45. Mai

The bitter chill of the basement seeped into my bones. The hard concrete bit into my skin, completely indifferent to my discomfort. My whole body ached from Seth's assault, and I had the headache to end all headaches.

Was Ryan okay? Was Jem? Were they searching for me? What about Sofia and Jase? Had Seth killed them before he'd snatched me? Grief flooded my senses. Goddess, I'd been so stupid. So stupid to leave my Pack four years ago, to keep running, to get involved with Seth, and to stay for as long as I did.

Stupid for not realizing Brock was plotting something. Stupid for letting my guard down. I could feel the tears streaming down my face and tried desperately not to sob. I let it all wash over me and sank into my despair. I don't know how long I lay there for before I fell asleep, but exhaustion and the call of the sweet release of sleep finally got to me.

I opened my eyes to find myself in Ryan's arms. He felt so real, his scent overwhelming, his strong arms enclosing me, and I knew, I knew I was safe.

"Shhh," he whispered, stroking my hair.

It was a dream, but I didn't care. I didn't want to wake up. I wanted to stay here forever.

"It's all going to be okay," he promised.

I nodded, agreeing with him. It would be okay, just as long as I didn't ever wake up.

The feel of his body against mine sent need ripping through me as I yearned for him. He bent down until our lips were a whisper apart, and I basked in the warmth radiating from his body. His fingers teased the buttons on my shirt apart. As soon as he touched my skin, that was it. All I could think of was him, his body, the need for his hard cock to be moving inside of me. I ripped at his clothes just as he tore mine from my body. We both paused, me in awe of his beautiful cock, his hard muscles, and strong thighs. Then he rolled on top of me and slid inside. It was so sudden and so delicious that I gasped in shock as waves of pleasure shot through me. His eyes bore into mine, seeing me, the whole of me, right into the depths of my soul.

"Goddess, Mai, you're so beautiful," he murmured, his voice husky.

I writhed under him, needing more. More contact, more friction. He responded immediately, moving against me, pulling out until just the tip of him rested inside, then bucking his hips, pushing deep inside of me.

"Yes," I purred, urging him on.

I wrapped my legs around his waist, tipping my hips and giving him deeper access. He didn't hesitate. Drawing out and thrusting back in, coaxing my pleasure higher and higher.

"You're going to come for me," he whispered, clutching my head between his hands, never once breaking his gaze on me.

"Yes," I agreed, unable to say more than one word at a time. I was having trouble thinking, all thoughts having fled in the face of the unrelenting feeling of him filling me up, touching parts of my inside that had never been touched before.

"Yes," I repeated, and his shit-eating grin covered his face. He was so fucking pleased with himself. I didn't care, just trailed my nails down his back and across his bottom. I squeezed his cheeks, urging him on.

Then it hit me: powerful spasms racked my entire body, sending wave after wave of orgasmic joy coursing through me. Ryan came a moment later, spilling himself inside of me, and the feel of it pumping into me sent another orgasm flooding through me. It felt so right, a moment so perfect that I never wanted it to end.

Suddenly, Ryan froze. He looked at me, panic etched across his face. "I'll find you." His voice was full of urgency and need.

My eyes snapped open at the sound of hushed murmurs drifting down from the top of the stairs, pulling me away from sleep.

No!

I shut my eyes again, willing myself to go back there. To be back, safe in Ryan's arms. The voices got louder, and I stifled a sob. I had to get up. I had to do everything I could to get back to the real Ryan. I strained to listen; the low rumble of Seth's voice unmistakable. There was another voice, one I couldn't immediately recognize. They were talking, their conversation just a touch too quiet for me to grasp the words. Was it Isaac? And if it was him, what did that mean for me?

I rolled to my feet. Sleep could wait. My injuries could wait. My priority was to survive, to escape and find my Pack.