Chapter Twenty

ASH

He felt her body tense as he sank his teeth into her neck.

She cried out in pain and instinctively tried to push him away from her, but he wrapped his free arm around her waist and pinned her against him, knowing it would soon pass.

The metallic taste of her blood filled his mouth, and he could feel the pulse of her heart as if it was his own.

Her whimpers of pain soon morphed into exclamations of pleasure. He knew the sensation of the mate bond was sending waves throughout her body from being marked, as it was running through his own.

He felt the joining of their bodies lower as well, the warmth of her moist sex sheathed around the length of him.

He was still, giving her body time to adjust to him inside her. He released his jaws from her neck and licked the blood from the wound left behind by his sharp fangs.

She whimpered in relief, grinding her hips against him, causing Ash to groan in desire.

He began to move slowly as she writhed underneath him, matching his pace. He pressed his forehead against hers and stared into her eyes, watching the pleasure take over her face.

When she cried out with release, he felt himself go over the edge with her, kissing her deeply as they fell together.

KEYARA

They lay still for a long while, their heavy breathing slowly becoming deep and relaxed, the waves of pleasure fading from her body.

Ash’s body was half-draped over hers, and their limbs were entwined. It felt to Keyara as if they were one being, melted into each other.

When he had first sunk his teeth into her, she had been overwhelmed by the pain—he had not been wrong about that.

But he had failed to mention the waves of pleasure that had soon taken over. It had rippled through her like an earthquake.

She raised a hand to her neck, lightly stroking her fingers over the puncture marks he had left behind. His tongue had soothed the wound, taking away most of the pain. There was just a dull ache left behind.

Since their bodies had joined, she did feel him much more intently. Their touching skin tingled with twice as much strength, and she could faintly sense the satisfaction he was feeling. Or perhaps that was just her own, she mused.

Suddenly her stomach growled loudly. Ash laughed at the sound, his body rumbling against her, and she covered her face in embarrassment.

He kissed her softly. “I am afraid I have been a rather neglectful host,” he murmured between his soft kisses. “My most sincere apologies. Would you like some stew?”

She fought back her disappointment that her protesting stomach had ruined this perfect moment. “Yes, please,” she replied.

He rose from the bed, fumbling for his discarded pants. She rolled to her side and propped her head up, her elbow resting on the disheveled blankets, and admired his naked form.

All feeling of her embarrassment was gone, and she was struck by how beautiful he was.

He pulled his breeches over his sculpted thighs, fastening them quickly at his waist, and then tied back his blond hair, the muscles in his arms rippling at the motion.

He was completely unaware of her scrutiny. A smile played across her lips. When he finished, he looked at her, and she smiled even wider.

He returned the smile, leaning back across the bed and kissing her lightly. As she moved toward him, the blankets on the bed shifted, revealing a spattering of blood on the sheets beneath.

He broke the kiss, running his hands over the stain, looking at her with sudden sadness in his eyes.

“Did I hurt you too badly, Key?” His voice was full of concern, and his arm wrapped around her back protectively.

She felt warm all over that he was so worried about her comfort. “No, Ash, not too badly,” she assured him, wishing to erase the sadness from his eyes. “It was very quick.”

She cleared her throat, curiosity overcoming her. “Is it always like that?” she asked. “Being marked? Does it have to happen while…” She trailed off, suddenly too shy to continue.

He smiled gently, looking at her. “No, not always. I could have just marked you without the mating. But one quickly would lead to the other, regardless. I thought this would be more efficient.”

“Oh, how romantic!” she said in mock indignation, shoving his shoulder lightly.

He laughed and kissed her, and she kissed him back, feeling happier than she ever had.

Suddenly her stomach gurgled loudly again, and this time she laughed along with Ash at the sound.

“Stew!” he said sternly, pulling away from her to fetch it.

***

ASH

He left the room, entering the common area where the stew still bubbled at the hearth. He fetched two bowls and opened the lid, scooping a generous serving into each and placing them on a tray.

He searched the kitchen for some bread, but there was none to be found. He knew Emily, the caretaker’s wife, always baked extra when anyone was in residence.

Maybe he could buy an extra dress from her for Keyara as well. They were about the same size.

He quickly grabbed a shirt from the chest by the fire and pulled it over his head before heading to inquire after the bread.

He strode quickly to the cabin and tapped on the door. Emily opened it with a smile.

“What can I do for you, Alpha?”

