Page 11

11

MARIE

“ H ere.”

Jonathan presses a steaming mug of sweet, milky tea into my hands and sits down on the sofa beside me.

Staring at my fingernails, I notice a small speck of blood that I’ve missed, despite scrubbing my skin practically raw in the bath for the last hour.

Curling my fingers around the warm cup, I stare into it, my mind blank. Maybe I’m in shock.

“I’ve increased patrols on the pack borders and stationed four wolves permanently at the bridge. We’ll know if Graham or any of his wolves tries to cross into our territory. He’s not going to get anywhere near you.”

My shoulders drop a little, a tiny bit of tension leaving my body as my mate's deep voice filters into my mind and snaps me out of the daze I’m in.

“He won’t. He’s too clever for that. He knows the council will come down on them like a ton of bricks.”

He’ll bide his time. Those are the words I think but don’t say out loud. I can tell from Jonathan’s dishevelled hair and dark stubble that this is tearing him up more than me. Graham has recalled any of his pack that are working in our territory or businesses, demanding they return home.

Hopefully this isn’t the start of something more sinister, like an invasion.

The council was set up to stop the frequent fighting that occurred in the past. Nobody wants to return to the old days of constant tension and killings over nothing more than land or bruised egos.

At least, I hope nobody does. Graham does seem to be thinking rationally.

“They should anyway.” He growls, struggling to keep his wolf’s protectiveness at bay but not wanting to spook me. “If you tell them what happened, I’m sure they’ll put measures in place to ensure he leaves you alone for good.”

Lifting my eyes from the wisps of steam that have me hypnotised, my gaze lands on Jonathan’s mark, still fresh, pink and slightly raised.

With my legs tucked up underneath me, and a soft blanket over my lap, I stare around the luxurious but cosy alpha suite that’s now my home. Boxes sit stacked in the corner, all my belongings ready to be spread out in this space and my stamp put on it. There’s a desk in the corner, with a laptop buried under a pile of papers.

My fingers brush over my own unmarked neck, and I shake my head. I haven’t met the pack yet, but here they are, already being tasked with going out there to protect me against their neighbours.

Jonathan has work to do, and if I’m going to be a good luna to him, so do I.

There’s too much unfinished business to let Graham Reynolds derail me.

“He didn’t hurt me.”

I hold Jonathan’s gaze so that he can see I’m telling him the truth. His eyes drop to the faint bruises blossoming on my wrists, and he presses his lips firmly together.

“He didn’t hurt me badly.” I clarify, going up on my knees and resting my hands on his shoulders. “I took care of it. And I really don’t want to cause a war for your pack when they haven’t even met me yet.”

Jonathan goes to speak, but I press a gentle kiss to his lips to silence him before he argues with me.

“I love that you want to look after me, but I want to look after our pack. Graham’s father will defend him, rightly or wrongly. Nobody else deserves to be put in the middle of a pack feud because of Graham’s shitty behaviour.”

Jonathan pulls me close and sighs. “Are you sure? He’s clearly not well, Marie.”

That’s an understatement.

“His father can deal with that. And when he’s in charge of the pack, if he causes any more trouble, we’ll deal with it then. But not now.”

Hopefully, he’ll meet his mate and mellow, or she’ll have sufficient control over him to keep him in check. Jonathan has already assured the elder alpha that their wolves' jobs will stay open for them. It’s a small gesture, but hopefully, we can get past this, and things can return to normal.

“You can’t go near the bridge. It’s not safe for you.” Jonathan’s voice is calm and even, but his heartbeat is not.

That’s not a request, and I nod, readily agreeing. I have no desire to go near that place again anytime soon, and if it eases my mate's mind, it’s a non-brainer.

“Of course. And once I’m marked, and we can mind-link, you’ll feel even better.”

Jonathan’s eyes glow as he takes my face in his big hands, his jaw clenching as he attempts to keep his breathing calm and even.

“There’s no rush. When you’re ready.”

The bulge straining at the front of his trousers would suggest he’s more eager to complete the bond than he’s letting on. With a gentle shove, I push him back into the couch and crawl into his lap, straddling him and resting my palms on his heaving chest.

“I’m more than ready, Jonathan. I was ready before, and now, I’m desperate to have your mark on my neck.” Stroking my hands up over his muscular chest, I watch his lips, fascinated by their fullness and how I can tell his teeth are already descending behind them. His wolf is keen to seal the deal, and I know the feeling.

Writhing on his lap, I roll my hips forward, dragging my core over his hardness and whimpering at the deliciously firm pressure on my clit.

“You’re in shock, Marie. maybe we should…” His words die off as I nibble on his neck, sucking lightly on his skin and let my teeth drag over the sensitive mark. He shivers, his hands gripping my hips hard and pulling me closer to him.

“I want to feel what it’s like. I crave it,” I whisper against Jonathan's ear, smiling smugly when he growls, his fingers sliding up my sides to hold my waist tight.

“It’s incredible.” He growls, brushing my hair back from my shoulder and staring intently at my exposed neck.

Reaching between us, I stroke his hard length and slowly open his fly, letting his cock free from the confines of his trousers. I slide my panties to the side and gather my dress in one hand so Jonathan can see the head disappearing into my body as I lower myself onto him.

I’m so wet already that he slides in easily, feeling so good as he stretches me wide and makes me feel complete once more. Resting my forehead against his, I sigh contentedly and start to move, up and down, slowly building the heat between us. We start tentatively, reconnecting after our time apart and soothing our frayed nerves, but soon, our movements are speeding up, becoming more and more frenzied as our instincts take over.

“Bite me,” I demand as Jonathan holds me in place and drives up into me from below.

With a frustrated growl, he flips us on the couch, pinning me below him, thrusting hard and holding my hands up over my head.

“When I meet your pack later, I want there to be no doubt how committed I am to them and to you.”

Nuzzling into my neck, he snarls, his wolf firmly in control. “MINE. My mate. All fucking mine.”

My heart stutters. This is it.

With a roar, and a final thrust deep into me, Jonathan buries his lethal teeth deep into my neck and spills his seed into me with each pulse of his hips.

“Mine,” he says again tenderly, licking over the tiny wound and grinning with pride at the two permanent marks left on my skin.

I grin back at him as wave after wave of pleasure washes over me, a warm feeling curling around me, wrapping me up in a blanket of safety and belonging.

I’m really home. And nobody will take me away from my mate again.

“All yours.”