Chapter 14

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

W ulf slipped out of bed once Kari fell asleep. While he was delighted to have given his mate satisfaction, he hadn't expected to feel so conflicted about his own satisfaction. His lingering guilt argued that he didn't deserve such pleasure, despite the insistent demands of his body.

He decided to release some of his frustration on the training ground, but after his third bout, Lothar pulled him aside.

"What the hell is wrong with you?"

"Nothing," he snapped.

"Don't lie to me. You almost broke Dargon's arm and your eyes are black."

Lothar's words made him realize that the Curse was hovering close to the surface, and he closed his eyes in despair. How could he have come so close to losing control?

"I will speak to Dargon," he said heavily, but his brother shook his head.

"It's not necessary. Your warriors are impressed by your strength. If you had broken his arm, he would have boasted of it - but I know you would have regretted it."

"Yes, Thank you."

"That's not necessary either, but tell me what's wrong." Lothar gave him a discerning look and he flinched. His brother liked to act the fool, but he saw far more than most people credited. "Problem with your little bride?"

"Yes and no. She is everything I ever longed for."

"But?"

"But I am responsible for bringing her here, for dragging her away from her world. How can I be so selfish as to-"

He broke off abruptly, but Lothar was already shaking his head.

"You didn't bring her here. Wold brought her. Don't you think it is even more foolish to ignore a gift from Wold. What if he decides to punish you for your rejection of his offering?"

"Is that what I am doing?" he asked slowly.

"That's what it looks like. For once, put aside your overgrown sense of responsibility and let yourself have what you really desire. What you need," his brother added quietly.

"I... I will think on it."

"You do that. And stop beating up your warriors."

He laughed and agreed, going to meet with the chief herdsmen instead. Lothar's words haunted him all day. As much as he wanted to believe them, was it only because they aligned with his desires? Or was he really rejecting the gift he'd been given. By the time he went to the Great Hall for the evening meal, he was more confused than ever.

He immediately noticed that Kari wasn't in her usual place. Was something wrong? Before he could panic, Merow intercepted him.

"Your bride would like you to join her for a private meal tonight," she said, her eyes twinkling.

"Really?"

"Yes. Now go. And stop being an idiot."

Did everyone think him a fool? Perhaps he was. He decided to tell Kari about his doubts and see what she thought. But when he entered their bedroom, all thoughts of talk disappeared.

She was reclining against the pillows, her beautiful body more revealed than concealed by a length of sheer golden silk. His gaze hungrily traveled up her pale, rounded legs and across her curved belly to the silk pooling between her full, luscious breasts. The silky blond hair that covered her fitti was a beacon drawing him in.

"Hello, my mate," she murmured, and held out her arms to him.

The delicious scent of her arousal washed over him, and the Curse surged up. He was dimly aware of groaning with relief as the raging need in his blood receded. He shrugged out of his clothing as he stalked to the bed, then pulled her into his arms.

He pressed a kiss to her soft neck, licking her silken skin to savor her taste.

"I've been thinking about you all day," she said softly. "It's time to finish what we started this morning."

He growled and traced the edge of the silk across her chest, then slowly lifted it away, revealing her gorgeous breasts, the nipples already pink and swollen, begging to be kissed. He obliged, drawing one into his mouth and sucking eagerly. He was dimly aware that he wasn't being as gentle as usual, but she arched against him, tangling her hands in his hair and pulling him closer.

His hand slid down to cup her ass, squeezing her soft flesh as he continued to torment her nipples. He slipped his hand under her to raise her even higher against him and her thigh rubbed against his aching cock. He growled again as desire surged through him.

"I need you."

"You have me," she whispered, her eyes shining.

"No, I need -"

He didn't know how to tell her what he wanted, but hre hand slipped between them, touching his cock and he shuddered.

"I know," she said softly. "I need it too. Need you."

Her hand slipped up to his chest, over his rapidly pounding heart.

"I need this."

Her eyes met his, warm and full of acceptance, and he gave into the need burning through him. He bent his head to her breasts again, stroking and suckling, pinching her other nipple with his fingers, relishing her moans. When he drew back, she was flushed and panting, and the heady scent of her arousal nearly made his head spin.

Her legs were spread wide for him as he positioned himself above her, her soft curls damp and inviting around her tiny entrance. She reached for him and he came willingly, his weight braced on his elbows as he kissed her passionately.

She mewled and her small hands clutched at his back as he traced her lips with the tip of his tongue.

"Wulf," she mumbled.

"Yessss," he hissed and slid his cock against her hot, slick folds.

"So big," she whispered but her nails dug into his shoulders and her legs wrapped around his waist as she drew him closer.

The head of his cock bumped against her tight opening and she jerked beneath him with a startled gasp. He started to pull back, but she tightened her legs around his waist.

"No, don't stop. Please don't stop."

He pushed again, the head of his cock breaching her, and her inner walls gripped him, trying to keep him from penetrating any further.

