Page 48 of The Wolf

I shake my head, letting out a low chuckle as I trail my claws lightly across her skin. “You’re unbelievable.”

I can feel her breath quicken beneath my touch, and she shifts closer, her butt wiggling against my groin. “I didn’t want to ruin the mood.”

“I’m always in the mood for you.” Bending my head lower, I nip at her collarbone as my hands slide up across her ribs to grasp her breasts. My claws ever so slightly brush against her nipples, teasing the little buds until they get fully erect and more vibrant pink. My mouth waters and I’m torn between the longing to lose myself in her completely and the weight of what’s ahead.

Her head falls against my torso, her eyes shut, and she lets out a cute little moan. “You know, I’ve had fun at the celebration. Your sister is pretty awesome.”

My hands drop to her thighs, and I grumble under my breath, though I can’t help the warmth rising in my chest again. “So, Penny told you things, huh?” Of course, I heard their entire conversation earlier.

“Cambridge? That’s very impressive, Alex,” she compliments gently, her eyes still closed. “But why England?”

“Well, the Ivy League wasn’t welcoming of non-white, non-Christian students back then,” I respond with a heavy sigh. “And the colonial hunters were the most vicious in American history—it was supposed to be the land of their god, after all.” My tone sharpens as I sneer. “The vast majority of us came from other parts of the world long before the States were even formed. But the elites have their main bases around there, which is why we’re especially involved in that territory.”

“That makes sense. I’m sorry.” There’s a long, pensive pause before she speaks again. “Alex, you’re not just the beast to me. I see you. For the amazing person you are, who makes me feel more alive than I ever thought I could. Everything I told Meg is true. I meant every single word. No man could ever come close to this. And I wouldn’t change a thing. Not for the world.” She wraps her hands over mine under the water, sinking into my chest. Then, after a brief hesitation, she adds, “I only hope I make you feel even slightly similar.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Am I enough?”

“Enough?” I scoff in disbelief. “Julia, you give me everything by just being here. You’re my reason to believe there’s still more than the darkness inside me. I don’t know what I need to say to make you understand how much I love you,” I confess, my voice trembling with the weight of it. “I can’t imagine a world without you in it. You’re the center of everything I am. My heart, my soul—they are yours, and they always will be.”

Her breath hitches, her eyes searching mine as though trying to make sense of the depth of my feelings. She needs to know. She needs to feel it, as much as I need to say it.

“From the moment I first laid eyes on you, Julia, you’ve been the pulse in my veins, the breath in my lungs. Every step I take, every choice I make, it’s all for you… Forus. I’d tear the world apart just to keep you safe, to keep you mine. I can’t promise you the outcome, but IpromiseI will do whatever it takes to come back to you. Because you are everything to me. You are the future I’m fighting for.”

She looks at me, and for a long moment, she doesn’t say anything. She doesn’t have to. She knows. I can see it in her eyes, hear it in the way her breath catches as I speak.

Then, her lips finally curl into a full smile. “Oh, you’re getting so lucky tonight.”

17.

King

Lifting her from the bath, I cradle her weightless, naked body close to mine. My massive form dwarfs hers as I carry her to the bed. The water lingers on her silky skin, her warmth seeping into me, and I immediately respond to the sweetness of her scent, the softness of her flesh. She’s so fragile against me, but I can feel the way she trusts me completely. It makes something deep inside me growl with possessiveness.

I lay her on her back on top of the sheets and kneel above her, my claws grazing her skin, my eyes locked with hers. The silence between us is charged with tension, and I can hear the rapid beat of her little heart, her shallow breath, anticipation radiating from her.

But there’s something I need to do first. It’s not exactly how I planned this, yet I still can’t shake the thought of her doubting whether she’senough.

“Julia,” I rasp, my voice rough with the growing desire that I’m trying to hold back. “I have something for you.”

She watches me closely as I reach into the nightstand drawer for the small velvet square box. Opening it slowly, I reveal the royal diamond ring, gleaming brightly and scattering rainbows as it catches the dim light. Her eyes widen, and her breath catches in her throat.

“I’ve spent my whole life searching for you, and there were moments I thought I might never find you. I almost lost hope. But then, you came into my life, and you didn’t just meet my dreams—you exceeded them in ways I never imagined possible.” I pause, the only sounds in the room are the thundering of our hearts. “You are everything I’ve been looking for and so much more. Would you do me this extraordinary honor and—”

“Yes!” she squeaks, not letting me finish. And a moment later, she tears up as I slide the ring onto her dainty finger, her tiny hand trembling with significance in my hold.

She’s mine, and I am hers.

“Oh, Alex, it’s beautiful!” Her voice cracks as she admires the diamond, and I can see the emotional storm inside her. It washes over me, her love so real and pure, stirring something deep in me.

My own heart skips a beat. “It belonged to my mother.”

“You didn’t have to.” She smiles, looking up at me. “But I love it.”

I lean down, my breath hot against the mark on her throat as I continue, “Maybe you and Clara can focus on the dress while I’m away, hm? But make it something special. You need to have a coronation, my Queen,”I murmur seductively.

She doesn’t say anything at first. Instead, her hands move into my fur, pulling me closer. I trail my wet tongue along her neck, and her breath hitches as I taste her skin, making her moan. “Okay, shut up now,” she finally whispers, her voice thick with need.

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