12. Daxton

TWELVE

DAXTON

Sitting beside Savannah on the small sofa inside my camper, my panther was the calmest he'd been all night. Maybe even ever. He enjoyed having her in our space, and I felt the same.

When she locked eyes with me, the air seemed to crackle with chemistry. The connection between us had been weaving tighter since the moment we met.

"As crazy as it might make me sound, you make me feel calm, safe, and protected," she whispered, her eyes never leaving mine.

"There's nothing crazy about that. I'm glad I make you feel that way," I said.

She flashed me a smile that sent pride flowing through my panther and me.

"I've felt a pull toward you since that first day I met you at the fitness center," she continued, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."

Something entered her stare—hope. Was it because she hoped I felt the same?

"I know what you mean," I assured her, my panther making a noise of agreement.

Her eyes widened. "You do?"

"Yeah. I don't think I've ever felt such a strong connection to someone before."

It was the truth, but I understood why I felt so strongly toward her.

"Right," she continued, licking her lips. "It feels so natural."

"Exactly," I admitted, boldly reaching out to touch her cheek. "You feel right."

As my fingers brushed against her skin, her eyes sparked with a touch of surprise. It was a moment of pure connection, one that spoke volumes about the bond that had formed between us.

"It's weird, isn't it?" she whispered, leaning into my touch. "How some people just click."

"It is," I agreed, my gaze on her lips.

The urge to kiss her had become unbearable.

To my surprise, she closed the gap between us. I sensed her slight hesitation just before she pressed her lips softly against mine. The kiss was light and tender at first, but the instant I cupped her face and released a low groan, we lost ourselves in the moment.

Deepening the kiss, I stroked my tongue against hers. Shivers slipped down my spine as her fingers entwined with the hair at the back of my head, tugging. Her scent—a mix of vanilla and something wild and untamed—filled my nose, intoxicating me. My heart raced in my ears, thudding with the need for her I felt pumping through me.

Savannah's body arched closer to mine, her curves tempting me even more than her scent and taste. I pulled her into my lap, my fingers digging into her hips. She released a tiny gasp at the sudden shift in our sitting arrangements, but when she felt how hard I'd become, that gasp changed swiftly to a soft moan. She ground against me, teasing me with friction, and I released a low growl. I gripped her hips harder, lifting her into the air as I stood. She wrapped her legs around my waist while I walked us to the table in the corner and pinned her against its smooth surface.

Her legs remained wrapped around me, keeping me where she wanted me, as she tugged at the hem of my shirt. Taking the hint, I pulled it off and tossed it to the floor behind me before dipping my head to nip at her bottom lip. A soft gasp escaped her that sent shivers through me once again. The room blurred, and all I could focus on was her.

This woman was mine.

I groaned into her mouth as my hands roamed her body, hungrily exploring every curve and contour. She was beautiful. When my hand slipped underneath her shirt to cup her breast, I found her pebbled nipple waiting for me. Tweaking and squeezing it through the thin fabric of her bra, I had her releasing another soft moan for me. Pulling back, I looked down at her, wanting to soak in her flushed cheeks and parted lips. The hungry gleam in her eyes nearly did me in, sending another low growl rumbling from deep in my throat.

Lowering myself down again, I nipped at her earlobe and trailed featherlight kisses down her neck, moving to the crook of her shoulder. I continued on my path, heading straight to one of the hardened peaks of her nipples straining against the material holding it captive. I took it between my teeth gently, tugging just enough to make her gasp in pleasure. She tugged at the hem of her shirt, pulling it off and then tossing it on the floor where I'd thrown mine. Her bra came off next, revealing her perfect breasts in all their glory.

I stared at her, loving every inch of her beautiful body she'd revealed.

With a firm grip, she pulled my face toward her, and captured my mouth with hers. Need hummed through my body. I wanted to take things slow, to make love to this beautiful woman, but every cell in my being struggled to maintain a slow place. When her hands found their way to the button on my jeans, any willpower I had faded, and I gave in to the heat rippling through us both.

We tore at the rest of each other's clothing until nothing remained between us. I drank in every inch of her naked beauty, taking pleasure in her curves and smooth skin. Desire filled her eyes as she watched me soak her in, and then her gaze swept along my body as well.

I skimmed my lips down her neck and collarbone. The scent of her arousal filled my camper, driving my panther and me wild. When her hand reached between us to stroke me, the heat between us grew near combustible. It burned away all the cool air in the camper, replacing it with a thick, heavy fog of desire that consumed us both. It placed us in a trance where every touch, every movement, was perfectly synchronized and blissful.

When she pressed me against her slick center, I groaned deeply into her mouth. Her lips curved into a smirk, and I nipped at her bottom lip. Sliding her to the edge of the table as need powered through me, I filled her inch by inch. She gasped and arched her back, while holding my stare. I moved my hips in a rhythmic way, causing whimpers to escape her. The sound of our flesh slapping together echoed through the small camper, turning me on even more. Dipping my head, I kissed her while thrusting in and out of her.

"Harder," she insisted, and I obliged.

