Page 37

Chapter Thirty-Six

Alaric

I glance around the room, taking in all the little details I've set up for Tal. Admittedly, I may have gone a little overboard on setting the mood. We probably could have done without the pink rose petals scattered across the bed or the newly bought and freshly cleaned silk bed sheets that I know are going to look incredible against her skin. This many candles is most definitely a fire hazard, but it’ll add a glow to the room that is going to look absolutely delectable across her flawless, sweat-glistened skin.

The clock says I have about twenty minutes before she's supposed to be here, which leaves me with just enough time to freshen up.

Tossing my dirty shirt into the hamper in the corner of my bathroom, I stop and grab my brush from my counter.

With a few strokes through my dark blonde hair and a little pomade, I slick the hair back on the top of my head and add a little to my beard to keep it from flying away too much.

I probably shouldn’t put too much into my appearance since my first hope for the evening is to shift and run.

Tal has had few chances in her life to run free as her other half and I want her to become more comfortable with it.

We should have been doing more to foster this for her, but between the attack and this impending war, none of us have prioritized it.

It’s not an excuse, just the reality of it.

So, before I officially mate my girl, I want to run.

Two animals running free, not a care between them.

After that we’ll have some dinner before I sweep her away to the room and show her how much being her mate means to me.

I dress comfortably, but nice.

Some black jeans and a grey button down shirt.

Easy enough to strip off for running, and other activities, but looks good for a candle lit dinner.

Taking a glance around the room, I place the lighter beside the bed for Penn to light the candles later.

I check my hair, my clothes, and finally the bed to make sure everything is in place.

Especially the ties in each corner of the bed.

Will Talia trust me enough to tie her up?

Goddess, I fucking hope so.

If she doesn’t, that’s okay, too.

I won’t push it and I don’t need it, but I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to do it with her.

The image of her trussed up on my bed, giving me all of her love and trust as I give her every ounce of pleasure I can draw out haunts my every dream.

My cock hardens at the thought, pushing uncomfortably against the zipper of my jeans.

I adjust it and think long and hard about the least sexy thing I can come up with.

The guys, the latest patrol routes, and finally, the group of drunk shifters loudly singing the most annoying songs they could think of last night.

I can tell you I do not give a fuck where he came from or where he went, that Cotton eyed bitch.

Checking the time, I curse and head out the door.

I’m a couple minutes later than I said I would be and that’s not something I’m comfortable with.

My word is ironclad and I’ve worked hard to maintain that in all aspects of my life.

Am I a control freak?

Yeah, a bit.

Do people trust me and my word?

Abso-fucking-lutely they do, and that’s important to me.

The walk to Talia’s room is mercifully quick as I rap my knuckles against her door ten seconds later.

Her door swings open, her bright jade eyes meeting mine instantly.

“Hi,” she says softly, her smile stealing my breath for a moment.

“Is what I’m wearing okay? You didn’t tell me what we were doing. Well, other than— you know…”

The shy blush spreading across her cheeks distracts me before I give her outfit a slow, deep once-over.

She’s in a red dress that ends just above her knees, with a long white cardigan over top.

She looks like a fucking five-course meal.

“You look perfect, kitten,” I answer, grabbing her chin lightly between my thumb and index finger.

“Utterly and completely delectable.”

My lips touch hers in a slow, seductive kiss.

I take my time, teasing and tasting, willing her to open up to me and let me take everything.

It’s not long before Talia pushes against me, trying to deepen the kiss, but I still hold her chin, completely in control.

I allow her to deepen it for a moment, then I break the kiss, stepping back and holding out my hand for hers.

“I thought we could go for a run before dinner.” I watch her face, taking in every small reaction and thought that passes through her features.

She’s intrigued, but hesitant.

“I’ll be with you the whole time, you’ll be safe. If you want to stop anything at any time, you only need to say it.”

“Okay,” she answers while nodding her head.

I can see the calm and confidence wash over her.

“Yes, I would like that. I don’t let my peryton out as much as she deserves.”

Taking Talia’s hand in mine, I stroke her fingers with my thumb then pull her into my side.

We make it out of the house without running into any of the guys.

