Chapter 12

Kalpar had replayed their kiss a thousand times in his head but the memory was nothing compared to the reality of her delicious taste and shy enthusiasm. He tried to confine it to a simple kiss but when she tugged on his hair and tried to wiggle closer, he couldn't resist.

He slid his hand down to cup a small breast and brush his thumb across a stiff little nipple. She arched into his hand, silently seeking more, and he obliged, rolling the peak between his thumb and finger. Her body trembled, her small hands clutching desperately at his shoulders.

"That feels so… so…" she gasped.

"So good?" he asked, smiling at her innocent reaction.

"Y-yes," she whispered, her face flushed. "Good and achy and… needy. I don't know what to do."

"Let me show you, sweetheart."

He lowered his head to lick her nipple through her gown. When she shuddered and grabbed his head, he sucked hard and her hips bucked against him. He repeated the gesture, scraping his teeth gently across the stiff little bud, and she gave a soft cry. His cock jerked in response, the sensation unmistakable. It shouldn't be possible, but he couldn't deny his response to her.

He started to pull away but she clung to him, her blue eyes wide and dark in the firelight.

"Please don't stop. I want you to be the first to touch me. Everywhere."

How could he resist the earnest entreaty, a perfect match for his own increasing arousal? He leaned forward to suck on her other nipple, the satin gown adding to the delicious friction as she wiggled eagerly beneath him. He slid his hand down to cup her mound, the gown an unwelcome but necessary barrier between his hand and her soft skin. Her entire body jerked.

"Oh! It doesn't feel like that when I t-touch myself."

The memory of her hand buried between her legs flashed into his mind.

"Show me," he ordered, his voice rough.

She gave him an uncertain look, then shyly reached for the hem of her gown. He rewarded her with another hard pull on her nipple. As she drew the material up, he moved his hand so that he could watch the progress of the fabric. When the dress was gathered at her waist, he brought his fingers back to her exposed folds.

"You are so beautiful," he breathed.

She shivered under his touch, the smooth skin glistening with arousal. He brushed his thumb gently over her clit and her entire body convulsed. Her eyes flew open, her breath coming in frantic pants.

"It's… so much."

"Shhh, sweetheart, relax and enjoy it. I have you."

She took a deep breath and released it slowly, but she didn't try to get away. Instead her hands closed on his shoulders again, gripping tightly as he resumed the slow strokes. Her entire body began to tremble and her eyes drifted shut.

"More," she pleaded.

She rocked her hips against him, seeking a firmer pressure. He smiled and rewarded her by dipping a single finger inside her impossibly tight channel. She cried out and he thrust shallowly, interspersing the thrusts with teasing brushes across her clit.

"Are you going to come for me, sweetheart?"

"Yes," she panted, her hands clutching at him frantically. "Yes. More. Please."

"Come for me, Constance. Come for me now."

He pressed firmly against her clit as he spoke and she immediately went rigid, her sheath clamping down on his fingers as she reached her climax. His cock responded as she cried out his name, swelling beneath his pants.

"K-Kalpar!"

He covered her mouth with his, kissing her fiercely until the tremors stopped and she collapsed against him with a sigh. He gathered her into his arms, her warmth and vulnerability threatening to overwhelm his remaining defenses.

When she yawned sleepily against his chest, he knew it was time to stop. He held her a moment longer, relishing the sweet weight of her in his arms, then rose carefully to his feet. Her eyes fluttered open as he carried her over to the temporary shelter he'd created. She sighed happily when he spread a thin thermal blanket over her, but she sat up again to watch as he banked the fire.

"Aren't you going to join me?"

The last thing he should do was to sleep with her, but how could he say no when she looked so sleepy and adorable? And she'd said she trusted him, he thought, remembering her words.

"Of course."

The shelter was too small for him to remain at a respectful distance but she didn't seem to mind, simply snuggling against his side. He automatically put his arm around her and she gave another happy sigh before falling asleep almost immediately. As soon as her breathing evened out he reached down and grasped his cock, not fully erect but harder than he'd been since his youth.

He could no longer avoid the truth - this wasn't some type of hormonal imbalance - this delicate little female was his mate. The prospect filled him with joy. And terror. She deserved someone whole; someone not haunted by the past. He wasn't even sure their bodies were physically compatible, but it didn't seem to matter. She was his.

Now all he had to do was figure out how to keep his little mate safe.

The following morning they were surrounded by thick fog. He handed her a protein bar and she nibbled on it as they waited for the fog to clear. She kept stealing little glances at him from her lashes, a shy smile on her face. If they'd been in a more comfortable situation, he didn't think he would have been able to resist exploring more of her delicious little body.

