Chapter 21 - Astrid

"You can kiss the bride," Jameson said, standing between Rand and me.

Rand pulled me toward him, pressing his lips to mine, his large hand going to the small of my back as he held me in place. I melted into him, relishing the sensation of his lips on mine, the warmth of them and the passion communicated in the way he gripped me.

The small crowd—mostly the Silver Wolves and their mates—applauded and cheered as the ceremony concluded. Thea beamed, clapping happily in the crowd, sitting with the rest of the girls. She had moved in with Rand and me for the time being but had already begun to make a name for herself both in the group and in the town at large. They had accepted her immediately, not treating her any differently for being an absent, and always making an effort to make sure she felt included. A year ago, I never would have thought it possible. But seeing her this happy and in a town that so clearly wanted her to thrive was more than I could have dreamed of. It felt as though things were finally coming together.

After the ceremony, the party started. I wandered the crowd, checking on Thea periodically. But every time I saw her, she was surrounded by people, laughing and chatting. I don't think I'd ever seen her flourish this way before.

As I was replenishing my drink, I felt a large figure loom over me from behind, and a moment later, a hand went to the small of my back.

"How're you doing?" Rand murmured in my ear. His thumb ran up and down my spine, sending small, delightful shivers running through my whole body. I let out a soft sigh and leaned into it.

"Mmm. Better." My wolf reveled in his scent, wanting to rub up against him. I leaned back, pressing myself against him. "It's a nice party."

"You mean you don't miss your old life of crime?" he teased.

I craned my neck up to look at him and stuck out my tongue. He chuckled.

"I did my community service," I said. "Though I'm pretty sure I got off light, considering how much damage I could have done."

"I wouldn't be surprised if Jameson decided to play nice," he agreed. "I think he understands how ambiguous and not black and white these things can be." He wrapped his arm around me, holding me tighter against him.

After things had died down and the whole story had come out, I'd insisted on doing something to pay for my crimes. Jameson had gotten me off lightly with the Wolf's Council, telling them that I had helped uncover the Gray Wolf and had turned on him, so I didn't have to serve time like most of the old crew. But I'd remained adamant that I needed some sort of punishment. Both because I thought I deserved it, and because I wanted to make sure that no one in the pack thought I got off lightly because of my relationship with Rand.

I still think it could have been more than two weeks of community service, but when I tried to argue, Jameson had gone conveniently deaf.

"Anyway, I just wanted to see if you didn't need some fresh air or a breather," Rand said.

"I think I'm all right."

"Are you sure?" One hand went to my hip, and I noticed something stiffening against my back. I looked up again to see him staring down hungrily. "You don't think you need to take a break?" He raised his eyebrows knowingly.

My own stomach lurched and squirmed with interest as my wolf growled in excitement. Something began smoldering between my legs.

"On second thought, I think I could definitely use some peace and quiet."

His grin turned feral, and his eyes glinted with undisguised lust.

"I think I'm going to go enjoy the rest of the party," Thea said, rolling her eyes as her knowing smile grew. "You two have fun, doing whatever it is you're about to do."

"We will." Rand winked at Thea before she walked over to where Mark and Tannen stood chatting. The two immediately opened up a space for her.

"She's doing well," Rand said, watching the three of them chatting.

I nodded, smiling. "I haven't seen her this happy in years."

"I'm glad she's settling in. Brixton's a good place. Now come on." His hand went to my shoulder, and he steered me toward the stairs. "I think our bedroom is a good place to take a break. Don't you?"

Heat raced through me, and I shivered beneath his touch. "I think that sounds perfect," I purred.

We walked to the room, Rand's hand never leaving me until he turned to close the bedroom door. The instant it was shut, he pulled me toward him.

"You look incredible," he said, hands running down my sides, gripping my waist and holding me in place. "I just wish this had happened years ago. We could have had so much more time together."

"If things had turned out different, you may never have become a Silver Wolf," I pointed out. "And think of all the good you've done for the world because of that."

His hand brushed a strand of hair from my face, looking intently at me. "I would have given it all up for you," he muttered, then brought his lips down to me.

Electricity ran through me as his mouth pressed against mine. My hands gripped his biceps, and they rippled beneath my fingers.

"You have no idea how badly I want to rip this dress off you," he growled, eyes raking up and down my body.

I raised an eyebrow, the faintest trace of a smirk playing across my mouth. "I don't see anything stopping you," I countered.

His eyes glinted with lust and hunger. With a snarl, he spun me around and yanked down the zipper with so much force, I heard a loud tear as it reached the bottom. He turned me back to face him and tore at the bodice, ripping the straps away from my shoulders and tearing the neckline so one breast spilled out.

He grabbed my breast, thumb flicking my nipples, smiling as my back arched and my eyes fluttered shut. I let out a soft moan of need. As the electricity jolted through my body, sending new cries of longing running through me, his other hand found my other breast, ripping the dress even further and making it puddle to the floor around my ankles. I watched his reaction, smirking wickedly as he realized I wasn't wearing underwear.

