Page 25 of The Wolf Prince’s Mate (Marked Beneath the Moon #2)

twenty-five

NOVA

Our wolves spent all day in the trees, making it back to Clay’s cabin long after the sun had set. Through the entirety of their adventure, Clay’s wolf would randomly get nervous about something, and nudge mine to let her know she should wait. She never whined or complained, always sitting calmly until he returned and declared it safe.

They were ridiculously cute together.

The door was still standing open when we got home, so the wolves trotted right in. Clay’s wolf nudged mine again, and she sat down while he checked the cabin for intruders.

He was satisfied pretty quickly, and came back for her. After she was inside, he closed the door behind her and led her to the bed in Clay’s room.

Neither of them cared about the dirt as they climbed onto the mattress and cuddled up together.

Neither of them made any move to give us control either. Not that I minded. Clay probably needed more time to wrap his mind around his wolf’s behavior anyway.

The wolves fell asleep together, and I’d never seen mine so confident or content before.

We woke up in a tangle of legs and hair.

I tried to move my head, and made a muffled sound of pain as my hair stayed trapped beneath some part of Clay.

He moved quickly, freeing the strands, and eased me away. After he rolled me over, he set me on his chest so we faced each other.

Clay stared at me for a few, long minutes.

I stared back.

Though there were a handful of things I wanted to say, I was going to let him speak first.

Another minute passed.

Two.

Three.

Clay’s voice was low when he finally said, “He wasn’t rough with her.”

I shook my head.

“He was careful. Protective.” A moment passed. “He was nice .”

I nodded.

“He treated her the way Enzo’s wolf treat’s Aspen’s.”

“He considers her his mate.”

Clay’s eyes closed.

He let out a slow breath. “I don’t know how to make that fit with what I’ve seen of him.”

“Maybe it doesn’t have to fit. Maybe you can just accept it.”

“How do I do that?”

I shrugged. “Just admit it and move on?”

He grimaced, but didn’t disagree.

I kissed him lightly. “I need a shower. You can join me if you want, but no pressure. If you need some time, take it.”

His eyes opened, the gold orbs meeting my greens. “Thanks, Gorgeous.”

“Mmhm.” I kissed him again before slipping off his lap. I felt his gaze on me as I padded to the bathroom, but I didn’t think it was sexual.

I was halfway through my shower when he joined me, pulling my body to his and holding me close.

Wrapping my arms around his waist, I held him too.

And we stayed like that for a good, long while.

When we eventually emerged from the shower, Clay made food with our dwindling supplies while I cleaned my tattoo equipment. It was probably still fine, but I wasn’t risking it after our wolves tracked all that dirt inside. Even though werewolves couldn’t actually get infections.

We ate together in comfortable silence after I was done, then moved to the bedroom. It didn’t take long to get going on the tattoo, and I turned on some music so Clay wouldn’t feel like he needed to talk.

Working on him was relaxing, honestly. I knew what he wanted and what the finished piece needed to look like, and I had no problem making that happen.

We only took short breaks for lunch and dinner, otherwise working through the day and well into the night. I had to tap out around 3 AM, too tired to risk continuing. After I cleaned and bandaged Clay’s skin—even though it was already pretty much healed—he pulled me into bed with him and held me close.

I kissed his collarbone, and his chest rumbled.

“Sorry I’m not great company right now,” he said quietly.

“You’re doing fine, Savage.”

“Doesn’t feel that way.”

“Just ignore your feelings for a while and maybe they’ll go away.”

He snorted. “Have you considered a career in therapy, Gorgeous?”

“Nah. They’d realize how many issues I have and reject my applications.”

“What emotions are you ignoring?”

“None, right now. What about you?”

There was a moment of silence. “Guilt,” he finally said. “Confusion. More of that fucking fear. Regret. What if my wolf was never insane? What if I kept him trapped and treated him like shit just because I was nervous?”

“I don’t think wondering what-if has ever fixed anything for anyone.”

“Maybe not.”

“Or maybe you’re just asking the wrong questions. What if your wolf was never insane, but he was never going to calm down enough to live peacefully with you until he found something else to focus on?” I suggested. “What if he’s started playing nice because he has a reason to now?”

“That’s a valid point.” He went quiet again. “I don’t know how I would tell my brothers that he’s not crazy and violent anymore.”

“I already told them for you. And they agreed to try being around him while I’m there, to see if he still wants to attack them.”

“Really?”

“Mmhm. They don’t want you to suffer, Savage.”

“I know that. I just didn’t think there was a way out, I guess. Now that it’s here, I’m not sure what to do. Or what to think.”

