17. Atticus

17

ATTICUS

T he morning light had barely begun to filter through the gauzy curtains of Aria’s room when I slipped into her large marble tub. Steam rose, a veil shielding us from the chaos that lay beyond the manor’s stone walls. Aria’s skin shimmered with droplets, and her face held that familiar wildness I was drawn to time and time again.

She extended a delicate hand, and I took it, our connection pulsing like a livewire. I moved closer, my arm winding around her waist, drawing her against the solid plane of my chest. With her back pressed to me, I outlined her curves, mapping her body with a fierce possessiveness.

“Feels like we’re worlds away from everything.” She leaned into me. This privacy was our fortress, even if just for these fleeting minutes.

“Let me be your refuge,” I said, my lips brushing against the shell of her ear. She shivered at the contact, a tiny gasp escaping her.

Aria turned in my arms. “You already are.” As her fingers found their way through my hair to tug me down to meet her lips, I was lost in her.

Her kiss was life and tenderness, a contradiction that defined us both. My hands roamed her slick skin, savoring her softness. Aria’s hands wandered along my shoulders, tickling the lines of muscle honed from countless battles. But here, with her, I was not the rogue wolf forever poised for a fight. I was simply a man undone by the love of a woman who saw past the scars to the soul beneath.

“Let me show you how much you mean to me,” I said, capturing her lips once more. Our movements were unhurried, leisurely. My hands cupped her breasts, thumbs circling the peaks that hardened at my touch, eliciting a moan that vibrated from her to me.

She arched against me, the water rippling with every movement. There was no rush, only the deliberate exploration of bodies and hearts intertwined. My fingers dipped lower, finding the warmth between her thighs, and she froze. I reveled in the ability I had to draw such responses from her. The future alpha, my lover, my destiny.

“Atticus, please,” she said, her hips canting toward my hand, seeking more of the delicious friction.

The steam from the bath clung to us like a lover’s whisper as I pulled Aria into my arms, lifting her effortlessly from the water. Droplets cascaded down her skin and clung to her curves. The air was cooler outside the bath, and she shivered slightly against me, but it was a tremble I intended to transform into a different kind of quiver.

“Where are you taking me?” she said.

“Somewhere we can continue,” I said, carrying her to her room and laying her down in front of the fireplace on the soft rug.

I knelt before her, tracing her body with my gaze as I kissed up her inner thigh, savoring the taste of her skin. She gasped, her fingers twining through my damp hair, guiding me closer to where she ached for me most. And there, at the apex of her thighs, I worshipped her with my mouth, drawing forth cries of pleasure that echoed off the walls.

“Atticus...” Her voice was a melody, rising and falling with the tide of pleasure I wrought with each movement of my tongue.

I glanced up, locking eyes with her, wanting her to see the depth of my devotion. As she crested the waves of her release, her body pulsing beneath my touch, satisfaction surged through me. I had given her this bliss, made her come undone, even though our lives were being upended.

Climbing up her body, I captured her lips in a searing kiss, tasting the salt of our passion. It wasn’t long before she reciprocated, exploring me with fervent need. Her hands roamed over me with an urgency that matched my own, and soon I was lost in her lips and tongue as she brought me to the brink of oblivion. She took me into her mouth, and the world narrowed down to the warmth, the wetness, the exquisite pressure of her.

I groaned, my hips jerking forward involuntarily as Aria’s tongue twirled around my shaft. With her eyes on mine, she sucked me softly, her cheeks hollowing out. With a growl, I pulled out from her mouth and turned her onto her back. I positioned myself at her entrance, running the head of my cock over her slit. She was warm and wet, ready for me. Slowly, I slid inside her, the tight heat of her body gripping mine. Aria let out a husky moan as I buried myself to the hilt, filling her completely.

Our eyes never left each other as we began to move together. The slapping of our skin filled the air with a sensual melody punctuated by small cries and pants of pleasure. The fragrance of lavender mingled with the scent of our arousal, creating a heady perfume.

Her nails raked down my shoulders, leaving behind a line of exquisite pain that sent goosebumps over my skin. My hands found the delicate flesh of her bottom, squeezing gently as I thrust deeper inside her. We were in sync, our hearts pounding together in perfect unison. Aria was my other half, my better half, my equal in every way.

Aria moaned as she approached her climax again, her body arching off the floor in anticipation. This time, she met me halfway, grinding against me with an eagerness that sent shockwaves of desire through my system. Her mouth found mine, her teeth nipping at my bottom lip as we reached our peak simultaneously.

Everything became a blur of sensation, of her. Every touch, every hitch of her breath consumed me completely.

As we finished, smoothly coming down from our highs, I rolled to the side and pulled her on top of me to cushion her from the hard floor.

Aria gazed into my eyes and worried her bottom lip between her teeth. “I’m scared, Atticus. With everything that’s happening... I fear for my pack, for us.”

