Chapter 18 - April

Jasper stared at me in confusion, and I wondered if he hadn't understood what I had said to him. Perhaps I hadn't worded myself correctly, and he thought I was rejecting him.

"Are you… okay?" I asked hesitantly.

Had I miscalculated the situation and taken advantage of him? Did he not enjoy it? Was he upset about something?

"I'm fine," he said. "Great, actually. I… I believe you. I'm just trying to wrap my head around that."

My heart soared at his words, and I smiled at him in encouragement. "What exactly do you believe me about?" I asked.

"You haven't been trying to trick me or take advantage of me, have you?" he said, framing the question as a statement.

I shook my head, confirming what he had finally realized.

My simple motion seemed to unleash the floodgates of Jasper's passion, as he swept me into his arms and kissed me with abandon.

"Come with me," he murmured against my lips.

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"To our cabin."

It was the first time he had called it ours, and I quite liked the sound of it.

He shifted into his wolf form, but before I had the chance to shift so that I could run with him, he tossed me onto his back. I let out a laugh of surprise and wrapped my hands in his jet-black fur, clutching it tightly as he carried me back to the cabin.

He ran smoothly through the forest, trees whipping past us at an alarming rate. My eyes struggled to focus on our surroundings as we moved faster than my human form was accustomed to. It was unlike anything I had ever experienced.

The moment we arrived back home, Jasper shifted, hoisted me up into his powerful arms, and carried me across the threshold. He didn't stop until we reached the bedroom, where he slammed the door shut behind us.

Without a word, Jasper began to kiss my body wherever he could reach, deftly removing my shirt, pants, and underwear. As he released my breasts from the bra that covered them, he looked into my eyes and took a step back.

"Where are you going?" I asked. I didn't want him to move away from me. My skin felt frozen without his touch, and I yearned for him to return the fire to my body.

"Just getting a better view. I want to look at you," he said.

He removed his own clothes slowly, continuing to observe my body. It was a strange feeling to suddenly be bare before him. The last time we had sex, he had insisted I keep my clothes on, and now being naked with him felt awkward. It was as if we were seeing each other for the first time.

When he was fully unclothed, he walked back toward me, grabbing one of my hands and placing it on his chest. I could feel his heart beating beneath his skin, which instantly calmed me. He was finally giving himself to me, just like I had hoped for.

Slowly, he walked me backwards until my body made contact with the wall behind me. He reached down and lifted me by my backside, wrapping my legs around his waist as he lined himself up with my entrance.

"Are you sure you want this?" he whispered into my ear.

"I want you, Jasper," I said, trailing kisses along his neck.

He braced me up against the wall and slowly inserted himself inside me. Waves of passion flowed through me as he drew himself in and out. Steadily, he held me, maintaining eye contact as our bodies became one. Our breath started to come in pants as we exerted ourselves.

"Take me to the bed," I gasped.

He had been in control long enough. It was my turn to be in charge. He obeyed me without question, carrying me to the bed and laying me down gently.

"Lay down," I ordered.

When he had reclined on the bed, I climbed on top of him, straddling his waist. I placed my hands on his abdomen and felt his hard muscles tensing under my fingers as I rode his pelvis.

"April," he murmured as his eyes closed in rapture.

A low moan emanated from me as he called my name, and a moment later, a wave of pleasure overcame me. Jasper held my waist as my body shook from my release.

When I recovered, he turned me onto my back and lifted my legs to rest on his shoulders. His powerful thrusts brought me to climax again, timed to the culmination of his own passion.

With our bodies spent, we lay together on the bed, resting in our mutual satisfaction. After a few moments, he got up and walked toward the door.

"Don't leave," I said, sitting up in a panic.

But he just turned off the light and returned to the empty place next to me. "I'm not," he said.

Jasper climbed into bed and pulled the covers up toward my chest. I lay down and allowed him to tuck the blanket in around me.

As he lay down beside me, I reached an arm across his torso, pulling him closer and resting my head on his shoulder. For the first time since I had arrived at the Dark Moon Pack, I fell asleep easily.

***

A marked shift had occurred without either of us making mention of it. For the next few days, Jasper and I spent time with our pack, working together to make improvements that would benefit them.

I had already made headway with the women and children—and now, with Jasper. My new goal was to help the more stubborn males among us see me in a more positive light. Jasper had been a huge help in making that happen.

Our usual practice of parting ways in the early morning was over. Now, we were nearly always together. From daybreak to sundown, Jasper was by my side. We took our meals together, worked together with the wolves of the pack, and made plans for the pack's future.

There was no hand-holding or furtive looks as we went about our days. In public, we acted as alpha and luna, always putting the needs of our pack before our own desires.

This afternoon, our task was to restock the pantry in the kitchen. It was important to me that everyone in the pack learned the proper place for things, so Jasper had chosen a handful of his warriors to accompany us.

As I directed their efforts, making sure that all of the necessities for making our meals were placed properly, I glanced back at where Jasper stood. Two of the young pups had followed us into the kitchen and were engaging with him.

"Alpha, come play with us!" the little boy begged.

"What are you playing?" Jasper asked, kneeling down to their level.

"Capture the flag," the girl said. "If we have you on our team, we'll definitely win!"

"I don't think you need me to help you win," Jasper said softly to the girl. "You're a wolf of the Dark Moon Pack. You know what that makes you, right?"

"Strong!" the girl chirped.

"And brave," the boy added.

"And smart, too," Jasper added, nodding in agreement. "Who's on the other team?"

"The big kids. They're a lot faster than us. They're gonna beat us," the boy said, pouting.

Jasper held their hands, making sure he had their full attention. "Listen carefully," he began. "They might be bigger than you, but that doesn't make them better. If you can work together and have a good plan, I know you can win. Do it for me, okay?"

The children smiled, encouraged by the pep talk from their leader. Jasper ruffled the boy's hair as the children ran out the door in search of their teammates. I could see from the determination in their eyes that they were already formulating a plan of attack.

As Jasper turned around to face us, our eyes met, and he gave me a gentle smile. He had changed so much since we had first met, and at the same time, he was exactly as he had always been.

The wolves of the pack had always revered him for his strength and abilities. Now it seemed that they were learning to trust his heart as well.