Page 7

Arwen

I wake to the sounds of soft snores in my ear. For a moment I freeze, believing Jarrod climbed in bed with me at some point during the night, but then I feel Wilder’s large calloused hand run along my belly and over my breasts. A small moan slips from my lips, prompting him to pull me flush against his heated flesh. His hard cock is snuggled into my ass and all the memories from last night come flooding back into my mind. The way his golden eyes darkened when he came inside me, whispering dirty things, like wanting to breed me. My skin flushes and my heart beats erratically in my chest.

“Good morning, Starlight,” he murmurs into the shell of my ear before he nibbles his way down my neck and over my shoulder.

“Morning,” I breathe as my nipples pebble from his touch.

“Mmm, someone woke up thinking naughty things,” he muses as he flips me onto my back and leans over me. His beautiful, messy black hair falls into his face, begging me to run my hands through it. The sun filters through the windows, illuminating the majestic ink covering Wilder’s body. My eyes drift over each piece, trying to get a better sense of the man above me.

“Your tattoos,” I say softly, running my fingers along the black lines. “What do they mean?”

Wilder follows my gaze, a small, almost imperceptible smile forming on his lips. “Each one tells a part of my story,” he begins, “they remind me of who I am and where I’ve been.”

He raises his arm, showing me the detailed portrait of a puma on his upper arm. “This one represents my shifter nature. The puma is my other half, my strength, my protector. It’s a part of me that I carry with pride.” The animal’s sleek, powerful form is captured so vividly it almost feels alive. The puma’s eyes are intense, almost as if they’re looking straight into my soul.

My eyes then travel to the intricate geometric patterns that wrap around his forearm. “These patterns mimic the fluidity and grace of a puma in motion,” he explains. “They’re intertwined with elements of nature—leaves, waves—to symbolize my connection to the wild and the natural world. It’s a reminder of the balance I strive to maintain between my human and animal sides.”

He turns slightly, showing me the trail of paw prints across his shoulder blade. “These paw prints,” he says, his voice taking on a darker, more somber tone, “represent my journey. But it’s not just any journey. Each step marks a significant moment in my life, a path filled with loss and struggle.” I nod, understanding all too well the path of darkness. Something in his pained expression gives me the eerie feeling that he’s not telling me about a very important part of his life.

“What happened?” I whisper, needing to know but scared all the same.

Wilder’s eyes darken, and for a moment, he seems lost in the memory. He takes a deep breath, his expression wounded but resolute. “I lost someone very close to me,” he says quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. “My wife. She was everything to me, and when she died it broke something inside of me.”

A heavy silence hangs between us as his words sink in. A wife? He was married? How old is Wilder?

“W-was she your mate, too?” I ask as tears pool in the corners of my eyes. Am I just a replacement? Was she who he was meant to be with?

Wilder’s eyes widen slightly at my question, and I can see the storm of emotions raging within him.

“No, she wasn’t my fated mate,” he answers softly, his voice filled with a mixture of sorrow and conviction. “We had an arranged marriage. It was something our families decided for us. At first, it was out of duty and respect for our families’ wishes. But over time, I did grow to love her deeply. Our bond was built on shared experiences and mutual care, but it wasn’t the same as a fated mate bond.”

He gently wipes away a tear that escapes down my cheek, his touch warm and reassuring. “You are not a substitute, Arwen. What we have, what I feel for you, is unlike anything I’ve ever known. It’s something deeper, more profound. I know it’s hard to believe, especially with everything I’ve told you, but you are the one I’m meant to be with.” Confusion swirls in my mind. How did he...? As if sensing my bewilderment, Wilder leans down and presses a kiss to my forehead. It’s sweet and tender, a foreign feeling for me.

“You knew what I was thinking,” I murmur, the statement half-question, half-wonder.

Wilder’s gaze softens as he pulls back slightly, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that takes my breath away. “It’s part of being fated mates,” he says softly. “We have a connection that goes beyond words. It’s like our souls are intertwined, allowing us to sense each other’s emotions, thoughts, and even fears.”

