4. Chapter Four

Chapter Four

Aria

H is encouraging words spur me on, giving me the confidence to set a slow, steady rhythm. I hollow my cheeks as I move, creating a tight seal around him, feeling every inch of his length as I take him deeper with each pass. His restrained groans tell me I’m doing something right, and I feel satisfaction ripple through me.

“That’s it, Aria... suck me... you’re doing great...”

His deep, gravelly voice sends a thrill through my body, and I hum softly in response, letting the vibrations travel through him. The reaction is instant—his grip in my hair tightens, though he’s careful not to hurt me, and I can feel his restraint. I explore, testing what makes him shudder, what makes his breathing hitch, learning the power I have in this moment.

I push myself further, taking him deeper, until the tip nudges the back of my throat and my nose brushes against the coarse hair at the base. It’s challenging, but the raw, unfiltered pleasure etched on his face makes every effort worth it. His reactions spur me on, encouraging me to push past my hesitation and fully immerse myself in this moment, giving him everything I can.

"Ah, fuck, Aria... watch your throat," Bane warns, his voice rough, as I gag slightly, my eyes watering.

I pull back with a gasp, coughing lightly, my hand still wrapped around his length. Embarrassment prickles at the back of my neck, but his hand is already on my back, rubbing gently, soothing me.

“Sorry,” I manage, clearing my throat. “I just... got a bit carried away.” I look up at him, determination hardening my resolve. “I want to try again.”

His eyes soften, a mix of pride and desire. “All right, love. But go slow, use your tongue more, and remember to breathe. Deep breaths.”

I nod, his encouragement giving me the confidence to continue. This time, I approach him with more care, wrapping my lips around him again and taking him into my mouth. I focus on his words, moving at a measured pace, letting my tongue explore every ridge and curve of him. His sharp intake of breath and the low groan that follows sends a thrill through me, spurring me on.

As I grow more confident, I increase the pressure, my lips tightening around him while my tongue teases and flicks. His hips shift slightly, his groans deepening, and I can feel him pulsing in my mouth, hard and hot against my tongue.

“Oh, Aria... fuck, you’re gonna make me…” His voice is ragged, filled with both restraint and pleasure.

I don’t stop. I don’t want to stop. I want to see him undone.

“Aria, I’m going to cum,” he groans, his voice a hoarse warning.

Before I can process the words fully, his release surges, hot and forceful. I’m caught off guard, the intensity overwhelming as I try to swallow, coughing slightly as some spills from the corner of my mouth. My eyes widen, but his hands are already on my shoulders, steadying me, his touch grounding.

“Breathe, love,” he says softly, helping me sit up as I catch my breath.

I manage to swallow the rest, feeling both embarrassed and oddly exhilarated. Before I can dwell on it, he flips us over, easing me onto my back. His hands are gentle yet firm as they part my legs, positioning himself between them.

“You’re so beautiful, Aria... so damn perfect,” he murmurs, his voice filled with raw emotion as he leans down to kiss me.

His lips claim mine in a heated kiss, and I barely have time to register the sensation before I feel him push forward, stretching me as he buries himself fully inside. My breath catches, and a soft cry escapes me.

“Fuck, Aria, I’m sorry,” he says, his voice panicked, his lips brushing over mine as he stills. “Did I hurt you?”

I shake my head quickly, tears stinging my eyes. “No,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “I haven’t... I haven’t done this before.”

The realization hits him instantly, his body tensing above me.

“You’re a virgin,” he says, his voice hoarse with disbelief and something softer—almost reverent. “By the moon, Aria, you’re a virgin.”

I nod, feeling my cheeks flush under his intense gaze.

“Shit,” he mutters, his breathing ragged as he presses his forehead to mine. “I should’ve been more careful, more gentle. I didn’t realize…”

I place my hands on his arms, my grip firm as I meet his gaze. “It’s okay, Bane. I’m okay. I want this... all of this. I want you.”

His words, rough and full of raw desire, send a shiver through me, igniting something deep and primal. Before I can respond, Bane leans down, capturing my mouth in a fierce, all-consuming kiss. His lips are firm, demanding, claiming me completely. Our tongues clash, a heated dance of passion, and I feel utterly consumed by him.

When he finally pulls back, his forehead rests against mine, his eyes blazing with hunger that sends a thrill straight to my core. “You’re so tight, so damn perfect,” he groans, his voice a gravelly whisper that sets my body aflame. “I want to take my time with you, Aria. Make every moment count.”

I nod, my breaths coming in shallow pants, my body trembling under the intensity of his gaze. “Yes, please,” I whisper, my voice trembling but sure. “I want... I want to feel all of you.”

His hips move then, slow and deliberate, pulling out until only the broad head of his length remains before pushing back in with torturous precision. I gasp, my body adjusting to the stretch, the exquisite fullness of him. Every inch feels like he’s imprinting himself on me, body and soul.

My fingers clutch his shoulders tightly as I arch into him, silently urging him to keep going. My body moves instinctively, meeting his slow, measured thrusts, my heart pounding as his size and strength overwhelm me. The way he fills me, the way he moves—it’s like he was made to fit me, and I can’t get enough.

“Oh, Bane,” I breathe, my voice breaking with a mix of pleasure and desperation. “Yes... just there... don’t stop... faster, please.”