The caretaker and his wife were both human, but Ash had known them all his life and they were well aware of who he was.

“Do you happen to have any extra bread?” he asked her apologetically. “My men seem to have eaten it all before they left.”

She laughed. “Of course I do, Alpha. I know by now to have plenty of extra when a group of hungry wolves show up.”

She disappeared briefly before reappearing in the doorway with a loaf of bread wrapped in a cloth, still warm from the oven.

“I heard you found your mate, Alpha.” There was genuine enthusiasm in her voice. “How pleased you must be!”

“Yes, thank you, I am very happy indeed,” he replied. “Speaking of Keyara…my mate, that is…well, she was able to bring very little with her when we left her home.

“I was wondering if you might have an extra dress I can take for her? I will pay for it, of course,” he assured her.

Emily tutted at his words, waving a dismissive hand.

“It’s no bother, Alpha. I will not accept your coin. I’ve been meaning to clear my closet anyway. Let me go through it and bring some things over later, if that’s all right?”

“Thank you, Emily,” he said warmly.

Suddenly an overwhelming sense of dread ripped through his body, and he almost doubled over at the sensation that overtook him. He fought the urge and forced his body to stay erect.

He inclined his head to Emily, quickly taking his leave, not wanting to concern her.

It was Keyara. He was too far from her, he realized suddenly. He shook his head in disbelief; he was barely fifty yards from the room where he had left her!

He had never heard of such a strong and sudden reaction from such a short absence.

He rushed back to her, fighting through the waves of nausea he knew were reflected from her own. His touch was the only thing that would ease her suffering.

He burst through the door, tossing the bread thoughtlessly on the table, rushing to her room. As he entered, he saw her writhing on the bed, moaning in agony.

He gathered her in his arms, holding her in his lap with one arm, carelessly pulling off his shirt with the other. The more of his skin that touched hers, the quicker her discomfort would pass.

She clung to him, tears running down her face.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” he mumbled soothingly, feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt at her pain. “Key, I’m so sorry. I had no idea it would affect you this much. I thought I was still close enough. I’m so sorry.”

He kept repeating his apology, stroking her back and pressing his lips into her hair, until her tears dried and her body relaxed.

KEYARA

Ash ducked out to fetch them lunch. Or was it dinner? She had lost all track of time, it seemed. She sprawled on the bed, stretching her aching muscles.

Despite the residual soreness left behind, she was entirely satisfied by their coupling.

She suddenly noted the smear of blood on her inner thighs, the remnants of her virginity.

She rose from the bed and went to the tub, long since chilled from her bath when she’d arrived. She dipped the cloth into the water and began to clean the blood from her skin.

As she was finishing, she was hit by an overwhelming wave of dizziness.

She clutched the edge of the tub to keep herself from falling, letting out a moan. She fell to her hands and knees, crawling toward the bed, pain and dizziness beginning to dull her vision.

She made it to the bed and crawled up into it. She shuddered and pulled the blankets around herself, wrapping herself into a ball in an attempt to fight against the pain that had overtaken her.

Suddenly his hands were under the blankets and on her naked body, lifting her and wrapping themselves around her. She clung to Ash, feeling an immediate lessening of the pain that coursed through her.

He spoke to her, but in her distress she could not make out his words, though she could tell they were filled with remorse and sadness.

She let his warmth soak into her, chasing away the last remnants of the pain. Suddenly his words came into focus.

“Baby, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry, Key.” He repeated his apology over and over, stroking her bare back with long comforting motions.

“I think…” Her voice broke, and she started again. “I think I’m all right now.”

He leaned back from her, taking her face in his hands and kissing her.

“Keyara, I had no idea, I promise. I didn’t think the cottage was far enough away to trigger that. It shouldn’t have been.” His voice was wracked with guilt.

“I’m all right, honestly,” she assured him, snuggling back against his chest. “I feel better now that you’re here with me.”

She suddenly remembered his earlier warning. “Is this what you meant, about having to stay close?” she asked. “Is this what happens if we do not?”

He ran a hand over his face, the guilt still etched deeply into his expression.

“Yes,” he told her. “Although that was extreme. When I said stay close, I meant just in the general vicinity. The cottage should have been fine, especially just for a few minutes.”

She frowned, considering his words. “So what does that mean?” she asked. “That it wasn’t fine?”

“I’m not fully sure,” he answered, searching her face. “But it means our bond is strong. Very strong.”