Chapter 16

16

Liza stood in the center of the room, her hands wringing behind her back. She was all nerves. Beside her, Celine stood with the same forced confidence she always seemed to exude. Her gaze focused on the elders as they examined their work. Despite the rocky start to their partnership, Liza had come to respect Celine's eye for detail and her ability to see the bigger picture—especially when it came to shifter's needs, being that Celine was a born wolf. Together, they had crafted designs that were both functional and aesthetically pleasing, blending the rustic charm of the pack's traditions with modern touches that would make the new development stand out.

Liza felt the weight of Rylan's gaze on her from across the room, a comforting presence that steadied her nerves. She could sense his pride, his support, like a warm blanket wrapped around her, even from a distance. It gave her the strength to stand tall, to present their work with confidence.

The pack council murmured among themselves, their expressions thoughtful as they reviewed the designs. Finally, one of the elders, a silver-haired woman with piercing blue eyes, looked up and addressed them.

"These designs are impressive," she said, her voice carrying the authority of her years. "You've managed to respect the old ways while bringing something new and vibrant to the pack."

Celine met Liza's gaze with a small, satisfied smile. It was clear that they had not only succeeded in creating something beautiful but had also managed to work together seamlessly, a feat that had seemed impossible not long ago. But that was after they realized they weren't in competition for the same brooding shifter. Rylan was completely Liza's, and Celine had her hands full with her own relationship, which had gotten off to a rocky start.

"Thank you," Liza replied, her voice steady despite the butterflies in her stomach. "We wanted to make sure that the new development would be something the entire pack could be proud of."

There were nods of agreement from the council, and Liza felt the tension in her shoulders begin to ease. As the meeting wrapped up and the council members began to disperse, Liza turned to gather her things, her mind still buzzing with the adrenaline of the presentation. She barely had time to process it all before she felt a strong, familiar pair of arms sweep her off her feet.

Even though she was human, she could pick out the scent of him: earthy, with a hint of pine and something uniquely him. Rylan's arms enveloped her, grounding her in the moment.

"You were amazing. I'm so proud of you, Liza."

Her hand came to rest against his chest as she looked up at him. She felt his heart flip for her, like it did every time she rested her hand or her head there. "We did it."

"You did it. I never doubted you."

Rylan leaned down and pressed a tender kiss to her lips, the warmth of his mouth against hers sending a shiver of delight down her spine. When he finally pulled back, his smile was soft, his eyes filled with a love that made her breath catch. Without another word, he lifted her into his arms and began carrying her toward the door, his steps sure and confident as he made his way back to their cabin.

The cool night air greeted them under a blanket of stars as they stepped outside. Liza rested her head against Rylan's chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart as he carried her home.

"I'm so glad you're proud of me."

"I'm so glad you're mine."

"I am, you know. Every part of me, down to my pinky toe."

"I like your pinky toe. Both of them."

"Do you have a toe fetish, Alpha?"

"Let's get you to bed and see, mate."

They passed members of their pack. Rylan ignored them all. His focus was singular—get Liza home, where they could be alone, away from the prying eyes and the unspoken questions, or worse—new demands on his time. Right now, the Alpha was putting his mate first.

Without breaking his stride, Rylan kicked open the door to their secluded haven. The solid thud of wood against the wall echoed through the cabin as he crossed the threshold into the realm where they catered only to each other's needs.

Rylan tossed Liza onto the bed. The soft sheets welcomed her back, and she sank into them. Her body was both wet and alight with anticipation.

Rylan stood over her, his eyes dark pools of desire that stripped her bare even though he had yet to remove a single article of her clothing. He reached for her feet. One by one, he slipped off her shoes, revealing her bare toes. He brought one foot to his mouth and enveloped her toes with the warmth of his lips.

The sensation was startling, intimate, and undeniably erotic. Liza couldn't hold back a giggle. That light and airy sound quickly turned into a moan as her mate's tongue worked her pinky toe like he did her clit.

The swirl of his tongue was both soothing and seductive, causing her breath to hitch in her throat. She watched him, this powerful shifter who was so fierce in protection and now so gentle in affection. When he approached the ankle she had twisted in the forest, his movements became featherlight, as if he were afraid even his breath could cause her pain.

His lips pressed against her instep, and she squirmed at the sensation. Rylan's reverence for her body was evident in every lick and nibble, and though she found herself enjoying the attention he lavished upon her toes, a deeper yearning pulsed within her. Rylan seemed to sense this shift in her desires.

Without a word, he trailed his hands up her calves, pausing briefly at her knees before they found the hem of her skirt. His heated breath caressed her skin as she parted her thighs in silent invitation. And then his tongue found her, drawing a sharp gasp from her lips. He was relentless, his movements fervent as he tasted her. The heat built within her, coiling tighter and tighter until she felt like she might shatter into a thousand pieces.

He held her hips down, forcing her to keep still while he took every ounce of pleasure from her. Liza arched against him, her fingers tangling in the sheets. The intensity of the moment, the connection between them, it all spiraled tighter around her until with a cry that echoed through the room, she shattered, her orgasm washing over her in a deluge of sensation that left her breathless and clinging to the man who had brought her such exquisite release every night before she went to sleep, the moment before she woke in the morning, and on stolen lunch breaks.

"I like your toes," he said. "But I like the taste of that treasure between your thighs even more."

"You want me to lick your toes? I will if you want."

"The only fetish I have is you, Liza."

"I love you, too, Rylan."

"Then part your thighs and welcome your Alpha inside."

"Yes, Alpha."

And with that, Liza did as she was told. She parted her thighs for the man who held her heart. And like the strong leader he was, she followed him again and again into the oblivion he led her to.

Want to know what happened after the festival between Elijah and Celine?

Grab Mated by Midnight to find out!