8. Ryan

Chapter eight

Ryan

M ai hadn't wanted to stay at the Alpha House, and I hadn't wanted to push it, not yet. I led Mai into my bedroom, a space that had always been more than just a room to me. The king-sized bed at the center acted like a silent promise of comfort and intimacy now that Mai was with me. Full-length windows framed one side, offering a view of the moonlit gardens outside.

My thoughts drifted to Derek, out there in the night, gathering information on Ghost. Mason and Sam were at their office, digging into information about Brock's property, then Sam was going scouting. It was a relief, knowing we weren't in this alone, that my brothers had our backs. Yet, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of satisfaction that tonight, it was just Mai and me in this house.

"I like it here," Mai said softly, flopping on the bed with careless grace. This house was where we first crossed that line, I finally got to sink my cock into her, to possess every part of her, and seal our mate bond.

I moved around, turning on lamps, letting the warm light chase away the shadows and create a cozy glow. I wanted to see her for what I had planned. Mai shot me an appreciative smile as she stretched leisurely across the bed, the soft lamplight accentuating her curves in all the right ways.

"We should take advantage of the privacy while it lasts."

Her thoughts were mirroring mine and her suggestive tone sent a spear of desire through me, but we had some things to discuss before I could fuck her senseless.

"We need to talk about moving to the Alpha house," I said, watching her closely.

She looked away. "I know it's important," she started. "But there's something about this place, your room...it feels safe, Ryan."

I understood her reluctance. The Alpha house wasn't just a home; it was a symbol, a responsibility. And for someone like Mai, who was used to being alone, used to being on the run, it was a big step. But it was a step we needed to take, for the Pack, for our position as Alphas.

"It's not just a house, Mai," I replied gently, choosing my words with care. "It's a statement. It tells the Pack, and the world, that we're here to stay, that we're in charge."

Mai climbed off the bed and walked toward me. "I know, Ryan. It's just...this room, it's where we started. It's hard to let go. And it feels so final, moving there. Like it's the closing of a chapter in my life, and the start of a scary, new one."

I reached out as she got near me, pulling her into my arms. "We'll make the Alpha House ours, Mai. We'll fill it with new memories, good memories. But this room, this house, it will always be a part of us. No matter where we are."

She nodded, but it wasn't convincing .

"I want to be there tomorrow. I want to be part of the team that search's Brock's property."

Oh, hell no. There was no fucking way she was going. The very idea of it set my teeth on edge, but I had to tread carefully here. "Mai, it's risky. If both Alphas are off territory at the same time—"

"It's Jem. I have to be there," she interjected, her voice firm, as she stepped out of my embrace and started to pace around the room.

I loved her determination, but right now it was a pain in my ass. How could I tell her that my wolf wouldn't stand for it? That he wanted to claim her, chain her up, and guard her from everything? If I let him have his way, she'd find it suffocating, intolerable. That was why I had to sculpt this Pack into a cohesive, fighting unit. We had to bring the Pack together. There had been too much instability, too much violence under Oliver. And Jem and Haley's rocky relationship had done so much fucking underlying damage to the Pack bonds.

My wolf chuffed in agreement. We needed to make this Pack stable; that was the only way to make sure Mai was safe. And if I had the whole Pack protecting her, she wouldn't always feel it was me trying to wrap her in cotton wool. She wouldn't find me suffocating. She wouldn't leave me.

"I know, but we're not even sure if Jem is alive," I countered. "We need to think about the Pack. Brock is still out there. Not everyone has accepted us as Alphas. There are still some who supported Brock. It's not a good idea for both of us to leave the Three Rivers territory right now. We can't afford to leave the Pack vulnerable."

Mai's brow furrowed as she sighed. "I hate that you're right," she admitted, her voice softer. "I want to be there, in case Jem..."

"I get it, Mai," I said, taking her hands in mine .

She looked up at me, her big brown eyes earnest and intense. "You go. I'll stay and hold down the fort. It's the smart move."

Thank fuck for that. "If he's there, I'll bring him back to you. I promise."

I gave her one last look, wanting to memorize every detail of her body before claiming her. No more distractions. She was mine now. I stalked toward her and my cock, already hard, twitched when her eyes widened, her breathing hitched, and her pulse sped up.

That's right. I'm hunting you. There's no escape.

She stood still as I approached, eyes watching my every move. I grabbed her and captured her mouth in a kiss. I couldn't get enough of her, so I plunged my tongue deeper. Our tongues tangled together, and she met me stroke for stroke, her hands gripping my hair tightly as she arched into me.

I slipped my hand beneath her shirt, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine, and traced my fingers along her collarbone, slowly working my way down to the valley between her breasts. Her sweet, fucking breasts. I needed to see them.

I pulled her top off her, unclipped her bra and watched as her tits bounced free. They were so pert, so fucking inviting.

"Mine," I growled, as my fingers tweaked her hardened nipples. A shiver ran through her body, and she moaned.

Hell, yeah.

My hand moved to the button of her pants, and I worked it open slowly, savoring the anticipation of what lay beneath. As I slipped my hand inside, I could hear her heart racing. She gasped as my fingers found their way into her panties. Her scent, of honeysuckle, mint, and aspen leaves was intoxicating; it was a heady mix of arousal and need that had me on the edge already.

