22. ELOWEN

Chapter 22

ELOWEN

A playful smirk dances on my lips as I dodge Thorne's lunging attack.

His claws rake harmlessly through the air where my head used to be. "Come on, Alpha," I taunt, "Is that the best you can do? Even a wounded sparrow could outrun you."

Thorne throws his head back and lets out a booming laugh.

Despite the playful animosity in our training sessions, a comfortable rhythm has settled between us.

This sparring is our way of letting loose, a release from the emotions that still simmer beneath the surface.

"Easy for you to say. You practically teleport around the clearing."

He lunges again, this time incorporating a feint that almost catches me off guard. I twist away just in time, a burst of laughter escaping my lips.

Sparring with Thorne is exhilarating, a dance of strength and agility that pushes me to my limits.

Suddenly, the playful atmosphere shatters.

A low growl ripples through the pack members, observing from the sidelines. Thorne and I exchange a confused glance, the training session momentarily forgotten.

"Enough with the disrespect, woman!" A burly wolf named Garek snarls, stepping forward from the throng. His fur bristles with aggression, and his eyes gleam with a dangerous glint.

"Disrespect?" I scoff, my playful smirk fading. "What are you talking abou—"

"Don't lie to us, trickster!" Nadia, a female wolf with sharp features, cuts me off. "We've all seen your arrogance, your constant need to belittle our Alpha."

I've been subjected to bullying like this ever since I came here. They all feel I'm treating Thorne with disrespect after he helped me when I was rejected. Many of them don't realize I was rejected by their Alpha.

My jaw clenches in anger.

And why is everyone so invested in my business with him?!

These wolves clearly haven't grasped the nature of our interactions. The playful barbs, the feigned insults—it's our way of connecting, a private joke built on the foundation of our turbulent past.

But before I can explain, Thorne steps forward, his voice low and dangerous. "That's enough."

His words have a forceful impact, silencing the disgruntled pack members.

They may not understand the dynamic between us, but they respect their Alpha's authority.

"Elowen and I were training," Thorne continues, his gaze sweeping over the pack. "A little playful sparring to sharpen our skills."

Garek lets out a disbelieving snort. "Sharpening skills? Or sharpening your tongue on the Alpha?"

Thorne stares at the gathered wolves. "Listen well," his voice booms with authority. "Elowen is more than just a rude woman in our midst. She's my fated mate. Which I'm sure we all know."

I watch their faces, their expressions morphing from suspicion to curiosity.

"And," Thorne continues, his voice hardening, "those of you who disrespect her disrespect me." He pauses, his gaze settling on Garek and Nadia. "Do I make myself clear?"

Garek shrinks under the Alpha's imposing stare, his bravado evaporating like morning mist. Nadia, however, holds his gaze for a moment before grudgingly bowing her head.

Relief washes over me, mingled with a surge of unexpected warmth. Thorne, for the first time, publicly acknowledged our bond. And despite the initial shock, the pack seems to grudgingly accept it.

Just as the tension dissipates, a voice slices through the newfound calm. "But Alpha," a young wolf named Jakob whispers, stepping forward hesitantly, "why does she disrespect you so? She's your fated mate but she's rejected and you still accepted her."

A chorus of murmurs rises in agreement.

Thorne takes a deep breath, his gaze meeting mine for a fleeting moment. Then, he turns back towards the pack.

"Elowen is not just any mate," he begins, his voice rough with unspoken feelings. "She's the prophesied mate, the one who holds the key to our survival."

A gasp ripples through the pack. Whispers erupt, a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"She doesn't disrespect me," Thorne declares, his voice laced with a raw vulnerability that silences the pack. "If anything, I deserve every ounce of anger she harbors."

A stunned silence descends upon the clearing. Eyes flit between Thorne and me, searching for clues in our expressions.

"Elowen," Thorne continues, his gaze meeting mine, "was once my mate." A collective gasp rips through the pack.

"But fear," he continues, his jaw clenching, "clouded my judgment. I believed choosing the fated mate was the only way to ensure our pack's survival."

He hesitates, taking a deep breath before dropping a bombshell. "But the prophecy was flawed. She wasn't my true mate. It was Elowen all along."

Shock, confusion, and disbelief battle for dominance on the pack's faces.

"I rejected Elowen, thinking that in doing so, I was saving all of you," Thorne confesses. "And for that, I will forever carry the weight of my actions. I don't blame her anger. In fact, I welcome it. It's a constant reminder of the pain I inflicted."

His gaze sweeps back over the pack. "However," he continues, his voice hardening, "I will not tolerate disrespect towards her. She is my mate, the woman I love, and the key to our future. Anyone who dares to disrespect her disrespects me."

Silence hangs heavy in the air. The pack stares at Thorne. They've never seen their Alpha so vulnerable, so openly passionate about someone.

For a moment, time seems to stand still.

My emotions churn within me—anger, hurt, but also a hint of something warm and hopeful.

Thorne's confession, his unwavering support, washes over me like a cleansing wave.

No Alpha wants his people to gage him as vulnerable, but he did that for me.

For me. His Fated Mate.