“It’s going to take more than a day to wrap your mind around it,” I said gently.

“I guess.”

“If you need a distraction, just let me know.”

“I will. Thanks.” He kissed my forehead and tucked my face against his neck as he pulled me closer. “I love you.”

“Love you too,” I mumbled.

His hand stroked my back lightly, and I fell asleep ridiculously fast.

Clay ordered groceries in the morning, so we had to meet the delivery driver at the gate before breakfast, but that was fine.

I didn’t ask how much it cost. I was pretty damn sure I didn’t want to know.

Clay was still quieter than usual, but I understood. And honestly, I didn’t mind the quiet.

We spent the rest of the day working on the tattoo again, continuing late into the night once more.

The pattern repeated over the next few days as well.

I finally felt the tingle that warned me heat was twenty-four hours away in the early part of the morning, as I was finishing up the final details of Clay’s tattoo.

I shivered.

Clay eyed me from the bed. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong.”

Though he had seemed lost in his thoughts for much of it, he spent most of his time with his eyes on me while I worked on his skin.

“You shivered, Gorgeous.”

“It’s just heat.”

His eyes darkened. “Now?”

“I’ve got about a day. My temperature starts rising after the tingles.”

“So you’ll go into heat around…” he glanced at the clock. “Four AM tomorrow?”

“Yup.”

“Sounds like fun.”

I flashed him a small smile. “Maybe I’ll stay asleep and just let you ravage me when the rut wakes you up.”

He rumbled. “Don’t tempt me, woman.”

“I like it when you’re tempted.”

Sex hadn’t happened in days, which was fine. He was dealing with some intense shit, and I wasn’t going to push him.

There was no avoiding it when it came to heat, though.

He rumbled a little longer, and I refocused on his ink.

A few minutes passed before he asked, “Are you getting close?”

“Yeah, just a few more little things.”

“Alright.” There was a pause. Clay sounded a little uncomfortable when he admitted, “I’ve been trying to deconstruct the cage. I seem to rebuild it automatically every time me or the wolf takes it down.”

“The one in your head?” I didn’t look away from his ink, obviously. Permanent art was more important than a conversation. I still listened closely, though.

“Yeah. The one around my wolf. He doesn’t seem to care whether it’s there or not, which supports your theory.”

“The theory that you can’t actually trap him?”

“Yeah. I thought I was stronger than him. Strong enough to control him.”

“You’re both strong in your own ways.”

“I guess.” He stayed quiet while I finished up the last few things, and didn’t move as I set my machine down. “It’s going to be a while before I feel ready to be around the pack like this. Without the cage.”

“We’ve got all the time in the world.”

“You have your studio,” he argued. “There are probably a hundred appointments you’ve had to cancel, and I’m sure none of them are thrilled about it. You love your job. I don’t want to fuck with that.”

“You’re more important than my work, Savage. We’re more important than my work. My clients will wait, or they’ll find another artist to finish for them. And it’s not like I need the money. I’m engaged to the wolf prince, and he already bought me a house and an expensive vehicle.” I cleaned his tattoo slowly, not in any kind of a hurry. “Stop worrying about me. I’m exactly where I want to be.”

“I still feel bad.”

“You want to make it up to me?” I asked, finally lifting my gaze to his.

“Of course I do,” he growled.

I took my time grabbing a few sheets of bandages and started placing them over his tattoos.

“Nova,” he warned.

“Shh. I’m working.”

He made a sound of annoyance, but waited while I covered everything I’d worked on that day.

When I smoothed the last bandage over his skin and dropped the plastic in the trash bin right next to me, I met his gaze again.

“It’s been too long since I’ve felt your mouth on my skin. I miss it. That’s how you can make it up to me.”

His eyes went dark. “You want me to eat you out, Gorgeous?”

“Hell yes.”

He sat up slowly, careful not to stretch the bandages too much. He was probably already healed enough not to need them, but it was better to be safe. “You’ll have to help. My artist doesn’t want me moving too much.”

“That’s fair.”

“Take your shirt off.” He didn’t beat around the bush—and I loved that.

I tugged it over my head and tossed it to the floor, exposing my simple black bralette.

“The bra too.” He nodded toward it.

His erection was already tenting the front of the gray sweats he had on. That made me warm.

I unbuckled it and dropped it next to my shirt.

“Cup them.” His gaze was on my tits, and it was hot.

I did as he’d instructed, dragging my thumbs over my nipples to make them stiff for him.

He rumbled in satisfaction. “Good girl.”

He stood, catching my hips in his hands and walking me backward until I met the wall.

