The Alpha's Daydream ✔️

Chapter 12

I immediately get up to go see what he wants, grateful for the end to this somewhat uneventful evening.

"Ariella," he murmurs, leaning close and brushing his nose against my hair.

"How was the meeting? Did you learn much? Were you able to solve the problem?" the questions tumble from me as I look up at him with a racing heart. His features are so beautiful, especially in the flickering candle light of the hall lamps, and I can feel the power radiating from this Alpha wolf.

Malachi shakes his head regretfully, and my heart aches for him. I just want him to feel at ease, but it seems he is always weighed down with responsibility. Now I finally know why, since he is Alpha of such a large and industrious pack.

"Maybe I can help," I offer, whispering quietly in the deserted hall. "What is actually going on? You mentioned some of your wolves have been kil—"

"You don't need to worry about it," he gives another slight shake of his head.

It doesn't deter me, because maybe I'm more stubborn than I like to admit. "But I'm sure I could be of help—"

"Ariella."

My name is spoken quietly, yet almost with a growl. I clearly understand he is telling me to drop it, as if I have crossed a line I shouldn't have. My eyes drop under his intense gaze, and I try to calm my racing heart. Whatever is going on, he doesn't want me to know. "Alright, if you think it best that I'm not involved, I won't ask anymore," I say at length, giving him a small smile.

He doesn't respond, instead focusing his eyes straight ahead with impassive attention. With a hand on my waist, he nudges me up a staircase. Though I don't know where we're going and I am following him, Malachi walks behind me, guiding me down the hall. The carpet here is thick and plush, drowning the sound of our footsteps. The wall hangings here are more modern and simplistic, and his scent is stronger as if this is where he often treads.

Suddenly he pauses and lowers himself to a bench along the wall. When I move to sit beside him, he responds by tugging me swiftly into his lap.

"Malachi!" I can't help the giggle that escapes my lips.

"Hmm, Ariella," he murmurs, sending shivers down my spine as his warm breath touches my shoulder. He nuzzles my neck, causing my body to melt into his perfectly, as if it is made for his.

Because it is.

His hands wrap around my waist and dispel any thoughts I had of escaping, not that I would want to. Being here with him is exciting in a totally foreign way.

"Your scent is so amazing. Like...like blossoms of lavender," he remarks, burying his nose in my hair.

I turned around to face him. "Lavender? That happens to be one of my favourite flowers. And colour," I comment with a small smile.

Malachi's eyes fluttered closed for a brief moment, his lashes touching his cheek as he inhaled again. "And now it's mine." His movements are so graceful and thoughtful, yet I can sense somewhere beneath must lie a brooding and formidable wolf.

My assumption is confirmed when he roughly propels me from his lap, and I stand disoriented for a brief moment until his hands are on my hips again. His body presses against mine as he spins me around and pushes me back to the wall.

"What—?"

"Have you always wanted a mate?" he asks, looking deep into my eyes. His crystal blue gaze is relentless, leaving me gaping until I catch my breath.

I know my answer from the depths of my heart.

"Always."

"Then I'm so glad you're mine," Malachi whispers while his fingers twirl my hair in strands.

I can see him examining the colours in the tips that match my dress, and wonder if he likes it or thinks it childish. Suddenly, it matters to me. Everything about myself I'm second guessing, hoping he approves and deems me good enough for him. With each passing moment in his arms, I'm praying he wants me as his Luna to reign by his side. Could I ever be the woman an Alpha needs, to be strong and valiant, unselfish and caring?

My thoughts are scattered when I gaze at my mate. By looking in his eyes, I see they have darkened as they concentrate on my face. Malachi breathes in my scent again and slowly slides his hands up and down my bare arms. I am not cold, especially being this close to my mate, but the electricity between us is making me nervous. I don't know what I'd do if he tried to kiss me, since I always hoped my first kiss would be with the man I love, not immediately after meeting my mate. We may already know a little of each other from our previous encounters in the forest, but the Alpha male in front of me now is so much a stranger. It's like I have just met Malachi for the first time, and wondering what else he is keeping from me sends a warning in my mind to be careful.

I move my hands to his shoulders to push him away, but I grasp them instead, pulling him closer for some unexplainable reason. I'll blame it on the bond between us.
He lifts a hand to brush back my hair, then his finger traces a line from my jaw to my neck and down to my collarbone. I feel sparks from his touch, on every inch of skin that is subject to his perusal.

He applies pressure on one spot, just above my collarbone, just where his mark will go when we accept each other. The anticipation I feel has heat racing up my neck and flushing my face. I wonder if he too is thinking of what our future will hold. Does he want me as much I want him? The sudden thoughts I have make me turn my head in embarrassment. There is no way I should be thinking of passion and intimacy with this male I hardly know, even if he is my mate.

But then my entire body shivers in delight when Malachi's lips trail small kisses down my jaw. I didn't even notice how close he has leaned towards me, but I feel how his hand is pressing on my lower back, and the other on my neck, pulling me closer still to his warm body.

All thought and reason fly from my mind as I am lost in his presence, in the sensations his lips against my skin are giving. I can barely stand with my own strength, so instead I clutch his coat tightly and feel my heart beating so quickly against his. I don't think it can beat any faster, until I feel his teeth scrape my skin.

Then he sinks them into the soft flesh of my neck, and I nearly scream from the power that radiates into me from his bite.

Did any of you see that coming?!

Please share your thoughts! I love reading your comments, and my apologies if I don't reply to them all!

Thanks for reading,
KR 🌹