16. Chapter 16

Chapter 16

Orion

T he sharp pain seared through my side, but I barely registered it. All I could focus on was Luna. Her gasp cut through the chaos, and my heart clenched at the sight of her struggling against that wolf.

She shouldn’t be here, I thought, but there was no stopping her now.

“Run!” I growled through clenched teeth, my voice hoarse, but she didn’t listen. She never did.

“I’m not leaving!” she yelled, her voice raw and desperate.

Marcosias’ twisted laughter echoed in my mind, mocking me.

"She’s your weakness, Alpha. You should have known better." He was wrong, but it didn’t matter. I had to stop him before his words became truth.

With a snarl, I lunged at him, putting everything I had into the attack. My wolf collided with his, teeth snapping and claws tearing at flesh. The metallic scent of blood filled the air—mine, his, it didn’t matter.

I felt Luna’s energy surge through the bond, her power pushing against Marcosias’ wolf, just enough to keep me on my feet. But it wasn’t enough. Marcosias was relentless, every strike aimed to break me, to make me fail. And then he landed a brutal blow to my side, forcing the air from my lungs. I staggered, my vision darkening for a moment.

“No!” Luna’s scream pierced through the haze, and I felt her energy again, pushing at the edges of my mind. I locked eyes with her for the briefest second, her tear-filled gaze holding me together. “Luna … I can’t hold them off. Get out of here!”

But she wouldn’t listen. She never listened. "No! We’re doing this together," she said, her voice fragile yet stubborn.

Marcosias circled me, his wolves gathering around like vultures, ready to tear us apart.

“You can’t protect her forever, Orion. And now, you’ll die because of her,” he taunted, his voice dripping with cruelty.

I bared my teeth, blood and fury rising inside me. “You’ll have to kill me first.” I wouldn’t let him touch her. Not as long as I had breath in my body.

The sounds of the battle raged around us—snarls, growls, the sickening thud of bodies hitting the ground—but all I could see was Luna, her face pale with exhaustion, her eyes wide with fear. I knew she was draining herself, pushing her limits to keep me going, but I couldn’t let her. I couldn’t lose her.

“Luna! Go!” I roared, my voice cracking under the strain. She hesitated, her body trembling with exhaustion. Please … just run, I begged, silently.

And then, through the bond, I felt it. The soft whisper of her love. "I love you," she said, the words wrapping around me like a lifeline. "I’m not going anywhere."

A surge of warmth flooded my chest, giving me strength I didn’t know I had left. She was staying. She was with me. I had to fight—for her.

Suddenly, a wolf approached Luna, and the wolf’s claws tightened around Luna’s throat, her scream cutting through the air like a knife. My heart pounded, pure rage surging through me. Before I could move, Gavin’s wolf launched at him, teeth bared, growling with a ferocity I hadn’t seen before.

But then, it happened. The wolf spun around, and with one swift motion, he drove his claws into Gavin’s side. Gavin’s wolf yelped in pain, his body collapsing to the ground, helpless.

“No!” Luna screamed, struggling as the wolf dragged her back, pinning her to the wall. Her eyes were wide with terror, her breath coming in ragged gasps. I could hear her heart pounding through the bond, the sound fueling the fire inside me.

“Orion!” she cried out, her voice filled with desperation.

The world went red. I didn’t think—I just acted. All the exhaustion, the pain, it vanished. A raw, animalistic fury took over. With a roar, I tore into Marcosias’ wolf, every muscle in my body straining as I fought to end him.

“You’re done!” I growled, my voice shaking with rage.

Marcosias’ wolf snarled, snapping back with equal ferocity, but I was too late. I slammed him into the ground, biting and tearing, tasting blood, as I fought like never before. I was going to finish this.

Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Jake burst through the chaos with a pack of wolves at his side. They rushed in, ripping into Marcosias’ forces, turning the tide of the battle.

Marcosias’ eyes flicked to the reinforcements. He knew he was outnumbered now. He growled, backing away, blood dripping from his fur.

“This isn’t over, Orion,” he snarled, his eyes burning with fury. “I’ll be back. And next time, it’ll be worse.” With one last glare, he fled the room, out into the woods, his wolves scattering after him.

I didn’t have time to think about his words. The moment he was gone, I shifted back into my human form, my body aching with the transition, and ran to Luna. Her eyes were wide, her body trembling.

“Luna?” I whispered, shaking her gently. She didn’t respond. Her body slumped against me, and panic set in. “Luna! Stay with me.”

Her breathing was shallow, her face pale. I scooped her up in my arms, cradling her against my chest. “I’ve got you,” I whispered, carrying her toward the car. My heart raced. What if she didn’t wake up?

After what felt like an eternity, she stirred in my arms, her eyes fluttering open. “Orion?” she murmured, her voice weak.

“I’m here,” I said, relief flooding through me. “I’ve got you. We’re getting out of here.”

I drove straight to the city, my hands gripping the wheel tighter than ever before. Every moment felt like we were one step closer to safety, but something told me it wasn’t over. Marcosias’ words echoed in my mind.

When we finally made it back to my condo, it was noon. Luna and I just sat there, still reeling from what had happened. But then she smiled that soft, beautiful smile that made everything else fade away.

“We made it,” she whispered, her fingers brushing against mine.

“Yeah, we did. We’re safe now.” I looked at her, unable to hold back a grin.

We both rested, and later in the night, we headed up to the rooftop of my condo, wanting a moment to breathe, to feel normal again after everything. The city lights twinkled below us, the air cool and crisp. We sat there, side by side, letting the weight of the night fall away.

