Page 47 of The Wolf

She exhales softly, her fingers curling in my fur. “A bath sounds perfect right now.”

I smirk. “You want a bath? I can arrange that.” My hands slide up her legs beneath the flowy dress and robes she’s wearing, my claws ever so lightly grazing her silky smooth skin. “I was thinking something more along the lines of spreading you open,” I murmur, brushing her inner thighs as I lean closer, “and savoring every inch of you until you forget your own name and can only scream mine.”

“You always think about eating me out,” she retorts, her tone teasing, though her breath hitching gives her away.

“That’s not wrong.” I chuckle, my grip tightening around her flesh just enough to make her gasp. “But how about eating yourtasty little pussy right now? Right here, where anyone could see? Let them watch as I take my time and devour you whole.”

Her brows lift, a knowing smile playing on her lips. “Do you have a thing?”

“I might have a thing.” Certainly. Most definitely. I can’t imagine anything hotter than me publicly claiming her.

“You’re insatiable…andfilthy!” Her laughter is reserved as she nudges me away. But she is affected by this. I can tell by her racing pulse and her heady aroma engulfing the space between us.

Nipping at her neck, I retort, “You love it, though.”

“Your nephews are around.” She gives me a playful but warning look. “Behave.”

My nephews, who are fully grown. But I get her point.

“Fine, fine.” Straightening, I offer her my hand to help her up. She takes it without hesitation, and I steady her when she stands. “Come on, let’s get you all nice and relaxed.”

Guiding her toward the castle, I can’t help but glance down at her, hoping she finds a bit of peace tonight. The world is still out there, waiting, but for now, it’s just us—nothing else matters.

I hold Julia close, with her back against my chest, her sobs quiet now, the warmth of the water surrounding us like a cocoon. But the heat of it does nothing to ease the cold that wraps around my heart. Her beautiful face is streaked with tears, but it’s the wayher shoulders shake, the way her breath hitches, that cuts deeper than anything else.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to cry. I wanted to make this night special. But I’m just PMSing really bad… and I’m so scared!”

She’s afraid like I’ve never seen her before. Not when she was held in the vampire’s grasp. Not when she fought the hybrid in the field for me. Not even when her own family threatened her.

Turning her head in my direction, I tilt her chin up, my thumb gently sweeping across her damp skin, watching the big tear that lingers on her lower lip. “Julia,” I whisper, my voice rougher than I intend, “I hate seeing you like this. I hate that I’m the reason for the tears in your eyes.”

“No, it’s not you.” She shakes her head. “It’s just… this was supposed to be our happily ever after, Alex. We were supposed to have a future together… a long, beautiful life…”

The ache in her voice alone is enough to crush me. Her words are like silver daggers, each one driving deeper into my chest. The weight of them is unbearable. And yet, there’s a truth in them. A truth I can’t deny. I close my eyes for a moment, battling the storm inside me. I want nothing more than to wrap myself around her, to keep her safe and happy, to shield her from every danger, every fear. But I can’t. I know what I have to do, even if it tears me apart to leave her.

“I know,” I rasp, my voice breaking with a vulnerability I’ve never shown anyone before. “I know, baby. But that’s the reason why. Everything I’m doing is for the life we still can have. For the future that’s waiting for us—one we’ll build together, I promise you that.”

Her fingers curl halfway around my wrist, her touch soft but despairing. “How can you promise that?” she whines hysterically, her voice cracks. “How do I know you’ll come back to me? How do I know we’ll have that future?”

How I can reassure her when I don’t have the answers myself? Yet, there’s one thing I can tell her, one thing I know in the deepest part of my soul. “Because I will fight, Julia,” I say, my voice thick with emotions. “I will fight for that future. For the life we’re meant to have. No matter the cost.”

Her breath catches, and for a moment, I think she might say something more, but then she’s kissing me, her tongue desperate against mine. I let her take what she needs, give her the comfort of knowing she’s not alone in this.There’s a fire in that kiss that burns deep, all-consuming. It’s the promise of forever, even if forever is short.

When we pull away, I rest my forehead against hers, my heart still heavy, my mind racing. Julia’s crying has slowed, but I can feel the quiver of fear still running through her.

“It’s just not fair!” She sniffles. “We didn’t have any time.”

“We will.” I nuzzle into her neck, my arms tightening around her waist, the scent of her skin making my pulse race.

“Um, you…” She pulls back slightly, the tears still lingering in her eyes, but now there’s also a playful glint in them. “You haven’t even fucked my ass yet.”

I blink, caught completely off guard. “What?”

“I’m serious!” She pouts. “It’s totally on my to-do list!”

I fight for my life not to laugh, somehow feeling a bit lighter, welcoming a distraction. “So you planned this, you manipulative little—”

“Kinda.” She smiles bashfully, her cheeks turning bright red. “Not the crying, though.”

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