Page 98 of Taming of a Wolf

I notice a basket hooked over his other arm. “What’s in there?” It smells good, like cheese, bread, and a bunch of other things.

Anders’s smile is mischievous when he replies. “You’ll see. Now, follow me.”

We leave the village behind and walk among towering pines. After some time, Anders stops in a clearing beneath the stars. A hot spring awaits us, the aurora staining the water shades of blueand green. Anders approaches with a playful smile and covers my eyes. “Close your eyes.”

Smiling, I obey even after Anders’s calloused palms slide from my face. There’s rustling and thoughtful mumbling. Curiosity makes it hard to keep my eyes closed, but I squeeze them tighter.

“All right! Open them!”

A blanket has been spread out on the forest floor, where a small banquet of food awaits us. Bowls of stew, hunks of meat and cheese, a loaf of bread, and two mugs of mead make my stomach roar in anticipation. The clouds part, revealing the full moon above. It’s so damn romantic, tears sting my eyes.

“Anders,” I say but can’t find the words.

“Come, sit.” Anders takes my hand and guides me to the picnic. We kneel on the blanket, and I try again to find the right words. Nobody has done something like this for me before. Anders squeezes my hands. “Happy birthday, Jamie.”

I blink fast. I can’t crumble. “I don’t—” I bite off the words, knowing I probably should save my future therapist some time by stopping with the negative self-talk.

But Anders growls, “You don’t what?”

“Deserve this.”

A muscle ticks in Anders’s jaw. “Listen to me.” He takes my hands and holds on tight. “I understand why you feel that way. But it’s time to stop blaming yourself for something that was never your fault. I wished every day for years that I had been the one to die instead of my father. I know now that is the last thing my father would have wanted. It’s time to start living, Jamie, and there’s no one else in all the world I want by my side but you.”

I want to believe him, I do. Just as he wants to overcome his past and be better for me, I too want to be a man deserving of his love.

No.

Iamworthy of his love.

Iamworthy of life.

I deserve happiness.

I deservehim.

And I’m going to fight for him, for us.

No matter what.

Reaching out, he wipes away a tear that’s escaped down my cheek. “I want to live with you. Every day, for the rest of my days, until we both leave this world and Odin welcomes us into Valhalla.” Anders frames my face in his hands. “You are not undeserving of love, Jamie. I am living proof of that because I have never loved another like I love you.”

“I love you too.” Anders is it for me. This man is my ride or die, now and forever. “Claim me,” I whisper.

Anders’s eyes darken, arousal spicing his scent. “Are you sure?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“There’s no going back.” His hands slide down my chest and settle on my waist. My jeans tighten as my cock thickens. “Once we’ve claimed each other, you’re mine in body and soul. No one else can have you. I will kill them if they try.”

My wolf growls low in my chest. He feels the same way about Anders. He’ll be mine and mine alone, forever. I angle my neck, exposing my throat to the only man I’ll ever submit to. “Please, Alpha. Make me yours.”

When Anders snarls, eyes blazing, I know we’ve passed the point of no return. Good. Black fur covers Anders’s hands, which are suddenly fitted with claws. With a swipe, he cuts open my shirt without leaving a scratch on me. It falls open to expose my chest, and when Anders’s mouth attacks my skin, my eyes close in bliss. His fangs dimple my neck, and I groan, needing him to bite down and temper the fire burning beneath my skin.

“Please,” I whimper, but he leaves me hanging and mouths his way up my neck. His fangs nip my skin, leaving behind little lovebites. Clawed fingers curl in my hair and tug, and our lips mash together. His tongue teases my lips, and I open to him, moaning as our tongues tangle.

With a shove, Anders pushes me down onto the blanket. He grips my waist and tugs, and I lift my hips. My pants and underwear slide down past my thighs. I wriggle out of them, and Anders’s dark eyes comb over every inch of me. Reaching down, I tug on my cock, biting my lip as pleasure arcs through me.

Anders’s low growl raises the hairs on my arms. “Gods, but you are eager, pet, aren’t you?”

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