I blink, trying to comprehend the depth of what he’s saying. “So, you can read my mind?” I ask, my voice trembling with a mix of awe and trepidation.

“Not exactly,” Wilder replies, shaking his head slightly. “It’s more like a heightened sense of awareness. I can feel your emotions, sense your hesitations, understand your unspoken thoughts. It’s as if there’s an invisible thread that connects us, guiding us toward each other.”

“Why can’t I do that with you?” Fear grips at my chest. Maybe he was wrong about us. All the beautiful promises he’s made seem like they may be out of my reach.

“Arwen, it’s okay,” he soothes. “Our bond is still new, and it takes time for both of us to fully connect on that level. It doesn’t mean the connection isn’t there or that I’m wrong about us. It’s a journey, one we’re just beginning.”

He cups my chin, his thumb stroking my cheek. “You’ll start to sense my thoughts and emotions more clearly as our bond strengthens. It’s not something that happens overnight. It’s like learning to walk together in perfect sync. It takes patience and trust.”

His words hang in the air, a fragile promise I desperately want to believe. The pain and fear in my heart begin to ease just a little, replaced by a glimmer of hope. “I just ... I don’t want to be second best,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I’ve never felt like this and I’m scared it’s going to end in disaster just like the rest of my life has. It’s been a dumpster fire since I was born.” I try to look away from his handsome face, the pain in my chest is overwhelming.

Wilder’s grip on me tightens, grounding me and forcing my eyes to meet his. “Starlight,” he begins. “You are not second best. You are my fated mate, and that makes you my first, my one, my only.” He presses his lips to mine in a searing kiss then pulls away. “And I will remind you every fucking day until you finally believe it.”

He lifts my chin again, the intensity in his gaze is almost too much to bear, but I’m transfixed by him and I can’t look away. “Your past doesn’t define you,” he continues, his words like a balm to my wounded heart. “I know you’ve been through hell, but that doesn’t mean your future has to be the same. We are stronger together, and I will do everything in my power to ensure that our future is filled with love and happiness.”

Tears blur my vision, but I can see the sincerity in his eyes. “I’ve seen the dumpster fire that life can be,” he admits, his own pain flickering in his gaze. “But I’ve also seen the beauty that can rise from the ashes. You are that beauty, Arwen. You are the light that I never knew I needed.”

“Thank you,” I whisper.

“You don’t ever have to thank me, Starlight.” He lays down pulling me with him. As my head rests on his chest, I trace the outlines of his tattoos once more.

“You’re very wise,” I whisper, wishing I didn’t sound like an insecure child.

He chuckles, the sound a low rumble that vibrates beneath my cheek. “Well, I’ve been around the sun a few times. Seen a thing or two.”

“How many times have you been around the sun?” My words come out almost too fast, desperation clawing at me to understand him better. Will he think I am too young? Too innocent? At twenty-two, I feel like a fledgling in a world where he has soared for what feels like centuries.

He pauses, his breath steady and thoughtful. “Let’s just say... I’ve counted enough moons to know that age is just a number,” he replies, a smile illuminating his face. My chest swells with something that feels a lot like hope.

“But—” I hesitate, feeling the weight of our differences. “I mean ... you’re older than me. I don’t want you to think...”

His finger lifts, gently resting against my lips to hush my worries. “Arwen, I’m only thirty-nine, not a hundred,” he laughs, the sound so contagious it makes my worries melt away.

“Oh.” I sigh, relief washing over me like a gentle tide.

“I want one,” I murmur. “I always have,” I confess as I resume tracking his tattoos under my fingers.

Wilder’s arms tighten around me protectively as we lay there. His steady heartbeat is a soothing rhythm beneath my ear, grounding me in this moment.

“Really?” he asks softly, his voice vibrating through his chest.

I nod, tracing the intricate designs on his forearm with my fingertips. “Yes. I’ve always wanted a tattoo,” I murmur. “Something meaningful, something that tells a part of my story, like yours do.”

He tilts his head slightly to look down at me, a thoughtful expression on his face. “What kind of tattoo would you get?”

