Page 47 of Rebel for Claws
"So demanding," he murmured.
But he obeyed, his pace quickening. He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breath hot against her skin as he pounded into her with a primal urgency that left them both gasping. Vivian matched his intensity, her body moving in perfect sync with his, and the connection between them was electrifying.
The room was filled with the sound of their ragged breathing, the crackle of the fire, and the slick, wet rhythm of their bodies joining. Alaric could feel his control slipping, his wolf clawing its way to the surface. His teeth lengthened instinctively, a primal urge he hadn't fully realized until it was too late.
Vivian's orgasm hit her like a tidal wave, her body convulsing around him as she cried out his name. The sensation was overwhelming, and it pushed Alaric over the edge, his seed spilling deep inside her as his body was shuddering. He felt his teeth sink into her neck, just enough to draw blood, before he pulled away in a panic.
He stumbled back, his chest heaving as the reality of what he'd done crashed over him. "Shit," he muttered, pacing the small hut in a frantic panic. His mind was racing, his Alpha instincts warring with his guilt. "I didn't mean—Vivian, I'm sorry."
She sat up slowly, her fingers brushing over the bite mark on her neck. When she pulled her hand away, there was a faint smear of blood on her fingertips. Her eyes met his, calm and steady despite the chaos swirling around them. "It's okay," she said softly. "It was instinctive. I'm not upset at you."
Alaric stopped pacing, his fists clenched at his sides. "It's not okay," he snapped, his voice rough with frustration. "I should've asked. I should've controlled myself. What if this triggers something? What if it changes everything?"
Vivian stood, her movements graceful despite the intensity of the moment. She crossed the room to him, her hands resting on his chest. "Then we'll handle it together," she said firmly. "You're not alone in this, Alaric."
He wanted to argue, to keep berating himself for losing control, but the certainty in her voice stopped him. He exhaled sharply, his shoulders sagging as the tension left his body. "I'm still pissed at myself," he admitted, his voice quieter now.
She leaned into him, her forehead resting against his chest. "I know," she murmured. "But you don't have to be. I'm not fragile, Alaric. I can handle this. I can handle you."
He let out a low groan, his arms wrapping around her waist as he pulled her closer. "You're impossible, you know that?"
Vivian smiled, a small, teasing smirk that caused his chest to tighten. "You're the one who bit me," she pointed out, her tone light despite the weight of the moment.
Alaric chuckled despite himself, the sound rough but genuine. "Fair point," he conceded. He pressed a kiss to herforehead, lingering for a moment before pulling back. "Let's get some rest. We've got a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
She nodded, her hands slipping into his as she led him back to the rug by the fire. They laid down together, her body curled against his, and Alaric couldn't help but feel a sense of calm settle over him despite the lingering tension in his chest.
"I'll keep watch," he said, his voice low. "You sleep."
Vivian looked at him, her violet eyes filled with a mix of affection and determination. "Only if you promise to wake me up if anything happens."
"Deal," he agreed, his hand brushing through her silver-blonde hair. She closed her eyes, her breathing evening out as she drifted off, and Alaric couldn't help but marvel at her resilience. She was a force of nature, and he was damn lucky to have her by his side.
Several hours later, the fire crackled softly as Alaric carefully extracted himself from Vivian's sleeping form, her silver-blonde hair splayed across the worn rug like moonlight. He moved with predatory silence, dressing quickly in his thermal shirt and tactical pants, the fabric whispering against his skin. The partial mate mark he'd given her hours ago seemed to throb through their mate bond with an unfamiliar energy, and something deep within his chest felt... different.
What the hell is happening to me?
He settled into the rickety wooden chair by the window, his eyes fixed on Vivian's peaceful face. The half-bite mark on her neck had already begun to heal, leaving only a faint scar. As he watched her, a subtle tingle ran through their mate bond—electric, foreign, and undeniably powerful.
His breath caught as the sensation intensified. It felt like something ancient and magical was stirring in his bloodstream, dormant genes awakening after a long slumber. The prophecy'swords echoed in his mind:unprecedented power... abilities unknown to modern shifters.
Then it hit him.
Every sound in the hut magnified a hundredfold. Vivian's heartbeat thundered in his ears like war drums. The snow falling outside became a symphony of individual crystals striking the roof. He could hear Logan's team breathing three miles away and could smell their distinct scents carried on the wind like they were standing beside him.
"Christ," he muttered, gripping the chair's armrests until the wood groaned under his enhanced strength.
His wolf stirred anxiously, but this felt beyond his usual shifter abilities. This was something else entirely—raw, untapped potential flowing through his veins like liquid fire. If a partial marking could trigger this level of change, what would happen when they completed the mate bond?
Will I even be myself anymore?
TWENTY-ONE
VIVIAN
When the sun crested over the horizon the next morning, painting the snow-covered landscape in shades of amber and rose, Vivian stirred on the worn rug in front of the dying embers. The fireplace held only ash now, the air sharp with winter's bite seeping through the gaps in the old hut's walls. She reached automatically for Alaric's warmth, but her hand found only empty space and cold fabric.
Where is he?
