I couldn’t see the damned fire in the distance, and the magic of the mating ritual was so heavy in the air that my body was reacting even as my mind raged against the impossible position I’d been put into.
I would do anything for Laura, including sacrificing my freedom. But I wasn’t about to make it easy on Julian. No matter how much I wanted to jump his bones and feel him inside me, I knew that giving in to the desire would be the biggest mistake of my life.
My body ached with want for him, though. The scent of him filled my nose and made my blood sing as I ran through the forest, but there was no way in hell that I could give in to it. Julian was bad news, a criminal, and now my worst enemy. He had hurt my friend, trapped her, and used her as bait. I’d killed people for less.
So why did the idea of him catching me make my heart pound?
It was the mating magic , I told myself, pushing aside the fantasies of Julian’s strong body, his hands pinning mine down, and the look in his eyes when he saw me naked for the first time.
No, I couldn’t let him catch me. No matter how badly my body wanted it.
The moon was full and bright, but the trees were tall and thick and blocked out much of the light, so I could see little in front of me. I had three options and they all sucked—reach the fire and potentially be shunned, even if the ritual had been forced on me, fight him, maybe even to the death, or let him catch me, fight, but eventually give in to the bite. Only the last one guaranteed Laura’s freedom, but if I reached the fire maybe I’d have time to circle back and rescue my friend.
But Julian would be expecting that. The forest seemed to go on forever, but I knew that there was no way I would reach the fire. Even if I was allowed to shift, I’d never be able to outrun the massive wolf behind me, and the change would zap a massive amount of my energy.
I heard his footfalls coming up behind me, and I put on another burst of speed, my heart hammering in my chest. My legs were already burning with exertion, and I’d lost my bearings long ago. I had no idea where Laura was being held, or even which direction I needed to run to get back to the cabins.
If I gave in to the mating bond, would I really be so much worse off than I was now? It wasn’t as if my current position was ideal. I was living with the constant threat of death at my door. What if giving in to the bond meant more strength, more power, more ability to kill the demons and save my friends?
A mate bond would make me stronger and offer me more protection, there was no denying that. I’d receive some of Julian’s power and strength through it, and even if he was a new Alpha, the boost would be significant.
Maybe it didn’t have to be forever, maybe once the demon threat was handled Faye might be able to find some way to sever the ties—
Just then, Julian’s hand clamped down on my shoulder, his fingers biting into my skin as he pulled me to a stop.
“Got you,” he growled, pushing me up against a nearby tree.
I didn’t hesitate. I lashed out with my fists, slamming my elbow into his side, but he blocked it, shoving me hard against the trunk. “Let me go!” I hissed, trying to wriggle out of his grasp.
His breath was hot against my neck, and his hands went to the hem of my shirt, tearing it right down the middle. I kicked out, but he grabbed my leg and forced it down.
I twisted out of his grasp and spun away, my back slamming against the rough bark of another tree. “You don’t want this, Julian,” I warned him, my eyes scanning the ground for anything I could use as a weapon. “If you do this, we’re bound together for the rest of our lives. This is your last chance to back out.”
“I’ve never wanted anything more.” His voice was low and dark, the look in his eyes so hungry and feral that I felt my stomach flip-flop. He reached out and grabbed my wrist, yanking me against him so fast that I couldn’t stop myself from falling into his arms.
“Even if it makes me despise you?” I whispered, meeting his gaze. My heart was hammering in my chest, and my throat was dry, but my core ached with want. I could feel my panties growing damp as I pressed against his hard body, my breasts crushed against his chest.
“Even then,” he growled, grabbing the back of my neck and pulling my face up to meet his.
He kissed me hard, his tongue sliding between my lips to meet my own. I moaned as he grabbed my waist and lifted me, wrapping my legs around him. My fingers found their way into his hair, pulling him closer.
I needed him, wanted him, craved him, and no amount of telling myself that he was an enemy could override that.
The heat between us grew until it became a raging inferno, and we tore at each other’s clothes, the mating magic making us both desperate with want.
His hands found their way under my bra, his thumbs brushing against my nipples until they were hard, and I bit back another moan. I couldn’t give in too easily, even if he’d caught me.
