Page 56

Ivy

A cool, misty rain made its way through the trees, leaving me feeling somewhat refreshed. My heart ached with worry for everyone, but I buried it as I made my way into the trees. I knew Hawk still had eyes on me; I felt the burn of them on my back as I stayed in his line of sight.

My magic yearned for him, but it didn’t pulsate with need like it once did. Like it knew he wouldn’t be ours any time soon.

Still, though, it was hard to ignore the way he watched me. Every look felt stolen, and I only felt more disappointment when I was around him and he did nothing.

I would accept his rejection if he actually said it to me. Even though I knew the impact it would have on me—on my power—I had no desire to force a bond. But he had to be the one to voice it—not to the others, but to me, directly .

I released a breath as I glanced over my shoulder.

He still watched me with those dark, emotionless eyes.

Something within them told me it was way more complicated, but I also couldn’t forget the way he’d made me feel the night I’d caught him with the red head on his lap.

The ease in which he’d held her. The bond might not have been recognised between either of us yet, but the pull had been there.

He’d felt it and ignored it.

Turning away from him, I ducked further into the trees where Elias prowled the underbrush. My mate lifted his head, shifting as I approached.

Everything okay? he asked through the bond, opening his arms to me.

I stepped into his embrace and rested my head against his chest, over the steady beat of his heart. Yeah, I’m okay. Everyone is okay. I just needed to get away from Hawk.

Elias growled darkly. “If he hurt you…”

I had no doubt Elias knew what Hawk said to Adrian and Rowan. My mages weren’t capable of keeping something like that between us, especially because it hurt me. I loved them for it, but it also made the tension worse between all of my bonded mates and Hawk.

“He didn’t hurt me,” I murmured, pressing my hand against his chest as I met his stare. “Not any more than he has.”

It was hard lying to a shifter who knew better. Elias pressed his lips together, though the tension in his body loosened as he sighed. “I’m sorry, Angel. I wish I could help you with that, but if I had my way, he’d be bleeding.”

“Yeah, thank you for your restraint,” I deadpanned. “I know they told you about what he said, and I know how protective you are over me, but I think this is something that I’m going to have to deal with alone. ”

Elias’s jaw ticked, eyes leaving mine to look in the direction I’d come from. He likely couldn’t see Hawk from here, but I could only imagine the glare he was giving the other male. And the thoughts…Elias was blocking me from the worst, but I could definitely feel his anger through our bond.

“I don’t like the idea of you having to deal with this alone,” Elias muttered, eyes dropping to meet mine again. “You deserve better than whatever that is.”

My heart fluttered, warming. “I know that now,” I murmured, cupping his cheek. Scruff lined his strong jaw, darkening his chin. Usually, he kept himself so clean shaven, but I kind of liked the way the shadow appeared on his face.

Elias’s lips quirked with a smile as he ducked his head, nose brushing mine. “You like the beard, huh?”

My cheeks warmed, but I didn’t shy away—or hide my thoughts. “Yes,” I replied. “And I think you’d look hot with a beard for real.”

My shifter mate chuckled under his breath before claiming my lips.

It was a deep kiss, one that stole my breath from my lungs.

I wound my free arm around his neck as he held me tighter, each swipe of his tongue against mine stoking the burning need flaring within me.

I’d only had him twenty-four hours ago, and yet my skin flushed with desire.

Elias growled against my lips. I can’t take you like I want to out here, he said through the bond. But I can give you the release you desperately need, Angel.

I sucked in a gasping breath as he tore his mouth from mine. His lips were pink and swollen from the kiss, but his eyes glowed with the presence of his wolf. And yet, my mate had complete control .

He walked me backwards into a tree, eyes roaming my body, scanning my gear. One hand skimmed the length of my body, trailing up my side to capture one of my breasts.

“There is so much I still want to do with these,” he murmured, eyes latched onto my chest. “Fuck.”

My skin puckered with the heat of his words, and the thoughts that raced through his mind: me on my knees with his cock between my tits as he fucked them, his cum dripping from my nipples after his release coated them.

I could almost see it in my mind, and the idea alone had my pussy fluttering, pressure building in my core.

I was panting by the time his other hand moved to my thigh. “I just know you’re wet now,” he murmured. “I’ve barely even touched you, and I already know that tight little cunt of yours is weeping for me.”

He used his knee as a wedge to keep my thighs parted. “Use those pretty little hands and remove your belt, Angel.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. Heart pounding, I undid the latch of my belt and let it fall to the forest floor.

With the heat of his stare on me, I slowly unbuttoned my pants.

There was something hot about not using magic to just whisk them away.

Granted, the idea of being caught out here without my pants on was a little mortifying, even if it was one of my mates who found us.

But this…it felt like a stolen moment for only us to partake in.

Once the button was undone, Elias grunted. “Good little mate.” His eyes lifted to meet mine as the hand on my thigh moved to cup my warm heat. “Hands above your head.”

My eyes narrowed, but I did as I was told. I lifted my arms, and he released my breast to take my wrists, removing my ability to touch him .

“This is about you, Angel,” he said, eyes burning. I bit the inside of my cheek as he teased a finger over my pussy. “I’m going to make you come on my fingers. And then we’ll go back to the others like nothing happened.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks and tightened around my belly. “Okay.”

A smirk curved his lips, brightening his eyes. “And if you want to scream to let that winged bastard know what he’s missing out on, then do it.”