A rare occurrence to say the least.

The walk out to my favourite running place is quiet, both of us enjoying the peace of nature around us.

I watch Talia out of the corner of my eye, her teal hair glinting in the dying sun as she looks at the forest around us.

“We’re almost there.”

Talia nods in confirmation, her eyes darting around the forest taking it all in.

Watching Talia take things in is one of the most fascinating things I've ever experienced. It's kind of like watching a child experience something for the first time.

There's an innocence and curiosity about it that draws you in, urging you to look at it with new eyes.

The green leaves dance in the breeze, letting sunlight peak through in different ways. It flickers and moves in a way only nature can replicate. The scents flow around us, damp earth mixed with fresh grass and sweet sap from the trees around us.

The forest is my favourite place. Having Talia in it with me, just makes me love it even more.

I pull on her hand, guiding her to an alcove of trees off to my right. There's a stretch of open field just beyond that will give us some freedom to run while still being firmly on pack lands and surrounded by trees in every direction.

We used to use this field as young pups to get our energy out.

We would make elaborate obstacle courses out of branches and foliage and try to beat each other.

Penn would always pull pranks to throw us off our game, but that's only because he couldn't beat me or Forrester to save his life.

Drayton did his best to keep our pack of rascals from playing too dirty, but he had his hands full with that and would rarely participate in the actual races.

Wes, of course, had his nose in a book.

Although, when he did join the races, he kicked most of our asses.

He's always been sneaky like that. He's book smart, but he's also one hell of a runner and a fighter.

"Here?" Talia asks, pulling me from my thoughts.

I chuckle and nod. "Yeah, we'll shift here. There's a field just beyond those trees over there. The guys and I used to play here a lot as kids."

Talia's eyes light up in excitement.

"Really?"

I tell her about those days, making her laugh and her eyes fill up with love and wonder at the stories.

Cupping her cheek, I press my lips to her forehead after her laughter subsides and sigh against her skin.

"Thank you for telling me."

"Anytime, beautiful. Now." I clap my hands together and smile.

"Are you ready to run?"

"Yes," she says, nodding enthusiastically.

The stories seem to have drawn out even more of her curiosity and any apprehension she previously had seems to have vanished.

"Let's do this!"

We both shift, at the same time. As much as I want to stay human a few seconds longer to see her peryton with my human eyes, I know it's more comfortable for her if we do it together. My wolf mind takes the forefront, and we both watch her in rapt fascination.

Beautiful echoes throughout my head, from man and beast alike. Her peryton looks over at me and bows her head in submission and my wolf rumbles in appreciation.

I walk up to her, my wolf slightly towering over her, and nudge her snout back up so her eyes can look into mine. The jade sparkle of human Talia shines in the large doe eyes of her animal form.

I nuzzle into her, inhaling her scent while mixing mine into it. My wolf love nips her side and suddenly she's running towards the field. Satisfaction flows through me as I take off after her. It takes longer to catch up to her than I anticipated.

Talia is fast, her doe legs tearing across the field with her wings tucked close to her side. My paws eat up the distance only for her to take a quick left and leave me behind again. My wolf is excited by the chase, while I remind him she's our mate not prey.

I can feel the eye roll from him, the attitude making me chuckle. Of course he knows our mate, he's enjoying playing with her, not hunting her.

In our momentary distraction, Talia beats her wings for a moment, taking her feet off the ground and I slam on my metaphorical brakes to watch in awe. She drops back down with a huff before trying again, her feet tucking up as she beats her wings harder and flies low to the ground for a few moments longer than the first time.

When Talia drops down this time she shifts back to human and I run to her, shifting to man as I get close. Swinging her up into my arms, I place my hands under her thighs and tuck her against my chest, noting the paleness of her skin.

"Holy shit," I breathe out, my chest heaving with excitement and adrenaline. "You just fucking flew."

Talia shakes her head and looks at me in disbelief. "I just flew. I didn't know I could do that. I thought my wings were just a decorative part of my peryton, but she wanted to try."

"That's fucking incredible," I tell her. "Do you have any idea how amazing you are?"