I ponder the question for a moment, my fingers still absently following the lines of his tattoos. “Maybe something that symbolizes strength and resilience,” I say finally. “Something that reminds me of where I’ve been, but also where I’m going. Like a phoenix rising from the sea, since that’s where I began.”

Wilder’s eyes light up with a mixture of admiration and curiosity. “A phoenix rising from the sea,” he repeats thoughtfully. “That sounds perfect. You need to embrace your siren origins.”

He gently caresses my cheek, his touch soothing and reassuring. “Your siren heritage is a part of you, Arwen. It’s not just about where you came from, but also the strength and resilience you’ve shown despite everything. Embracing it means honoring your past and allowing it to shape the strong, amazing person you’ve become.” I snuggle into him further, allowing his warmth to caress my battered soul. I can already feel the cracks healing with him near, like he’s been the glue I needed all along to piece myself together.

A loud ringing blares through the room, making me jolt up from the bed. “Calm down, baby. It’s just my phone,” he chuckles, as he reaches over to the nightstand to retrieve the device. My heartbeat begins to slow, but I take the opportunity to duck into his adjoining bathroom while he talks.

The bathroom is just as luxurious as his bedroom. I’ve never seen anything like it. The white and black marble countertop has speckles of gold mixed in making the whole place look so opulent. What the hell does Wilder do for a living? A sinking feeling of dread snakes around my throat until I feel like I’m suffocating.

I lean against the cool counter, trying to regain my composure. Taking a deep breath, I look into the mirror. My reflection surprises me—my eyes are more vibrant than I’ve ever seen them, sparkling purple with flecks of gold mirroring the luxurious room. My silver hair flows around my shoulders, shining as if a light has been ignited inside me, illuminating this moment of strangeness.

“It’s just the lighting,” I tell myself, but deep down, I know it’s something more. The transformation is undeniable. There’s a newfound energy coursing through me, a reflection of the bond I’ve formed with Wilder.

I trace the outline of his primal claim that he left on my neck with my fingertips, marveling at the sensation that shoots through me. It feels as if finding my fated mate has unlocked a part of me I never knew existed, a promise of warmth and acceptance that feels foreign but intoxicating. It’s exhilarating, the way he makes me feel.

I take a deep breath and glance around the rest of the bathroom, feeling the need to distract myself from the weight of possibility that comes with being bound to someone like him. My eyes land on an extravagant shower with a touch-screen panel. I can’t help but admire the sleek design, the way it curves invitingly, beckoning me.

I press a few buttons, and the hot shower springs to life, steam rising as I stand there, a witness to its magic. Deciding a shower sounds good, I slip inside, and the warmth envelops me instantly. It feels like a holy experience.

Shower heads spray water from different directions, the sensation hitting my skin from all angles, like a gentle embrace. I close my eyes, surrendering to the warmth, letting it wash away the remnants of my past and the fatigue clinging to my muscles.

“Incredible, isn’t it?” Wilder’s voice pulls me from my reverie, and I open my eyes to find him standing just outside the glass doors, a playful smile on his lips.

The air shifts.

The chill from the bathroom slips in through the gap, mingling with the steamy warmth of the shower. My heart quickens as I register the sight of him, drenched in an aura of confidence that complements his striking features.

“Mind if I join you?” he asks, raising an eyebrow, his gaze unwavering.

I step back slightly, allowing him access. “I, uh ... I wouldn’t mind.”

He doesn’t need any further permission. Wilder steps inside, water cascading over his sculpted chest, glistening in a dazzling display. The contrast of hot water against his skin is mesmerizing. He catches my eye, and the corners of his mouth curl upward, satisfied as he meets my gaze.

“You look beautiful like this,” he murmurs, taking a step closer, the warmth radiating between us as the water continues to drench our bodies.

A flutter of heat rushes through me at his compliment. I feel my cheeks flush, the water a fitting backdrop for the vulnerability pooling between us.

“What does this all mean?” I ask, voice a bit shaky.

He steps closer, grasping my hips and pulling me against his hard chest, stealing my breath.

“It means you’re finally awakening to who you really are, and this connection between us...” he trails off, leaning in just enough for his breath to mingle with the steam and send shivers down my spine.