I gasped as his hand plunged into my pants. Despite the barrier that my panties presented, he still skimmed his finger between the folds of my pussy. The slight friction the fabric had against my clit had me bucking into his hand, but I was otherwise forced to stay still.

“So fucking wet,” he said, eyes burning into mine. There was a slight flush to his cheeks, and when I looked down, his pants bulged with his erection. “Too perfect.”

“Elias,” I moaned, as his fingers pushed past my panties to dive into the wetness of my core. He groaned when his fingers hit my arousal, as he circled his finger around my throbbing clit.

“That’s it,” he breathed, toying but never giving me the release I desired. My hips moved against his hand, and although I couldn’t get much traction, he met each thrust with a flick of my clit.

“I need more,” I moaned, sparks of pleasure shuddering through me. “Please.”

He didn’t respond; his fingers did all the work as they plunged inside me, two entering my pussy and curling within me. I gasped as he met the rhythm of my hips, thrusting inside me as his thumb worked my clit.

Elias didn’t take his eyes off me, but his breath quickened, too. When a third finger joined the others, I thought I might come undone right there. The stretch had me moaning, wishing it was more than just his fingers, but just having him was enough to soothe the magic burning within me.

I might not have been unsettled, but it was tamped down by each stroke of his fingers, each flick of my clit.

I bit down on a moan, the sound catching in my throat as I strained against his hands. He didn’t hold me hard, his fingers lightly pressing me against the tree, and yet I didn’t try pulling away. I didn’t want to.

Elias skimmed his lips against mine as his fingers stroked me, pressure building in my belly as my climax built. “Remember, when you come, make sure he hears it,” Elias whispered.

I was so close, and as sadistic as it was, I wanted Hawk to hear this, to know what he was missing out on. Maybe it was petty, but I was done caring.

Elias’s thumb worked my clit until my climax flooded through me. I arched into him, my muscles tightening as I cried out. The sound of my voice echoed in my ears as I strained against his hold, as my hips bucked against his hand.

My shifter mate worked me through my release, the thrusts of his hands slowing until I slumped against the tree. Instead of releasing my hands, he gently brought them down, but he didn’t pull his hands from my pants immediately.

“That’s it,” he murmured. “You did so well, Angel.”

My eyes fluttered, almost closing, but then I caught sight of a familiar figure standing within the trees.

The male had his hands curled into fists, eyes burning with anger. A tick formed in his strong jawline as his dark, obsidian eyes found mine.

I didn’t move. You knew he was standing there , I said through the bond without taking my eyes off Hawk .

Elias chuckled out loud as he slowly slid his fingers from my pussy. Of course I did, Angel. Make him miss what he can’t have. If I can’t pound my fists into him, then I might as well take advantage of messing with his head.

I shuddered as Elias pulled his hand free. His fingers glinted with my release, wet and slick. Elias glanced over his shoulder at Hawk briefly before licking each finger clean with a loud, totally obnoxious groan.

My cheeks heated, partially from embarrassment, but also because it was a little hot.

“My favourite meal,” Elias said, as he finally helped me re-button my pants.

He knelt in front of me, nose so close to my pussy that I clenched again, though this time from the thought of him eating me out against this tree.

Shit. Hawk was still there, watching us, eyes burning with…Anger? Frustration? He could have walked away by now, but his eyes were still locked on mine.

Elias pulled my belt around my waist and secured it before pressing a kiss to my belly. “Love you,” he said, rising to his feet. Can you handle this? Or do you want me to stay?

I tore my eyes from Hawk briefly to glance at Elias. I can handle him and whatever he says. I love you .

Elias’s bond warmed, and before I knew it, he was shifting and trotting off into the forest, leaving me with Hawk.

I cut the half-Fae male a look before pushing off the tree. “Something you want to say?” I asked, stalking towards him.

He ground his teeth together as I came to a stop a few feet from him. “Nothing you would listen to.”

I rolled my eyes as I crossed my arms. “Seriously. What do you want?”

“You walked away from camp,” he growled. “I needed to check on you. ”

“So, you found me. And then watched my bonded give me an orgasm. Happy?”

The growl that passed his lips startled me into taking a step back. My heart skipped a beat, but I shoved the brief feeling of fear down. Something shifted in his eyes, guilt maybe, but he wiped the expression away just as quickly.

“What the hell is your problem?” I asked. “You’re acting all pissed off, but you said you didn’t want this! You don’t want me! You don’t get to be angry if I’m with my bonded mates. You don’t get to act all possessive and jealous when you chose this!”

Hawk drew in a sharp breath, chin lifting. Something sparked in the dark, inky depths of his eyes.“Ivy…” He took a step towards me, the air rippling with tension. My magic rose within me, unsettled by his presence. It wanted to complete the bond with him, reaching for him.

“No.” I held up a hand to stop him from continuing, and to stop him from coming any closer. Internally, I pulled my magic away from him, shoving it down until it could no longer be a problem.

“I respect what you shared, and I have accepted that you don’t want the bond. So, stop .” My voice broke on the last word unintentionally, but it was too late.

Anger turned to hurt in his eyes, but he pulled down the mask of indifference I had come to know and understand all too well. “You make the rules, Princess.”

I shook my head. “No, I don’t,” I murmured.

And I walked away from my mate again, this time my heart feeling heavier than ever before.