Chapter 8

Drakolt

In all my years planning for the future of my clan, I hadn't considered Mating. It is not a guarantee, after all, that a male—even a chief—will find his Mate and have kits. But if I had dared to dream of a Mate, she would not be a pale, delicate firebrand with flame-colored curls and spots across her nose.

And I would never have imagined that when it came to that Mate, the best feeling would be waking up with her in my arms. But there we were.

When I woke the next morning, I took a few minutes to just lie there and breathe, savoring the feel of Sorcha curled across my chest. I protected her from the cold, hard ground, and I imagined her untidy sprawl proved her appreciation. Her small hands were tucked into my belt at my sides to stay warm, and her cheek was plastered to my bare chest.

I smiled.

Aye, this satisfaction was the best part of finding my Mate. Knowing I'd satiated her last night and she'd fallen asleep on me, that was real contentment.

So what if I had a cockstand the size of Mount Mahant ? I had suffered through worse.

Then Sorcha made an adorable little noise and flopped to one side, her knee smashing into my most delicate area, and I couldn't contain my groan as I gently shifted her out of the way.

My Mate was a slow riser, at least this morning. I wished I'd been able to hold her the other nights, but she hadn't been ready for me to touch her then. After last night, after feasting upon her and bringing her pleasure, I knew she'd allow me to protect her with my body.

This morning, though, her cheeks pinkened and she rolled away from me, apparently uninterested in meeting my gaze. Mayhap ‘twas because I couldn't help my self-satisfied smile.

She returned from performing her ablutions and stood next to the tree trunk, shifting her weight from one foot to the other, her hands bunching in her skirts. I squatted near the fire and pretended I wasn't watching her .

But when she began to pace, I noticed a small hitch in her step and I turned to give her my full attention. "Are you hurt?"

Sorcha froze, eyes wide, before she looked away. "I am fine."

She didn't sound fine. I slowly stood. "Lass, tell me what's wrong."

At my command, she blushed even darker, her attention on her hands gripped in front of her. "I said I'm fine."

‘Twas clear she was lying. I stepped near to her and used my finger—claw carefully retracted—to lift her chin. "Mate," I murmured, "if ye are in pain, ‘tis my responsibility to—"

"'Tis just a bit of soreness," she blurted, and from her expression—misery and embarrassment—I realized what she meant.

Ah .

Last night she'd taken four of my fingers. She'd been ready for them, I'd ensured that, but I could imagine today she'd be sore.

Still, I winced for her. "'Twas necessary to prepare ye." My cock was even bigger. "I'll no' touch ye again until ye heal."

To my surprise, despite her embarrassment, she said, "I do not mind your touch. "

Of course, she said it while chewing on her cheek and staring at my chest, but my Kteer still crowed in victory. My Mate liked my touch!

Still, I hid my smile when I declared, "We will no' ride today. Ye need a rest, and I will hunt."

Her blue gaze flashed to mine. "Fresh meat?"

"Aye, Mate," I drawled. "I will find ye a place to rest, mayhap beside a cool stream where ye could bathe. And if ye are a good lass and wait for me, I'll give ye a treat when I return."

I'd meant it to be teasing, and from the way she sucked in a breath, I could tell she thought I meant something sexual. Gods above, I was blessed with a Mate who responded readily to me.

And the elders were right; the scent of her arousal was the best thing in existence.

Sorcha's expression lit when I escorted her to a small stream with a shaded bank. But she glanced nervously about as she reached for the ties to her bodice. "Is there anyone nearby?"

"Only me, Mate."

I took her chin again and lowered my mouth. Varkaan—who had more experience with human woman than any male I knew—had described this to me, and I could understand the appeal of this meeting of mouths.

The kiss was soft and full of promise. When I pulled away, she was watching me curiously. "What?" I asked.

"That was our first kiss," she explained. "And your tusks did not get in the way."

I couldn't help it; I smiled and swatted her arse. "I'll give you a dozen more kisses—on yer lips—if ye're a good lass while I'm gone." I straightened, readjusting my bow over my shoulder. "If ye need me, Sorcha, just call. I'll no' be far away."

I'd always been a good hunter, but today I learned ‘twas surprisingly difficult to focus when my Mate was stripping nude and bathing nearby. Still, I was able to bring down three fat plarkets , and her smile when I returned with them over my shoulder was all the prize I needed.

My Kteer exalted, knowing I was providing for my Mate.

The rest of the day was spent lounging about. I answered her questions about our clan and her new home, and the customs she would become used to, and with each hour, I rejoiced more to realize she was no longer fighting her future.

That evening, after the promised kisses, I held her on my lap as I sat cross-legged in front of the fire and fed her the choicest pieces of roasted plarket meat. She nipped shyly at my fingertips, and when I growled, pulled my hand closer so she could examine my claws.

"Just like a kitten's," she murmured, and my lips twitched to be compared to such a creature.

I offered her another slice of the tender meat. "Here, ye need yer strength. I'd be a poor Mate if I allowed ye to wither away." The thought made me shudder.

