Chapter 172 Unburdening

Chapter 172 Mate Bond Completion
Lyra POV
 
I stepped out of the medical center into the cool night air, taking a deep breath to clear my head. The territory was surprisingly peaceful, with no lingering tension from the battle that had raged only hours ago. All the wounded had been tended to, their injuries stabilized and bandaged.
 
I'd checked on Isabella—finally free from Dominic's obsessive presence—before leaving, finding comfort in her peaceful sleep. The image of Dominic walking away, his eyes carrying a new clarity after I'd purified his energy, gave me an unexpected sense of closure. I hadn't removed all his darkness, but I'd done what I could. Now it was up to him to honor our agreement and stay away.
 
But Gabriel still hasn't come to find me. The interrogation must not be going well.
 
I sighed, deciding against seeking him out. Gabriel needed space to work, and Kade had proven himself a tough nut to crack. Instead, I turned my steps toward the Alpha house, suddenly aware of how exhausted I felt. My body ached for a hot bath and the comfort of clean sheets.
 
The Alpha house was quiet when I entered, the hallways dimly lit and empty. I made my way to the bathroom, intent on washing away the day's blood and grime. As the large tub filled with steaming water, I stripped off my clothes, wincing at the dried blood that still clung to my skin in places.
 
Sinking into the hot water was pure bliss. I closed my eyes, letting my thoughts drift as the warmth seeped into my sore muscles. Kade's words during the interrogation kept replaying in my mind. He had mentioned Malcolm, then halted before changing the topic, confirming my suspicions: Malcolm wasn't acting alone in the Council.. Kade undoubtedly had other allies there, wolves who shared his twisted vision, waiting to strike again.
 
If we couldn't extract more information from Kade, we'd have to move forward with what we knew. Malcolm was currently still the rotating head of the Council, but that position would soon be compromised once word got out about his improper alliance with Kade. Considering that the Council had adjourned to seek confirmation from their source, who was now our prisoner, I couldn't afford to give Malcolm any breathing room.
 
I need to request a Council meeting. Take the offensive before he can regroup.
 
I was still deep in thought when I heard the bathroom door open. My eyes snapped open to see Gabriel standing in the doorway, his expression unreadable.
 
"Didn't find you at the medical center," he said softly.
 
I sat up slightly in the water. "How did the interrogation go?"
 
Gabriel's expression hardened as he stepped further into the bathroom. "I'm sorry. He's tougher than I thought. Didn't say a word."
 
"It's okay," I sighed, leaning back against the tub. "I've been thinking about our next move. Malcolm's still the rotating head of the Council right now. With Kade in our custody, we need to request a Council meeting immediately, before Malcolm has time to coordinate with his other allies. Can you help with that? Secure the Council's approval? I believe there are still many honorable members among them."
 
"There are." Gabriel moved closer, his eyes darkening as he looked down at me. "I'll handle it." His voice dropped lower as he added, "But don't we have some unfinished business first?"
 
The heat in his gaze was unmistakable, and I could sense the desire rolling off him in waves. I knew exactly what he was referring to. Our passionate encounter in his car the night before. But something made me want to tease him a little.
 
"Yes," I said solemnly. "Our discussion about my memories. You haven't completely told me everything, Gabriel. About my baby, about my miscarriage."
 
Gabriel froze, his expression falling. "I'm sorry, I..." he began, clearly at a loss for words. I could practically feel his desire cooling.
 
I couldn't maintain the charade. A smile tugged at my lips. "I'm over that. I understand your intention."
 
"You do?" Gabriel asked, his eyes lighting up again as desire rekindled within him.
 
"Of course," I said softly, meeting his gaze. "The past only determines who we were. But I want to be with you, Gabriel. I want to create a future with you. And dwelling on the past won't make that possible."
 
My wolf stirred within me, reminding me of all we'd been through to reach this point: the pain, the fear, the struggle. Now that we were finally together, I wanted our mate bond to be complete. I wanted to mark him as mine, just as he had marked me.
 
"I want to mark you," I said, my voice husky with emotion. "Go wait for me in the bedroom."
 
Gabriel's lips curved into a slow smile. "I don't think I can wait that long," he murmured, kicking off his shoes and swinging his legs over the edge of the tub.
 
"Gabriel, you're flooding the house!" I shrieked as water sloshed over the sides.
 
"Mmm-hmm," he hummed, unconcerned as he lowered himself into the water, clothes and all. His lips found mine in a hungry kiss, his left arm wrapping around me while his right hand gently kneaded my breast. Even through his soaking wet clothes, I could feel the hard planes of his body and the thickness of his arousal pressing against me.
 
I rose to meet him, our lips locked in a passionate dance. Our mouths traced wild patterns across each other's skin, leaving a trail of heat in their wake. When I finally found the perfect spot on Gabriel's neck, I sank my teeth in, completing our mate bond.
 
Gabriel groaned, his body shuddering against mine as the connection between us strengthened, becoming something deeper and more powerful than before. We continued our passionate embrace, water splashing over the sides of the tub as we moved together. I helped Gabriel strip off his soaked shirt and pants, and then he was fully in the bath with me, our bodies intertwining in the warm water.
 
I never got to experience how it felt when he first marked me, I thought hazily through the pleasure. I want to feel it again.
 
"Mark me," I whispered against his ear, my voice thick with desire. "I want to feel it, again."
 
Gabriel's heated gaze locked with mine, his eyes dark with passion. With a growl, he bent his head to my neck, his teeth finding the sensitive spot where my shoulder and neck met. The sharp, exquisite pain of his bite sent waves of pleasure coursing through me.
 
As the mate bond flared between us, Gabriel penetrate his dick into my lips, filling me completely. The dual sensations, the physical joining of our bodies and the spiritual connection of our souls, pushed me toward a climax unlike any I'd experienced before. When Gabriel finally released his seeds inside me, the intensity of it all sent me spiraling into ecstasy so powerful that I lost all sense of time and place.
 
I couldn't even remember how we eventually made it to the bedroom...