"How long do you think it will take us to reach the farm?" she asked finally, her voice low and husky.

"Three days, I think. Maybe a little less if we increase our speed."

"No, don't do that," she said quickly and he frowned down at her.

"Wouldn't you prefer sleeping in a comfortable bed in a house with a real kitchen?"

"I think I'd prefer last night."

Her obvious pleasure thrilled him, but it wasn't the original question. He reached over and pulled her onto his lap again.

"Do you not want to go to the farm?"

She played with the front of his shirt, avoiding his eyes.

‘It sounds wonderful, but I started thinking… What if they don't like me because of my father?"

"His sins are not your fault."

"I know." She didn't look convinced. "But how can anyone welcome a c-criminal's daughter?"

"They welcomed me," he said quietly.

"Your father was a criminal? I don't believe it."

Bitterness flooded him and he had to fight the urge to growl at her.

"He was a thief. Not a particularly successful one but he usually managed to steal enough to live on. He intended for me to follow in his footsteps. One of my earliest memories is of him hoisting me through a small window so that I could come around and unlock the door for him."

"That's terrible," she said indignantly, and her anger on his behalf helped ease the bitterness.

"Yes, but I doubt I would even have considered it wrong if he hadn't been confined for two years. I stayed with a distant relative during that time. She was a formidable female but she had a kind heart beneath that fierce exterior and made it her job to teach me right from wrong."

"It obviously worked."

"Did it? I'm not always sure."

"I'm sure."

He tightened his arm around her, grateful for her support.

"My father wasn't happy when he returned and I started refusing to do everything he wanted me to do. He was determined to drag me back into it. And it wasn't just him. Almost everyone we knew was crooked in some way. I joined the military because it was the only way I could come up with to get away from that whole toxic environment. It was a good decision - up until Vizal."

Tired of dragging up the past, he rose to his feet and helped her up.

"I think the fog has cleared enough for us to continue."

She didn't argue and the day continued much as the previous day had done. He enjoyed watching her innocent curiosity, happy to let her explore whatever they encountered. There was no rush to get to the farm, especially since he had nothing to report.

He pushed aside his feeling of guilt at that knowledge and focused on his mate instead.

Half way through the afternoon they encountered a crystal clear pool with a small waterfall to one side and a sunny, moss-covered bank. Tiny purple flowers bloomed in the shady nooks next to the falls, releasing a sweet heady fragrance.

"It's so beautiful," she whispered. "Can we stop and bathe in the pool?"

"It's likely to be cold," he warned, and she gave him a teasing look.

"Then you'll have to warm me up afterwards, won't you?"

His cock flexed again at the thought. It had remained in the same half-swollen state, unresponsive to his hand. He suspected it wouldn't respond to anything other than the touch of his mate. He could have sworn it grew a little more when she walked to the edge of the pool, shot him another sparkling look, then untied the makeshift sash and let her dress fall to the ground. Her cheeks turned pink, but she didn't shy away from his gaze, letting him watch her for a long moment before she stepped into the pool.

She shivered, her nipples pebbling from the cold, but she kept going, wading towards the falls. A drop of water ran down her back, tracing an intricate path down her spine. The drops of water sparkled in the sun, making him want to trace its path with his tongue. His cock flexed again.

"I was right," she said over her shoulder. "It feels wonderful, even if it is a little cold."

She bent down and scooped a handful of water, letting it pour through her fingers. He knew he should turn away. He should leave her here, walk away to a safe distance so that he could maintain control, but he couldn't tear himself away. She was his. He'd never believed that he would be able to have a true mate. The gods were offering him an unexpected gift and he couldn't refuse it.

"Take off your clothes and come join me," she called, her eyes daring him.

"Are you sure?" he growled.

She nodded.

"I'm sure. I want to see you again."

Hunger swept over him and he started undressing before she even finished her sentence. Her eyes widened as he removed his pants, but she didn't look away. He waded into the pool, ignoring the chill of the water and stalking towards her. The water was waist deep for him by the falls which meant it lapped around her pretty breasts and he couldn't resist tugging gently on a stiff little peak.

"Mmm, warmer already."

Despite her teasing words, her eyes were fixed on his cock, clearly visible in the clear water.

"You look… bigger," she said eventually, biting her lip.

"That's because I am. You have this effect on me."

He took her hand and guided it to his cock, groaning with pleasure as her warm little hand tried to close around him. Her eyes widened again as he grew a little larger.

