Chapter 85
Raven’s POV
I wake up in his arms, his embrace so tight as if I would slip away forever if he lets go. His breathing is steady, soothing, a rhythm that lulls me into peace. I feel at home and safe, despite not truly knowing him, at least not in the way my memories should allow.
And suddenly, I’m completely aware of our nakedness. My body flushes with heat, every nerve burning with desire. I want him, no, I need him. Every inch of me aches for Caleb, and I know only one thing will quench this unbearable thirst.
Rays of sunlight slip through the small window and spill across his face. The golden glow makes him look unreal, godlike. I carefully ease myself from his grip just enough to admire him. His lashes are long and dark, his face peaceful and strong. And his lips, those sinful lips.
“Shit,” I whisper to myself as I bite my lower lip, trembling with restraint. I can’t take it anymore. I lean down and brush the softest kiss over his mouth. But the second my lips touch his, I realize I don’t want to pull away. I linger, savoring the warmth of him, until I’m greedy enough to press another kiss, longer, deeper, my lips parting just enough to taste him.
Caleb stirs, his eyes shooting open, raw need flashing in their depths. His hand snaps around mine, strong and possessive.
“Raven,” he breathes, my name escaping him in ragged puffs of air.
“I want you, Caleb,” I confess, my voice trembling with hunger.
His chest rises and falls heavily. “Please, stop… I won’t be able to hold myself back any longer.” His plea is raw, almost broken, but I only smile and bite my lip again, knowing exactly that he won't be able to resist it, I want him to go against his values today.
“Fuck it,” he growls, losing the battle. In one swift motion, his hand slides under my waist, flipping me beneath him. His strength makes me gasp, but his gentleness, his care, makes me giggle in delight. He’s manly and fierce, yet he handles me like I might break.
“You are gorgeous,” he murmurs, his gaze locked on mine, drinking me in as though I’m the only thing he’ll ever need.
My insides twist with a sweet ache. Was this man really mine? My fated one? He’s so beautiful it hurts to look at him. Every line of his body is perfection, every muscle carved by the gods themselves. I lift my hand, stroking his cheek softly, trying to ground myself.
“I can’t believe you’re here with me,” he whispers, almost like he’s confessing a secret.
“Me neither,” I breathe back, my heart thundering.
He studies me for so long that my skin burns under his gaze. Then his voice drops, filled with a raw, desperate truth. “I don’t ever want to lose you again.”
“And I just want to be with you, Caleb,” I whisper back, meaning every word.
That’s all it takes, his control shatters. He crashes his mouth against mine, kissing me hard, deep, devouring me. The world tilts as our lips move in perfect rhythm, his tongue sliding against mine, claiming me.
I can’t wait any longer. I slide my hand down, lower and lower, until I wrap my fingers around his thick length. The growl that rumbles from his chest vibrates through me. He moans into my lips, his body trembling at my touch.
“I want you now,” I whisper against his mouth, needy and breathless. I’m soaked, aching, throbbing for him. With a low growl, he slides between my parted thighs. I gasp as his tip brushes against me, then he pushes forward, sinking deep into my heat. My back arches, a cry escaping my lips as he fills me, stretching me perfectly.
“Fuck…” he exhales, his breath shuddering as he buries himself inside me. Tears sting my eyes, not of pain, but of overwhelming emotion. I missed this, I missed hi, my body recognizes him even if my mind struggles to. Pleasure floods me as he thrusts, slow at first, then faster, deeper, harder. I clutch him tightly, wrapping my arms and legs around him, pulling him closer as though I can fuse us together.
“Caleb…” his name escapes in a shaky whisper, my voice tangled with Nian’s growl inside me. My wolf is awake, restless, craving him just as much as I do. I bury my face in his neck, inhaling the intoxicating scent of him. My lips hover over that spot, that perfect place where I want to claim him. I press a kiss there, and his body shudders violently, his cock twitching inside me.
“Raven,” he groans, pulling back just enough to meet my gaze. His eyes blaze, hazel laced with gold, as his wolf surges forward. My fangs ache, elongating, and I know his are too. We’re both on the edge. Both ready and desperate. Without hesitation, we move as one, sinking our fangs deep into each other’s necks. Pain sears for a heartbeat, but then ecstasy explodes, flooding every nerve with fire and light. Our souls entwine, our bond snapping into place as our hearts thunder in sync. The world blurs. Everything fades except him, my Caleb, my mate. Tears stream down my eyes as pleasure slams through me, building higher and higher until I break, crying out his name as my release shatters me. He follows, thrusting deep as his own climax rips through him. We collapse together, trembling, clinging, lost in the storm we’ve created.
My body is heavy, my mind blissfully blank. Caleb gathers me close, steadying me as my strength fades. I feel him, inside me, around me, with me. And for the first time, I am whole. Sleep takes us swiftly, tangled in each other’s arms, our bond sealed forever.