AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Her voice grows stronger with each word. "You have no power over me anymore. If you ever come near me or Lucas again, if you ever try to threaten or intimidate me, I will not hesitate to report you. To the university, to the police, to anyone who will listen. Do you understand?"
Mark stares at her, shock evident on his face. For a moment, he looks like he might argue, but then his eyes flick to me, standing ready to intervene if necessary, and the fight seems to drain out of him.
"Yeah," he mutters, struggling to his feet. "I understand."
Sarah nods, then steps back, returning to my side. I wrap an arm around her, feeling the slight tremor in her body but also the strength in her stance.
"Now get out," I say, my voice low and dangerous. "And don't forget what Sarah said. This is your only warning."
Mark shuffles towards the door, casting one last venomous glance over his shoulder before disappearing into the night.
As the door closes behind him, Sarah lets out a shaky breath, leaning into me. I hold her close.
"I'm so proud of you," I murmur into her hair. "You were incredible."
She looks up at me, a small smile on her lips despite the tears in her eyes. "We were incredible," she corrects. "Together."
Chapter 11
Sarah
The door closes behind Mark with a soft click, and suddenly, the world seems to exhale. I lean into Lucas, my body trembling with a mixture of adrenaline and relief. His arms tighten around me, strong and secure, and I breathe in his familiar scent – pine and something uniquely him, now mingled with the musky odor of his wolf form.
"You're safe now," Lucas murmurs into my hair. "I've got you."
I nod against his chest, unable to form words just yet. The events of the past hour play through my mind in a chaotic whirl – Mark's intrusion, Lucas's arrival, the fierce battle between the two wolves, and finally, my own confrontation with Mark.
Lucas pulls back slightly, his eyes searching my face. There's worry etched in the lines of his forehead, a tension in his jaw that wasn't there before. "Sarah," he says softly, his voice rough with emotion, "I... I'm sorry if I frightened you. When I shifted, I—"
I cut him off, placing my hand on his cheek. "Lucas, no. You didn't frighten me." I take a deep breath, trying to organize my thoughts. "I was scared, yes, but not of you. Never of you. You make me feel safe."
The tension in his shoulders eases slightly, but doubt still lingers in his eyes. "But when you saw me as a wolf..."
"I saw you protecting me," I say firmly. "I saw the man I care about doing everything in his power to keep me safe. Your wolf form... it's part of you, Lucas. And I accept all of you."
He lets out a shaky breath, leaning his forehead against mine. "You're incredible, do you know that?"
I smile, feeling a warmth bloom in my chest. "I did just stand up to Mark, didn't I?"
Lucas chuckles, the sound rumbling through his chest. "You certainly did. You were so brave, so strong. I'm in awe of you, Sarah."
It's only then, in this moment of quiet intimacy, that I become acutely aware of Lucas's state. He's still naked from his shift, his body warm and solid against mine. The strong planes of his chest press against me. His arms encircle me, and I can feel the subtle flex of his biceps as he holds me close.
The heat radiating from him is almost palpable, seeping into my own body. And then I feel it – he's aroused. The hard evidence of his desire presses insistently against my hip, impossible to ignore. The realization sends a jolt of surprise through me, followed quickly by a wave of heat that pools low in my belly.
I pull back slightly. "Lucas?"
He meets my gaze steadily, his eyes dark with desire and concern. "It's a natural reaction for shifters," he explains, his voice low and soothing. "Especially after a fight where we've protected our mate. My body, my wolf... they both want to reaffirm our bond."
His hand comes up to cup my cheek, thumb gently stroking my skin. "But what I want doesn't matter right now. This is about you, Sarah. About what you need. If you're not comfortable, we don't have to—"
"Shh," I interrupt, placing a finger against his lips. His eyes darken further, a storm of desire raging within their depths. I drop my hand, replacing it with my lips, kissing him with all the pent-up fear, relief, and longing that's been simmering between us.
Lucas arms band around me like iron, pulling me impossibly closer. Our bodies align, and I can feel the evidence of his desire, hot and hard against my stomach. The ferocity of his kiss takes my breath away, but I meet him with equal fervor, my hands fisting in his hair.
With a growl that's more wolf than man, Lucas's hands find the hem of my shirt, pulling it up and over my head in one swift motion. His gaze rakes over my body, and I can feel myself flush under his intense scrutiny. My bra follows quickly, torn free by his impatient hands. His lips are on mine before I can even gasp, hungry and insistent.
My hands roam freely over the hard planes of Lucas's chest, the urgency of our connection making me bold. I slide my hand lower, my fingers brushing against the thick evidence of his desire.
