“There is one more thing,” the Wolf murmured when he withdrew. “An important one.”
“Yes?” I asked anxiously.
“You thought to be strong for me.” The Wolf's hand slip into the hair at my temple and held me as if to keep me from looking away. “You were broken—I saw it in your eyes—but you wanted to heal me. You were going to do whatever your wolf told you to do, weren't you, Mate?”
“Yes,” I whispered. “But then you...”
“I know.” His grip eased and his hand cupped my face. “I felt you. I howled through the night and hunted to ease the pain, but I couldn't. We shared it. We were hurt together, and we need to heal together. But you will not be alpha, Mate. You will not heal us; I will.”
I just nodded; overwhelmed. How had I been so blind? I told myself I understood the nature of the beast; that there were things that must be done to assuage it. But I had neglected some of the most important issues. The most important one; control. The alpha wolf needed it like he needed the Moon above him and the Pack around him. I had taken his control, and now he was going to take it back with interest.
The Wolf swept me up into his arms and carried me up the stairs; this time like a groom instead of a barbarian. He didn't stare longingly at me as he climbed or kiss me to distraction; he faced forward with determination and anticipation. I could feel the tension returning to his shoulders, and I wondered what this healing would entail that my brave wolf was daunted by it.
We came to the first bedroom on the left, and he took me straight to the bed. The Wolf set me on my feet in front of the bed and started to remove his clothing.
“Take off your dress,” the Wolf said as he shrugged out of his shirt.
I flinched; it was exactly what Katila had said to me. But I fought the urge to protest and reached for the zipper. I kept my gaze fixed on my wolf as I pushed the dress down. His eyes feasted on the skin I revealed, and then his gaze lowered to my panties.
“We are going through it all again, Mate,” the Wolf warned me. “But we'll do it my way this time. That bastard has no idea how to make you shiver and scream. Now, remove your panties.”
I pushed the panties down to puddle at my feet.
“Get onto the bed, on your hands and knees, and spread those lovely cheeks for me,” he growled.
My whole body was trembling in humiliation and fear—images of the “incident” returning—but I did it. I trusted him and got on the bed; moved into that position. I heard Katila again, in my head; saying things to me that Trevor would never say. How did I not know? I should have known that it wasn't Trevor the moment he snickered at Azrael. Looking back now, there were so many signs, and I had ignored every one. I pressed my face into the comforter so the Wolf wouldn't see my tears.
“Look at me!” the Wolf said sharply.
I flinched and glanced over my shoulder at him. He was standing at the foot of the bed, and he knelt before it as I watched; bringing his face to the level of my sex.
“I am your mate; you will show me everything. Give me everything. Your laughter and your tears. Your blood and your woman's nectar. Your power and your weakness. They are all mine; never withhold them from me,” he said—his gaze hot on mine—and then leaned forward to lick me thoroughly.
Pleasure rushed through me; covering the shame and terror with desire. It's funny how ecstasy can conquer anything; dulling pain, hatred, and even fear. Suddenly, the body is yanked back to its primal instinct; to procreate . With the right partner, the rest of the body's needs—eating, sleeping, and even breathing—become secondary directives. And I was definitely with the right partner now.
I kept my eyes on the Wolf even though his face was buried in my sex. I watched his muscular arms wrap around my thighs—flexing aggressively—and his wide shoulders roll as he moved sensually against me. He didn't tease as Katila had done; he feasted with sounds of pure, masculine delight coming from him. He took what he wanted while giving me everything he knew I'd want. The Wolf's tongue was inside me. Lapping against me. Rubbing firmly. Flicking at the crest of my sex. His mouth covered me to suck greedily.
Wave after wave of rapture hit me; taking me further out to sea. His sea; his essence. Every motion began with him. Every drop belonged to him. I was drowning in the Wolf, and this time, there was no panic. Only peace. Only pleasure. Only him.
And then the Wolf pulled away. The entire lower half of his face was wet. He licked his lips as I watched. The Wolf gave me a lopsided grin as he pulled up the hem of the comforter and wiped his chin with it.
“That's a good start,” he announced. “Lay back on those pillows, Mate. Spread your legs and bring yourself more pleasure. I will watch.”
I moved my trembling body as fast as I could; lying back on the mound of pillows and spreading my legs. I still had my boots on, and I hadn't even realized it. I set their spiked heels into the comforter as I moved my hand between my legs.
The Wolf was nude and glorious; muscles bunching as he leaned forward on the mattress. I pushed away thoughts of the last time I'd seen him this way and concentrated on the present.