She laughs, still in shock and awe at what she did. Taking the chance, I kiss her deeply, pressing every part of her tightly against me.

Talia kisses me back, the adrenaline running through both of us making us practically frantic with desire. I grind her centre against my hard cock, groaning at the electric sensations rolling through my veins at the contact. Talia gasps and writhes against me, her head falling back and exposing her neck to me.

I bite down gently on her throat then follow with a lick, sending a shiver down her spine. "I had dinner planned and my bedroom set up for this," I whisper against her skin.

"Please," she begs, grinding into me more. Her jade eyes meet mine and I suck air in between my teeth at the pure lust reflected back at me. "I need you. We can do the rest later, but I need you here and now."

"What my mate wants, my mate gets," I practically growl, beast and man both fully on board with this.

Dropping to my knees, I lay Talia out flat on the soft grass and I grab hold of the front of her dress. As much as I love the red on her, I have no time or patience to take it off of her nicely. I rip the dress down the center, exposing her white satin bra and panties to my greedy gaze.

At her shocked expression, I chuckle deeply. "Sorry, kitten. I'll buy you another one. I just can't control myself with you."

With that, I dip my head down, kissing her nipples over her bra, before pulling the cups down and sucking her pert, pink tip into my mouth.

I'm a goddamn starved man right now and only her body can sate me.

"Oh god, Alaric," Talia cries out, her hips thrusting up against my jean covered cock. "Please. Please. Please. Please."

Reaching between us, I rip her panties off as well and slip two fingers along her slick, wet clit. It's begging me to suck on it so I move down her body. As my mouth kisses her sensitive clit, I push one finger inside of her, then another as I lick the delicious nub.

Talia's hands grip my head, but I pull back and grab both of her wrists, encircling them with my one hand and holding them against her stomach while I feast.

Talia is moaning and wiggling around, begging me with incoherent pleas to bring her to the precipice of heaven. Something I am only too happy to oblige.

I suck her clit and fuck her with my fingers curled ever so slightly in a come hither movement. Groaning in pleasure at the taste, I set off her first orgasm and push her to give me every fucking drop of it. When I'm satisfied she has no more to give, I pull back and grin.

"Absolutely delicious," I compliment, licking my fingers that were just deep inside of her. Her hooded eyes watch every lick and suck as I savour every last drop of her.

Talia moves for my pants now that her hands are free again, but I shake my head. "Not happening, baby," I say, grabbing her hands again and placing them above her head. "Keep them there for me."

She does as she's told, making me even fucking harder than I thought possible.

I pull my shirt off then follow with my pants, my cock springing free, ready to dive headfirst into her sweet heat. Staring at her, I stroke my cock gently with a wicked grin on my face.

"You ready for me, kitten?"

At her nod, I lean over her, one hand gripping her hands above her head and the other gripping the base of my cock to line it up with her entrance.

As her heat envelopes me, I shiver in pleasure then thrust fully inside. Talia cries out, my name a thing of worship on her gorgeous tongue.

“You feel so good, kitten.” I grip a wrist in each hand and kiss her deeply, my tongue tasting her cherry coloured lips and the moans of her ecstasy.

My thrusts are deep and measured, each one making Talia grow more and more tense, her body preparing for another climax. I feel every shake of her muscles, every catch of her breath, and when it feels like she can’t take anymore, I slip one of my hands between us and rub her clit in tight, deep circles until she screams my name.

My balls tighten, my own climax not far behind. Her inner muscles grip my shaft in a tight, wet hold that has me frantic for release. Gripping both of her hips, I let go and thrust with abandon, my cock twitching then flooding her with my cum.

I still inside of her and call out her name. “Talia. Fuck, baby, you feel so good. Take every last drop of my cum,” I command her.

Collapsing beside her, I release a deep breath and roll onto my side to look at my beautiful mate in all her blissed out glory.

“You still alive?” I joke, brushing hair out of her face.

She blinks at me and smiles softly. “Barely.”

“Good.” With a wink, I kiss her cheek. “Let’s get you cleaned up and fed. Then maybe we'll go for round two in my room.”

“My hero.”

“Always, kitten.”