9. Elise

CHAPTER NINE

ELISE

M y paws pounded against the forest floor, kicking up leaves and dirt as I raced through the trees. The moon shone high overhead, bathing the valley in silvery light. Wind rushed through my fur, and my lungs burned with exertion.

But I kept running, pushing myself to the limit. The thrill of the run sang in my blood, my wolf reveling in our newfound power and freedom.

For the first time in months, I was finally happy. Truly happy. There were still challenges ahead, still loose ends to tie up, but for tonight, I could simply enjoy being a wolf.

Nico’s massive black form loped beside me, his silver eyes gleaming. To my right, Rafe’s gray coat blended with the shadows, while Kai and Orion jostled and nipped one another at the rear.

My pack. My family.

We wove through the trees, leaping over fallen logs and splashing through shallow streams. The forest was alive around us, small creatures scurrying out of our path as we thundered past. Every breath filled my lungs with the scents of pine and earth, of pack and home.

We crested a hill, and I skidded to a stop, taking in the view below. The valley stretched out before us, bathed in moonlight. Our pack lands—my lands—dotted with the lights of wolves and humans. And beyond them, the dark outline of the mountains rising against the starry sky.

It was perfect. Absolutely perfect.

I tipped my muzzle to the sky and let out a long howl.

This is ours, I told them without words. And I will protect it with my life.

One by one, their answering howls filled the night, a chorus of loyalty and acceptance. Even Nico joined in, his deep voice rumbling through me like thunder.

As our cries faded into the darkness, I turned and began the journey back to our dens. The others fell in behind me, no longer running full-tilt but moving at a steady lope.

The others peeled off as we neared their homes. Kai was the first to go, veering off toward the small cabin he shared with Claire. He bumped his head against my shoulder as he passed—a gesture of respect and affection that made my heart swell.

Orion was next, padding silently toward the den he’d built with Brielle. His bright eyes met mine, and I saw the unwavering loyalty there. He would follow me to hell and back if I asked.

Rafe hesitated as we approached the pack house. I could smell Maddy and Violet inside, their scents a mixture of worry and relief. He looked at me with a question in his eyes.

I nodded, granting him permission to go to his family. Tomorrow, we would deal with the fallout of tonight’s events. But for now, he deserved this moment of peace.

That left just Nico and me, racing through the shadows toward my small cabin at the edge of the territory.

We shifted just before reaching the porch, our human forms emerging in a rush of crackling bones and stretching muscles. I barely had time to catch my breath before Nico was on me, pinning me against the door with his body.

“Alpha,” he growled, the word a caress and a challenge all at once.

And then his mouth was on mine, hot and demanding. I met him with equal fervor, my fingers tangling in his hair as I pulled him closer. Our bodies pressed together, skin on skin, and I reveled in the feel of my mate.

The kiss deepened, grew more heated. Nico’s hands roamed my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I arched into his touch, a low moan escaping my throat.

With a monumental effort, I broke away, gasping for air. “Inside,” I managed to say, fumbling for the doorknob behind me. “Now.”

We stumbled through the door in a tangle of limbs and desperate touches. Nico’s lips found my neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin. I tilted my head back, offering better access, but a nagging thought tugged at the edges of my mind.

“Nico...” I dragged the word out and pried my eyelids open. “We need to talk.”

He growled, his wolf prowling behind his eyes. “No. No talking. Not right now.”

My body betrayed me, heat pooling low in my belly at the roughness in his voice. Still, I pushed him back a step. I needed to clear my head. Needed to get the words out before I forgot why this conversation was important.

“I can’t have you run off like that,” I said, making sure he held my gaze. “Not without telling me. If you have plans or leads, I want to know about it.”

Nico’s eyes went flat. “Are you saying this as my mate? Or as my alpha?”

The question hung in the air between us. I weighed my answer, aware of the delicate balance we were trying to strike.

“Both,” I said finally. “As your mate, I’m terrified of losing you. And as your alpha, I need to know I can trust you not to put the pack in danger.”

Tension radiated from Nico’s body. He took another step back, a muscle ticking in his cheek. “I’m not used to answering to anyone,” he admitted in a rough voice. “Not since... not since I lost my family.”