Obligingly, Sorcha ate the offering from my fingertips, but continued to study me in the shadows. "A human husband would not fuss over a wife like this."

I shrugged lightly. "That is because in your world, husbands and wives are contracted. You were being sent to marry a male of yer father's choosing, aye? A male ye didnae ken. His nature was a mystery to ye, and still ye would marry him."

"Aye," she agreed slowly, frowning at the flames. "But then you took me. I knew naught of you or your nature."

"But you and I are Mated ," I said gently. "That is different than marriage. This is a knowing , deeper and stronger than anything signed on paper."

She turned to study my face, gaze flickering over me as if looking for the lie. "A knowing? How could you know such a thing after only a few days?"

"Och, Sorcha," I murmured, wrapping her in my arms and tucking her head beneath my chin. "I kenned ye were mine the moment ye placed yer hand in mine. Nay, I felt the tug even afore then. I set eyes on ye and kenned Gelma was right; ye were my Mate, and I'd spend the rest of my days proving myself worthy."

Her breath had caught and I felt her small fingertips resting against my chest. "Is that…is that why last night, you…?"

I smiled in the darkness. "I loved ye last night, lass, because ‘tis what ye needed."

Just having her in my arms like this was making my cock ache, but I shifted so she wouldn't notice.

"And tonight?" she whispered.

"Tonight ye are recovering." I brushed one of the promised kisses on her hair. "Tomorrow, mayhap I'll teach ye more."

She was quiet for a long moment, then she said, "Mayhap I will teach you about pleasure, Drakolt."

"That is my job, little Mate."

Sorcha hummed softly. "I suppose we will have the chance to learn together."

And hearing her planning for a future with me—even such a simple claim—filled me with joy .

But that joy was naught compared to waking up the following morning with her lips on my skin.

Had I thought the ultimate pleasure was to wake with her in my arms? Nay, the ultimate pleasure was the way her fingers wrapped around my cock. I groaned, "What are ye doing?" as I pushed myself up on my elbows.

My pretty little Mate was on her knees at my side, pulling my kilt up. "Hush," she commanded without looking at me. "I am exploring."

Torvor's Hammer, I couldn't stop her even if I'd wanted to. Which I didn't.

With another groan, I flopped back onto the ground, throwing my forearm over my eyes and praying I'd last as she stroked me.

I felt my belt give way, felt Sorcha pull away the wool until I was bared to the summer morning. I wriggled to get the plaid beneath me, cushioning us both. And then she leaned forward and licked me.

I'd been wrong.

The ultimate pleasure wasn't waking with her in my arms, or waking with her stroking my cock, but having her tasting me .

"Lass," I groaned helplessly, digging my claws into the plaid to keep from reaching for her head. "Have pity."

"Nay," she announced pertly, lips against my skin. "I am curious about my new life, and this is the best way to learn, after all. Why does your cock taste spicy?"

Oh gods . She was so delicious when she got commanding like this. "I dinnae ken," I gasped, fighting for control. "What do human males taste like?"

"I do not know," she announced primly, shifting closer so her arse went higher in the air. "I have dreamed of this act, you know. ‘Tis called The Supplicant Swan. But I have never experienced it."

Oh gods, oh gods . She'd dreamed of sucking cock? Could this Mate of mine be anymore perfect? She had names assigned to sexual positions, even as a virgin?

Unable to stop myself, I reached for her, sliding my hand up her thigh under her chemise, until I could cup her weeping cunny. As I'd scented, she was just as aroused by this act as I was, and when she took my cock head into her mouth once more, I slid my thick finger along her cleft.

She was ready for me.

She was clearly ready for me.

I'd told myself the night before last was just to prepare her for the ceremony, but this…? Palton's Spear! My Sorcha wanted me .

That was obvious the way she rocked her hips, sliding my finger in and out of her without any effort on my part. Then, in one sudden movement, she straightened, yanking her chemise over her head until she knelt nude beside me.

She was magnificent .

"Are you ready, Drakolt?" She didn't give me a chance to respond, but threw one leg over my waist and straddled me.

My hands instinctively went to her hips. "Lass, what are ye—"

She planted her small hands on my chest and lifted her weight on her knees, leaning forward so my cock probed at her arse. "Last night…" She rocked backward, so my cock slid along her wet, welcoming cleft, and we both sucked in a gasp. "You told me your plans for me."

"Aye," I groaned, unable to look away from the enthralling sight.

"You plan to tup me in front of your clan, to breed me."

Gods, hearing that sweet mouth use that language made me want to thrust into her. Instead, I flexed my hips, sliding my cock along her wetness again.

"'Tis tradition. Our clan must witness yer breeding, witness me filling yer womb with my seed, witness me planting a son in yer belly, so they ken I will be a fit Mate for ye."

She paused, one brow raised. "So ‘tis not so they can judge me ?"

"How could they?" My fingers dug into her hips. "Ye are perfect."

