Page 59 of Shadowed Bond

He smirks faintly. “Think you’re going to need a little help,” he says before grabbing me from behind my thighs and hoisting me against him. My heart hammers as my bare pussy presses against his waist, but I instantly lock my arms and legs around him, my eyes flickering to his neck, which is in perfect reach now.

“Mark me, Princess, let’s see how this feels once we’ve completed the bond fully…” he murmurs. I’m far too aware of his body against mine, his hands now holding my buttocks firmly.

I nod as I cup the side of his face, and he willingly leans into my palm with that expression on his face that is silently asking me what’s taking so long.

Slowly I lean in, my canines coming out, and I place a soft kiss on his neck before I sink my teeth into his flesh, marking him.

A low guttural sound escapes him, his hands tightening on me as the bond fully becomes one, our motions flooding through one another, and suddenly I feel complete, not even realising what I was missing until this moment.

Him.

My mate.

Ares.

We have marked one another, and I can’t help but smile, utterly satiated. But it seems he has other plans, because he tugs my head back and claims my lips in a deep, hungry kiss, one that sends pleasure dancing through me, the sparks sizzling like live wires.

This – this is home.

Back Home

Ares

The following morning, by the time we’re dressed and ready to leave, I’ve already answered three messages from my pack, ignored two from Carter because whatever he wants is probably stupid, and told my Beta that if grown wolves can’t settle an argument over patrol routes without their Alpha there, then I’ll come back and make the schedule worse for everyone.

That shut them up – for about two minutes.

Being Alpha is still fucking boring.

Being Alpha with a mate standing in front of me, fastening her bracelet, is far more ideal. Seems like Royce had her stuff sent for her because she’s all dressed up, looking gorgeous in a white dress. She looks entirely unaware that she’s become the centre of my world – in a very distracting way.

Looking at her now, I’m glad to see the colour is back in her cheeks, her hair falling neatly over her shoulders, with that same insane volume only she somehow manages, and that composed Arden air back in place as if she wasn’t in the hospital just yesterday.

I like how she looks, but I think I prefer her in my shirt a little more. That’s the version I love the most, as she belongs in my clothes like it’s the most natural thing ever, unguarded, and relaxed.

She looks up at me, raises an eyebrow, and I realise I was staring.

“You’re staring,” she states the obvious.

“I’m checking if you’re steady enough to travel,” I lie.

“Clearly,” she replies, amused. We both know I’m chatting shit, and surprisingly she doesn’t call me out on it. Then she walks past me and pauses. “So, shall we head home, or do you want to spend another hour checking me out?”

Her eyes flick up to mine, full of that dangerous confidence that probably makes half the world either want to kneel or run.

I take it back; obviously she’s not going to let it slide. This is Charlotte Arden; she fucking lives to humble me.

“I could spend another hour checking you out, but it seems like I run a pack of fucking toddlers,” I growl, snaking my arm around her waist and pulling her close.

That gets a smile out of her. I’m not sure if it’s what I said or if it’s because I pulled her close, but either way, I’ll take it.

“I am the future Luna of the Blue Moon Pack. I’ll help you manage the toddlers.”

I stare down at her, just thinking of someone to help handle that shit… It feels… great.

Future Luna.

“Let’s head back and make you Luna ASAP then, because that sounds fucking great,” I say quietly, leaning down and placing a light kiss on her forehead. She tilts her head up, and I close the gap between our lips and kiss her deeply.