Page 31 of The Right to Bear Claws
They moved together slowly at first, finding their rhythm under the watchful stars. Every thrust sent sparks of pleasure through her, and she could see the effect she was having on him in the way his jaw clenched, the careful restraint in every movement.
"I can't believe you're real," he said, voice rough with emotion as much as desire. "That you're here, with me."
"I'm here," she confirmed, legs wrapping around his waist to pull him deeper. "I'm yours."
The words seemed to snap something inside him. His thrusts became more urgent, though still careful, still reverent. She met him stroke for stroke, her nails digging into his shoulders as she felt herself culminating again.
"That's it," he encouraged, one hand sliding between them to stroke where they were joined. "Come for me again, beautiful."
The combination of his touch and the deep thrust of his cock inside her sent her spiraling over the edge again. She buried her face against his neck, crying out as the orgasm crashed over her. The feel of her clenching around him pushed him to hisown release, and she felt him pulse inside her as he found his completion.
They lay tangled together afterward, her head on his chest, listening to the gradually slowing beat of his heart. His fingers stroked through her hair while she traced patterns on his skin, both of them quiet in the aftermath of what they'd shared.
"I'm falling in love with you," she whispered into the darkness, unable to hold it in any longer.
His hand stilled in her hair. "Kaia..."
"I know it's complicated. I know I'm dangerous to be around." She lifted her head to look at him. "But I can't pretend this isn't real anymore. What I feel for you—it's bigger than fear, bigger than sense."
"I love you too," he said simply, cupping her face in his hands. "And you're not dangerous. You're extraordinary."
"If the dreams take me?" she asked, voicing her deepest fear. "If Tobias wins and there's nothing left of me but darkness?"
"Then I'll find you in that darkness," he said fiercely. "I'll be your anchor, your way back to the light. No matter how deep the shadows grow, Kaia, I'll never let you go."
She kissed him then, pouring all her hope and fear and love into the contact. Above them, the stars wheeled in their ancient patterns, and the lake whispered secrets to the shore. But here in his arms, with his promises echoing in her heart, she finally felt like she might have found her way home.
15
ELIAS
Elias lay in his own bed for exactly twenty-seven minutes before giving up on sleep entirely.
His bear had restless energy, alternating between satisfaction at finally claiming their mate's affections and frustrated demand for more.Claim her. Mark her. Make sure everyone knows she's ours.
"We discussed this," he muttered to his empty bedroom, scrubbing both hands through his hair. "She needs time to process everything."
She said she loves us. She chose us. What more processing does she need?
The memory of Kaia's confession made something warm and fierce settle in his chest. She loved him. After everything she'd been through, all the reasons she had to run, she'd chosen to stay and fight for what they had together.
But love and claiming were two different things, and Elias had seen what happened when alphas rushed their mates into bonds they weren't ready for.
He wouldn't do that to Kaia. No matter how much his bear demanded immediate action.
By six AM, he'd given up on rest entirely and headed to the construction compound, hoping physical labor would burn off some of the restless energy coursing through his system. The workshop was empty this early, which suited his mood perfectly. He could channel his protective instincts into practical preparations without having to explain his sudden obsession with reinforcing every defensive measure in town.
"You're here early," Magnus observed, emerging from the office trailer with a steaming cup of coffee and the kind of knowing look that suggested he'd been expecting this conversation.
"Couldn't sleep."
"Mm-hmm." His father settled onto a nearby workbench, studying Elias with paternal perception. "This wouldn't have anything to do with the fact that you didn't come home until dawn, would it?"
Elias cleared his throat to stop the blood spreading to his face. "I was with Kaia."
"I figured as much. Question is, how are you handling whatever happened between you two?"
"We told each other we love each other," Elias said simply. "And now my bear wants to claim her immediately while my brain knows she needs more time to adjust to all the supernatural stuff."
