“You’re a hell of a kisser. Then again, I’ve not got any experience in that department, so you could be really bad and I just don’t know it.”
Shade’s head fell back, laughing. “You cheeky minx. I’m a fine kisser and you know it.”
“Hey, just saying.”
“There’s one thing I do need to do if you’re determined not to stay in bed.” Shade allowed his fangs to descend. “I need to mark you, Mari. Nobody can be in any doubt that you’re mine and are under my protection. Is that all right with you?”
Shade waited for her answer, knowing he couldn’t allow her to roam free without doing this. No way in hell could Marissa wander around without his mark. No fucking way. Any Shifter would feel the same. For an Alpha it was doubly so and Shade’s need to mark her was so intense it was a physical ache deep inside his soul. His beast howling with yearning to ensure no other Wolf would mistake their mate for anything other than what she was. Theirs.
Marissa nibbled her bottom lip nervously as she finally nodded. “Yes, I think that would be best. We don’t want any . . . misunderstandings. Do we?”
Shade’s relief was instant, his grin splitting his face as he chuckled. “Indeed. I’m glad you see it that way too. I’ve already had my share of fights for the week. I don’t relish having too many more and hopefully, we can bond soon and that will stop any further problems.”
“Are you really sure I’m the one?” She looked up at him, doubt still clouding her eyes.
Shade could see deep inside her, the damage done to her from years of abuse and degradation. Her self-worth all but gone. Damn, he’d fix that. “I’m sure. More than anything else in my life, Marissa. You’re my soulmate and you know it, deep inside you, you know it as much as I do. You just have to believe it, baby. We’re two halves that when together we’ll be unstoppable. I worked my ass off to build this Pack up, make it profitable and strong, but I know that together we can make it even better. With you by my side, we’ll make this Pack the biggest and best damn Pack in history. Believe, that’s all you have to do, take my hand, my heart, my soul, and believe.”
Marissa’s breath hitched, tears filling her eyes, her hand reaching for the one he held out to hers as she whispered, “Shade, I believe.”
Shade lowered his head, tilting Marissa’s to the side to gain access to the spot where he’d mark her, not a full mating bite, just enough to alert everyone and let them know she was his. As his fangs scraped her soft skin, he was mindful not to hurt her, careful not to sink his teeth too deep, barely piercing the top layer and allowing a small dribble of her blood to caress his tongue.
The sweet taste was intoxicating, heady, and arousing. His throbbing manhood twitched in response to her blood dripping down his throat, her hands tugging on his hair, holding him tightly against her. Marissa’s groans as he marked her were full of passion and longing, her ass grinding against his groin, but he forced himself to pull back, licking across the punctures to seal them before kissing her once more. It took all his resolve not to take things further but he’d meant what he’d said and no matter how hard it was, he would stick to it.
Shade broke the kiss, staring at his mark marring her skin. The sight bringing forth a host of emotions he wasn’t familiar with. First and foremost was a sense of peace, but he also felt concern for his mate. “I hope I didn’t hurt you too much.”
Marissa shook her head, her lips tugging up. “No, it wasn’t sore. Is it weird I found it hot?”
He laughed, again. “Not at all. I did too, hell, everything about you is hot. If we don’t move soon I think I’m going to explode in my jeans and that would be plain embarrassing. Let’s get you showered before you distract me again.”
“Where’s my stuff? I’ll need clothes and my toothbrush and . . .”
Shade stood with her in his arms. “All taken care of. I got you new things. Everything from a toothbrush to underwear, and a host of other items. You can check them out after you’ve had your shower and if there’s anything that’s not to your liking we can return them and you can pick whatever you want.”
“Really? You shopped for me?” She looked at him as if he had two heads or something.
“I didn’t exactly go to a store,” he told her. “We have a large warehouse here that has stock of just about anything we need, from food to clothes, and everything in between. I’ll show you it later if you’re up to it.”
“Jeez, yeah, I’d like to see that.” Marissa’s eyes sparkled when she saw his bathroom as he sat her down on the space between his double sinks. “This is just for you? It’s huge.”
“What? The bathroom? Of course, it’s just for me. I like my space and I enjoy a nice soak to soothe my muscles, especially if I’ve had a tussle. The shower is for quickness but I relax in the bath whenever I get the chance.”
Shade looked around at the room with fresh eyes. The space was large, the sunken bath big enough for two and with jets to help ease his aching body if he’d been sparring, or had to put a Wolf in their place. His walk-in shower took up the entire
