Chapter Five

Rylan

I swung Pearl up into my arms, her limp form nearly sending me into a spiral, but somehow, I held it together. Her scent filtered through my nose, and I felt slightly calmer. She was here. She was safe in my arms, and I wouldn’t allow anything else to happen to her.

But you did.A dark voice whispered in the far recesses of my mind. I tried not to listen; I couldn’t help but feel that the words were right. I was the one who held the knife as it sliced into my mate’s neck. I had no memory of it, however there was no denying it was me.

‘She doesn’t blame us,’my wolf said, trying to reassure me.

It didn’t. I was so wound up that I didn’t know how I was going to relieve the pressure and shame flooding me.

Pearl’s dried blood flaked off her skin, and I had the sudden urge to wipe it away. Turning, I walked along the opposite hallway that Deacon had disappeared down. I kicked open the first door I came to, glad to find a spacious bedroom.

I carried my mate toward the attached bathroom, shutting the door once inside. There was a tub and separate shower with glass doors. I paused for a moment, debating which one I should use, but the thought of Pearl leaving my arms was something I wasn’t ready to for.

The lid to the toilet was closed, so I carefully perched my mate on it to quickly undress and start the shower. Returning, I tried for a moment to unzip the white dress, but the massive blood stain made my hands shake in anger. I grabbed the fabric and tore the gown from my mate’s body.

The motion roused Pearl; her beautiful eyes fluttered open. I pulled the dress off and then gathered her into my arms once more.

I stepped into the shower, standing under the stream of water so it wouldn’t hit her directly. The warmth helped me relax and focus on what needed to be done in the moment. Carefully, I deposited Pearl onto a bench, grabbed a bottle of soap, and poured some into my hands.

My mate didn’t protest as I washed her body, running over her skin, gently removing the dried blood. Doing this eased my nerves further, until all I could think about was the fact that she no longer smelled of copper. She smelled like rain with an undertone of me. My wolf growled in my head, happy that our mate was starting to smell like us.

I rinsed the suds from her body, following the stream with my hands, a reassuring motion that proved she was all right. Once done, I replaced the shower head, sat beside her then wrapped my arms around her, nestling my nose against her throat where the knife had been buried.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered, placing gentle kisses over her skin.

“I don’t blame you.” Pearl sighed and relaxed in my embrace. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

I pushed back, needing to see her face, to look into her eyes and reassure myself that she was alive. The memory of her slow heartbeat was enough to make rage flit across my mind. Pearl’s hands cupped my cheeks, her thumbs sweeping over my skin almost hypnotically.

“I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to you.” My words were soft but full of fear. This couldn’t…no this wouldn’t happen again. I’d make sure of it.

“I feel the same way. It’s not your fault.”

I wanted to believe her, but the gut-wrenching fear I had seeing her covered in blood because of the blade I held was something I wouldn’t be forgetting anytime soon. She may not blame me, but I sure did. I needed to be stronger.

Pearl leaned forward, brushing her lips against mine. The light touch sparked a fire inside me. I buried my hands in her wet hair, devouring her mouth, determined to imprint the taste of her in my memories. She returned everything I gave, plundering my mouth in equal raptor. Her hands ran over my shoulders, back, and chest. I grew harder the more she touched me, feeling like she was stroking my dick instead.

A self-satisfied growl rumbled through my chest when she moaned my name, her legs straddled me wrapping around my waist, encouraging me closer. My body ached to bury myself inside her, to feel her everywhere and bind her to me. It was selfish to be thinking of mating right now, but I couldn’t help the desire. I wanted Pearl in every way possible, so much so that it was almost painful.

I broke the kiss, pressing my forehead to hers and taking some deep breaths to calm the raging lust I felt. She had just been through something traumatic; the last thing she needed was a horny mate who couldn’t control his urges.

Reaching up, I turned the water off, forcing myself to stand and exit the shower in search of towels. I grabbed a stack of them and placed them on the floor by the glass door. Stepping back in, I took Pearl’s hands and helped her to her feet then led her out.

I wrapped a towel around her torso and did my best to wrap the other one around her silky moon-white hair, making her giggle at my attempt. Toweling myself off quickly, I took hers to finish drying her. It felt strange, but I couldn’t fight the urge to do everything myself.

