Chapter 28 - Linnea

"I was thinking three," I say, running a finger down his abs and then looking up into his eyes. We're lying in bed, Aris on his side, his head propped up on his hand, and me thrown over him. I'm on my back, my legs thrown over his hips, and he's seated deep inside me. I'm aware that we've been having sex for hours, but I've lost track of how many times I've come. It's like the mating bond is catching up with us, insisting we catch up on the quota.

"Three?" he asks, as though it's an insane number. "Don't you think two is enough?"

"No," I say, laughing under my breath when he shifts, moving his dick inside me. It sends a ripple of pleasure through me, and I wonder if I'm ready to go again. I meet his eyes with a challenging look. "Unless you don't think you can get me pregnant two more times."

"Oh," he says, his hand gripping my hip tighter. I feel his cock growing more firm inside me, and it makes me squirm. His eyes darken, and he lets out a little growl that I'm starting to firmly associate with sex. "I can do far more than three," he says, using his insane strength to maneuver me on top of him, all while keeping his member deep inside me.

When he's done, we're breathing hard and I'm straddling him, my curls falling down over my chest. I stare down at him, planting my palms on his pecks. I roll my hips once, listening to the air whistle through his teeth, watching his head tip back into the pillow. So far, I think we've covered every position in the book. I might have to do some research to find something we haven't tried yet.

"Do you like that?" I whisper, feeling bold, and Aris's eyes float open, lazily drifting over my chest before finding my eyes. "You're the alpha," I whisper, leaning down and kissing his chest as I continue to rock, feeling his little thrusts as he lifts his hips to meet mine, "But you secretly like it when I'm in control, don't you?"

"Only in the bedroom," he grins, his hands finding my hips again. "And only when I say so." He thrusts up deviously, hitting me deep, and I jolt, falling forward onto his chest as he picks up the pace, thrusting up into me again and again. I meet his eyes and, trying to regain control, roll my hips, which makes him falter, his hands tightening on me.

We continue trading control, with him leaning up and taking my nipple in his mouth to trip me up. I scrape my nails down his chest. He pulls my hair. I throw my head back and whisper his name.

When we come again, he grips me tight, pulling me around and tucking me against him. I wonder how long we'll be able to sleep this time before he wakes me up again, nudging against my entrance.

"Aris?" I say a little while later, wondering if he's asleep.

"Yes, Love?" he answers, his voice heavy.

"What if I want even more than three?"

I feel the low chuckle rumble out of his chest, spreading down. His arms wrap tighter around me, his head nuzzling into my neck.

"Then we'll have more than three. We'll have as many as you want."

"I just—after being alone for so long, I like the idea of filling up that big mansion with children. I like the idea of giving them a good childhood—the best childhood."

"I want that, too."

"My parents," I say, swallowing. "They did their best, but I don't think they loved me the way I needed."

"I know, Love," he murmurs. "We will give our children all the love in the world. You'll show them what it means to love by being the best luna this pack has ever seen."

"And you'll be a fair alpha," I whisper, tracing my arm along the vein in his. "And we won't expect any of our children to take your role if they don't want to."

"Mihm."

"And we'll go on vacation at least once a year. And on Christmas, we'll all wear matching pajamas. Even the dog."

"Do we have to get a dog?"

"It's part of the fantasy," I say, pouting, "I want the world's cutest dog."

"Don't you already have him?" Aris says, laughing softly at his own joke.

"You'd level someone else if they called you a dog," I point out, laughing with him.

"Well, yeah," he says. "When I do it, it's hilarious. From anyone else, it's disrespect."

"I'll keep that in mind."

"As you should."

A moment passes, and I can feel Aris starting to drift back to sleep.

"What about a cat?" I ask, and feel him rouse again, returning to the conversation.

"What about it?"

"Would you get a cat?"

"I… Love, I don't care what pet you choose."

"A lizard?"

"Sure."

"A… Pig?"

"Do you want a pig?"

"Not really, but I want to see if you'll tell me no."

"I will not, Linnea. But—I don't particularly want a pig as a pet. I'm afraid our kids will grow attached and keep me from eating bacon."

"You're ridiculous," I laugh, rolling over in his arms so I can face him. "You'd go along with getting a pig?"

"Yes, but I wouldn't like it."

"We don't have to get a pig," I say. "But I would like to get our kids their first pet as a Christmas gift. I picture them opening the box on Christmas morning, a little kitten or puppy tumbling out."

"That sounds fine."

"I think we should travel with them, too," I say, rubbing my nose against his. "So they feel comfortable leaving Rosecreek but know they can always come back to us."

"It's a good plan."

"Aris?"

"Yes, Love?"

"Are you tired?"

"Just a bit," he laughs.

"Okay," I say, giving him a chaste kiss. "But when you wake up, I want to finish this conversation."

"I'll talk to you about our future until we've gone and lived it," he murmurs, pulling me in closer, and I realize that in a span of a week, I've gone from planning to forfeit my right to a pack, to becoming the luna for mine. I feel more comfortable and safe than I have in a long time, and I fall asleep with my cheek on Aris's chest.