Before I can comprehend his intent, he scoops me up into his arms. I gasp in surprise as he presses my back against the cool glass wall of the shower. “Wilder! You’re going to drop me! I’m hea—” His deep growl echoes in the spacious room, the sound vibrating through the air, making my words die on my tongue. My heart races, pounding against my rib cage as panic and exhilaration wash over me.

His grip is firm yet gentle, as if he can feel the flutter of my insecurities but chooses to ignore them. “Relax,” he whispers, his voice a low murmur, laced with an intensity that sends heat pooling deep within me.

In that moment, I am not just the girl with doubts and fears, I am the girl who dares to succumb to the wildness within. My breath hitches as he leans closer, his warm breath teasing my lips, every fiber of my being resonating with the primal need pulsing in the space between us.

Just as I muster the courage to snap back to reason, his lips capture mine. The kiss ignites everything inside me, an explosion that scatters my thoughts like leaves in a tempest. He tastes of sweetness and spice—a dangerous mix that has my senses reeling.

I watch as droplets of water cascade down Wilder’s chiseled chest, the muscles rippling with each movement he makes. With each caress, he deepens the kiss, coaxing me to melt into him. My body responds instinctively, aligning with his in a rhythm both familiar and thrillingly new. The sensation of him pressed so intimately against me chases away any lingering chill, leaving only heat coursing through my veins.

Wilder’s lips trail from my mouth along my jawline, a skilled explorer charting the rise and fall of my breaths. Each touch ignites fires across my skin, culminating with his tongue’s bold sweep over the sensitive mark he left on my neck. I gasp, an involuntary sound of delight and bewilderment, feeling those waves of pleasure surge from the point of contact like ripples across a pond.

Wilder...” I sigh, barely managing to keep my eyes trained on his, the shock of my previous rationality melting into a raw and primal hunger.

“Shhh,” he teases softly, his breath warm against my ear.

“I’ve got you.” His strong body presses against mine, his hard length tantalizingly close to my entrance. A deep, insatiable need unfurls within me at the connection, an urgent longing to be fully enveloped by him.

He grips my ass hard in one hand then guides his thick cock to my pussy, circling my clit.

“Mmm, so wet for me. Who does this cunt drip for?” he growls against my ear, sending goose bumps along my fevered skin. His eyes darken with desire, a promise that makes me tingle. I clench my eyes shut, overwhelmed by his raw desire, as I respond with a whimper, unable to deny the truth of his words.

With a swift motion, he plunges his fingers deep inside me, igniting a blazing trail of pleasure that courses through my veins. Each thrust is precise, powerful, sending waves of ecstasy crashing through me. My legs tremble, but Wilder’s strong arm holds me up, keeping me firmly pressed against the cool glass of the shower wall, my body stripped bare of defenses.

Suddenly, his fingers withdraw, leaving me aching, gasping for more. “No, don’t...” I protest, almost desperately, but he swiftly drops me and spins me around.

“You want it, don’t you?” he snarls, that raw hunger evident in every word. His hard cock presses against my ass, pulsating with need. I can feel the heat radiating off him, the proof of his desire. His hand snakes around my waist once again, finding my clit, igniting the maddening rhythm that leaves me moaning with need.

“Beg for it, Arwen,” he commands, his breath hot against my ear. “Beg for my cock.”

His demand sends my mind reeling, caught in the storm of need that clouds my judgment. “Please, Wilder ... I need you inside me.” The plea escapes my lips, raw and desperate.

With a throaty growl, Wilder positions himself at my entrance, teasing my slick folds with the head of his cock. I feel like I am on the brink of something monumental, something beyond mere pleasure. Without warning, he thrusts into me, filling me to the hilt with one powerful movement. The sensation sends shock waves through every nerve ending, the mixture of pleasure and pain almost too much to bear. An animalistic cry escapes my lips, echoing in the steam-filled room as he sets a brutal pace, his powerful thrusts forcing my sensitive nipples to rub against the cool glass.

“You didn’t answer me, Starlight,” he urges, grinding against me, making it impossible to think clearly. “Who makes this pussy so slick with need?”