Then, I see it.

Understanding dawns on Garek's face. He turns to his packmates, his earlier hostility replaced with a newfound respect.

He dips his head in a silent apology towards me, and one by one, the others follow suit.

The weight in my chest begins to ease, replaced by a fragile hope.

Can we truly move forward from this? Can we build a future together despite the scars of the past?

Suddenly, a wave of possessiveness washes over me. I can't bear the thought of anyone else questioning our bond. I need to show them, show Thorne, the depth of my feelings.

And to let him know I've forgiven him, I'm…

Oh, fuck it!

Without a second thought, I take a step forward and surge towards him. His eyes widen in surprise as I reach him and cup his face in my hands, drawing him down to meet me in a searing kiss.

It's a kiss fueled by a lifetime of unspoken words, by the pain of rejection and the joy of rediscovery.

It's a kiss that declares to the world—we are mates, bound by destiny and love.

The clearing erupts in a surprised gasp. Pack members stare at us, mouths agape, their initial shock quickly melting into understanding smiles.

Thorne freezes momentarily, and then his body melts into mine as he deepens the kiss. His touch is electric, sending shivers down my spine.

As we finally break apart, breathless and slightly dazed, I meet his gaze.

His eyes are filled with an adoration that makes my heart skip a beat. A single word escapes his lips. "Finally."

It's almost as if I can't breathe anymore, and I just want to be with him, around him, in him—or him in me.

After kissing Thorne in front of the other wolves, I can't stop myself anymore.

That's why I'm in Thorne's room right now, breathing hard as we stare at each other after just pulling apart from a heated kiss.

"Elowen," Thorne's voice turns me on. It always did. But now, that husky sound is filled with desire and possession, and I want him so bad.

I can't stop from leaning in closer, our breaths mingling.

His scent, a heady mix of pine and musk, intoxicates me. I want to lose myself in him, to feel his warmth enveloping me.

His warm breath caresses my lips, igniting a fire within me that I can no longer contain. I surrender to the moment, letting my body sway towards him. His arms wrap around me, pulling me closer, and I melt into his embrace.

Our lips meet again, this time with an intensity that sends shockwaves through my body. I feel his tongue dance against mine, exploring the depths of my mouth.

His hands roam my body, igniting sensations I have never felt.

"Elowen," Thorne whispers against my ear, "You are mine."

His words echo in my mind, a possessive claim that fills me with both trepidation and exhilaration.

I want him, all of him.

I want to lose myself in his touch, in his scent, in his being.

We stumble towards his bed, our bodies colliding in a tangle of limbs and passion.

Thorne's hands frantically unbutton my blouse, revealing the delicate skin beneath. His lips trail down my neck, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

I gasp as he kisses the soft curve of my breast, his tongue swirling around the sensitive nipple.

A surge of pleasure shoots through me, making me arch my back in ecstasy. I can't control the moans that escape my lips, betraying my surrender to his touch.

His hands roam over my body, and he trails his fingers down my stomach, teasing the soft skin before reaching between my legs.

His touch is gentle yet insistent. His eyes gleam with desire as he gazes upon me, his gaze lingering on the swell of my breasts.

He leans forward and kisses me again, this time more deeply. His tongue dances with mine, exploring the recesses of my mouth. I feel myself melting into his embrace, my body becoming liquid with desire.

His hands move to my hips, pulling me closer to him. I can feel his erection pressing against my thigh, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. He whispers something in my ear, his voice husky and seductive.

"I want you," he says. "I want to make you feel good."

I nod, unable to speak. My body is consumed by a primal need that only he can satisfy.

He urges me down onto the bed, his hands never leaving my body. As we lie there, he kisses my neck, his breath warm on my skin.

The front of my bra is unhooked, and he takes one of my breasts in his mouth, his tongue circling the nipple. I close my eyes, surrendering to the ecstasy of his touch. He sucks and nibbles, drawing a chorus of moans from my lips.

His other hand moves between my legs, his fingers teasing my entrance. I gasp as his fingers penetrate me, sending a wave of pleasure through my body. He moves his fingers in and out, slowly at first, then faster and faster until my hips start bucking in rhythm.

I can feel myself reaching the edge, my body trembling with anticipation. I cry out his name, my voice filled with a mixture of pleasure and desperation.

Thorne's movements become more urgent, his thrusts driving me to the brink of madness.

I feel myself spiraling out of control, lost in a whirlwind of sensation. I cling to him desperately, my nails digging into his back as waves of pleasure crash over me.

As the night wears on, our passion only intensifies. We explore each other's bodies with an insatiable hunger, discovering hidden desires and unlocking a primal connection that I never thought possible.

When the first rays of dawn peek through the curtains, we lie in each other's arms, exhausted but profoundly content.

Thorne's breathing returns to normal, and his eyes meet mine with a look of tenderness I have never seen before.

"I love you, Elowen," he whispers.

I smile, tears of joy streaming down my face. "I love you too, Thorne."

In that moment, I know that our bond is unbreakable—forged in the fires of passion and sealed with the promise of a love that will last a lifetime.