"Fuck, you're already wet for me," I murmured against her skin, my voice thick with lust.

She nodded, her breath coming in short pants now, and I could feel her tremble beneath my touch. I slid a finger inside her slowly, watching her face as I delved deeper, feeling the tight heat of her body gripping me. She was perfect—tight and wet and ready for me. As I thrust my finger in and out, she let out a moan that vibrated through my body, making me even harder.

I circled her nipples with my tongue before taking one in my mouth and sucking and grazing my teeth on it ever so delicately. She gasped as I switched and paid the same attention to her other nipple.

I needed to hear her moan for me again. I moved lower, quickly stripping off her pants, and pushed her on to the bed. She giggled as she landed on the mattress, then went still as I hovered my mouth over her panties, at just the right spot. Breathing out, I let my hot breath touch her there and she writhed with impatience. Chuckling, I started to lick her through the silky material of her panties. My wolf's instincts demanded that I claim her now, that if I didn't take her right then and there, we would both go crazy. But some part of me held back. I wanted to make sure she felt every last ounce of pleasure. I grabbed her thighs and tossed them over my shoulders.

As my tongue stroked her throbbing clit through the damp fabric, she moaned loudly, and I smiled. There it was. My cock throbbed in response .

"You want more?" I asked, smiling wickedly at her whimper as I pulled her panties to one side and slid a finger inside her again.

She nodded vigorously, looking down at me with lust-filled eyes and biting her delicious bottom lip. Her cheeks looked flushed, and the scent of her honeyed arousal made my cock twitch relentlessly in my jeans. I quickly shoved them down and took out my cock in one swift move.

I stroked my shaft slowly, watching her eyes widen as she watched me. My fingers slid along the length of it, coating my own hand in pre-cum.

"Ryan," she moaned.

"You like that, do you? Watching me touch myself and thinking about me plunging into you again and again."

Her breath hitched.

I didn't waste another second; I pulled off the rest of her clothes, gave myself a moment to admire the fucking beauty that she was, then went to the small fridge in the corner, opened the freezer compartment and put five ice cubes in a glass.

Mai eyed me suspiciously. "What are they for?"

"Guess."

Her eyes widened. "You don't honestly think you're going to—"

"I don't think. I know. And you're going to love it, Mai."

I picked up a cube. "Lie back."

She only hesitated for a moment, then did as I commanded. Fuck, I loved that about her. Willing to try anything.

I held the ice cube tight in my palm over her naked body. I felt the ice melt and watched it drip from my palm onto her hot skin. She gasped as the icy water splashed on her stomach. I moved my hand, trailing the water up and around her breasts. She was panting now, her eyes half-lidded with desire. Kneeling next to her, I placed the cube against her skin.

"Oh!"

I grinned as her eyes flew open in delight.

"Like it?"

She nodded. The cube melted against her skin and I traced her contours with it, sliding it up, around and over first one nipple, then the other.

"Oh, fuck!" she whimpered.

I bent over and took her free nipple in my mouth, switching them over so she had ice, then my hot mouth on her. Her nipples were so erect, so wet from the icy water, it was fucking amazing. I was going to come right there.

"Ready for more?" I whispered.

"Goddess, yes!"

I popped the ice cube in my mouth, then closed my lips around her clit.

"Ryan!" she cried, and I knew she wasn't going to last long. I used my tongue to stroke the cube against her clit.

Her taste was on my tongue, scorching hot and sweet at the same time. She was perfect—in every sense of the word.

I grabbed another ice cube and gently pushed it inside of her. Her whole body shook, shivering with wave after wave of pleasure.

"That's so…fuck, Ryan, that feels so amazing!"

I rose up and slid into her. She cried as her walls stretched around me like a glove .

My wolf nearly purred with satisfaction at the silky delight of being deep inside our mate again. The heat from her pussy enveloped me, then the ice cube started to melt, sending spikes of icy water around my cock.

Mai started to move her hips against me urgently.

She was so fucking responsive, so eager to take my cock, and every sound she made only drove me further into the depths of desire.

I needed to be deeper inside of her. I slid out, laughing as she moaned in disappointment, before I flipped her over. I pulled her hips up, so her ass was in the air, and positioned her so her knees were on the very edge of the bed, and she had to balance there.

"Stay there," I ordered, then got off the bed, stood behind her and, holding her in place with my hands on her hips, thrust into her again. Her whole body spasmed under me. Then she started to move, her hips rising to meet mine with each thrust. Our rhythm was fast but smooth now, every grind sending waves of heat coursing through my body. I slowed down my thrusts, drawing out her pleasure for as long as I could stand it. She was so fucking wet her juices were dripping off my balls. When she started to groan again, I felt her walls clench against my cock and knew she was about to come apart. I grabbed another ice cube, bent over her, and rubbed it against her swollen clit. Then I pounded into her as she cried out, moaning and writhing. I fucking loved that I could do this to her. Spurred on by the added friction, we moved together faster and faster. Every thrust seemed to drive us both closer to insanity.

"Oh my Goddess, Ryan," she whispered huskily. "I can't take any more. I'm going to—"

She came on a loud shout of my name. Her inner walls contracted around me, sending streams of her cum coating my throbbing shaft, making me lose all control. I bucked into her as her release triggered my own, and I held her tight against me as we both tumbled over the edge together into ecstasy.