Once dry, I picked her up again, carried her back into the room and sat her down on the bed. I dug through the closet and dresser, finding a couple pairs of boxers and oversized t-shirts. It would have to do until I could get us our own stuff.

“Rylan?” Pearl asked quietly, her brown eyes watching as I helped her dress.

“Hmm?”

“What happened? How did you escape?”

I bristled at the question; my jaw clamped down so hard I thought my teeth might shatter. I took a deep breath, then another, the earlier spark of anger raging through my mind. I was drowning in anger, fear, and despair when Pearl’s hand touched my face. The contact made all of the negative emotions fade away. I took another deep breath, covering her hand with my own.

“I regained control just in time to catch you when you collapsed,” I began, swallowing my trepidation. She deserved to know what happened, and while the thought of reliving everything made my stomach churn, I’d promised myself I would never lie to her.

I told her everything that happened after I caught her, including the explosion from the meteor. The destruction was the opening the Moon Spirit had provided in order for us to get out of there.

“Deacon led the way while I carried you, and Estella ran beside me.”

“Who’s Deacon?” Pearl asked, making me grin.

“He is the alpha-apparent for the Sanda pack,” I answered, warmed by her question. “I met him while I was away, and we became fast friends.”

“That’s awesome!” Pearl clapped her hands excitedly which made me smile. Making friends was always difficult for me. My theory was that on an instinctual level other wolves could tell I was powerful.

“No more excitement. You need to rest.” I grabbed and pulled the covers back and slipped between the sheets.

A wicked smile spread across her face that made my stomach muscles clench. She was absolutely perfect. Love filled me up as she settled in beside me, her eyes full of contentment. It made my chest swell. As her mate, it was incredible to know that beside me was the only place she wanted to be.

I tossed the covers over the both of us, expecting her to calm down and rest after the ordeal she’d been through. Instead, her leg was tossed over my hips, I grabbed her thigh instinctively, unprepared for her next actions.

She leaned over me, lips pressing to mine as she pulled herself sideways until she was straddling me fully. I groaned when her fingers teased the skin just beneath the hem of my boxers. My whole body tensed under her touch as she teased and explored, making my eyes roll when her fingers came dangerously close to my erection. I was primed and ready to make her mine in every way.

“Wait.” I grasped her shoulders and breathed heavily. “I don’t think this is the right time.”

“What do you mean?” Pearl frowned, then rocked her hips.

I bit my lip. “We’ve both been through something traumatic; let’s not rush into anything.”

“But I want this.” She pouted, looking so damn cute that I almost gave in.

“I do too,” I assured her, pushing my hips up into her so she could feel the effect she had on me. “I want nothing more than to make you mine.” I sat up, wrapping my arms around her, my lips caressing hers until she was gasping and grinding against me.

“Please,” she begged, causing my arousal to kick up a notch and my wolf to push forward, ready to give her whatever she wanted.

My mouth caught her nipple, my tongue teasing the bud through her shirt. Her sighs and moans spurred me on. I nipped gently and tugged, making her cry out in ecstasy.

“Fuck.” I groaned, pulling the waistband of her boxers down then off her legs.

She settled on me once more, her wetness and arousal teasing my erection. She rocked against me, and her clit caught on the head cock, making my head spin.

This wasn’t right. We couldn’t do this.

Pearl deserved to be worshiped, to have the mating she’d always dreamed of. It was my duty to make that happen.

Gritting my teeth and fighting my own desires, I slipped my hand between Pearl’s legs, replacing my dick with my fingers. I pushed into her, finding the spot that drove her crazy and letting her buck and ride me until she was screaming. She threw her head back, her wet white hair cascading down around her. She looked like a goddess, with her cheeks flushed and my fingers buried inside of her.

She rolled off me, breathing heavily as she recovered from the orgasm that was still taking up space in my mind. Every time we were together, I could feel our bond strengthening, sharing more between us. I pulled her to me—her back against my front and my arm wrapped securely around her.

It took a long time after Pearl fell asleep for me to drift off. Every little noise from the unfamiliar house was an enemy hellbent on taking what was mine. That wasn’t going to happen. It had been a close call earlier, one that wouldn’t be happening again.

Exhaustion pulled me into slumber, but I vowed silently to myself and Pearl that I wouldn’t allow her to be in a position like that again. If I had to shackle her to me to keep her safe… well that was just what I was going to do.