His eyes darken at my plea, and a low growl rumbles from his chest. I can feel the tension in him, his restraint as he holds back, controlling himself for me. But with every stroke, his thrusts grow deeper, harder, sending waves of pleasure rippling through me.

“Mine,” he growls, his lips trailing hot, hungry kisses along my neck. “Every part of you, every inch... mine.”

A soft whimper escapes me, and my nails dig into his back, anchoring myself to him as the sensations build. His words send a surge of heat through me, and I feel my body trembling, on the verge of something I’ve never experienced before.

“Bane, please,” I gasp, my voice shaking with need. “I need... more.”

He answers without hesitation, his hips snapping forward in quick, powerful thrusts that make me cry out his name. The pace is relentless, his movements claiming me with every stroke. Each thrust drives me closer to the edge, the intensity so overwhelming I can’t think, can’t breathe—only feel.

“Yes, like that... harder,” I moan, my body rising to meet his every movement.

He kisses me again, fierce and consuming, his tongue mimicking the rhythm of his hips. The kiss is demanding, his lips claiming me just as thoroughly as his body does. My world narrows to him, to the feel of his hands on my skin, the heat of his breath, the way he moves inside me as though we were meant to be one.

The tension coils tighter and tighter until it finally snaps. My release crashes over me like a tidal wave, my body arching off the bed as I cry out his name. The force of it sends tremors through me, my muscles clenching and fluttering around him, pulling him deeper.

His answering roar vibrates through my entire body as he follows me over the edge. I feel the heat of his release as he shudders above me, his movements slowing but no less intense. He collapses onto me, his weight comforting, his breaths ragged against my neck as we both come down from the high.

In that moment, I feel utterly and completely his—and, for the first time, I realize I don’t want it any other way.

I wake up to warmth. Too much warmth. My skin prickles with discomfort as reality crashes down.

“Good morning,” I say, keeping my voice light, trying to feign nonchalance even as my stomach churns.

He doesn’t answer. Not a word. Instead, his jaw tightens, and he yanks on his boots with a vengeance, like putting as much distance between us as possible is his only goal.

The corner of my mouth lifts in a bitter smile. “Does this happen a lot?” I ask, my voice syrupy with mockery. “Do you always seduce the women you kidnap, or am I just special?”

That gets his attention. His eyes snap to mine, blazing with anger, but I hold my ground, daring him to say something. Anything.

“I don’t seduce anyone,” he spits, his tone icy. “And for the record, I’ve never slept with anyone I’ve taken. They’re either dead or dead.”

His words hit like a slap, but I don’t let him see it. “Right,” I say, my tone sharp. “Because kidnapping me and dragging me to whatever backwoods mansion this is doesn’t count. Got it.”

“This was a mistake.” His fists clench at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. “And clearly, you don’t have much self-respect, since you eagerly threw yourself at a stranger like that.”

The heat rushes to my face, embarrassment and rage clashing in my chest. “I didn’t ‘throw myself’ at anyone,” I snap, sitting up and clutching the sheet like as if it is armor. “I don’t even know what came over me. You think I wanted this? You think I…” My voice falters, the words catching in my throat.

The silence between us is deafening.

Finally, he breaks it. “We are bonded,” he says, his voice flat. “That’s all it was. The mate bond. It messes with your head, your body. You weren’t thinking clearly. Neither of us were.”

“Bond? What bond?” I laugh, sharp and bitter. “I’m not a wolf.”

“Werewolves and humans can be bonded,” he says, stepping back. “Don’t ask me why. Because you’re human, it’s more intense for you. Your body doesn’t know how to handle it—”

“Bullshit.” I throw the word at him like a knife. “You’re really going to blame some magical wolf bond? How convenient.”

“It’s the truth,” he says, too calm, too controlled. “Do you think I would’ve willingly…” He stops, his jaw clenching. “I would never touch someone like you.”

The air is sucked from my lungs. His words cut deeper than any physical blow ever could. My voice shakes when I speak. “You kidnapped me,” I whisper, “dragged me here, and now you’re blaming me for what happened?”

He doesn’t answer.

I won’t let him off the hook. “If this is your grand plan to get back at my father, congratulations. You win. You’re an even bigger monster than he allegedly is.”

“Enough,” he growls, his voice echoing through the room. I flinch despite myself. “This isn’t about your father. This is about us.”

“Us?” I laugh, the sound hollow. “There is no ‘us.’ You just fucking made sure of that.”

“One of my people will take you back,” he says, his voice cold, detached. “Lila will help you get ready. You’ll be back at your hotel by noon.”

I blink, stunned. “That’s it? You’re just… letting me go?”

“Yes. And we should never see each other again.”

His words hit like a sledgehammer, but I refuse to let him see how much it hurts. “Whatever.”

He steps closer, grabbing my arm. I try to pull away, but his grip is unyielding. His next words destroy what little composure I have left.

“I, Bane Devareuk, reject the mate bond with Aria.”

Pain explodes in my chest, radiating outward like I’ve been ripped apart from the inside. I double over, clutching my stomach as the agony crashes over me.

“Aria,” he says my name like a prayer, like he doesn’t want to see me like this. He takes a step toward me, and I look up, my vision swimming with tears.

“I fucking hate you,” I whisper, my voice trembling with raw emotion. “I hate you so much, you bastard.”

His jaw tightens, and he turns away. “It’s for the best. Goodbye, Aria.”

And just like that, he walks away, leaving me shattered and alone.