Chapter 24

Larkin

A week later

There were a lot of Lycans that had been coming out of the forest for the past week. I stayed in the comfort of the study, designating it my favorite place on the estate.

The aroma of aged books, leather, and the faint hints of Odhran's scent lingered in the air. I knew he enjoyed this room as well, and more times than not, when he wasn't with me, I'd find him sitting in the beat-up leather chair, a glass of whiskey in one hand and a book in another.

Like right now, I was between his legs, my back to his chest as we sat on the couch together. He read to me from the Latin book he was reading, and although I didn't understand anything he said, the lithe tone of his voice, that deep rumbling pitch, was the most relaxing thing I'd ever heard.

There was a fire going in the hearth, the sun starting to set in the horizon.

"How many languages do you speak?" I asked after he paused to turn the page. His free hand gently stroked my arm, his fingers causing goose bumps to rise up on my flesh.

"Seven." His voice was calm and relaxed, his body the same. "English, Gaelic, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, and Russian. But I'd like to learn more, and was in the process of it when I found ye."

"So many." Even I heard the awe in my voice and felt my cheeks heat in embarrassment. He probably thought I was so uncultured and knew nothing of the world.

"I'll teach ye, lass, if ye want?"

I moved slightly so that I could tilt my head back and look into his eyes. His seemed content, a smile playing across his lips. "I'd like that," I said honestly. But then his expression turned guarded.

"The reason I started learning all these languages was because I dinna know where ye were. I wanted tae make sure I could speak the language of anyone who might know something of where ye were."

I lifted my hand and touched his scruff-covered cheek as I gazed into his blue eyes. "I love you." His expression softened even more, and he leaned in, kissing me on the center of my forehead.

"I love that my mate has such a soft heart."

I rested back against him and he started reading once more. I got lost in the beautiful tone of his voice, and the way he pronounced the words. I could've fallen asleep like that, one of Odhran's big arms wrapped around my middle like a protective band, the soothing sound of his voice in my ear.

I learned my mate liked creature comforts, wasn't keen on things changing, but he was incredibly smart and worldly. He knew so much about the world, taught me about science and all the modern technologies. He spoke of histories the likes of which I'd never even heard of.

And we spent countless hours in front of the fire, me just listening to him talk about all the experiences he'd had in his long years, amazed at the life he led, even before we met.

I could hear voices in the distance and perked up, glancing over at the large window, the stained glass detailing around the edge catching the light from the setting sun, passing shards of oranges and reds, blues and greens across the far wall.

"What is that?" The fact Odhran didn't seem alarmed or overly protective had any kind of fear I might've felt being buried deep down. Clearly whoever was out there, he knew about them.

Feeling curious, I untangled myself from his warm hold and padded over to the window. I could see several large Lycans coming out from the woods, heavy-looking duffel bags in their hands, tool belts around their waists.

I felt my brows lower as I watched them head around the side of the house toward the front of the property, where they had no doubt left their vehicles.

A moment later Odhran was standing behind me, his arms wrapped around my waist as he pulled me back against his chest and rested his chin on my head. He didn't answer me right away, and both of us just watched several more Lycans come out of the forest.

When they were out of sight, I tipped my head back so I could look at his face, cocking an eyebrow because I knew he was fully aware of what was going on. And that was evident by the smirk on his face.

"How would you feel about traveling to visit King Banner and his queen?"

It wasn't lost on me that he'd changed the subject, and I braced myself for panic to well in me over leaving the little bubble of sanctity that I found here.

But it never came. I felt… curious.

"Banner wants tae discuss the Assembly, and then if we are going tae take Sebastian's disappearance seriously or listen tae Adryan that his cousin is fine." He smoothed his hand along the back of my head. "I told Banner my attendance is determined on yer comfort."

My heart did that funny thing where it hiccupped in my chest at his sweet words. "I don't want you to go against orders or priorities from your king."

