties, I pull them down over her hips to expose her perfect pussy. A line of curly blond hair glistens along her seam, and my cock grows painfully hard.

Pushing her legs apart, I position myself between her thighs and lick a trail up her center. Claire lets out a shaky moan and rolls her hips, seeking friction.

I thrust my fingers inside her and pump in and out, circling her clit with my tongue. Claire moans my name, writhing on the bed, and my balls ache at the sound.

I set a punishing pace for my mate. Claire’s nectar drips down my fingers and into my stubble as I drive her closer to the edge. Her hands fist the bedsheets as I work her swollen nub, and when she comes apart in my hand, my wolf roars in triumph.

Claire’s body goes boneless, her essence soaking my sheets, but I’m not through with her yet.

Rolling onto my side, I pull her flush against me so that her bottom is nestled against my hips. I fucking love the way our bodies fit together. It’s as if this woman was made for me.

From this position, I can feel every inch of her velvety skin, and I have easy access to her breasts and pussy.

Gliding my hand over her hip, I find that sensitive bundle of nerves and begin working it in tight circles. Claire’s soft moans make my cock twitch with anticipation, and when she grinds her ass into my erection, I nearly come all over her.

My angel’s orgasm comes quickly this time, and I hold her in my arms through wave after wave.

I press my lips to her temple and can’t resist kissing a trail from her cheek down to her shoulder. As my mouth grazes the tender valley of skin below her neck, I feel my self-control start to slip.

I need to be inside her — to claim her in every possible way.

Lifting her leg, I tug it up and over my hip so she’s wide open for me. I position myself at her slippery entrance, delighting in the way her cream drips all over my manhood.

She’s so wet and ready for me that I enter her in one hard thrust. Claire’s sharp breath mixes with my own shudder of pleasure as her pussy clenches around me.

“Fuck,” I hiss, burying my face in her neck. “You feel so good.”

“Mark me, Sebastian,” Claire whispers, reaching up to drag a hand through my hair. “Make me yours.”

Those words. I never knew that three little words could sound so fucking sweet.

My cock throbs as I start to move inside her, hugging my mate close as I slide in and out of her channel. With every thrust, I worry I might hurt her, but my angel takes every inch of me with low, throaty moans.

I reward her by reaching down to play with her clit, and her walls squeeze my cock so hard that I think I might pass out.

I can’t hold on much longer. Venom is pooling in my mouth, and my beast is pushing to the fore.

My thrusts become frantic, wild, animalistic, and Claire’s cries of pleasure grow louder.

Just as I sense she’s about to tumble over the edge, I brush the soft curls away from her neck and pierce her tender flesh. There’s a higher-pitched cry as I sink my fangs into her, but it’s pain intertwined with pleasure.

The sharpness of Claire’s blood mixes with the bitterness of my venom, and I thrust in so deep I hit the very end of her channel.

Her entire body goes taut as her orgasm takes her, and the feeling of her body milking my cock shatters me into a million pieces.

Slowly, carefully, I withdraw my fangs and lick away the blood. Hot, sticky cum seeps between my mate’s thighs as our scents merge into one heady fragrance. Wolf and angel, leather and honeysuckle. My female. My mate.

Sliding out of Claire, I roll onto my back and pull her over top of me.

Just like that, my wolf curls up, and that tightness in my chest eases. For the first time I can ever remember, I feel whole.