Chapter 104 The Wolf’s Claim

Chapter 104 The Wolf’s Claim
Astrid’s POV

I returned to my room as quickly as possible, aware that the fewer people I encountered in that moment, the better. I was just about to close the door behind me when I felt something—or rather, someone—stop it.

I turned, terrified at the mere thought that it might be Patrick, that he had changed his mind and was there to force me to take him to my father. However, when I did, the one I found was Lysander.

His presence there surprised me. After what had just happened between us, I had truly believed he would keep his distance for some time.

—What are you doing here? —I asked, somewhat confused, as his presence made no sense at all.

He didn’t respond. Instead, he stepped forward slightly, never taking his eyes off me. It was then that I realized something wasn’t right. There was something strange about him, though I couldn’t yet understand what it was.

—Lysander —I tried again, wanting to know what was happening to him, but he seemed completely lost within himself, and that frightened me.

It was as though he were somewhere else—at least, that’s what I thought until he suddenly slammed the door shut behind him and stood in front of me, as if he expected me to try to escape.

The truth was, I might have tried… if my need to understand what was happening hadn’t been stronger. Even so, something in him—or perhaps in the air itself—made me feel tense, alert… like my body trembled with anticipation.

It remained that way until, suddenly, his eyes shifted into those of the wolf.

In that instant, I didn’t think—I moved toward the door to leave, but he stepped just enough to block my path. I could hear my pulse pounding in my ears. I was afraid of whatever he intended to do, especially when he simply watched me with those predatory eyes, his expression almost… hungry.

The waiting was unbearable—but it didn’t last long.

Without warning, he grabbed me by the shoulders and shoved me roughly against the nearest wall. My back struck it hard, but I barely felt the pain—because in the next second, his hands were already moving over my body, settling at my hips.

In that moment, a new and unfamiliar force urged me to resist him. I knew that whatever happened between us would be a terrible mistake.

And yet…

I couldn’t stop my body from reacting.

—We can’t… —I tried to protest, but it was useless. He didn’t allow it.

He cupped my face with both hands and kissed me. It was different this time—rougher, more urgent. And all I could do was cling to him, losing myself in it.

—Do you want me, Astrid? —he asked, barely pulling his face a few inches away from mine.

He was too close for me to form words. Instead, I took his hand and placed it over my chest. His touch was warm—good… more than good.

—Lysander, can you… —I tried to ask if he could feel it—the way my heart pounded beneath his touch.

He didn’t let me finish.

He lifted me into his arms and carried me to the bed. He dropped me onto it carelessly, and in that instant, I knew what was about to happen.

I wasn’t entirely ignorant of the kind of union shared between a man and a woman. After all, I had grown up among soldiers.

But nothing had prepared me for what my body was feeling.

Now I understood—it had begun the very first time he kissed me.

In that moment, we were simply a man and a woman alone.

We were husband and wife.

Despite the hatred, the resentment, the restraints—and everything we knew was right—we let ourselves fall.

Before I could even adjust on the bed, Lysander’s fingers were already working at the laces of my dress—or at least trying to. Soon, the urgency between us became too much, and he simply tore it open.

The cool night air brushed against my skin.

I arched instinctively, offering myself to him.

I wanted him to touch me—more—but I didn’t know how to say it.

Fortunately, I didn’t have to.

His hands began to explore me, fitting perfectly against my body. The sensation was overwhelming. My breath caught, my body responding in ways I didn’t understand.

A low growl rumbled in his throat as he found my lips again.

—Lysander… —I whispered, barely able to believe what was happening.

It was more than I had ever imagined… and yet, it still wasn’t enough.

As if he had read my thoughts, he leaned over me, drawing a sharp reaction from deep within me.

I clung to him, overwhelmed by the intensity of it all—by the way every touch seemed to ignite something inside me.

Before I could fully grasp it, his hand moved again, sliding beneath the fabric, sending a shiver through my entire body. Every nerve seemed to awaken at once, every sensation intensifying, focusing on a single, unbearable point.

I was certain that if he touched me there, everything would unravel.

But instead, he pulled back.

Before I could even feel disappointment, I watched as he rid himself of his clothes.

And when he finally stood before me, I couldn’t help but take him in. I remembered the first time I had seen him like that… but it didn’t compare to this moment.

He looked powerful. Imposing. Irresistible.

I barely had time to process it before he was over me again, his weight pressing me into the mattress.

His lips found mine once more, then moved lower—along my jaw, my throat—leaving warmth and fire in their wake.

By the time he pulled away again, I was trembling beneath him.

And when he finally claimed me…

There was only a fleeting discomfort—nothing compared to the overwhelming, consuming pleasure that followed.

I wrapped my legs around him, lifting myself toward him, urging him to continue.

There was no fear left.

No hesitation.

Only desire.

Only him.

And then…

Something inside me began to build—something powerful, unstoppable.

—Don’t stop… —I begged.

And he didn’t.

The rhythm intensified, faster, deeper—until suddenly everything shattered.

But it wasn’t just the pleasure.

It was something more.

Something ancient… something that had been dormant inside me for far too long.

Something that awakened in that very moment.

I clung to him as the sensation overtook me completely.

And I wasn’t the only one.

I felt his body tense, felt the heat spread through me as he followed me into that same abyss.

Afterward, we collapsed onto the bed—exhausted, breathless…

But not satisfied.

Because that had only been the first time.

And that night, it was as though neither of us could let the other go.