“I’m scared, too, Aria.” I pulled her closer. “But remember, you’re not alone. Whatever comes our way, we’ll face it as one.”

She sighed, resting her head against my chest. “It’s just so much sometimes. The expectation, the threats lurking beyond our territory. This thing with Larkin and the Crimson Fang.”

“Hey.” I lifted her chin so she would look at me. “You have the heart of a warrior and the soul of an alpha. You inspire me every day. And whatever doubts or challenges you have, I’ll be here to help you carry them.”

“Even if it means going against my father? Even if we go into deeper danger?”

“Especially then,” I said. “There’s no one I’d rather stand with than you. No fight too great, no enemy too fearsome. Together, we are unstoppable.”

Her damp hair tickled my skin, and my chest swelled with a protectiveness that latched onto my soul every time I looked at her.

“Atticus,” she said. “Thank you for being here.”

“There’s nowhere I’d rather be,” I whispered. Internally, I was waging a war with the voices of my past that echoed my insecurities and fueled my self-doubt. Those treacherous voices kept telling me I wasn’t good enough for her. I battled with the ever-present dread that history would repeat itself, that she’d grow afraid of me, see me as my old pack had: a monster unworthy of trust or love.

“Hey,” she said, her concerned tone jolting me back to reality. “I lost you. Where did you go?” She cradled my face, her touch warm and comforting, her reassuring presence melting away the icy threads of doubts. Love shone from her gaze, a love that had healed the fractures in my soul, piece by piece.

“I’m sorry,” I murmured. I caressed the delicate contours of her face, savoring the softness beneath my calloused fingertips. “What I feel for you, words cannot adequately express. I’m grateful for the experiences that have shaped me, made me who I am today, but my past clings to me like the shadows I command.”

“Your past doesn’t scare me,” she said. “It’s part of who you are, and I love who you are.”

Still, doubts lingered, whispering treacherous ideas. Would she tire of the burdens I brought? Would my presence become a weight too heavy for her, an anchor dragging her down?

But as our fingers entwined, I allowed myself to believe in the destiny that had chosen us. Love was the most formidable force I had ever encountered, and it was transforming me, molding me into someone new, someone capable of matching the might of the woman who had captured my heart.

The cool morning breeze came through the window. After dressing, Aria and I moved to sit by the window, our bodies entwined as she nestled closer to me. The book we had retrieved from the old shack lay open on her lap, its pages a trove of information yet to be unveiled.

“I don’t know if I’m strong enough for this.” Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears.

I cupped her face, my thumb stroking her cheek, absorbing the heat of her turmoil. “Hey.” I pulled her closer until she was resting against my chest. “You’ve carried more than anyone should, and you’re still standing.”

As she looked up at me, the dam broke, and tears cascaded down her cheeks. “My father doesn’t believe in me. It’s tearing me apart. How can I lead if my own blood doubts me?”

I knew too well the sting of being cast aside by those meant to stand beside you. “I understand,” I said. “Having the ones you love doubt you is devastating. I am so sorry you have to endure that pain.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I know I’m repeating myself, but I can’t tell you how much it means that you’re here, that you believe in me when everyone else won’t. Atticus, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

We remained there by the window, the book forgotten as I pulled Aria into my arms. I was helpless in her anguish. “Let it out, love,” I said softly, my lips brushing the crown of her head. “Let me carry some of this. You don’t have to bear it alone.”

A sudden movement outside the window caught my attention, pulling us both back into the reality that awaited beyond these walls. I twisted slightly to see Larkin and his friends, their forms unmistakable as they trekked toward the Crimson Fang territory.

“Look.” I nodded toward the figures marching with purpose.

Aria followed my nod and tensed. “Larkin,” she said darkly.

We watched as Larkin and his entourage vanished into the dense foliage. My mind raced with possibilities, each more foreboding than the last.

“What do you think he’s planning?”

I turned to Aria. “I’m not sure,” I said. “But they’re definitely up to something. We can’t ignore the fact that he’s deliberately moving toward Crimson Fang territory with members of your pack. Who knows how many people are listening to his rhetoric and believing it?”

The implications were dire. The rival pack lands were a tinderbox of tension, and Larkin’s presence there was akin to striking a match. My wolf stirred, ready to defend, to challenge any threat to Aria or her people. But to act hastily now would only play into their hands.

“Could it be an alliance? Or a provocation?” Aria asked, her fingers trailing over the cold surface of the windowsill.

“Either way, it spells trouble.” I stepped closer, placing a reassuring hand on her back. “We need more information. Perhaps we should follow them.”

Aria nodded, her lips pressed in a thin line. “Yes, let’s do that. We can’t afford to be caught off-guard.”

Despite my fears of inadequacy, of being seen as less for my rogue status, I would lay down my life for this woman. Aria had become my world.

