Chapter 13

Chapter

Thirteen

H er heart pounded like a drum in her chest, each beat echoed the gravity of the decision she was about to make. The air between Colt and her was thick with tension, a potent mix of fear, desire, and an underlying current of desperation that made her breath hitch. She looked into his eyes, blue as a stormy sea, and saw the raw need reflected there—a need that mirrored her own.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice barely audible, yet it carried the weight of her conviction. “I’ll mate with you, Colt.”

Relief and urgency flashed across his face. Without a word, he took her hand, his grip firm and possessive, and led her through the pack house. The walls blurred as they raced past, Colt’s stride determined. She felt the eyes of pack members on them, curious and knowing, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was the man beside her and the promise they were about to fulfill.

They reached his room, a space filled with his scent—woodsy and masculine, a reflection of the alpha he was. As soon as the door closed behind them, Colt turned to her, his eyes ablaze with primal intensity. He advanced, his movements fluid and predatory, backing her against the door. His hands came up, cupping her face, his touch gentle yet firm.

“Ariana,” he rasped, his voice rough with emotion. “I promise you I’ll protect you. I’ll protect us.”

His words were a vow, spoken with the gravity of a sacred oath. A shiver ran down her spine, a mix of anticipation and nervousness. This was it—the point of no return. And she wanted it, all of it, with a ferocity that matched his own.

He leaned in, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. It was urgent and hot, filled with the pent-up desire that had been building between them since their paths first crossed. His mouth moved against hers, demanding and hungry, and she responded in kind as she reached up to tangle her fingers in his hair. He growled low in his throat, a sound that sent a jolt of heat straight to her core.

His hands roamed her body, tracing the curves and lines of her as if they were sacred ground. Each touch was a brand, a claim that set her skin on fire. She felt the wildness in him, the raw, untamed power of his wolf just beneath the surface, and it called to an equally wild part of her. She arched into his touch, a silent plea for more.

He broke the kiss, trailing his lips down her neck, his breath hot against her skin. His teeth grazed her pulse point, a primal, possessive gesture that made her gasp. “Mine,” he growled, the word vibrated against her throat.

She nodded, her breath coming in quick, shallow gasps. “Yours,” she agreed, her voice barely a whisper. “And you belong to me, Colt.”

His eyes flashed, a fierce, possessive light burning in their depths. He stepped back just enough to grasp the hem of her shirt, pulling it up and over her head in one swift motion. His gaze swept over her, hungry and appreciative, taking in every inch of her exposed skin. She reached for his shirt, her fingers trembling as she tugged it free from his waistband and pushed it up, revealing the hard planes of his chest. He helped by yanking the shirt off and tossing it aside, his muscles flexing with every movement.

Gods, he was perfection.

As soon as his shirt hit the floor, they were on each other again, their mouths clashing in a fierce, desperate kiss. His hands skimmed down her back, tracing the line of her spine before dipping lower to cup her ass, lifting her against him. She wrapped her legs around his waist, locking her ankles behind his back as he carried her to the bed.

He laid her down, his body covering hers, the weight of him delicious and grounding. The hard length of him pressed against her, and she arched her hips, seeking more contact. He growled, a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers of anticipation coursing through her.

His mouth moved from hers, trailing kisses down her neck, her collarbone, her chest. He lingered at the swell of her breasts, his breath hot against her sensitive skin. She arched her back, offering herself to him, and he took what she offered, capturing one taut peak between his lips, teasing and sucking until she was writhing beneath him. Every pull of his mouth sent a corresponding pulse of heat between her legs, her body aching for more.

Colt’s hands moved to her waist, unfastening her jeans, pushing them down her hips. She kicked them off, her heart pounding with anticipation as he hooked his fingers in the waistband of her panties. Pausing, he looked up at her with a question in his eyes. She nodded, her consent clear, and he pulled them off, leaving her bare before him.

He stood, his gaze never leaving hers as he unbuckled his belt. The sound of the leather against metal sent a thrill of anticipation through her. He pushed his jeans down, stepping out of them. Unlike her, he went commando, leaving her to gaze upon every long, thick inch of him. He was glorious, all hard muscle and raw power, and she wanted him with an intensity that left her breathless.

