ELORA
I toss and turn in my bed, poring over my conversation with Gael earlier. Could he know where my mother is? Should I trust him after hurting me earlier?
I shivered when I remember how cold his dark eyes had been earlier when he accused me of replacing him as my guard. It had looked like he… hated me and not at all like the charming Gael I had known.
Even this evening when he had come into my chambers, he had looked different. Desperate even.
Could I trust him enough to return to Alkarod?
What if it was a trap?
I turned to face my balcony, staring at the stars visible in the darkened night sky. I had too much to lose if this gamble didn’t pay off. Could I abandon my siblings to the king’s whims?
He had threatened earlier that he’d kill whoever places his hands on me, what will he do to them if he finds out I ran off with Gael?
He’d never believe that I only went to save my mother.
“Oh, mother.” I sighed.
Would she ever forgive me for charging blindly to come to save her?
If only I had help. I thought.
Oh but you do. I heard a voice say. You only have to ask.
“Who’s there?” I asked out loud while sitting up.
The wind howled in response causing me to laugh at my stupidity.
So I was hearing voices now.
I let my thoughts drift back to my problems but I heard the voice again, louder this time.
A prickling begins underneath my skin and I could feel my heart beating faster. I sat up then started pacing my room and a delicious ripple went through me.
Mate. Mate. I heard the voice chant inside me. Our mate is calling for us.
Who are you? I asked internally.
I am called Sigrid. Your wolf. It answered.
My wolf?
After all this time?
How…? Why… now? I asked, baffled.
I should be elated but I couldn’t help but panic. I thought the bond between my wolf and I had been broken when my mate rejected me.
Is this because I’m the King’s mate?
Yes. It answered. Being mated to the king has healed our bond.
How can this be? I asked, shaking my head.
My old fear of being rejected came up again. My first mate rejected me. What’s to stop him from also rejecting me?
Our mate has been very lonely. It said. He asks us to trust him.
Where is he? I ask.
Down there. She answered, spurring me towards my balcony.
I look down and see the gentle winding form of the Red River and a delicious scent hits me and I’m suddenly wrapped in the all-encompassing presence of the king. My eyes sharpened in the darkness and it seemed he was only a few feet away from me and not a great distance he was away.
My wolf’s elation steals into me and I howl into the night, hopping off the balcony before I think better of it, running towards the king who is already in his Lycan form.
His beast turns to me and howls into the night, his sheer size intimidating in the darkness. His blood-red eyes and fangs would scare a lesser man away but I wasn’t afraid.
He was my mate.
He wouldn’t hurt me.
My desire for him had me stripping out of my night robe, the heat in his gaze not letting me feel the kiss of the cold night air.
I feel my bones cracking as I transform into my wolf.
Whatever happened between the king and me tonight would be different from any other night we’d shared.
I nudge him gently and take off into the woods, howling with joy when I hear his large steps behind me.
Being the stronger beast he is, he closed the distance between us and tackles me to the ground, barely giving me room to breathe as we transform back into our human forms.
The evidence of his lust prodded at my entrance and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he impaled me.
Tremors rippled through me as his thrusts came faster and deeper, pain and pleasure warred for dominance.
“Look into my eyes, Elora.” I heard the King say, gripping my chin.
My eyes met blood-red eyes staring at me with an intensity that had my inner muscles spasming with a release. My voice rented the night air and I was sure they could hear me in Alkarod. But I didn’t care. I wanted him to know just how much he pleasured me.
His fangs lengthened and his claws dug into my skin. I could feel him swell inside me, his release just around the corner.
“My king,” I begged as his claws went deeper into my skin.
He smirked and leaned forward, strokes even faster than before.
“I did warn you before, little wolf.” He growled. “I’m going to make you regret ever tempting me.”