Suddenly, the door creaked open, breaking the tension like a sharp exhale. Seren stepped inside. She didn’t speak, but the urgency in her posture spoke volumes, pulling us from our purpose and back to reality. Her eyes flashed with the luminescence of panic.

“I can’t… they’re everywhere.” She gasped and collapsed to her knees.

Aria rushed to her friend’s side and coaxed her onto the bed, cradling Seren’s head against her chest as she whispered words meant to soothe savage fears.

“Shh, you’re safe here,” Aria said, stroking Seren’s hair with a tenderness that could tame the wildest of beasts. Yet, even as she comforted, she looked at me over the top of Seren’s head in a silent plea for action.

“Love, I’m going to follow Larkin,” I said.

Aria nodded slightly. “Please, be careful.”

“Of course.” I leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead. A promise. The taste of her skin lingered on my lips, a sweet reminder of all that was at stake.

As I turned from Aria, leaving her to comfort her friend, Seren’s anguished cry remained with me, an echo of distress that clawed at my chest as I retreated from Aria’s chamber.

Silver Claw Manor became nothing more than a shadow at my back, a stronghold that contained my future in its walls as I shifted and raced across the grounds. My paws found familiar purchase, the cool soil soothing me as I welcomed the wildness of my rogue side.

As the terrain grew rougher, I allowed my wolf to guide me. His senses sharpened mine, his vigor fueled my steps. We were one and the same, united in our quest to shield Aria.

I moved among the trees, every muscle tight, ready to spring forth or retract at a mere hint of danger. It wasn’t long before a hushed conversation brushed against my ears, as fleeting and elusive as the wind through the leaves. My pace slowed, an involuntary response as I homed in on the source.

There, sheltered by the copse of large oaks, I came to a halt, allowing the shadows to swallow me. With each passing second, the distant murmurs swelled into discernible words, the low, guttural tones unmistakably belonging to Larkin and his cohorts.

Creeping closer, I wove through the trunks, silent as a ghost, my every movement calculated to avoid detection. The words grew clearer, tinged with arrogance and the smug satisfaction of men too confident in their perceived dominion over others.

My wolf bristled, hackles raised, as we edged nearer, slipping through the underbrush with a predator’s grace. This was the hunt, and though my quarry was not prey, the outcome held the same weight.

There, cloaked in the false security of their seclusion, stood Larkin and his entourage, unaware that they were no longer the hunters but the hunted.

A hush fell over the forest as I nestled against the rough bark of a pine and watched the clandestine gathering unfolding before me. Larkin’s silhouette was unmistakable, even cloaked in the dim light filtering through the canopy. His cronies clustered around him, their faces obscured yet their voices distinct.

“You really have them fooled, don’t you?” The words slithered out from one of the men. My insides twisted. It was the sound of loyalty bought and sold, not earned—a sound I knew all too well from my time among rogues.

“Isn’t it risky, though? With that rogue, Atticus, lurking around?” Another asked with a cautious attitude that suggested he understood how precarious their plot was.

“I’ve nothing to fear from him,” Larkin spat. “He and Aria tried telling Ragnar, but the old fool doesn’t believe them.” His words sounded confident, but there was an underlying uncertainty to them.

A smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. The Crimson Fang saw me as a threat, a rogue, a label that came with its own set of assumptions and underestimations. But they didn’t know the intensity of my allegiance to Aria, nor the lengths I’d go to protect her and our shared future. Their ignorance was a weapon I would wield as deftly as any blade.

The damp forest floor cradled my steps as I trailed Larkin and his ignorant entourage. My enhanced hearing caught fragments of their conversation through the thicket.

“Atticus is a pawn in a game he doesn’t even understand. Playing heroes,” Larkin said, and I could almost see the smirk that would be twisting his lips. “But they don’t see the whole board. By the time they do, it’ll be too late.”

His cronies snickered, egging him on with low, guttural affirmations as they orbited around Larkin.

“Have you seen how she looks at him, though?” one jeered, a note of lasciviousness in his tone that made my fists clench. “Like he hung the moon just for her.”

“Maybe I should remind her who she’s supposed to be looking at that way.” Larkin’s voice oozed arrogance, tainted with a desire that did not belong to him. “When I’m done, she won’t spare another glance at that mongrel.”

Anger flared, hotter than the midday sun, but I tamped it down. I was a shadow among shadows, unseen yet omnipresent. Aria had set something in motion inside me, an ability to ignore any hesitation to claim what was mine—our love, our fate intertwined.

Larkin and his band of fools continued on, unaware of the silent predator on their heels as they spoke of plans and plots.

I stepped lightly, a ghost moving through the undergrowth, my love for Aria a shield against the barbs of their mockery. Let them underestimate me. Let them scoff. With every sordid word they uttered about her, my will hardened.