Page 182 of The Heart of Winter

On the sixth day, we didn’t have to go out for supplies. We could relax in our warm little pool or walk along the beach, keeping an eye out for drones, ships—anything at all. But, of course, there was nothing.

By midday, I couldn’t hold back anymore. As Sariel scraped the stones we used to heat our seafood, I moved closer and placed a hand on his thigh. He looked up at me.

"Want to lie down for a bit on the mattresses?" I managed to get out.

Wow. What a lame invitation to sex. I felt so awkward suggesting it in the middle of the day, without any lead-up. But I immediately knew my offer was well received. Sariel’s lips stretched into a wide smile, and he nodded enthusiastically.

Oh. That was… sopleasantlyeasy. Maybe I should do this more often, if it really was a non-issue?

It was my long-standing thing, this problem with never initiating sex; after years of avoiding it, I just… kind of felt like an awkward virgin.

Surely, it took a certain mindset. A certain boldness. A kind of… ability to assert myself in a relationship, to express that I needed something from the other person. Before, I always wanted to be independent, never rely on anyone, never be vulnerable by revealing my desires… Maybe I was even too proud?

But Sariel’s eager reaction convinced me that maybe I shouldn’t be so tentative about it. I had a feeling he’d always enthusiastically welcome this kind of request—and that put me at ease.

We headed to the mattress. I was in the mood for bottoming, so I quickly stripped, lay down, and pulled my legs up to my chest, wanting him to pound me hard.

"Fuck me, Sariel," I breathed out.

I saw a flicker of surprise on his face, but also excitement, as sparks of joy danced in his eyes.

"With pleasure," he said.

He leaned in, and we started kissing passionately, wildly. His mouth moved down to my neck, and I felt his teeth gently nibbling my gland.

"Gonna mark you again," he murmured. "Love it so much."

"Yes…"

A moment later, I felt his cock press against my hole. He pushed hard, thrusting into me. I cried out, startled that he did it with no prep, but—

To my amazement, I didn’t feel any real discomfort, almost as if I were already well-prepped. But I didn’t even have a chance to question what was happening, because Sariel was already fucking me—deep, quick, with almost wild thrusts.

"Fuck, so good, so good!" he moaned, his face flushed as he closed his eyes. I watched him above me, clearly just as lost in it as I was. His mating teeth, long and white, emerged from between his parted lips. Then he growled, leaned in, and… bit me.

And it all hit me at once, climax crashed over me instantly, overwhelming me with pleasure and a sudden, intense desire to… bite him back.

I didn’t hesitate, not this time. I wasn’t going to waste energy questioningeverything.

With matching urgency, I bit him, and we locked into a bite-grip, both of us latched onto each other’s glands. At the same time, I felt pressure inside: I knew Sariel’s knot had expanded.

The intensity was unreal. I panted, moaned, utterly overwhelmed by the dual sensation of his teeth in me and his knot stretching me, holding me in place. We couldn’t have been more connected than we were right now.

And all of it was wrapped in a dizzying wave of satisfaction and joy, like being high. I was suddenly flooded by the simple, powerful realization that I was still alive to feel this. That we hadn’t died here. That my life was still rolling forward.

And then…even more. With a quiet jolt, it hit me… I wanted this to last. With Sariel.

I’d been so scared, of the age gap between us, the difference in life experience, the fact that he hadn’t really had the chance to spread his wings yet. That one day, he might walk away with some beautiful omega whose scent would knock him off his feet.

Did it still matter? Surely, not on the island.

Something had shifted in me. Softly. Naturally. Like a thaw.

Had this island changed me for good? Maybe even healed something I didn’t know was broken?

It was kind of ironic, really.

Here, in a place so cold and frozen…

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