Chapter 177

Chapter 182
Natalie POV


I stood at the edge of the forest, watching as dusk settled over the tree line. The wilderness stretched before me, wild and untamed, so different from the carefully maintained grounds of the castle. The residents of Nathan's pack had retreated to their homes for the evening, leaving me alone with my thoughts as the dark purple shadows deepened across the snow-dusted landscape.

 The wind caressed my face, carrying the scent of pine, frozen earth, and distant woodsmoke. I drew a deep breath, savoring the peaceful moment, feeling the crisp air fill my lungs and clear my mind.

In the distance, wolves howled—not pack members, but wild wolves announcing the coming night, their mournful calls echoing across the valley and resonating with something primal inside me. My own wolf stirred in response, a gentle pressure against my consciousness that felt right somehow, this symphony of the wilderness calling to the ancient part of me.

I sensed him before I heard him—my enhanced awareness detecting the subtle shift in the air, the faint disturbance of snow beneath careful footsteps.

Nathan approached silently from behind, his footsteps barely audible even to my enhanced hearing. His strong arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me against his chest with gentle insistence. The heat of his body immediately seeped through my clothes, a stark contrast to the cold evening air, and I found myself leaning into his embrace, my body recognizing his touch before my mind fully registered it.

"You look deep in thought," he murmured, his breath warm against my ear, sending goosebumps cascading down my neck.

I kept my eyes on the horizon, where the last ribbons of sunset were fading into the darkening sky. "Just admiring the view."

"I'm sure you can see more spectacular views from your castle," he said, a hint of self-consciousness in his tone, his fingers tightening slightly around my waist.

"Yes," I admitted, watching as the first stars began to pierce the twilight canvas above us. "But it feels different here." Wilder. Freer. Less burdened by centuries of tradition and expectation.

His arms tightened around me, his body curving protectively around mine. "Hmm, I can only think of one view I want to admire right now." He bent down, his lips brushing against the sensitive spot where my neck met my shoulder in a soft, lingering kiss that sent shivers racing down my spine and sparked something molten in my core.

I turned in his arms, looping my own around his neck. Our eyes met, and I saw desire reflected in his amber gaze, the wolf just beneath the surface, making his irises glow almost golden in the fading light. "I can only imagine what that might be," I teased, my voice dropping to a husky whisper.

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest, vibrating against me before he leaned down to capture my lips with his. The kiss was gentle at first, almost tentative, like testing thin ice, but quickly deepened with an intensity that left me breathless, his hands sliding from my waist to my back, pressing me closer against him. My wolf stirred within me, approving and eager, pushing against my human restraint with growing insistence.

When we finally pulled apart, the stars had fully emerged overhead, tiny diamonds scattered across the black velvet sky. Nathan took my hand, his calloused fingers entwining with mine, leading me back toward the village. Night had fallen completely now, wrapping us in shadows as we made our way to his small cabin at the edge of the territory, our footsteps crunching softly in the fresh snow.

As soon as the door closed behind us with a solid thud, Nathan pressed me against the wall, the rough-hewn logs warm against my back compared to the night air outside. His mouth found mine with renewed urgency, his kiss deeper, hungrier now that we were alone. I wrapped my arms around his neck, my body responding instinctively to his touch, heat blossoming wherever his hands roamed. He lifted me effortlessly, his supernatural strength making me feel weightless, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, feeling his hardness press against me through our clothes, eliciting a small gasp from my lips.

"Looks like you did some research," I said against his lips, my voice husky with desire, teasing him about his previously admitted inexperience.

Nathan pulled back slightly, a hint of endearing embarrassment crossing his features, visible even in the dim light filtering through the cabin's small windows. "Not really. I just... communicated with my wolf side. Well, mostly it was communicating with me." A faint blush colored his cheeks, making him look younger, vulnerable despite his strength.

I grinned up at him, amused by his confession and charmed by this mixture of confidence and uncertainty. Then I leaned forward, reclaiming his lips with mine, silently encouraging him to continue. Let instinct guide you, I thought, knowing he couldn't hear me but hoping he would understand anyway.

He carried me further into the cabin, the wooden floorboards creaking softly beneath his footsteps, but we only made it halfway across the room before my back met another wall, this one adorned with a woven tapestry that cushioned the impact. Nathan supported me with one strong arm while his other hand moved between us, tugging at my jeans with growing urgency. He set me down just long enough for me to kick them off, the cool air a shock against my newly exposed skin, then did the same with his own pants, our movements clumsy with haste and desire.

In one fluid motion, he lifted me again, pressing me against the wall, the tapestry's rough texture contrasting with the smooth heat of his skin. I felt exposed and vulnerable, yet completely safe in his arms, protected by his strength. His lips traced a path down my neck, his breath hot against my skin as his hardness teased my entrance, sending waves of anticipation through my body.

"God, Nathan," I groaned, frustrated by his teasing, my nails digging lightly into his shoulders. "Stop torturing me." My wolf was fully awake now, pacing restlessly beneath my skin, demanding satisfaction.

His eyes, now glowing with a wolfish amber light that seemed to emanate from within, locked with mine. "Are you sure you want this?" His voice was deeper, rougher, the wolf in him closer to the surface than I'd seen before.

"Yes, I want this," I confirmed, my voice leaving no room for doubt, my legs tightening around his waist to emphasize my point.