I nodded, understanding all too well. “I’m not asking you to be a mindless follower. But we need to present a united front. The pack needs stability now more than ever.”

He was quiet for a long moment, his dark eyes studying me intently. Then, slowly, a wicked grin spread across his face. He took a step toward me, then another, until my back pressed against the wall.

“How about this?” he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. “Out there, you’re in charge. The big, bad alpha keeping everyone in line.”

His lips trailed along my jawline, sending shivers down my spine. I struggled to focus on his words, my head spinning with desire.

“In here? In our bed?” His fingers traced lazy circles over my hipbone. “It’s a negotiation.”

Heat flushed my cheeks. Excitement and desire thrummed through me. I bit back a moan as his hand dipped lower, teasing across my inner thigh.

I hooked an arm over his shoulders, dragging him down until my mouth brushed his ear. “My wolf won’t accept those terms,” I said, my voice husky with want. “Not from anyone but my mate.”

His responding laugh was pure sin.

“Then I guess I’d better make it official, hadn’t I?” His hand slid to the back of my neck, gripping firmly. “On your knees, Elise.”

The command sent a shiver down my spine. For a moment, I was torn between the urge to submit and the need to assert my dominance. But then I saw the respect and trust in Nico’s eyes, and I knew.

This wasn’t about power. It was about connection. About finally, truly belonging to each other.

I sank to my knees, my eyes never leaving his. Nico’s hand remained on my neck, anchoring me in place.

“Good girl,” he breathed, his cock twitching in response. “I’m going to enjoy watching you fall apart on my cock.”

A whimper escaped me at his filthy words. Heat rushed through my veins, setting my skin ablaze. “Make me yours.”

He wrapped a hand around his cock, stroking once, twice, before pressing the tip against my mouth. I darted out my tongue, licking at the saltiness glistening at the head. He groaned, his fingers tightening in my hair.

“That’s it,” Nico encouraged as I wrapped my hand around him. “Take me in that pretty mouth of yours. Show me what that alpha tongue can do.”

I leaned forward, maintaining eye contact as I slowly took him between my lips. I swirled my tongue around the head, exploring every ridge and vein, while my hand stroked his base. His breathing quickened, his pupils blown wide with lust.

“Fuck,” he muttered, thrusting into my mouth. “You look so fucking beautiful like this, alpha. On your knees. That... That scent in the air.”

His hand tightened in my hair as he rocked his hips again, deeper this time. My free hand clutched his ass, pulling him closer as I worked to take him further down my throat.

I wanted this. Wanted to drown in the taste of him. His growls of pleasure washed over me as I sucked and licked at him, taking him to the edge of oblivion.

“Touch yourself, alpha,” he growled. “I’m going to fuck you hard before I claim you. Need to know you’re ready for me.”

I moaned around his cock, reaching down to obey. My pussy throbbed, wet and wanting, and I easily slid two fingers inside myself. Fuck, it felt good. My clit throbbed under my thumb, begging for attention.

Nico grunted in approval, picking up speed as he fucked my mouth. Pleasure spiraled higher and higher as I fingerfucked myself, his thrusts matching my rhythm perfectly. I could feel his restraint slipping, his control hanging on by a thread.

Just as I felt him tense, Nico suddenly pulled back. I gasped for air, my fingers still working furiously at my core. He chuckled darkly, hauling me to my feet.

“Not yet,” he said, his voice rough with need. “I want to be buried inside you when we come.”

Before I could respond, Nico spun me around and bent me over the nearby table. His hand pressed between my shoulder blades, keeping me pinned as he kicked my legs apart.

“Look at you,” he murmured, his free hand trailing between my thighs. “Look what your fingers did. You’re just dripping for me, aren’t you?”

I squirmed against the table, desperate for more contact. “Nico,” I whined. “Please...”

His hand came down hard on my ass, the sharp sting drawing a surprised gasp from my lips. “Please what?” he demanded. “Tell me what you want, Elise. I want to hear you beg for it.”

Heat flooded my cheeks, but my wolf howled with approval. This was a game we both enjoyed—the push and pull of dominance and submission.

“Please fuck me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “I need you inside me. I need you to mate me.”

