For the sake of the child, Maggie had to conceal her vulnerabilities, embrace her inner strength, and prepare to face any unknown challenges. Her spirit tightened with determination.
Three days flew by swiftly, with the grand banquet scheduled for the following day. Maggie, exhausted from preparations, sought solace in her room, yearning for rest, when a knock at the door startled her. Upon opening it, she found Aldrich standing there, his demeanor solemn, his gaze resolute.
“Maggie, forgive my intrusion, but before the banquet, I must mark you,” Aldrich said as he entered the room, casually closing and locking the door behind him.
Maggie was puzzled, a mix of curiosity and a hint of worry on her face. “Mark me? What do you mean?” she asked, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
Aldrich gazed at her with seriousness and tenderness, understanding and anticipation in his eyes. He took a deep breath. “Common shifter marking typically involves physical contact, often through a bite on the neck. It symbolizes a deep connection, ownership, or pack affiliation.”
Maggie’s eyes widened with surprise and fear. “So, you’re going to bite me? This sounds incredible.”
Aldrich nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. “Exactly, Maggie. The bite visually represents our commitment and loyalty to the pack and is a revered symbol within the shifter community.”
Aldrich’s face drew near to Maggie’s, his gaze intense, and his voice took on a gentle tone. “In addition to the physical marking, we also use scent marking. Through our unique scents, shifters can convey messages, emotions, and establish social bonds within the pack.”
As Maggie absorbed the information, her curiosity deepened. “So, it’s like a hidden language understood only by those with a keen sense of smell?”
Aldrich’s eyes gleamed with the light of knowledge. “Exactly, Maggie. Scent marking allows shifters to communicate intent, set boundaries, and form social connections. It’s a vital form of primal instinctual communication in our world.”
Aware that they were pretending to be a couple, Aldrich assured her, “I won’t be biting your neck, but I do need to perform scent marking. It’s a somewhat intricate process, and I hope you can endure it for the sake of our little charade.”
Maggie’s mind filled with uncertainty. “How intricate?” she asked, her voice tinged with anticipation and nervousness.
Her cheeks flushed, a mixture of awkwardness and longing. The room around them seemed to shrink, and the atmosphere was charged with unspoken desire.
Aldrich remained silent, beginning to remove his clothes, revealing a body emanating strength and power. Maggie’s breath caught in her throat as her gaze followed the contours of his muscular form. She couldn’t deny the growing physical attraction between them, one that seemed to intensify with each passing moment.
Realizing they were very close, Maggie’s body quivered with anticipation. She could hardly believe what was about to happen. As Aldrich extended his hand towards Maggie, she instinctively took a step back and even clutched her clothing tightly.
Aldrich sighed in resignation. “Maggie, if there were any other way, I wouldn’t be knocking on your door tonight.”
“I know… you always do your best for me. This is something that needs to be done,” Maggie consoled herself inwardly.
But Aldrich was a man of action, and he made a second attempt, catching hold of Maggie’s hand.
Compared to Aldrich’s imposing stature, Maggie appeared delicate. Her cheeks flushed, and she shyly unbuttoned her cotton nightshirt, revealing smooth, round shoulders. Aldrich’s breath instantly grew heavy. This time, a low, sensual sound escaped his throat. “Maggie…”
Maggie tentatively placed her hand on Aldrich’s chiseled chest. At that moment of contact, both saw desire reflected in each other’s eyes. Maggie pushed Aldrich onto the bed, reminding herself this was all for the children…
Their bodies entwined, and Aldrich’s touch was gentle, electric as it caressed Maggie’s skin. His hands explored her body, igniting a fire within her, almost consuming her rationality. The sensation of his lips on her neck sent waves of pleasure coursing through her veins.
Maggie couldn’t resist surrendering to this moment. As she immersed herself in their primal connection, her inhibitions faded. She could feel the weight of their shared desire, a magnetic force pulling them closer with every passing second.
The process continued, each touch and caress sending pulses of electricity through Maggie’s body. She found herself lost in a haze of sensation, her feelings growing more intense, as if time had stood still.
During her pregnancy, Maggie’s surging estrogen heightened her physical responses, making it impossible to resist Aldrich’s touch.
Aldrich caressed every inch of Maggie’s skin, even every strand of hair. Only after ensuring that Maggie had absorbed his potent Alpha scent did he reluctantly release her. He breathed heavily, tiny beads of sweat forming on his forehead. In the bed, Maggie emitted a soft, seductive sigh, tempting Aldrich with every moment.
Aldrich’s heart was caught in a whirlwind of intense emotions, the wolf within him yearning to bite into Maggie’s pale neck at this very moment. He struggled to restrain his desires, fighting with himself, and then stepped off the bed.
“Goodnight, Maggie. Sweet dreams,” Aldrich said, maintaining his composure as he gently closed the bedroom door.
The room was saturated with Aldrich’s rich scent. Maggie relaxed, taking a deep breath, but even in the air, she could only smell Aldrich’s scent. She rolled over, burying herself in her pillow, replaying every moment and touch in her mind.
For Maggie, it was a long and uneasy night.