Page 63 of Soul Bound

“You’re welcome. As Marshall said, you’re his pack, and so as he becomes part of our pack, so do you.”

There was a grumble from across the room that was quickly quelled with a glare from Anna.

“Thanks, Anna,” Marshall said. He stood and hugged his parents and Saint. “I’ll see you this weekend.” He looked down at Aaron. “Come on, Alpha. Let’s get you sorted.”

Chapter 18

Marshallstaredathismate, who, despite several attempts to get him to shift back to his human form, was stubbornly still a wolf.

Marshall had tried just about everything he could think of. They’d taken a long walk around the property, letting Aaron’s wolf reacquaint himself with the scents of his Pack. Some of the younger cubs had excitedly played ‘stalk and pounce’ with him, which had Marshall laughing out loud at their antics.

He’d tried reasoning with him, all to no avail. It was time to pull out the big guns. Goddess, forgive him for what he was about to do.

“Last night was amazing,” he said quietly, trying to keep his feelings quiet and calm so Aaron wouldn’t pick up on them. “I’d hoped to do it all over again tonight, but with me taking you.” He stood, pulling his shirt over his head. He ran a hand down his chest and across his abdomen, noting how amber eyes tracked his movement, before resting his hand on his jeans.

“There is so much I want to do to you,” he continued. “And I want you to do the same to me.” He sighed. “But, obviously, last night didn’t mean the same to you as it did to me.”

Aaron whined, and Marshall got the sensation of distress pushed through the bond.

“It’s okay, I understand. Having a human mate who can’t shift wasn’t in your plans. I’m sorry that you’re stuck with me. I’d hoped that, y’know, we’d be able to make it work.” He smiled sadly. “But if you’re wolfing out less than an hour after we sealed the bond and not shifting back for hours later, then maybe this wasn’t what Alice and everyone thinks it is.”

He hitched a thumb towards the bedroom. “I’m just gonna take a quick shower, then I’ll pack up my gear and head out.” With that, he turned his back on the wolf, who was glowering at him.

He stripped out of his jeans and dumped them on the bathroom counter. Reaching into the shower, he flicked the water on before ensuring the bathroom door was shut properly. He didn’t turn the lock, though. He knew he was taking a risk manipulating Aaron like this, but he had a hunch that Aaron’s stubborn nature would override that of his wolf.

He stepped under the warm water, allowing it to beat some of the tension from his shoulders. He’d just reached for the soap when the bathroom door crashed open. He grinned but quickly schooled his features as the shower door wrenched open, and all six feet one of pissed off Alpha stood in front him.

He offered no resistance as he was pushed against the tiled wall.

“Manipulative bastard,” Aaron ground out before slamming his mouth onto Marshall’s.

Marshall opened immediately and let Aaron maul at his mouth for a few moments. He grabbed a handful of hair and pulled hard enough to break them apart.

“Decided opposable thumbs were a better option, hmm?”

“Where do you get off telling me you’re leaving? You’re mine, and you’re not going anywhere.”

“You have a funny way of showing it,” he bit back. Yes, he’d been trying to manipulate Aaron into shifting back, but there had been some truth in his words.

Aaron blinked. “You meant it, didn’t you? You weren’t just blackmailing me into shifting. You really think last night didn’t mean anything to me?”

Marshall shrugged. “This morning certainly didn’t play out like I imagined it. You can’t blame me for thinking you regretted it.”

“No, never,” Aaron said, placing his hand against Marshall’s cheek. “Last night was amazing. I want to repeat it over and over again.” He pressed a kiss to Marshall’s mouth. “I’ve been fighting with my wolf all day. He’s usually a lot more agreeable as to who’s in charge, but having not been out in over six months, he didn’t want to shift back.”

“There’s so much we need to talk about,” Marshall told him.

“I know. And we will. But right now, I want to hear all about these things you want to do to me.”

Marshall grinned as he ran his hands down Aaron’s sides to cup his ass. He gently squeezed as he tugged him close enough to plaster their fronts together.

“Well, for starters, I intend to taste you from head-to-toe. Then I’m going to suck you until you’re begging for release, and then I’m going to fuck you until you scream my name.” A full- body shiver raced through Aaron at Marshall’s words. Marshall licked the water that was trickling down Aaron’s throat. When he reached his ear, he whispered, “And then I’m going to bite you like you bit me and claim you as my own.”

A deep groan rumbled from Aaron’s chest as his mouth captured Marshall’s. The kiss was raw and brutal, tongues dueling.

Marshall reached behind him and shut off the water. “Come on. I need you on the bed.”

They grabbed towels and gave their bodies a cursory wipe over before falling onto the bed. Their damp bodies stuck to each other as Marshall pressed Aaron into the mattress, pinning his hands above his head before leaning down to capture his mouth.

---