"Does it just keep growing and growing?" she breathed, her thumb tracing one of the ridges along the side.

"No." Although right now it felt as if it did.

When she reached the head, it widened beneath her hand.

"For pleasure," he reminded her. "Wide enough to touch every part of you."

"Will it?" she whispered. "Will it touch every part of me?"

No. He should say no.

"Is that what you want?" he asked instead.

She looked up at him, studying his face, then gave a firm nod.

"Yes."

He was lost.

"Then let me touch you first."

The water lapped around their hips as he pulled her into his arms, pressing her breasts against his chest, and the water carried her scent to him. The primal aroma went straight to his brain, wiping out everything except his need for her. Her eyes grew dazed with need and she rubbed against him, the slickness of her sex evident, even in the water.

With a low groan, he cupped her bottom and lifted her against him.

"Wrap your legs around my waist."

Her legs tightened around him and he felt the slick wetness against his abdomen as well. It would be so easy to pull her up and drive into her. She would be so small and tight and - No.

Not like this. Not in the cold water, when he was on the verge of losing control. He wanted to take his time with her. He wanted to teach her to crave his touch the same way he craved hers.

When he turned to wade back to the shore, her eyes fluttered open.

"Where are you taking me?"

"Somewhere a little warmer," he promised, and he lifted her up into the sunlight, spreading her across the soft, mossy bank.

He licked a droplet of water off her breast, then sucked it into his mouth as her body arched. She whimpered but her hands dug into the moss. As he continued down her body, she spread her legs, allowing him to settle between them. His hands traced the delicate lines of her ribs, the curve of her hips, but he kept his mouth moving downwards.

She whimpered again as he gently parted her folds to reveal her tiny pearl, already pink and erect. He dropped a light kiss on it and she cried out, her hips lifting. Another kiss and her legs shook. He closed his mouth over her, sucking gently. She cried out as she came, her hands clutching at his head.

"Perfect," he murmured, letting the word vibrate against the sensitive flesh.

As her shudders diminished, he began to kiss and lick the rest of her sweet, pink folds, before pausing at the entrance to her core and slowly driving his tongue inside. Hot and tight and sweet. He stroked in and out until she was squirming then returned to her swollen clit. He licked and teased, building her passion again while he circled her entrance with one finger before slowly easing it into her tight channel. She arched against him as he sank it into her, crying out again, her sweet little sheath a velvet vice around his finger.

"More," she demanded.

"Such a demanding little mate."

Her eyes flew open.

"Mate?"

So much for his decision not to tell her. He distracted her by sucking her clit into his mouth again as he added a second finger. She came with a hoarse cry, her back bowing up from the ground.

"What do you mean? Mate?" she repeated breathlessly, as soon as she recovered.

"I'll explain later."

"You-"

Before she could protest, he began to rub a small circle around her clit with his thumb. Her words dissolved into a moan as he slid his fingers slowly in and out, the tip of one finger rubbing the slightly rougher patch of flesh behind her pubic bone.

"You will have to become used to your mate's touch," he whispered and she came apart in his hands, her body straining, his name on her lips.

She was as ready as he could make her and he positioned himself between her legs, stroking his cock through those slick hot folds. The tip of cock changed shape again to a smooth rounded point and he pressed it gently against her entrance. The first inch slid easily into that tight little passage, but then his cock widened and her body began to resist the intrusion. He swore, and she blinked up at him.

"S-so big."

He decided not to tell her he still wasn't completely erect, stroking a fingertip across her clit instead. Her hips jerked up at the contact and he slid a little deeper. Her eyes fluttered closed again as he continued to caress her. He rocked gently back and forth, his movement limited by the width of his cock. When her eyes opened and met his, he increased the pressure, taking advantage of her excitement to surge forward.

She whimpered as his cock continued to swell and he paused to check on her.

"More," she said, her eyes fever bright.

He pushed forward again, filling her to the limit and her head fell back.

"Oh my. I feel so full."

He would have paused there but she wrapped her legs around his hips and tugged him closer, forcing him deeper and making them both groan. The pleasure threatened to overwhelm him as his fangs emerged. Clamping his lips together to avoid biting her, he began to move.

He fought to keep his movements gentle and steady, but she was too soft, too sweet, too arousing, and soon he was pounding into her, her soft cries urging him on. Her sheath gripped him so tightly that he could feel each rippling contraction as she came, and then he was coming with her, roaring out her name as the long years of emptiness disappeared, jet after jet of seed pumping into her willing body.

She was his.