"If I didn't know any better, I would say you wanted me to take this off," he growled.

"I don't know what the hell you're talking about."

My fingers found his pants button, and I began unfastening them, needing him in a way that I never had before. My wolf growled with desire, and all I could think about was him and the way his cock felt when he slammed it inside me.

His pants fell to the ground, and his cock sprung forth, twitching with eagerness. My fingers ran up and down the shaft, caressing it, teasing it before I wrapped them around it. He groaned as I began pumping, head moving back.

As I stroked his cock, his own hand went between my thighs. He growled in approval as he felt the wetness there. He ran his fingers along the slit, teasing me, flicking tantalizingly across my clit before moving back down. My own breathing shallowed as he continued to toy with me, and I struggled to keep up a steady rhythm as his fingers thrust inside me. I squirmed beneath his touch. His free hand ran along my spine, holding me near him while sending new shivers of craving running through my entire body with every caress.

"More," I begged.

He slowed, teasing me as he raised an eyebrow. "This isn't enough for you?" he growled.

I smirked. "I know what you can do," I fired back. "I think you're holding out on me."

"Is that so?" The hand that had been running down my back slid further down, cupping my ass and squeezing, his other thumb pressing against my clit, making me moan, temporarily forgetting whatever I had been about to argue.

"Just fuck me already," I begged.

His eyes glinted. "I'll fuck you when I feel like it."

I raised an eyebrow. "Two can play at that game." I released his cock, giving a coy smile. "If you don't want to keep going, I suppose we might as well get back to the party—"

Rand snarled, grabbing my wrists and hauling me over to the bed. He flung me down before clambering on top of me. One hand pinned mine above my head, locking me in place. I waited for his cock to slam inside me, but instead, he crawled down, lips trailing along my stomach until his head was between my legs. He gave a feral, wicked grin, his eyes not leaving mine as he stuck out his tongue and ran it along my pussy, watching for my reaction as it slid across my clit. I groaned at the sensation, closing my eyes and savoring the growing need.

I squirmed in delight as I felt his mouth moving from my clit to my vagina. A minute later, his tongue jammed inside me. My eyes flew open, and I gasped. My toes curled, and my hips bucked with pleasure. That flame between my legs burned with an intensity I hadn't realized was possible.

His hand went to my stomach, pressing me down and holding me in place as I writhed in ecstasy, feeling myself growing closer to that edge. Before I knew it, I realized I was on the precipice, about to fall over.

I screamed as the orgasm slammed into me, more intense than I could have imagined. I groaned as he continued to taste my juices, tantalizing me even as I shattered over and over again. Finally, my panting subsided, though my heart was still pumping. But when I looked down at him, that fire reignited at the hungry look in his eyes, and I realized he was nowhere near done with me. He smirked, seeming to read my mind as he clambered back on top of me, his chest pressing me into the bed, holding me captive. His mouth caressed my collarbone, trailing upward and adding fuel to the rekindled fire already burning hotter inside me. I needed him inside me, to fill me.

His lips pressed against mine at the same time as he thrust inside me. I cried out into his lips, the sound muffled as he pumped in and out of me, filling me. My body cried out, craving more, needing more of him.

His thumb went to my clit, flicking against it in time with his thrusts. He smirked as I gasped and moaned and writhed beneath him, the fire and pleasure building inside me. I groaned, toes curling, eyes fluttering shut as the pleasure built inside me. I knew I wouldn't last long as the need and pleasure grew and grew. I held onto it, savoring the flame, wanting to hold onto it for as long as possible, not wanting the sensation to fade away and knowing that eventually I would break regardless.

I exploded between two thrusts, screaming, my hips bucking as I rode that wave, muscles contracting as the pressure released and spilled over. He kept thrusting as the pleasure raced through me, sending new spasms of delight and need rippling through me. After another long moment, I heard him grunt, and his cock spasmed inside me as he finished. A moment later, his pumps slowed. He hovered above me, cock still inside me, as he bent down to kiss me, brushing a strand of hair from my face as he slowly slid out.

He nuzzled behind me, wrapping his arms around me. "How was that?" he asked.

"Mmm. I definitely enjoyed it." I snuggled against him.

We stayed like that for a few minutes. Finally, too soon, he leaned forward and kissed me again. I could still taste myself on his lips.

"We should probably get back to the party soon," he said.

I nodded, though a little reluctantly. Part of me wanted to stay here forever, him holding me. "Let me just put on my clothes," I finally said.

He chuckled, the breath brushing my hair and the side of my neck. "You might need to pick out something different," he said.

My eyes went to the tattered remains of my dress on the floor, and I laughed along with him. "You're probably right," I said.

I clambered out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans and a shirt.

"All good?" Rand asked, putting on his suit again. He chuckled. "I'm sure no one's going to wonder what on earth you're doing in different clothes."

I gave him a rueful smirk. "Your friends are going to have a field day with this."

He laughed, eyes glinting. "Nah. They're going to be too jealous." He held out his hand, raising his eyebrows. "Shall we?"

And we walked back out to join the party, hand in hand.

*****

THE END