“Thank you for coming,” Alexander murmured, his unwavering gaze fixed upon his mate. He had called her to the furthest reaches of the forest, beyond the borders of Zephyr’s kingdom. Beside them, the river flowed gently, the sun casting its final hues across the horizon, heralding the impending dusk.
“I… I had to come, but please, let’s talk first,” Arabella whispered, her voice laced with nervousness as her hands found support upon his broad shoulders. Each touch was akin to brushing against a blaze; a forbidden heat coursed through her, delivering a sensation that brought her more pleasure than pain.
“Alright,” he responded firmly, his stare unyielding upon her.
“Um, could you… please release me and maintain some distance?” Arabella attempted to squirm out of his embrace.
“Why? We can still converse like this,” he rebuffed, refusing to relinquish his hold.
“But… it’s wrong,” she gasped, her breaths growing more labored.
“No, it isn’t. You are my mate,” he growled, his voice resonating with authority.
“I am bound in marriage to King Zephyr,” she panted breathlessly.
“That was a mistake, and we will correct it,” he asserted, his words resolute.
Arabella gasped at Alexander’s fearless declaration as her wide eyes watched him with fear.
“No, we can’t do this. No one will accept it, it’s wrong,” she protested, though the haze clouding her mind made it challenging to distinguish right from wrong.
Her thoughts were tangled; what she felt with Alexander was anything but wrong, and Zephyr should release her after knowing she belonged to Alexander. However, he held onto her fiercely. Alexander was her mate, a bond ordained by the Moon Goddess-a sacred connection that transcended all else. They were the first true mates in history.
“You believe it’s a mistake by the Moon Goddess,” Alexander challenged, his voice laced with determination. “So, you think the Moon Goddess can err, but not your husband.”
“I… I don’t know,” Arabella stammered, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. She grappled with the inexplicable twists of destiny that had entangled her in this complex web.
“Arabella, I deeply regret not being present at the mating ball,” Alexander confessed, a sense of remorse tainting his words. “If I had been there, I would have found you before Zephyr did, and you would have been with me in my pack house,” he spoke in a somber tone, recalling the missed opportunity with a heavy heart.
He vividly remembered the altercation with his step-brother that led to Zephyr summoning him, forbidding his attendance at the Mating Ball. At times, he pondered if it had been deliberate, as though Zephyr had foreseen the arrival of Alexander’s fated mate at the ball.
Alexander hadn’t intended to seek a mate, yet, an inexplicable force had driven him to contemplate attending the ball, but the conflict with his step-brother had disrupted his plans, preventing his participation.
“But you weren’t there, and Zephyr was. Now, I am married to him,” Arabella’s voice quivered with remorse, her inner wolf yearning to acknowledge the mate bond over the marriage.
“Do you love him?” Alexander asked abruptly, his voice turning icy.
Arabella couldn’t provide an immediate answer. She felt lost and speechless, uncertain if her presence beside Zephyr was rooted in love for him or merely the consequence of their marriage. Zephyr had never shown concern for Arabella’s emotions, never inquired about her desires or decisions.
Conversely, Alexander was her fated mate, and he sought her wishes and desires. He didn’t impose himself upon her. Despite the sacred connection between them, he refrained from advancing intimately while he could sense her body’s response nestled in his arms. This act touched the deepest recesses of her heart.
As Arabella remained silent, Alexander spoke with conviction, “Arabella, there’s no use in concealing your emotions. I won’t waste another moment without expressing my love for you and my desire to spend my life by your side,” he confessed firmly, prompting an unfamiliar sensation to stir within Arabella’s heart, causing her to sigh involuntarily.
“Give me the chance to prove my love,” he implored.
Arabella sensed her resistance slowly crumbling. Her body and heart seemed to succumb to the powerful pull of the mate bond, instilling a growing sense of fear within her.
“Alpha Alexander, please let go of me,” she pleaded, her breath hitched in her chest, her eyes shut tight as she grappled with the overwhelming emotions engulfing her in that moment.
“Arabella, I can’t let you go away from me,” Alexander confessed, anguish resonating in his voice. “You are my mate, my everything. Without you, I am incomplete,” he spoke, his words laden with heartfelt sincerity as he paused to behold her exquisite countenance. No matter how long he gazed upon her serene face, it felt as though it would never be enough.
“I will die if you reject me,” he whispered, prompting Arabella’s eyes to snap open. Her intentions became evident to him. The mere thought of his demise plunged Arabella into an abyss of intense pain, rendering her breathless and tears streaming down her cheeks.
“No!” she cried out, causing Alexander to furrow his brow. “You cannot die.”
“Then choose to be with me, my mate,” he urged, leaning closer until his lips brushed against her neck with a tenderness that sent goosebumps racing across Arabella’s entire body. Such a reaction had never occurred when Zephyr touched or kissed her.
“Don’t deny it, Arabella. You feel what I feel,” he murmured, his embrace tightening around her, drawing her closer until her body flushed against his.
A surge of desire overwhelmed Arabella’s thoughts. Her inner wolf yearned to claim their mate. All rational thoughts dissipated as Alexander nibbled at her marking spot. A fiery sensation engulfed her, her initial urge to push him away transformed into a yearning to pull him closer.
Breaking away, Alexander locked eyes with Arabella, finding in her gaze the same desire and lust mirrored in his own.
His wolf howled in delight as Alexander, unable to restrain himself any longer, fiercely slammed his lips on hers, kissing her passionately.
Arabella felt an awakening, unlike anything she had experienced before. Her body and mind surrendered to the pleasure ignited by Alexander’s touch and kiss.
Responding fervently, she deepened their kiss, matching his intensity.
“I need you, my mate,” Alexander groaned, his wolf surfacing as he caught the scent of Arabella’s arousal.
With a sigh, Arabella succumbed to his embrace as he effortlessly lifted her in his arms and carried her to their sanctuary, nestled amidst leaves and fragrant vines.
Anticipation and urgency gripped them both, their chests heaving with desire. Despite his yearning, Alexander fought to rein in his primal urges, not wanting to scare Arabella. He understood that restraint would become impossible once he yielded to his desires.
A cry escaped Arabella’s lips, her body ablaze with heat. She squirmed and rubbed her thighs, inadvertently triggering Alexander’s struggle for control.
With eyes tightly shut, Alexander cursed under his breath, knowing that resisting was futile when his mate was in heat. The uncontrollable instincts of his wolf surged forth, overpowering his resolve.