He was silent for a few seconds, and his gaze roamed over my face as if he wanted to memorize it. He did that a lot. Just stared at me, this almost secret smile on his face as if he couldn't believe I was actually standing right in front of him.

I leaned forward and rested my forehead on his chest and closed my eyes, just inhaling. He smelled so good.

I felt him kiss the top of my head before he said, "My loyalty and priorities lie with ye. Always. No matter what."

I was silent for long moments, just mulling over the idea of traveling to meet the king and queen of the Scottish Lycans.

"They want tae have a big feast with all the mated couples. They want tae meet ye, lass, the female who has held my heart in her tiny hands since the moment I saw ye." He kissed the top of my head again. "They want tae meet the strongest female I know."

I laughed softly because I didn't feel strong, least of all like the strongest female. But I understood his sentiment. And I loved him more for it.

"It's true, darlin'. You're the strongest person I've ever met, and I've met some very powerful Lycans and Otherworlders, males and females who fight to the death."

He leaned in, and the kiss started off slow, sweet. But when I dug my nails into his biceps, this low growl left him and he deepened the kiss. He stroked his tongue inside my mouth, making these rough, animalistic sounds of pleasure.

By the time he broke away, we were both panting, my lips feeling swollen, my need at the surface.

"My beautiful girl," he groaned and closed his eyes, staying that way for just a second as if he needed to gather his control.

It was still so surreal that I held this kind of power over the strong Lycan.

"Let's go. Take me to meet them. We've spent weeks here, and although I love having the solitude to gather my thoughts and to be alone with you, time to get to know me better, I also want to know the people you care about, the ones who helped you through your darkness, who gave you support when I couldn't."

He opened his eyes and rested his forehead against mine, and for just a moment we shared the same air. "My girl. I love ye."

Odhran wrapped his big, strong arms around me and just held me for a long second, and when he pulled away, he wore a big grin, one that spoke of excitement.

"I want tae show ye something, sweetheart."

Before I could say anything, he curled his big hand around mine and led me out of the library, through the foyer, and out the front door. Then we were making our way across the yard and into the woods, where I'd seen the other Lycans emerging from.

I looked up at Odhran and could see he still wore that secret grin, and I felt my belly tighten with anticipation.

Before long we were stopped in front of a newly excavated clearing. My breath caught. I covered my mouth with my hand, and I felt my eyes grow wide.

A circular space of freshly cut trees and cleared earth made up the parcel of land. I could see the large lake on Odhran's property just through the tree line, the water so close the sound of it lapping at the shore was audibly pleasing.

But it was the intimate little cottage that sat in the center of the clearing that really had my breath catching. With its sky-blue painted shutters, the brightly colored yellow front door, even the potted flowers that lined a path straight to the lake, the cottage radiated solace and peace.

After a suspended time, I dropped my hand from covering my mouth and looked over at my mate. He was still smiling, that softness he always carried in his eyes when he looked at me present. "What is this?"

Although I knew what was right in front of me, I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at.

"I know ye have yer family's home, and ye're welcome tae go there at any time tae get away from… everything. I also know I can be possessive and suffocating, and I'm sure I'll get on yer nerves more times than not…"

I refrained from letting my lips twitch in amusement. I wasn't going to admit that I liked that he hovered, that he couldn't let me out of his sight for more than a moment's time. Right now I felt very fragile, so having the steady presence of Odhran right there had an immense calming effect on me.

"So I had the idea that I could make a little retreat right here, steps away from the front door but still close enough I will no' lose my damn mind with worry for ye."

I couldn't help but smile.

He swung his arm out and gestured to the small cottage. "It's no' fully finished yet, but I'm too anxious tae show ye. For the past week I've been working with the other Lycans to get this built."

I slowly shook my head as I looked back at the cottage. "But when? You're always with me."

"I know. I'm overbearing, overprotective?—"

"You're protective and I love you for it."