With a growl, he threw me down on the ground and yanked my pants and boots off, followed by my panties. I looked up at him, aching to be filled, my skin burning to feel his touch on every inch of me.
“Tell me you don’t want this,” he said, dropping to his knees. “Tell me, and I’ll stop.”
My mind was racing. My body screamed for his attention, and I knew there was no way I could lie about it anymore.
“Don’t stop,” I whispered, reaching out to pull him closer.
That was all the invitation he needed. With a snarl, he jerked his shirt over his head and threw it to the side before making quick work of my bra. I was totally bare in front of him, and despite the frenzy, he seemed to freeze as he looked me over for the first time.
“Mine,” he growled, running his hand down my side. “You’re fucking mine.”
“Yes,” I replied, my hands reaching for the button of his jeans. For now , I added silently. Only for now.
He yanked off his pants, tossed them on top of his shirt, and then grabbed me, pulling me to him. The feel of our skin pressed together was electric, my head spinning with how quickly this was moving, and how easily hate transformed into lust.
His hands ran up my sides, over my breasts, and then grabbed my face, tilting it up to meet his gaze.
I sucked in a breath, but before I could say anything, he crushed his lips against mine, his tongue diving into my mouth. I groaned as his hands found their way into my hair, his fingers tightening against my scalp, and I arched against him.
“You’re mine,” he growled, biting my lip. “Say it.”
“Fuck you,” I hissed, biting him back. He laughed and jerked my head back, his teeth scraping down my neck, finding the sensitive spot where it met my shoulder.
I gasped as he sucked at my skin, so close to where he would bite me before the night was over.
“That’s right,” he said, his hand trailing down my stomach. “Tell me how much you want it.”
His fingers brushed against my clit, and sounds of appreciation escaped me before I could stop them. His touch felt so good. I didn’t feel the rough forest floor beneath me, or the chill of the night air. All I felt was Julian.
His fingers teased me for a moment, before sinking inside of me, and I sucked in a breath, arching into his hand. My eyes rolled back as he found that spot inside of me that drove me wild, his thumb working my clit in just the right way.
“Yes,” I whispered. “Oh gods, yes.”
He withdrew his fingers and sucked them clean, grinning at me. “You’re so wet for me. I love it.”
“Stop teasing me, you bastard,” I growled, grabbing his shoulders and pulling him toward me. “Do what you came here to do. Fuck me.”
Digging my hands into his biceps, I jerked him forward until he was on top of me, his cock poised at my entrance. I raised up on my elbows to really look at him, and the sight of his long, thick cock so close to being sheathed inside me had my pussy clenching. His breath caught at the sight too as I lifted my hips, trying to take him inside me.
“I’ve wanted this since the first moment I saw you,” he rumbled, grabbing my thighs and forcing my legs further apart. “You have no idea how many times I’ve touched myself thinking about this very moment. The moment when you’re under me, naked and begging me to fuck you.”
“I won’t beg,” I promised him, biting down on my lower lip. “I’ll make you work for it.”
“Then so be it,” he said, pressing himself against me. I felt his tip slide inside, and I cried out as he pulled out, then pushed in again, a little further. I ached to feel all of him inside me, but he only gave me small tastes.
He did it again, pulling out before thrusting in just a little deeper each time, until he finally sank all the way inside me with one swift motion.
“Fuck!” I cried out, back bowing. He felt so good inside me, his thick cock stretching me open, filling me up. His hips rolled against mine as he began to thrust, setting a slow and steady pace.
“You feel so perfect,” he murmured, leaning down to kiss my neck. “So fucking tight.”
I moaned as his pace quickened, my nails digging into his shoulders. I couldn’t stop myself from bucking against him, desperate for more.
He reached between us, finding my clit and circling it with his thumb. “I caught you. You’re mine, Whitney, and my prize is that pretty neck of yours. Let me bite you.”
God, I wanted it too, although I couldn’t bring myself to give voice to it. It had been so long since I’d felt the touch of a man, and the mating magic had taken away all my doubts. I knew there would be consequences, but right then, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that Julian made me feel things I hadn’t known were possible.
My wolf howled inside me, begging to be claimed. The animal part of me wanted it just as badly as the human one did. It was as if the magic of the bond was pushing me toward him.