Colt rejoined her on the bed, his body covering hers once more. She felt the heat of him, the hard length of him pressed against her, and she wrapped her legs around his hips, urging him closer. He captured her mouth in another searing kiss, his hands roaming her body, stoking the fire that burned within her.

She felt his wolf, the primal, wild part of him that demanded he claim her, mark her as his own. And she wanted it, wanted him to mark her, to make her his in every way possible. She broke the kiss, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she turned her head, baring her neck to him in submission.

A low, possessive growl rumbled in his chest, and she felt his teeth graze her skin, a promise of the bite that would seal their bond. She shivered, her body aching with need as she waited for the moment that would change everything. But he didn’t bite her, not yet. Instead, he moved down her body, his mouth trailing kisses along her skin, each one a brand, a claim. He settled between her legs, his breath hot against her sex, and she gasped as he licked her, a long, slow stroke that sent waves of pleasure crashing through her.

He feasted, his mouth and tongue driving her to the edge of ecstasy and back again. Each stroke, each caress, was a symphony of sensation, pushing her closer to the precipice. She writhed beneath him, her hips moving in time with his ministrations, her hands fisting the sheets for anchor.

When he slipped a finger inside her, curling it to hit that perfect spot, her world exploded. Waves of pleasure washed over her, her body convulsing with the intensity of her orgasm. She cried out, her voice echoing through the room, a primal sound of pure, unrestrained ecstasy.

He was relentless, continuing to stroke and tease her through the aftershocks, drawing out every bit of pleasure. Only when she lay boneless and panting did he move back up her body, his mouth capturing hers in a fierce, possessive kiss.

She tasted herself on his lips, a heady mix of their combined desire. It fueled the fire inside her, reigniting the need that had temporarily been sated. She reached down, wrapped her fingers around his cock, and stroked him. He groaned into her mouth, his hips bucked against her hand.

“Ariana,” he growled, his voice rough with need. “I need you. Now.”

“Yes.” She spread her legs wider in invitation. He positioned himself at her entrance, his gaze locked with hers as he slowly pushed inside. She gasped, and he stopped.

“Don’t stop,” she whispered, her hands gripping his shoulders. “I want all of you, Colt.”

With a low growl, he thrust forward, burying himself deep inside her. She cried out; her nails digging into his skin as she clung to him. He stilled for a moment, their breaths mingling, their hearts pounding in sync. Then he moved, his hips driving into hers with an urgency that left her breathless.

Each thrust was a claim, a promise, a vow. She felt the power of their connection, the bond between their souls strengthened with every touch, every kiss, every shared breath. The sensation was overwhelming, a tidal wave of emotion and physical intensity that swept her up and carried her away. She met his thrusts with her own, their bodies moving in perfect harmony.

His mouth claimed hers again, his kiss fierce and possessive, a reflection of the primal need that drove him. His hands roamed her body, touching, caressing, claiming every inch of her as his own. She did the same, her fingers tracing the lines of his muscles, each touch a silent vow that she was his. Completely.

Their connection was intense, a fiery storm of passion and need that consumed them both. She felt the heat building within her that promised an explosive release. Colt’s pace quickened, his thrusts more urgent, more desperate. She felt his own need, his own desire matching hers, their bodies and souls in perfect sync.

As they neared the precipice, his mouth moved to her neck, his teeth grazed her skin in a primal, possessive gesture. She tilted her head, baring her neck to him, offering herself completely. With a low growl, he bit down, his teeth sinking into her flesh, marking her as his own. The pain was sharp but fleeting, quickly replaced by a wave of euphoria that crashed through her.

She felt a flood of pure energy that rushed through her veins, partially sealing their bond. It was a sensation unlike anything she had ever experienced, a mix of raw power, intense pleasure, and absolute certainty.

“Colt, I need to bite you to complete our bond,” she whispered.

“Do it.” He turned his head, offering his neck.

She kissed the corded muscle then sank her fangs. The first drop of his blood tasted wild, just like Colt himself and it sent her over the edge. They were one, bound by a force greater than either of them, a bond that transcended the physical and reached deep into the very fabric of their beings.

Colt’s release followed. His body convulsed with the intensity of his orgasm.