Quickening my pace, I thrust harder and deeper, giving her what she wanted. The scent of sweat and sex saturated the surrounding air. Her fingers dug into my shoulders and traced patterns across my back while I slid in and out of her wet heat steadily. She bit down on her bottom lip as I picked up my pace, her breath hitching in her throat with every thrust. The look in her eyes was one of pure ecstasy as I moved inside her. Her hands dug into my shoulders, holding on for dear life, and I knew her nails would leave shallow scratches on my back and half-moons, but I didn't care. Her moans echoed around me, mixing with my growls of satisfaction I released as we lost ourselves in the moment.

The table beneath us creaked under the force of our movements as we drew each other closer and closer to climax. Her legs wrapped tightly around my waist again, pushing me deeper inside her with every thrust, and her muscles quivered with anticipation of what built.

Just when I thought I couldn't hold back anymore, she cried out my name and her body tensed beneath mine. Her walls clamped down on me as she fell into bliss, sending waves of pleasure coursing through me as well. I groaned into her ear, filling her completely before following suit and emptying myself.

We collapsed onto the table, panting and spent, our bodies slick with sweat.

"Whew," she breathed, her chest heaving. "That was?—"

"Incredible," I finished for her, struggling to catch my breath too.

She flashed me a saucy smile. "Yeah."

I helped her off the table, hoping I hadn't hurt her. From the smile spread across her face, I didn't think I had. She held my boxer briefs out and I took them from her, passing her lacy panties to her. Once we were both dressed again, I offered her a glass of water.

"I never expected that. That was intense," she said, taking the glass from me. "All of this really—meeting you, everything that's happened—it's like magic brought us together."

"It does feel like fate, doesn't it?" I said, knowing that was exactly what it was.

Savannah was my fated mate.

She wasn't just a significant part of my life; she was the very essence. She was the missing piece I hadn't known I was searching for.

My panther went wild, glad I'd finally caught on.

"Like all the roads we've taken were leading us here," she said. "It's crazy."

"You know, there's something in the shifter world that might explain this feeling."

"What?" she asked.

"Fated mates," I said. When the area between her brows puckered, I continued. "It's the idea that some of us are destined to be with a specific person. There's a deeper, unexplainable connection that binds them. And in case you were wondering, you're mine."

"I kind of figured," she said, her lips twisting into a soft smile. "I've felt a connection to you that's deeper than anything I've ever experienced with anyone before."

Relief washed over me. I was surprised at how readily she'd embraced the idea of being my mate. My panther, on the other hand, wasn't surprised at all.

"My panther knew from the beginning," I said, feeling a need to explain more to her. "He chose you early on, but it took me a while to understand what he was feeling and why. I've never felt anything this strongly before, and pairing with a fated mate wasn't something my tribe did. Honestly, it isn't something I've seen in my immediate family. Not until Neo and Kiera. They were the first."

"Your parents weren't fated mates?" she asked.

I shook my head. "No."

"You're both breaking the mold, then," she said. "What does it mean, being your fated mate, like what does it mean to you?"

"That we're meant for each other, in every sense of the word," I said, and I felt my heart swell with the truth of my words. "It's about more than attraction—it's a connection that encompasses our entire being. A shifter only chooses once, and me and my panther—we chose you."

Her gaze locked with mine. "I can feel it. While I might not understand all the nuances of your world, I can feel this. I've never been surer of anything or anyone before in my life."

Hearing her say those words and acknowledging our bond was everything. My panther made a noise, letting me know he felt the same, and I smiled at Savannah.

Voices outside filled my ears. Lorenzo and Neo were back from their patrol.

"I hate to, but I need to check with Neo and Lorenzo," I said. "They're back, and I want to make sure everything is all right."

"I understand, but can I come with you?"

I smiled. "Of course."

We made our way outside, and I spotted them at the picnic table, talking. The look on Lorenzo's face as we approached said everything.

"No luck finding Lucius out there?" I asked.

Lorenzo shook his head. "Nope."

"We'll find him," Neo insisted, his gaze fixed on the woods. "His time is limited."

Lorenzo narrowed his eyes at me and Savannah. "Shit, another one bites the dust."

"What?" Neo asked, before shifting his full attention to us. A smirk twisted his lips half a heartbeat later. "Looks like we have some celebrating to do."

"I'll get my moonshine and tell the girls to join us," Lorenzo said, standing.

Neo made a face. "Forget your nasty ass moonshine. I'll grab the beers from my fridge and tell the girls. After all, it's not every day you find your fated mate."

Savannah glanced up at me, and I pulled her close. "No, it's not."

Minutes later, everyone had joined us at the picnic table, and we were celebrating with a beer in hand. It was moments like these that made me realize how lucky I was. Despite everything we'd been through as a tribe recently, I'd found something precious—I'd found Savannah. The two of us shared a bond that went beyond words. One that gave me a greater sense of belonging and purpose, and that had gratitude pumping through me.

For the first time in a long time, I was excited about the future and it was all because of this amazing woman at my side.