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A deafening silence follows, a heavy weight pressing down upon us all. I can sense the Elder's turmoil, the internal war between tradition and the shifting tides of a new era. For a long, breathless moment, the future hangs in the balance, teetering on the edge of his decision.
Finally, with a weary sigh that seems to age him a hundred years, Elder Thorne looks around the room. He sees the faces of the pack, the support and acceptance etched into their expressions, and gives a reluctant, but acknowledging nod of acceptance.
A collective exhalation ripples through the room, the tension bleeding away like a receding tide. I catch Marcus's eye. He offers me a subtle nod, a ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, and I know that no matter what challenges lie ahead, I will not face them alone.
My free hand finds the back of Jenna's neck, my fingers tangling in the silken strands of her hair as I guide her face toward mine. Our gazes lock, molten and searing, and the world around us seems to fall away until there's nothing left but the blazing connection between us.
"This is my choice," I rumble, the words meant only for her ears. "My heart. My life. And I choose you, Jenna Cooper, come what may."
Then, with the eyes of the entire pack bearing witness, I claim her lips in a searing kiss that sears away every last lingering doubt or insecurity. This is where I belong—by her side, our souls intertwined, for now and for all the days to come.
I am hers, and she is mine.
Always.
Chapter 11
Jenna
The night air is cool against my skin as Ryan carries me from the pack building, the sounds of celebration still echoing in my ears. My heart races, not just from the adrenaline of the moment, but from the anticipation of what's to come.
Hannah's laughter rings out behind us. "Don't do anything I wouldn't do!" she calls teasingly.
Ryan shoots her a wolfish grin over his shoulder. "No promises, little sister."
The playful jeers of the pack members fade into the background as Ryan's determined strides eat up the distance to the Thorne estate.
I can feel the raw power of his wolf beneath the surface, a vibration that hums through his body and into mine. His grip on me is firm yet gentle, and I can't help but marvel at the contrast between his strength and his tenderness. The path to the estate is lit by the soft glow of moonlight filtering through the trees, casting long shadows that dance across the grounds.
"Are you sure about this?" I murmur against the heated skin of his neck.
He turns his head, lips brushing my temple. "More sure than I've ever been about anything. You're it for me, Jenna."
We cross the threshold into the mansion, the door closing behind us with a resounding thud that seems to echo the finality of this night. My breath hitches as Ryan's gaze meets mine, the deep blue of his eyes darkened by the same voracious need that twists low in my belly.
"Mine," he growls, the word a possessive whisper that sends shivers cascading down my spine.
I tangle my fingers in the hair at the nape of his neck, holding his stare. "Yours," I breathe in response, offering myself to him completely.
He takes the stairs two at a time, his strength and urgency stirring a mixture of excitement and trepidation within me. "I can't wait any longer to make you mine, Jenna. I need you."
The alpha's suite is a blur of rich, dark wood and luxurious textiles, a space that screams power and control—qualities I've come to associate with Ryan himself.
Gently, he sets me down on the plush rug beside his massive bed, his hands lingering on my waist. The air between us is electric, charged with the promise of what's to come. Ryan's fingers trace the contours of my face, his touch tender yet unwavering.
"Jenna," he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that resonates deep within me. "If you want me forever, you've got me. I want to bond with you."
My heart stutters at the solemnity in his tone. "What does that mean?" I ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
His eyes lock onto mine, his expression earnest. "It means I'll need to bite you, to make it official. It's more than a promise—it's a binding of souls, a sacred bond that ties our essences together for eternity." His thumb brushes my lower lip. "Do you understand?"
A shiver of delight races down my spine as I realize the depth of his commitment. "I want to be with you forever too, Ryan. I love you more than I ever thought possible."
The words seem to shatter his control, and with a ferocity that leaves me breathless, he strips me of my clothes, his movements a blur of urgency and need. His eyes, now a vibrant amber, roam over my exposed skin with a hunger that takes my breath away. He's not just a man; he's a beast, driven by primal instincts that demand he claim me in every way possible.
Ryan's hands roam over my body, mapping every curve and hollow with possessive intent. His touch is a brand, searing me with its heat. He dips his head, his lips and tongue tracing a wet path from the hollow of my throat to the valley between my breasts. He lavishes attention on each peak, his mouth hot and insistent as he sucks and nips at the sensitive flesh. I arch into his touch, my body aching for more.
"You're so responsive," he groans against my skin, his voice a gravelly whisper that sends shivers down my spine. "I want to taste every inch of you, Jenna. I want my scent all over you so that every wolf in a hundred-mile radius knows who you belong to."