“Wilder! It’s only you,” I cry out, overwhelmed by need and the way he is manipulating my body as if it’s an instrument.

“Fuck, Arwen...” he groans, the sound reverberating in my core. “You feel so good. So fucking tight.”

“Tell me you want it, tell me you need it!” Wilder demands, his voice a harsh whisper in the haze of steam.

I can barely form the words, overcome by the onslaught of pleasure that consumes me. “Please, Wilder ... I can’t hold back!” My body responds to him, arching and grinding against him, every instinct screaming for release.

With every thrust, I feel the tension build within me, the waves of pleasure crashing harder and harder, threatening to pull me under with its sheer force. I can hear my heartbeat thundering in my ears, the sound almost drowned out by Wilder’s own growls as he surrenders to the rhythm of our bodies colliding.

“Just surrender, Starlight. I’ll take you to places you’ve never been,” he promises.

My body tightens around him, clenching as I teeter at the edge of ecstasy.

“Wilder!” I scream, the pleasure crashing over me like a relentless wave, dragging me down into oblivion. With each powerful thrust, he pushes me further into bliss, our world spinning out of control as we surrender to the tempest of our desires.

He pumps one last time, gripping me tightly, his cock twitching deep inside me as he empties himself into me. A moan escapes my lips, swallowed by the cascading water. We stand there, panting and spent, surrendering to the bliss that washes over us, both physical and emotional.

Wilder presses a gentle kiss to my shoulder, a stark contrast to the rough, animalistic way he just took me.

“You’re mine, Arwen,” he murmurs against my skin as his arms wrap tightly around me. The possessiveness in his voice both thrills and soothes my frayed nerves.

He delivers a playful slap to my ass, sending a fresh wave of pleasure coursing through me. It is an electric jolt, a reminder of his control, followed swiftly by his hands working to ease the sting. Then, with a swift movement, he twists me around, cupping my face in his hands.

“And you’re mine.” A wicked glimmer sparks in Wilder’s eyes.

“My sweet, delicious mate,” he muses as he brings his lips to mine, kissing me with such reverence and love it leaves me breathless. Can he truly love my shattered soul?

As if reading my thoughts, he broke the kiss but kept my gaze locked on his.

“Let’s wash up. I have a surprise for you,” he says with a smirk, lathering a cloth with his soap. Heat surges through me anew as his strong hands begin at my chest, lingering for a tantalizing moment over my breast. A mischievous grin spreads across his face.

“Wilder...” my voice falters, breathy and unwilling to sound firm. I am caught in the web of my conflicting emotions and desires.

He chuckles darkly, eyes dancing with mischief. “Yes?” His smile is devious, his playful intentions clear.

“I thought we needed to get clean?” I challenge, raising an eyebrow as the water cascades around us, doing little to douse the fire in my belly.

“I take that responsibility very seriously, Starlight,” he jokes, laughter rumbling from deep within him. That sound, rich and vibrant, fills the cavernous space and brings warmth, pushing aside the remnants of doubt that cling to my heart. My happiness bubbles up, brightening the heavy atmosphere that had previously burdened me.

“Maybe I should finish so you don’t run all the hot water out with how ... precise you are,” I retort, matching his grin with one of my own.

“On second thought, I want my cum dripping from you so everyone can smell me on you.” The words roll off his tongue like a dark promise. He taps a button behind me, and suddenly, the jets cease, silence cutting through our postcoital haze.

“Hey!” I yelp, shocked and somewhat outraged.

“You were right. We have somewhere to be,” he beams down, pulling me from the shower and wrapping me in a heated towel as if he conjured it from thin air. His attention to detail is maddeningly impressive and makes my heart race even faster.

I blink up at him, my hair dripping and messy, but I don’t care. The intensity in his gaze, the way he holds me close, makes me forget everything outside of this moment.

“What’s the surprise?” I whisper, my curiosity piqued as he leads me out of the steamy sanctuary and into the coolness of his room.

Wilder grins, a playful glint in his eyes, making me wonder what he has planned. I’m about to find out just what surprises are in store for the day.