Page 86 of Ruthless Moon
“We don’t need an alpha. I know the words. Say them with me.” I recall the old Welsh incantation exactly as my mother taught me, the wolf bond spell that will weave our life forces together and give us a hundred healthy years together—a nice mate-bond perk.
Gen fumbles over the unfamiliar language, but I patiently slow the pace, repeating the spell until she’s able to voice it with me.
We don’t have to say it together. Me saying it and touching her would’ve locked the bond in place. But I need to hear her say it. And I can see it in her eyes that she needs it too.
A soft, warm heat ignites around my wrists, followed by Gen’s gasp. She jerks her arms away from my neck. Her wide eyes fixate on the vibrant shimmering green ink etching out an intricate Celtic knot into our skin. The symbolic bracelet is unique to each mated pair, a gift from Fate herself. Our shared design is subtly different from any other wolf pair’s.
The bond seals between us as I feel a rush of her emotions into my consciousness. She gasps as mine hit hers. The bond builds a highway between our souls. Nothing is hidden now. Everything is shared.
“I...wow. Do you feel this?” She looks up at me, her eyes glassy. “It’s like I can touch your soul with mine.”
I nod, bathing in her emotions and love.
“But there’s only one bracelet. Aren’t there supposed to be two?” Gen holds her wrists up, her voice quavering, her face tight with worry. “Did we do something wrong?”
With a gentle touch, I cup her face again, and caress her cheeks with my thumbs. “We get the second one after we bond adifferentway.”
Her eyes flick up to meet mine. An understandingohshapes her lips, delicate as the first drop of rain in a storm. And then the air crackles as her gaze heats with anticipation, sending a surge of desire coursing through me, fierce and demanding. Yet when I catch our reflection in the mirror, reality bites back—sticky remnants of dried blood, matted hair, and a grimy, blood-streaked face stare back at me in the mirror over her shoulder.
Releasing her, I reach for the shower controls and turn the shower dials. “In you go, love. Our first time is going to be beautiful and perfect, not tainted with the trials of the day and rushed. This is our first night together. This is the beginning of our story.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Kiss Me Already
IMOGEN GALLAGHER
With a gentle nudge, Liam guides me under the shower’s soothing cascade. And for a moment, instead of following me inside, he stands there, eyes locked on my body. Warm water splashes against my shoulders, ricocheting and spraying him with random droplets.
The therapeutic warmth trickles over me, a blissful sensation in the middle of my chaotic feelings. The bond spell snapped something into place between our minds. It’s like having a physical data cable plugged in that connects my mind and heart directly to Liam’s.
I can feel the theme of his thoughts. His emotions...his very essence.
And it’s a two-way street. He can delve into mine just as intimately.
And oh, the depth of his love.
The sheer amount of care radiating from him is overwhelming. There’s so much warmth, tenderness, and depth of affection—it’s unlike anything I’ve ever experienced in my entire life.
I don’t know how to respond and so I stand there letting the water soothe me and keep me from breaking down on him for a second time today.
“It’s okay if you need to come apart, Gen.” Liam’s voice slices through the thrum of the shower, grounding me back to the present. Back to him. He steps in, shutting the glass door behind him. Steam quickly fogs up everything and transforms the space into a hazy, intimate cocoon.
“I want to feel you. I want to experience everything I never thought I would have with you. I just—I never—I didn’t know it would feel like this. I didn’t know you felt that way about me. That you cared as much as I did.” I reach for him and kiss him again.
His arms go around me, taking control. This kiss is slow, measured, savored. I sense his pleasure. His happiness. And it fills me with so much joy.
“I love you. You are my heart and soul, Gen,” he whispers against my lips, as if they’re sacred. His breath is warm, mingling with mine.
Hot tears course down my cheeks, mingling with the cascade of water. “I never knew what love was until I met you,” I say back. “I love you more than I think I’ll ever understand.” I slip my hand down between us, reaching for his hard length.
His eyes flicker with the golden hues of his inner wolf, a mesmerizing dance of passion and desire that ignites a fire within me. The low, feral growl that vibrates from his chest sends a shiver racing down my spine.
“Tell me I can have more.” His gaze drops to my hand where it grips his throbbing erection. His body is hard, unyielding, a sculpted masterpiece I can’t wait to explore. And he surrenders himself to my touch, letting me do just that. His eyes close momentarily as a tremor courses through his frame.
He rumbles again, and his hands skim over my body, possessive and adoring, from the waist up my back. And then they move to cup my wet, slippery breasts. His palms mold their shape, fingers teasing my hardened nipples, eliciting a throaty moan.
I lean into the caresses. “Liam.”