“Say yes,” he growled, biting lightly at my neck, teasing me with his teeth.
“Fuck,” I hissed, rolling my hips into his. My mind was hazy, but I knew this was a huge decision. One that I wouldn’t be able to take back.
Julian’s teeth scraped against my skin, making me shudder. “Say it. Tell me you’re mine.”
“Y-yes,” I said, my voice trembling.
Julian pulled back, looking down at me, a smile on his face. “Say the words, Whitney. Say you’re mine.”
“I’m yours,” I whispered, closing my eyes.
The moment the words left my mouth, I felt a sharp pain in my neck as Julian’s teeth broke the skin. I cried out as sensation flooded into my body, the bite burning like fire. My vision blurred as the bond formed between us, and I could feel his pleasure in my own body as he marked me.
He was claiming me as his mate, and I was helpless to stop it.
I was helpless to stop him from doing anything to me, I realized with a jolt. The magic of the bond was so strong that I couldn’t fight against him, even if I wanted to. It was a terrible, awful power, one that I’d never wanted to experience, but there I was.
Bound to the enemy.
Julian lifted his head, licking my blood from his lips, and I gasped as the burning in my neck subsided and the bond solidified. It was like a heavy weight pressing down on me, an invisible chain that connected me to him.
I could feel him in the back of my mind, his emotions mixing with my own. Rage, desire, pride, and smug satisfaction. His emotions were so strong that it made me dizzy.
“How do you feel?” he asked, reaching down to stroke my hair.
“I hate you,” I whispered, even as I moved with him, taking his slow thrusts and meeting each one. “I hate you.”
“You’re my mate.” Julian’s hand cupped my face, tilting it up so I would meet his gaze. His hips never stopped working, and I could feel myself climbing the peak with each movement. “And you’re not going anywhere, no matter what you think you’re feeling right now. You’re mine, Whitney Gray, and nothing can change that.”
“Shut up,” I hissed
His eyes hardened, but his thumb brushed across my lower lip, and the gesture sent a shudder through me. “Make me.”
I couldn’t help myself. I closed the distance between us and pressed my lips against his, my tongue sliding between his teeth. He groaned against my mouth, one hand wrapping around my wrists, pinning them down while the other went back to slowly run circles around my clit with his thumb.
I was so damn close.
“Julian,” I whispered, wrapping my legs around him like a snake.
He gave a low laugh, his teeth scraping against my neck. “Yes, Sweetheart?”
“I’m going to…”
“I know,” he murmured, his lips trailing up my neck. “I can feel it. Come for me. Come on, Love, let me hear you scream my name.”
I could feel my climax building, and I arched against him, my hips bucking as he drove me over the edge. My breath caught in my throat as I cried out, my body shuddering as waves of pleasure rolled over me.
Julian growled, his fingers digging into my hips as he slammed into me, his pace quickening as he chased his own release. I gasped as his teeth sank into my shoulder, my nails dragging down his back as another wave of pleasure crashed over me.
“Fuck, you feel so good,” he moaned, his voice low and raspy. “You’re mine, Whitney. Mine.”
“Yes,” I whispered, my hands sliding down to grab his ass, pulling him deeper inside me. “Yes, yes, yes.”
He gave one last thrust before I felt him tense, his cock pulsing inside me as he came with a groan. All remaining doubts were drowned out by another wave of pleasure as he spilled himself inside my pussy.
We lay there for a few moments, catching our breath, until he finally rolled off of me, pulling me against his chest.
“Mate,” he said, his voice low and husky.
I could feel the bond between us now, the magic that linked us together. It was like a warm glow in the back of my mind, and I knew that I could never be separated from Julian without feeling the ache of it. The bite was only the beginning of the ritual, and I hadn’t given myself to him fully, but I knew now how easy it would be to do so. How good it would feel, at least in the moment.
Still, my heart ached as I felt him kiss the top of my head. This man had just changed everything about my life. He had taken away my freedom and forced me to become his mate, but the battle was not done. Julian would learn that one loss wasn’t enough to bring me to bow.
But for the moment, I let myself bask in the afterglow of the mating ritual and rested. I would need my strength.