Chapter 69 She agrees
Aloria
I sit on the edge of our bed, brushing my hair with careful strokes. The evening air is still, thick with the scent of cedar and the lingering warmth of the day. I can hear River’s footsteps approaching, the soft thud of his boots echoing in the quiet hallway. My heart quickens at the thought of him entering our room; it always does.
He pushes the door open, and the sight of him makes my breath hitch. River stands there, a silhouette against the fading light. “Hey,” he says, his voice low and warm, wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.
“Hey,” I reply, trying to hide my smile, but it slips through anyway. “How did the meeting go?”
He walks over, settling beside me on the bed. “We discussed our options. Kellan and Ian are on board with reaching out to the other packs first. They think diplomacy might be our best routers a start, but we still need the backing.”
I nod, feeling a wave of relief wash over me. “That’s good. I hope they’re right. The last thing we need is more bloodshed.”
He leans closer, his voice dropping to a whisper, as if the very walls might betray us. “It’s a risk, but it’s worth taking. We can’t show weakness, but we can’t let our pride drive us into a war that could tear everything apart.”
I look at him, the intensity in his eyes igniting a fire within me. My mind races with thoughts of what’s at stake… our pack, our future, and the lives of everyone we care about… my parents Kingdom. “Do you really think it will work?”
River’s gaze softens, and he reaches out, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “I do. I believe there are still those who value peace over power. We just need to find them.”
His touch sends a shiver down my spine, and I feel my heart race. I can’t help but wonder what it would be like if we were not just fighting for our pack but for a future where we could be together without the looming shadows of war.
“River…” I begin, my voice faltering as I gather my thoughts. “What if they don’t respond well? What if my uncle’s forces come at us before we have a chance?”
His expression hardens, the weight of responsibility etched across his features. “Then we’ll be ready,” he assures me, his confidence steadying my nerves. “But we have to try this first. It’s our best chance.”
I feel a surge of admiration for him, for his strength and resolve. “I trust you,” I say softly, and I mean it with every fiber of my being.
He smiles, a flicker of warmth spreading through the room. “Thank you. That means everything to me.”
As the silence settles between us, I sense a shift in the air, something electric that crackles with unspoken words. River’s gaze drops to the floor, and I can see the battle within him. He takes a deep breath, and I brace myself for what he’s about to say.
“Aloria, I know that you are still struggling with… the hunger. I want to offer you my blood again.” His voice is steady, but I can see the flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
A rush of warmth floods through me at his words, a mix of gratitude and something more primal. “River, are you sure? I don’t want to put you in danger.”
He shakes his head, a gentle smile playing at his lips. “You’re not putting me in danger. You’re my mate, Aloria. I want to help you. And, to be honest…” He hesitates, then continues, “It’s intoxicating. I can’t help but feel a rush when you drink from me.”
My heart races at his admission, and a thrill runs through me. “Really? You feel that way?”
He nods, his gaze locking onto mine, a smoldering intensity igniting in the space between us. “It’s like a fire igniting, something about sharing that connection… it’s overwhelming.”
I bite my lip, the thought sending a rush of excitement through me. “Then, yes. I want to.”
He pulls away slightly, and I can see the resolve in his eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t want to push you into something you’re not comfortable with.”
I reach out, placing my hand on his cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin against my palm. “I’m sure, River. I want to feel that connection, to be closer to you. I need this.”
The air thickens with anticipation as he leans in closer, the tension between us palpable. I can see his pulse quickening, matching the rhythm of my own heart. “Alright,” he whispers, and I feel the warmth radiating from him as he tilts his head, exposing the delicate skin of his neck.
He quickly make a small cut at the base of his neck. My breath hitches. I lean in, hesitating for just a moment, and then I press my mouth against his skin, feeling the warmth of his blood against my lips. The first drops makes a rush of warmth flood my senses. It’s more than just the taste of his blood; it’s the essence of him, the connection we share deepening with every heartbeat.
I can feel River’s breath hitch as I drink, the way his fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer. There’s something intoxicating about this moment… the way our worlds collide, the thrill of danger mingling with the sweetness of desire. I can feel his heartbeat quicken, the warmth of his blood igniting a fire within me, fueling something primal that I can barely control.
When I pull away, I’m breathless, and I can see the hunger in his eyes mirrored in my own. “Wow,” I whisper, unable to find any other words.
River’s lips curl into a smirk, but there’s a flicker of something deeper behind his gaze. “You have no idea how incredible that is for me.”
I can’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from within me. “Maybe I do, a little.”
He grins, the tension between us shifting into something lighter, something filled with promise. “Just remember, Aloria, we’re in this together. Whatever comes next, we will face it with joined strength."
I nod, feeling the weight of his words settle in my heart. “Always.”