Nico hummed with satisfaction. “Since you asked so nicely...”

In one swift thrust, he buried himself inside me. I cried out, the sudden fullness almost overwhelming. Nico didn’t give me time to adjust, setting a punishing pace that had the table creaking beneath us.

“Fuck, you feel amazing,” he groaned, his fingers digging into my hips hard enough to bruise. “You were made to take my cock, weren’t you? Tell me who you belong to, Elise.”

“You,” I gasped, clinging to the edge of the table as he pounded into me. “I’m yours, Nico. All yours.”

His thrusts grew harder, deeper. The coil of pleasure in my belly wound tighter and tighter, threatening to snap at any moment.

“That’s right,” Nico growled. “Mine. My mate. My alpha.”

The possessiveness in his voice sent me spiraling over the edge. I came with a hoarse cry, my body clenching around him. Nico fucked me through it, fingers unerringly finding my clit and drawing out my pleasure until I was a trembling mess beneath him.

As the aftershocks faded, I became aware of Nico’s labored breathing. He was close, but holding back. Waiting.

A surge of affection washed over me. Even lost in the throes of passion, he was still putting my needs first. But now it was my turn to take control.

With a burst of strength, I pushed off the table and dislodged Nico. He stumbled back, shock and hunger warring on his features.

I advanced on him, backing him into the living room. His eyes widened as I shoved him onto the couch, but he didn’t resist. Instead, he pulled me down onto his lap, his cock sliding back into my drenched pussy.

“Fates, Elise,” he hissed, his fingers digging into my ass. “You have no idea how fucking hot you are like this. Taking what you want. Using me for your pleasure.”

My hands roamed over his naked body, exploring every ridge of muscle and scar. He hissed as I raked my nails down his chest, and the sound made me grin.

Fuck, he was beautiful like this. Broken and savage, trembling with need for me.

I kissed him hard, capturing his bottom lip between my teeth and tugging until he moaned. His hips bucked, driving his cock deeper into me. The feeling was intoxicating. I never wanted this moment to end.

But I also knew it wasn’t enough. We both needed more.

So, I pulled back, gazing deeply into his eyes as I rolled my hips. Nico’s jaw clenched, his breathing ragged as I moved against him. Each slow, deliberate motion elicited another grunt or groan, and I took pride in drawing those sounds from him.

Faster and faster, I rode him with abandon. Nico’s eyes locked on where our bodies joined, watching himself disappear inside me over and over.

I leaned down, capturing his lips in a bruising kiss as I continued to move above him.

“Mine,” I growled against his mouth. “Say it, Nico. Tell me you’re mine.”

His fingers dug into my hips, his expression wild with lust and something else. Something softer. “Yours, Elise. Always yours.”

I claimed his mouth once more, pouring all my love and desire into the kiss. Nico responded in kind, his grip on me tightening as he matched my movements with his own. Our bodies moved together like they were made for this, for each other.

We were both panting now, chasing our release. I felt the pressure building again, my toes curling as I hurtled toward another orgasm.

“Do it, wolf,” I commanded, tilting my head to the side. “Obey your alpha. Make me yours forever.”

Nico snarled, burying his face in my neck. His fangs scraped against my skin, and I felt his entire body tense beneath mine.

One bite is all it would take. One bite to seal our bond. To make us whole.

And then it came—an explosion of pleasure so intense it brought tears to my eyes. My body seized, shuddering in his arms as the waves of ecstasy crashed over me. I turned my head on my wolf’s urge and sank my fangs deep to claim my mate again.

Distantly, I was aware of Nico stiffening beneath me, his cock pulsing inside me as he found his own release.

For a few minutes, neither of us moved. We simply clung to each other, basking in the afterglow of our mate bond.

Finally, Nico stirred, running his fingers through my hair. He pressed a tender kiss to my forehead, and I could feel the smile on his lips.

“So,” he said, his hands sliding down to squeeze my ass. “Ready for round two?”

I laughed, my heart light with joy and contentment. This was everything I’d ever wanted—a partner who could match me in every way, who saw me for who I truly was and wanted me, anyway.

I didn’t know what changes would happen with the pack, or when. But as I leaned down to capture Nico’s lips again, I knew I was right where I belonged.