That soft look in his eyes returned. "It was hard leaving ye. But when ye'd sleep, or when ye'd be exploring the estate or reading, I'd steal away for a couple of hours. I couldn't let the other Lycans build it fully themselves. I wanted tae have a hand in creating this for ye."

My heart was so full, my eyes stinging from tears of happiness. The amount of thought it took for him to create this, to give me my own space, away from everyone and everything, but close to the water so I could get the healing properties, was so unbelievably empathetic that I did feel the tears slip onto my cheeks.

"Did I overstep?" He read my tears wrong, and I quickly brushed them away before launching myself into his arms.

He made a very gruff, masculine ompf when my body collided with his, but as soon as I wrapped my arms around his neck, he curled his hands around my waist and lifted me off the ground.

"You're the most thoughtful, selfless male I've ever met. I am so lucky to call you mine."

"Awe, lass." His voice sounded choked and he held me tighter, murmuring sweet words of love against the side of my neck.

I lifted my head and slanted my lips against his, murmuring my gratitude, how much he meant to me, how safe and loved I felt with him. The kiss, which started out as a physical "thank you," turned frantic and heated.

I found my legs wrapped around his waist as he started moving, and then Odhran was leaning against a tree, his erection digging into the softest part of me.

I felt so free, kissing my mate out here in the middle of the forest, the sound of the water so close by, my arousal for him taking precedence. I felt a wave of emotion that he was going to such great lengths to make me comfortable, to make sure I was acclimated.

"Odhran," I murmured against his mouth and he groaned deeply, sliding his hands from my waist down to cover my ass, squeezing the mounds and pulling me closer so that his hardness was digging between my thighs. He was so big. My inner muscles clenched.

"Put me inside of ye, darlin'."

I was panting when I broke away, and it took a couple of seconds of maneuvering to pull up my skirt and work his erection free of his jeans. And when I was back in position, we both groaned.

I didn't even bother taking my panties off, just pulled them aside, gripped the hard length of his erection, and placed it at the entrance of my body. He thrust upward in one fluid motion until my body gave way to his penetration and he sank all the way inside.

A hoarse shout was torn from him, and I cried out at how stretched I was, how big he was. And then he was thrusting in and pulling out. Thrusting in and pulling out.

He had a firm grip on my bottom, his mouth now latched on to the side of my neck as he licked and sucked, bit, growled, and snarled. He was all wolf right now, bringing me over the edge so fast my head spun and all I could do was hold on.

I came in a burst of colors and sounds, sensations and cries. He buried his massive length in me and followed me over the edge, filling me up so much that I felt his orgasm start to slip out of where we were joined.

It heated me from the inside out, had tremors of pleasure arcing in me like cracks of lightning.

"My perfect girl is so beautiful. Ye make me feel so good."

He gently scraped his elongated canines over a soft spot where my neck and shoulder met, close to the mark he'd given me. "I'd face Satan himself to make ye safe and happy. I'd let myself burn in the fiery pits of hell to ensure there was never any doubt in yer mind that ye're stronger than anyone I've ever met."

I shivered at the feeling his words invoked in me.

"No one will ever make me feel as good as ye do. No one will ever make me as happy as ye do."

He held me like that for so long I started to feel drowsy, my body relaxed against his.

"I love ye," he rumbled and kissed his mark.

I smiled. "I love you, too."

He lifted his head and kissed my lips, but it was so fleeting I moaned in disappointment when he pulled back, a grin in place because my Lycan mate knew the effect he had on me.

"Come on, let me show you the inside of the cottage."

Once my clothes were adjusted, Odhran took my hand in his and we made our way inside, where I instantly fell in love. It was still unfinished, with exposed beams and unpainted walls, but gods, it was glorious and had my mind working out all the different ways I could make it "my own."

"You're wonderful," I whispered and looked at Odhran. "Absolutely wonderful." I faced him. "And you're mine."

And when Odhran lowered his head, kept his gaze on me, and growled that sexy sound of his wolf, I crooked my finger at him so we could christen this place as well.