“It’s so beautiful, Orion.”

“Not as beautiful as you.”

“You are always good with words.” She blushed.

“You scared the hell out of me back there, you know,” I said, my voice low, as I looked out over the skyline.

Luna smirked, leaning her head against my shoulder. “I wasn’t about to leave you alone with Marcosias.”

“Stubborn as always.” I chuckled softly.

“You love it.” Her eyes met mine, a mischievous glint dancing in them.

“Yeah, I do.” I leaned closer, my fingers gently brushing her cheek.

Her eyes locked onto mine, and before I could say another word, her lips crashed against mine with an urgency that sent a spark straight through me. I kissed her back, hard, pulling her closer, until there was no space left between us. The kiss started slowly, deliberately, but then everything ignited. Her hands tangled in my hair, pulling me deeper into her, and I groaned against her mouth, losing myself in the heat of it.

"Luna," I murmured against her lips, my voice low and rough. "You have no idea what you do to me."

"Maybe I do." She smirked, her breath warm, as she whispered against my skin.

“You drive me wild … Uhhh … Luna … Luna … you are just something else.”

My hands slid to her waist, gripping her tight as I pressed her back against the edge of the rooftop. The cool night air brushed against our skin, but the heat between us drowned out everything else. I trailed kisses down her neck, feeling her shiver as she tilted her head back, giving me more access.

"Orion," she breathed out, her fingers gripping my shoulders as if she needed to hold on to something—anything.

I pulled back for just a second, enough to catch my breath and look at her. Her lips were parted, her chest rising and falling with every rapid breath. God, she was beautiful, the moonlight casting a soft glow on her skin. I couldn’t get enough of her.

“You sure about this? Wanna have sex here?” I asked, my voice husky, but I already knew her answer.

"I want to have sex with you everywhere and anytime. I want you to know that I’ll always be yours." She nodded, her eyes burning with the same desire that was coursing through me.

That was all I needed to hear. My lips crashed back against hers, more intense this time. She moaned softly into my mouth, her hands roaming over my chest, down to my waist. I groaned as her touch sent jolts of electricity through my body, making me ache for more.

“You are mine and only mine,” I whispered, my voice strained with the intensity of what I felt.

“I’m only yours. Now drive me into ecstasy,” she whispered back, her breath hot against my ear, sending a shiver down my spine.

I lifted her effortlessly, her legs wrapping around my waist as I pinned her against the wall. My lips found hers again, fierce and hungry. I could feel her heartbeat racing against my chest, matching the frantic rhythm of my own.

"Luna …" I growled softly, kissing her harder, deeper, my hands exploring her body like I was trying to memorize every inch of her.

She gasped, her nails digging into my back, as I pressed her even closer. Her body responded to every touch, every kiss, like we were made for this moment. "Orion … ahhh … oh my"

“Shh,” I murmured, brushing my lips against hers.

I pulled her closer, my lips brushing against her ear, as I whispered, "All I can think about is you - your warmth, your breath." I let my hand trail down her back, feeling her shiver under my touch. "I can feel how much you want me, Luna."

She gasped softly, her fingers digging into my shoulders as I leaned in closer. "You're driving me crazy," I murmured, my voice low and rough. "It's like I'm drowning in you, and I don’t want to come up for air."

Her eyes met mine, and the heat between us ignited. "Then don’t," she whispered, her voice barely audible but filled with need. "Don’t hold back, Orion."

I growled softly, pressing her body against mine, our breaths mingling. "I won’t."

Her hands roamed over my body, pulling me even closer, if that was possible. "I love you," she whispered against my lips, her voice raw with emotion.

My heart clenched at her words, the intensity of them hitting me like a tidal wave. "I love you too," I murmured, my voice thick. "More than you’ll ever know."

She kissed me again, harder this time, like she was pouring everything she felt into that one moment. And I gave it all back, matching her intensity, her passion, until there was nothing left but us. It felt like we were the only two people in the world, lost in each other.

"Luna," I breathed out, my forehead resting against hers, our breaths mingling in the cool night air. "You’re mine. You know that, right?"

Her eyes met mine, and she nodded, her lips curving into a small smile. "Always."

I growled softly, my control slipping, as I pushed her up against the wall, my lips claiming hers with a fierce intensity.

Slowly, I made her mine, as I held her neck and shoved my dick into her wet pussy and drove her wild with every thrust deeper than the previous.

“Ahhh,” she moaned in my ears, as I continued.

“Yes! Yes! Yes!” she screamed.

I held her tight, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I felt the tension between us build, spiraling higher. “Luna,” I groaned, my voice thick with desire, “I’m so close.”

Her nails raked down my back, and she whispered against my ear, her breath warm and shaky, “Orion … I can’t hold on much longer.”

I pressed my forehead to hers, our breaths mingling, the intensity of the moment overwhelming. “Let go, baby,” I murmured, my voice barely controlled. “Come with me.”

Her body trembled beneath my touch, and she let out a soft gasp. “Orion—” Her words turned into a moan as she shuddered against me, and I felt her release, pushing me over the edge.

“Luna,” I groaned, my voice rough as the wave of pleasure crashed over me. We held each other tight, both lost in the intensity of the moment.

But then, Luna’s phone buzzed. She groaned, reaching for it lazily. But when she read the message, her face went pale.

“What is it?” I asked, sitting up, suddenly alert.

She swallowed hard, her voice barely a whisper. “It’s from an unknown number. It says, ‘Marcosias wants to use you for a ritual. You’re not safe.’”

“What!” My blood ran cold.