Chapter 172: Possessive

Something shifted in his expression. The last thread of hesitation snapped free.

He kissed me again, his tongue parting my lips, tasting me. He eased me backward until my spine hit the soft earth. Flower petals brushed my shoulders, their scent wrapping around us.

I tugged at his shirt, heart hammering. I needed every inch of skin against mine.

He lifted it off in one swift motion, revealing the hard plane of his chest, the teasing hairs at his navel. Then he reached for my top.

"Please," I murmured before he asked.

Cool night air brushed my breasts. His hands followed, fingers circling my nipples until they pebbled under his touch. His mouth came down on one, sucked it softly, then the other.

I shivered. Arched into him. My fingers dug into his shoulders as electricity crackled along the bond between us, guiding every touch, every breath.

He trailed wet kisses down my throat, along my collarbone, fingers ghosting over the taut swell of my belly. I trembled.

His mouth dipped lower, nipping at the soft hollow above my hip. I pressed my thighs together, aching for contact.

When he finally lifted me, our bodies aligned, I felt the head of him brushing against my wetness. We paused, chest to chest, sweat mingling, eyes locked.

"Are you sure?" he whispered, voice husky with want.

"Absolutely," I breathed.

He sank inside me in one slow, delicious pulse. I gasped at the fullness, at the perfect burn that spread through me.

We moved together in that hush—first tentative, learning the rhythm of each other’s bodies. Then deeper, faster, skin slapping against skin, petals scattering around us. The bond amplified every sensation: the slick glide of him sliding out and back in, the heat pooling low in my belly, his moans vibrating against my skin.

I felt him unravel—his pleasure chasing mine. His grip tightened on my hips, guiding me, pulling me down onto him with each thrust. I pressed my clit to the round of his pubic bone, seeking friction, and he growled, fingers entwined in my braids.

It built, spiraled—a furious crescendo of need and love. I clenched around him, nails scoring his back, my cry of release shattering the quiet night. He followed with his own low groan, his body shuddering inside me, flooding me with warmth.

We collapsed together, breath coming in ragged gasps. The petals around us shivered in the moonlight.

He rolled beside me, gathering me close, his arms a fortress of heat and safety. I tucked my face against his chest, listening to his heart pounding, feeling it slowly steady.

The bond hummed, content. As if it had waited its whole existence for this moment.

"I love you," he said into my hair. "I should have said it sooner. But I love you."

My chest swelled. No one had ever claimed me like that before.

"I love you, too," I whispered.

He tightened his arms. "Again."

"I love you."

He brushed a kiss across my temple. "Say it once more."

"I love you, Darian Voss."

He pressed his lips to my forehead. "I’ll remember this forever."

"Good," I breathed, and we lay beneath the stars, surrounded by his mother’s flowers, utterly spent—and utterly home.

The journey back the following day felt like floating. Like nothing could touch us. We stopped constantly. Pressed against trees to kiss. Couldn't keep our hands from finding each other. The bond hummed warm and satisfied between us. My wolf was content. Purring. She'd found her mate and claimed him and nothing else mattered.

Darian kept looking at me like I was something precious. Something he couldn't quite believe was real.

"What?" I asked after catching him staring for the third time.

"Nothing. Just memorizing you."

"Why?"

"Because I'm happy. And I want to remember exactly how this feels."

My chest tightened. Good tight. The kind that came from too much emotion trying to fit in too small a space.

We walked deeper into the forest. The path back to the settlement wound through dense trees. Private. Isolated.

Darian pulled me to a stop. Pressed me against a tree trunk. Kissed me hard.

I kissed him back. Wrapped my arms around his neck. The need was immediate. Urgent.

"Again?" I asked against his mouth.

"Can't help it. Need you."

"Here?"

"Here. Now. Please."

I didn't argue. Couldn't. Wanted it just as much.

His hands found my thighs. Lifted me. My legs wrapped around his waist automatically.

The tree bark was rough against my back. His body was solid against my front. The contrast made everything sharper.

He worked my pants down far enough. Then his. Didn't bother removing everything. Just enough.

When he pushed inside me, I gasped. Still sensitive from before. But the sensation was perfect. Overwhelming.

This time was different. Faster. More desperate. Like we couldn't get close enough. Like we needed to prove this was real.

He moved hard. Deep. I met every thrust. Dug my nails into his shoulders through his shirt.

"Lyra," he groaned against my neck. "Feel so good. So perfect."

I couldn't form words. Could only hold on. Could only feel.

The bond amplified everything again. His pleasure crashed into mine. Mixed. Became impossible to separate.

When I came, it was sudden. Sharp. I bit down on his shoulder to muffle the sound.

He followed immediately. Buried deep. His whole body shaking.

We stayed like that. Breathing hard. Holding each other.

"I love you," he said. Again. Like he couldn't say it enough.

"I love you too."

He lowered me carefully. Helped fix my clothes. Fixed his own.

We looked at each other. Smiled. Like conspiratorial children who'd gotten away with something.

"We should probably actually make it back to the settlement," I said.

"Probably."

But we took our time anyway during that couple of days. Walked slowly. Held hands. Stopped to kiss every few minutes.

The happiness was overwhelming. All-consuming. I'd never felt anything like it.

For years I'd convinced myself I didn't need this. Didn't need a mate. Didn't need love. I was strong alone. Independent.

But this felt like coming home. Like finding a part of myself I hadn't known was missing.

My wolf was settled. Content. No more pacing. No more restlessness.

She'd found him. Claimed him. And she was satisfied.

The settlement gates appeared ahead after almost four days. Home. Finally.

But something was wrong.

I felt it before I saw it. A presence that didn't belong. Someone waiting.

My wolf perked up. Alert. Not alarmed yet. Just aware.

Then I saw her.

A vampire stood near the entrance. Beautiful. Elegant. Long dark hair that caught the light. Pale skin. Red lips. Dressed in clothes that looked expensive. Formal.

She was watching the path. Waiting for something. Someone.

My stomach tightened. I didn't know why. Just instinct.

Beside me, Darian went rigid. Completely still.

I felt his reaction through the bond. Shock. Discomfort. Something complicated I couldn't name.

"Darian?" I asked quietly.

He didn't answer. Just stared at the woman.

She saw us. Her face lit up. Smiled. Bright and warm and far too familiar.

She started walking toward us. Confident. Like she had every right to be here. Every right to approach him.

My wolf snarled. Low. Possessive.

"Darian," the woman called out. Her voice was melodic. Smooth. "I've been waiting for you."

Darian's hand tightened on mine. But he didn't move forward. Didn't let go of me.

The woman reached us. Stood too close. Ignored me completely. Focused entirely on him.

"It's been too long," she said. "I've missed you."

"Celeste," Darian said. His voice was tight. Controlled. "What are you doing here?"

"What do you think? I came to see you."

She reached up. Put her hand on his chest. The gesture was intimate. Possessive.

My blood turned cold. My wolf pushed forward. Snarling. Ready to tear this woman's throat out.

Before I could react. Before Darian could step back. Before anything.

She kissed him.