Page 173 of Claimed By the Rival Alpha
Night pulled me close, tucking my head under his chin. I sobbed into his chest, feeling the weight of everything we’d endured crashing down on me.
Night kissed the top of my head while I cried. “It’s not your fault, Bryn. It’s not.”
My hands clenched in the sheets at either side of him. The worst part of this was that if I had to choose between taking a life and saving Night’s, I knew I would always,alwayschoose Night without hesitation. It was a side of myself I hadn’t known I’d need to address.
My mind went back to the fight with Troy, when I’d had the ability to kill him. I’d narrowly stopped myself. After all those days of pain and the constant beatings, I’d almost let my rage push me over the edge. And now, I’d taken that step with Evan.
My sobs became deep, shuddering breaths, and my tears dried. As I calmed, Night started to tell me about his first kill.
“I was sixteen when I challenged the Alpha of the Wargs. Peter was awful. He didn’t care about our land or his people, and he let the Kings take everything from us. I knew the Wargs deserved more, so I fought for it. I killed him for it.”
As he spoke, he rubbed my back in soothing up and down motions. “Everyone told me how proud of me they were. They said how grateful they were that I was bringing in a newer, more successful era. I spent months preparing for the fight because I knew I’d have to go through wolves that were bigger and stronger than I was. I thought I could live with taking a life, but I felt dead inside. Mom told me I was allowed some time for grief and regret, but that mourning period changed nothing in my life. I still had to live with my decision, and even though she supported me, I bore that responsibility alone.”
He touched my chin, forcing me to look up at him. “You will have to live with your decision, too. It won’t be easy, and I’m sure it’ll be even more difficult because you’re the most gentle woman I’ve ever met.” He pushed my hair behind my ear. “Know that Ibelieve in you, and there isn’t a wolf worth his weight in fur who wouldn’t make the same choice you made for your mate.”
“I would do it again,” I murmured. “I love you, Night.”
“I know you would.” He kissed me gently. “I love you, too. I hate that you had to do something that was so outside your morals for me, when I’m supposed to be the one protecting you.”
“You’re worth it.” The memory of what I’d done was still fresh in my mind, but listening to Night talk about his past made me feel a bit better. It made me feel less alone.
“It doesn’t matter what time of day or what I’m doing,” he said, “if you need to talk about this, I’ll always be available to you.” He kissed me again. “You’re so strong, Bryn, and so smart. You’re not a monster, you’re an Alpha. You’re fierce and wonderful and you care deeply about your people.”
“Thank you, Night.” I almost started crying again, but managed to hold it together. This time, I initiated the kiss. I’d intended for it to be tender and sweet like the others before it, but Night pulled me closer and closer until I was pressed flush against him. His hands snaked under my robe to touch my bare skin.
I shivered and pulled back. “Night, no,” I said, though I was panting, though I wanted him, though I saw the sizable tent he pitched beneath the covers. “You’re still hurt.”
He smirked. “So what?” He met my lips again, his teeth catching my bottom lip.
I pulled back again, my face hot, my body even hotter. Still, I tried to stay firm. “Night Shepherd. Dr. Stan said you can’t do anything strenuous. You have to take it easy because—and I can’tbelieve I have to remind you of this—you were shot with asilverbullet.”
His smirk became a wolfish grin. “So caring, so considerate, even when I can smell the perfume of your arousal.” His hand slipped lower, his finger stroking up and down my slit. “And you’re already dripping wet.”
“N-Night…” Despite my best efforts, his name came out like a moan rather than a reprimand. “You should be resting…”
“So help me rest.” He circled around and around my clit until I was shivering and biting my lip. His eyes were bright with hunger. “I promise I won’t move.”
I groaned even as I straddled him. “I can’t believe I let you talk me into this.”
“Can’t you?”
I kissed him, just to wipe that sexy smirk off his lips, and pushed away the covers so his erection could stand free. I let my tongue run along his bottom lip as I positioned him at my entrance. I swallowed his growl as I teased him, stroking the tip of his penis back and forth, getting him slick with my lust. I broke the kiss with a giggle that turned into a moan as I finally let him inside me.
“Mm, Bryn…” he moaned. He pulled the sash that held my robe closed and watched me take in every inch of him. “Fuck, you’re so beautiful.”
His hands slipped around my waist as I began to gently ride him. I wrapped my arms around his neck, peppering him in kisses, trailing down to the spot where I’d bitten him. I didn’t want to excite him too much, as much as he filled my body with tinglingpleasure, but I couldn’t resist licking him there and tasting the salt of his skin. He’d already worked me up before I started riding him, and I knew it wouldn’t take much to send me over that sweet edge.
His breaths came in quick pants, his fingers pressing more firmly into my waist. The robe slipped down my shoulders, raising goosebumps down my arms. Though I was going slow and easy, he filled me up just right. On each bounce, I felt him pressing against that special spot, sending me closer and closer to my peak.
One of his hands caressed up my back to bury into my hair. “I love you,” he murmured.
“I-I love you t—ohh…” My orgasm eased over me, like a warm bubble bath. It seeped into my muscles, relaxing every tense or aching inch. My sweet, shivering bliss was punctuated by Night’s climax. He hissed his pleasure, filling me with his hot cum.
“Mate,” I whispered, pressing my forehead to his.
“Mate,” he replied, and held me close.
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