Clay lowered his lips to my ear. “Do you know what I want to do to you, Gorgeous?”

I nearly shuddered at the tone of his voice. “What?”

“Tie you to the bed and spend the rest of the night with my mouth on your pretty little cunt. Watch you get off over and over until you beg me to give you a break. Fill you with my cock until you forget anyone and everyone else you’ve ever been with.”

His teeth caught my earlobe, and I did shudder as he tugged lightly on my piercings.

“But I’m not going to do that,” he said.

Why not was on the tip of my tongue, but he gave me the answer before I asked.

“Because I need you well-rested for tomorrow night. I’m going to fuck you longer and harder than you’ve ever been fucked before, and you’re going to take my knot like a good little mate.” He released my earlobe and sucked lightly on my throat.

“That’s not a good enough reason to get me worked up like this without giving me what I want, Savage,” I breathed. “I can handle both.”

He chuckled. “Gorgeous, when have I ever left you wanting?”

Never .

I must’ve said the word aloud, because he rumbled in agreement.

And finally slid the waistband of my leggings down my thighs.

His nostrils flared, and I knew he was smelling my arousal.

He peeled the fabric down my legs, sinking to his knees as he did.

My gaze followed him down.

I didn’t think any man had ever kneeled in front of me like that before.

He pulled one of my feet free, followed by the other.

Then, he slid to the side.

I blinked down at him, forehead creasing in a frown.

“What are you,” I began, but he cut me off.

“Look in front of you, Gorgeous.”

I lifted my gaze, and my heartbeat skipped.

A full-length mirror was in front of me. In front of us .

I could see my naked body, with Clay’s massive form kneeling just to the side of me.

My eyes widened as I watched him lift a hand to my core and stroke my clit.

Slowly.

Lightly.

He repeated the motion, and my heartbeat picked up. My breathing did, too.

He dragged his knuckles over me, and my lips parted as I watched them glisten with my desire.

“You’ll get my mouth on you,” Clay said, leaning in so he could suck on my hipbone lightly.

I shuddered again, grabbing his hair for support.

“But first, you’re going to watch me fuck you with my fingers. I want you to see how sexy you are when you come for me.”

A moan escaped me as he slowly slid three fingers inside me, letting me watch every filthy moment as they penetrated me.

“After you watch yourself come on my mouth, you’re going to stare into this mirror as I fill you with my cock, Gorgeous. Understand?”

I made a noise of agreement.

He stroked my clit lightly. “Good. Now, watch the way you react when I touch you.”

My eyes were glued to his hand and my body as he dragged his thumb over my clit. As he drove his fingers in and out slowly, finding my g-spot with every movement.

I came fast. Too fast.

I barely had time to cry out as I shattered, clutching his hair and watching my body rock with the pleasure.

He stroked my clit through the climax, and finally slid closer. His body concealed my legs and core, but his mouth was on me so fast that I didn’t give a damn.

Clay’s slick hand was on my thigh, lifting it over his shoulder to open me up as he licked my clit roughly.

I swore, using my grip on his hair to pull him against me harder.

He laughed, dragging his teeth over my clit to give me what I wanted.

I bucked.

Jerked.

Moaned.

Cursed.

And finally, I came on his mouth and fingers, crying out desperately as the pleasure took hold.

He dragged his slick stubble over the inside of my thigh before he pulled his fingers free and stood up.

I shoved his sweats down, more than ready to see that tight ass in the mirror in front of me.

“You ready, Gorgeous?” he asked, his lips tilted in a wicked smirk.

“You know the answer to that. Take your pants off and fuck me already.” I shoved them down further, and his smirk stretched into a grin.

He pushed them down the rest of the way and stepped out of them, pulling me away from the wall long enough to take its place.

I watched as he lifted me off my feet, hooking my legs around the backs of his thighs before he grabbed his cock and dragged it over my slick entrance playfully.

“You sure you’re ready, Gorgeous?”

“I swear, Savage, I am going to—fuck.” I moaned the curse as he finally lined us up and pulled me down over his cock.

The movement was fast, and rough.

But he lifted me up a moment later, and I watched as he filled me slowly.

“You look like you were made for me, Nova.” He nipped at the place he’d bitten me a few days earlier. It was healed, but neither of us had forgotten about it. Or about the permanent one that would take its place in just a few more days.

“Or maybe you look like you were made for me .”

He chuckled, low and rough. “That’s fucking right.”

And he drove into me again, until we came together.

When we made it to bed, we fell asleep holding each other. We were sweaty and sticky, but that didn’t matter. We were together.