Sorcha's smile bloomed and it felt as if the sun had risen. "You told me last night you would prepare me so my first time would not be in front of your clan." She adjusted, then reached between her legs to grasp my cock. "Well, I need more preparation."

"Lass," I growled, long and drawn out, as she positioned my hardness at her entrance.

"I want your cock in me now, Drakolt."

I could no longer deny us this. She was the one to sink down, slowly, slowly…as she took each inch, I watched her face for signs of pain or discomfort. She was stretched wider than even my fingers had prepared her for, but she wore an expression of wonder.

Then, with a sigh, she was fully seated. She rocked backward, and her eyes flashed wide as her inner muscles spasmed suddenly. "Drakolt!" she gasped as her climax burst over her. Her fingers curled into fists atop my chest, and she jerked a few times, confusion in her gaze .

"Ride it, Sorcha," I murmured. "That's a good lass, aye. That is good. Just for ye."

The bliss eventually faded, of course, and ‘twas the worst kind of torture, to hold myself still as I felt her tight cunny milking me.

"Drakolt," she finally managed, "What…?"

I grinned tightly. "'Tis a gift from the gods. A way for an orc male to prepare his Mate, ensure ye're well-lubricated for what's to come."

"Blessed virgin," she whispered, wide-eyed. "An immediate climax? Will it—does that always happen?"

Still smiling, I rocked my hips upward just slightly, showing her how to move now that she was even more ready for me. "Every time, lass."

"Remarkable," she gasped, splaying her hands out flat again to push against me and rock. "If more women knew about this…"

I couldn't contain my chuckle, and her eyes widened. "Do that again."

I loved her demands. She was definitely the perfect Mate for me, and now I had to convince her.

Sorcha rode me, and gods below, it was the sweetest torture. I slid my palms up her sides, whispering words of encouragement and praise, cupping her breasts and teasing her nipples until she was wild with need.

"That's a good lass," I crooned, my jaw aching from the way I clenched it to maintain control. "Come for me. Come on yer Mate's cock."

"Drakolt," she gasped. "I need you—please!"

"I'm yers," I vowed. "Forever."

‘Twas almost impossible to remain still below her, to allow her complete control. But I knew there'd be no way I could keep from spilling if I began to move, so I held my Kteer in check. Barely.

"I need you!" she mewled, bouncing atop my cock. "Please spill for me!"

"Nay," I growled, caressing her skin. "This is no' a breeding. This is for ye. Yer pleasure. Come for me, Sorcha, like a good lass."

I dropped my hand to her cunny, and the feel of those wet lips closing tight around my cock was just as remarkable from the outside. I pressed the pad of my thumb against the bud of her pleasure hidden in the auburn curls, and I gave her the pressure I knew she liked.

"Now, lass."

When Sorcha came apart, she screamed my name.

Gods below, ‘twas the most difficult thing I've ever done, to hold myself steady as she squeezed around me, trying to milk my pleasure from me. But if I spilled in her now, that would go against Gelma's prophecy. I needed to wait to fill her cunny with my cock. I would breed her in a sennight, at the new moon, as foretold.

Sorcha collapsed against my chest, breathing heavily, and I squeezed my eyes shut, enjoying each breath of sheer torture, the control that threatened to slip between one heartbeat and the next.

"Drakolt?" she finally whispered.

I grunted, all I was able.

"You are sweating."

My eyes flashed open. "I'm trying to keep from claiming ye fully."

"And your eyes are green."

Were they? Then this was the Mating thrall. Until my Mate was mine, and my Kteer acknowledged it, I would struggle to maintain control. "I'm no' surprised."

"Ye want to spill?" she asked shyly, and I groaned yet again, because I swear I could feel her words in the place where we were still connected.

But she slid forward, off my cock, and reached between us to press it against my stomach. Still on her knees, straddling me, Sorcha cradled my cock with her dripping core, the slick skin almost as good as being inside her.

As she rocked forward and back, stroking my cock with her cunny, Sorcha held my gaze. "Come for me, Drakolt."

‘Twas all I needed. That gentle command, an echo of mine.

My fingers dug into her hips and I roared as I spilled, spurting thick ropes of seed along my stomach, tangling in her curls. Because of her angle, the undersides of her breasts were soaked as well, and she pushed herself upright, giggling.

I lay beneath her, stunned to silence.

With a curious sound, my Mate dragged her fingers through the mess on my stomach and lifted it to her lips. Her tongue darted out to catch some, and then with a hum she stuck both seed-covered fingers into her mouth.

"Hmmm, this is spicy. Delicious. Different."

"Gods, Sorcha," I groaned, squeezing my eyes shut and allowing my head to fall back against the hard ground. "Ye'll be the death of me."

"Not yet, I hope," she quipped, climbing off me. "We still need to bathe. And you owe me quite a few more kisses. "

In that moment, I vowed I'd kiss her whenever and however she wanted, as often as possible, if it meant convincing Sorcha Tarbert she was my Mate.