Page 62 of Challenged
I withdraw my fangs and lick the wound closed.
As our orgasms subside, I can feel the mating bond between us solidifying, locking into place like two pieces of an intricate puzzle.
I check his ribs and see my pentagram marked onto his skin forever along with my fang marks on his neck. Aksel is staring at my arm where a dark green vine wraps around it. It’s different from the one Aly has. It looks coiled around me like it’s never letting me go.
It’s so Aksel.
It’s then that I sense the depth of Aksel’s love for me. A love that goes beyond anything I could have ever imagined. His emotions flood into me, filling every corner of my being with his pride, his loyalty, and most unexpectedly, his vulnerability.
“Aksel?” I ask hesitantly, still reeling from the intensity of our connection. “You love me so much. How can you feel this deeply for me?”
I rest my forehead against him, feeling the weight of our newly formed bond.
He smiles ruefully, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “I know it’s hard to believe, considering how I’ve treated you in the past,” he admits. “But you’re my mate, Anna. The moment I realized that, everything changed. My entire world shifted, and all I could think about was protecting you, loving you, and making sure you were safe. Even if I couldn’t show it.”
His words resonate with me, and I can see the sincerity in his eyes. As much as Aksel’s actions were dictated by supernatural politics and the looming threat of his father, I can’t help but be moved by the depth of his feelings for me.
“Thank you,” I whisper, tears prickling at the corners of my eyes.
Aksel leans in to kiss me tenderly, his lips brushing against mine in a gentle caress. “I’ll always love you, Anna,” he murmurs against my mouth. “No matter what comes our way.”
The soft, rhythmic sound of Aksel’s heartbeat fills my ears as I lay my head against his chest. Our bodies are still intertwined, the warmth of his skin pressing against mine as we bask in the afterglow of our mating. The room around us is dimly lit, shadows dancing on the walls and the faint scent of our passion lingering in the air.
Despite the uncertainty that surrounds us, there is something undeniably comforting about being held by the man who has just become my mate.
Aksel’s fingers continue their soothing motions, and I can feel the tension in my body slowly dissipating. “You’re worried about what comes next, aren’t you?” he asks softly, an intuitive understanding of my thoughts evident in his voice.
I nod, biting my lip as the weight of our situation settles heavily upon me. “It’s hard not to be,” I admit.
“Whatever happens, we’ll face it together,” Aksel reassures me, his grip tightening protectively around me. “I won’t let anyone or anything harm you, Anna. I swear it.”
Twenty Five
Aksel
I stand in the dimly lit living room, my heart pounding in my chest. The tension is palpable as I argue with Anna, Blaze, Griffyn, Rion, and Felix about whether I can go back to the council chambers for a meeting. They are all hellbent on preventing me from going.
“Listen,” I say, my voice strained, “it’s really important and I can’t skip this. I need to be there.”
“Is it worth the risk?” Anna asks, her mossy green eyes filled with worry. Her blonde hair falls around her shoulders. “We are so close to bringing down the fighting ring, it’s a dangerous time.”
“Nothing is going to happen,” I reply, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “It’s better if none of you come with me.”
“You should bring one of us,” Griffyn interjects, the incubus demon’s smoky grey eyes studying me intensely. He leans against a wall, his posture relaxed but his expression anything but.
“Griffyn is right,” Felix agrees, his eyes meeting mine. The snow leopard shifter’s playful demeanor is gone, replaced by a seriousness I rarely see from him. “You need backup.”
I sigh heavily, frustrated.
“Listen,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady, “I appreciate your concern, but this is something I have to do. Alone. Trust me, I know what I am doing.”
“Alright,” Anna finally concedes, her voice barely above a whisper. “Just promise you’ll be careful, Aksel.”
“I promise,” I reply, my chest tightening.
Their silence speaks volumes, but after a few moments, Griffyn nods reluctantly. “Fine. But if anything goes wrong…”
“I know,” I interrupt, not wanting to entertain the thought of what could happen if things go awry. “I’ll call for help. I promise.”