“Mine,” he whispered as he touched his forehead to hers.

“Forever,” she replied, slipping her arms around him and holding as tight as she could. Reality was knocking at the door, and she wanted to enjoy every second she could.

As they came down from the high of their lovemaking, Colt’s grip on Ariana softened, and his body trembled as the last waves of pleasure washed over him. He pressed his forehead against hers, their breaths mingling, chests heaving in sync. The intensity of their connection left him feeling both invincible and deeply vulnerable. He had never felt so complete, nor so terrified of losing what they had just claimed.

“Ariana,” he whispered, his voice rough and filled with an emotion that went beyond desire. “My mate. Forever.”

She nodded, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “Yes, and you’re mine, Colt. Forever.”

Their bond hummed between them, a tangible force that echoed in every beat of their hearts. Colt felt her—her strength, her commitment, her love—and he knew she felt him too. The connection went beyond any promise or vow. It was a bond forged by fate, sealed by their hearts, and now made eternal by their choice.

He rolled onto his side, pulling her with him. He kept her close, his arms wrapped around her, unwilling to let her go. She nestled against him, her head resting on his chest, as her fingers traced lines across his skin. Each touch was a silent vow, a promise that she was his.

They lay there, their bodies entwined, their hearts beating as one. Colt felt a sense of peace wash over him, a calm that he had not felt in a long time. With Ariana by his side, he knew they could face any challenge, overcome any obstacle. Their bond was their strength, their shield, and their salvation.

But even as he savored the moment, he knew their journey was far from over. The threat of the blade loomed over them, the ancient force that could unravel their destinies and tear them apart. He would not let that happen. He would fight with every ounce of his being, every drop of his blood, to protect what they had.

Ariana seemed to sense his thoughts, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “We’ll face whatever comes together, Colt,” she murmured, her voice filled with determination. “Our bond is stronger than any threat, greater than any danger. We’ll fight, and we’ll win.”

He looked down at her, her eyes reflecting the fierce resolve that matched his own. “Together,” he agreed, his voice a low growl. “No matter what comes, we stand united.”

A sharp rap on the door abruptly interrupted their moment of peace, followed by Jaxon’s urgent voice. “Colt, Ariana, we have a situation. The rogue pack has been spotted near our territory.”

Colt growled low in his throat. The primal sound echoed the frustration of having their moment of unity interrupted. He exchanged a glance with Ariana, their bond humming more strongly than ever. Fate seemed to take no heed of their timing, constantly challenging their resolve. They had only just sealed their bond, their souls now irrevocably linked, and yet, there was no time to revel in the sanctity of it.

“Stay here,” Colt ordered, even as he swung his legs over the side of the bed, muscles rippling. “I need to handle this.”

Ariana was on her feet in a flash. Her own determination burned through the bond so forcefully that Colt felt it to his soul. “I’m coming with you,” she stated matter-of-factly, her voice a blend of steel and unwavering commitment.

He wanted to argue, to shield her from the immediate threat, but the strength and fire in her eyes quelled any protests. They were partners, equals destined to face down every storm that came their way together.

Jaxon rapped on the door again, urgency clear in his voice. “Alpha, we need you now.”

Ariana grabbed her clothes from the floor and dressed in record time. Colt saw the fierce determination in her movements, the lingering fire in her eyes that mirrored their bond’s latest promise. As she reached for her top, he placed his hand over hers, drawing her attention back to him for a moment so brief yet so impactful.

We fight together. He tested their mental connection, echoing her earlier words.

She nodded. Always .

They emerged from the room, their steps rushed. The pack house was buzzing with activity; the air was thick with tension as pack members moved with purpose, preparing for the potential engagement.

Jaxon, seeing them approach, motioned toward the tree line at the far edge of their territory. “Scouts reported seeing a sizable rogue pack gathering just beyond our borders. They seem to be waiting, but it’s only a matter of time before they make a move.” He looked at Ariana. “Welcome to the pack.”

Colt nodded, his mind already calculating the strategies needed and talks with his pack about his new mate would have to wait. “Jaxon, alert the warriors. I want a perimeter set up—no one from that rogue pack gets past without my say-so.”