"Kari," he gasped, a warning.

"Please," she whispered and bit his ear.

His hips jerked forward, the head of his cock slipping deeper into her tight little fitti and the band at the base of his cock throbbed. She was hot and wet and perfect and he struggled to keep from plunging in deeper.

"Again," he commanded, and she bit him again.

The sharp, sudden pain made him growl and he pushed in further, another inch as she panted beneath him, her heels digging into his back, but she kept her lips pressed against his ear.

"Mine," she whispered, and bit him again.

He plunged forward, burying himself in her tight sheath and she cried out, her whole body shaking. He forced himself to pull back, then watched her face as he inched back in. She winced slightly at the intrusion, and he forced himself to go even slower. She was so small, he thought wildly, then realized that she was biting her lip.

"Am I hurting you?"

"N-no."

She didn't sound as certain as he would have liked, and he reached between their bodies, finding her swollen clit. He stroked his thumb across it and she gasped, and then she was coming, her body convulsing around him, milking him in an impossibly tight grip and all efforts at control vanished.

He roared her name and thrust into her, his hips jerking wildly against her until he buried himself to the hold with one final plunge, his knot expanding, locking them together as pulse after pulse of seed poured into her.

When he could finally breathe again, he looked down at her. She was limp and dazed, her lips parted and her eyes glazed.

"Did I hurt you?" he asked again, but this time her smile was lazy and sated.

"No. That was perfect."

"My gemshin," he whispered. "My mate."

"Yours," she agreed, and smiled again.

The next morning, he strode towards the training ground, at peace with the world. More than at peace - happier than he'd ever been.

As he approached, he spotted Egon demonstrating a complex combat move to one of the younger warriors, and he paused to watch, admiring his brother's skill and patience as he walked the young orc through each step of the maneuver.

Despite Egon's fearsome appearance, the younger warriors always seemed at ease around him during these lessons. He could see the respect in their eyes as they watched Egon's every move, but his brother seemed oblivious to their admiration, focused solely on the task at hand.

When his brother stepped back to observe two orcs practicing the move, he seized the opportunity to join him. They stood side by side, silently watching the sparring match for a few moments.

Egon glanced at him, frowning slightly before a knowing look passed over his face, and he raised an eyebrow.

"You look happy this morning," he remarked, his tone a mixture of amusement and curiosity.

He couldn't contain the smile that spread across his face. His brother did indeed know him well, and there was no point in trying to hide his joy.

"I believe Kari has accepted the fact that she is my mate," he said triumphantly, his voice low enough that only Egon could hear. The words felt right as they left his lips, a confirmation of the profound connection he'd felt with Kari since the moment she appeared by the lake.

Egon smiled and clasped his shoulder.

"I am happy for you - for both of you. You deserve happiness," he said sincerely.

He started to return his brother's smile, then saw the flicker of longing in his eyes. It was a familiar look, one that he’d had seen countless times over the years.His elation dimmed as he remembered his brother's struggles. Egon had always been a pillar of strength for their clan, but his fearsome appearance often overshadowed his gentle nature. Wulf knew how deeply Egon yearned for a mate of his own, someone who could see past his scars to the loyal and caring orc beneath.

Wulf opened his mouth, wanting to offer some words of comfort or hope to his brother, but he hesitated. What could he say that he hadn't already said a hundred times before? Instead, he simply nodded, hoping his understanding showed in his eyes.

"I hope Kari's arrival means more than just my happiness," he said quietly, his voice barely audible above the sounds of training warriors. "That Wold will help all of us find mates."

Egon shook his head, a rare flash of vulnerability crossing his scarred face.

"I don't believe there is a bride in my future. I am not a suitable mate."

He struggled to find the right words to comfort Egon. He knew his brother's worth, his strength, his loyalty. But he also knew the deep-seated insecurity that plagued Egon, born from years of isolation and the harsh judgments of others. The stark contrast between his own newfound happiness and Egon's continued loneliness weighed heavily on him as he went about his daily duties. The euphoria of his night with Kari began to fade, replaced by a gnawing sense of responsibility. He watched his warriors train, their movements fluid and powerful, yet he couldn't shake the knowledge that without mates, without children, their strength would eventually wane.

I can't forget the others. I can't rest while my people suffer.

The guilt he'd pushed aside returned, marring his happiness. He thought of Egon's resigned acceptance of a lonely future, of the hopeful glances the other warriors cast towards Kari. Their expectations weighed on him, a burden he couldn't ignore.

When he joined Kari for dinner, she gave him a shy smile, her happiness evident in her eyes. Her pleasure delighted him, but he couldn't ignore his duty, After the meal ended he escorted her back to their rooms, the conflict within him reaching a crescendo.

"I... I need to check on something," he said, the lie tasting bitter on his tongue. "You go ahead. I'll join you later."

Confusion flickered across her face, but she nodded, leaving him alone with his thoughts. As soon as she was safely inside, he turned and strode away, guilt and determination warring within him.