Page 36 of Link with Me
“Please what?” His tone was playful yet commanding, his fingers dancing with purpose as they found the rhythm that made her squirm. “Say it.”
“Touch me... there, make me come,” Lena begged, her inhibitions stripped away by the tide of need he had stoked within her.
With a low growl of approval, Alex obliged, intensifying his movements, his other hand rolling her nipple between his fingers, coaxing a sharp cry from her lips.
“Come for me, Lena. Let go,” he commanded, and she shattered beneath him, waves of pleasure crashing down upon her as she clutched at him, her body convulsing in sweet release. Alex watched, a triumphant fire in his eyes as Lena trembled, the bond between them pulsing like a living thing, wrapping them in its unyielding embrace.
Hovering on the edge of shared oblivion, Alex’s breaths became ragged against Lena’s skin. His control frayed as primal instincts surged to the forefront. With every thrust, their connection deepened, a silent pact about to be sealed in the most ancient of ways.
“Are you ready?” he rasped, his voice thick with the gravity of the moment.
Lena nodded, her eyes blazing with fierce trust and acceptance. “Yes, Alex. Now.”
His teeth grazed her neck, a tender warning before he sank them into her flesh, a firm yet careful pressure that branded her soul as much as her skin. Lena’s sharp intake of breath mingled with a low moan that vibrated from her throat, a sign of pain entwined with the purest form of pleasure.
The bond snapped into place, a tangible force that wrapped around them, reinforcing what had started as a spark into an unbreakable link. Lena’s fingers dug into his back, her body arching into him, welcoming him completely.
Then, as if unleashed by the marking, waves of pleasure cascaded over them. Their bodies shook with the force of their climax, a storm of sensation that left no part of them untouched.
They lay in bed together, hearts beating hard, both trying to catch their breaths.
He caressed her back with a finger while her head lay on his chest.
“Does this mean the Hillside Pack problem is over?”
“I don’t know. But I’m here to make sure they never lay a hand on you again.”
She picked her head up and met his gaze. “You wanna get married?”
He gave a quick laugh. “I’m supposed to ask you, remember?”
She shrugged. “I love you. You love me. We get married. Seems like common sense, no?”
“Yes, but we’re not half-assing this.” He sat up in bed and opened his bedside drawer and pulled out a ring box he’d been keeping there since the first day he met her.
Her eyes widened and she gasped. “Are you for real right now?”
He chuckled, pulled her to stand in front of the bed and got down on one knee. “I love you, Lena. From the second I saw you, I knew you were it. My mate. My life. My everything. Will you marry me?”
She nodded, her eyes filled with tears. “Yes,” she mumbled. “I love you so much, Alex. I don’t even remember what my life was like without you in it.”
He slipped the ring on her finger and immediately pulled her onto the bed. “Good. I don’t ever want you to think of a time when you and I aren’t together.”
“You are so lucky I love you, wolf.” She laughed and kissed him hard.
Alex held her tightly in his arms. His mate. His life. His love.
The council room, usually a place of stoic discussions and strategic planning, had an unusually tense atmosphere as Alex prepared to recount the recent, violent encounters with members of the Hillside Pack. He stood at the head of the long table, his posture commanding yet visibly weighed down by the recent events. His father and the other elders, seasoned by years of leadership and pack politics, awaited his report with a blend of concern and readiness.
Alex cleared his throat, his voice steady despite the turmoil that churned inside him. “I called this meeting to report that I was forced to defend myself and our pack from an attack by Darren Hillside and another shifter from their pack. They ambushed me at my home with the intent to kill not just myself but my mate as well.” His jaw tightened as he recalled the clash, the danger Lena had been in sharpening his every word.
Before he could delve deeper into his defensive actions, his father raised a hand, signaling him to pause. “There is more to the situation,” his father interjected, his tone serious but carrying an undercurrent of hopeful news. “The alpha of the Hillside Pack, Darren’s father, has passed away. His younger son, who has taken over, reached out to me this morning.”
A murmur rippled through the room, the elders exchanging glances of both surprise and cautious optimism.
“His name is Ethan Hillside,” his father continued, “and he appears to be a much different character than his brother or his father. He has expressed deep regret over the actions taken against our pack and has extended an olive branch. He wishes to establish a peaceful coexistence between our packs and has even sought advice on investments to strengthen their economic standing.”
Alex felt a mix of relief and skepticism. The sudden shift in leadership and the new alpha’s approach were promising yet raised questions about the sincerity and longevity of his intentions.