"That's none of your business, pup," Zion asserts before I can even speak, and I'm silently thankful. Standing in front of Jacob with the recent memory of what unfolded leaves me speechless.
Jacob shoots a narrowed look at Zion but wisely chooses not to engage further. He strides away, shooting a lingering glance in my direction before disappearing around the corner. I release a breath I didn't know I was holding, the tension slowly dissipating.
"You okay?" Zion's concern is palpable as he turns to me. I manage a nod in response."I got your text," he mentions a glint of amusement in his eyes. The text I sent during that unsettling moment suddenly resurfaces in my mind. "I'm guessing that weird feeling was probably him," he remarks, throwing subtle shade at Jacob that brings a smile to my face.
Zion takes my hand, leading me back to my room. "How's the party downstairs?" I try to shift the focus away from the recent encounter. "Pretty boring without me, I bet," I tease, enjoying his laughter echoing through the hallway.
"Quite dull, my love," he replies, his playful tone making me grin. As we walk, he brings up Jacob. "Do you still have feelings for him? Other than hate, of course." I shake my head, a reassuring smile playing on my lips. Clarifying any doubts in Zion's mind feels necessary after what happened.
"No, I don't. It's odd, though. When I woke up, besides my brothers, he was the only person I could recall. But strangely, I didn't feel the typical emotions of a rejected mate," I explain, and Zion listens intently. I reach out to touch the mark he gave me, causing goosebumps to rise on his skin. "I'm sure the rejection hurt," I add, noticing a wince on his face. "And maybe the new mark hurt too." Curiosity nudges me to ask, and he chuckles in response.
"It did hurt. A lot. I remember you screaming, my wolf and I struggling for control. The more you fought, the deeper he sank his teeth in. And then you marked me, in the wrong place, almost driving me to the edge, only for your wolf to reject my mark," he recounts, and I'm left stunned. His laughter bubbles up, and I struggle to comprehend the humor in the situation. "No need to fret. We came out of it just fine," he reassures, pulling me into a passionate kiss before I can articulate a response.
Oh, how I had longed for this moment. My hands instinctively reach for him, fingers threading through the small hairs on the nape of his neck. The texture beneath my touch makes him groan in approval, a sound that sends shivers down my spine. I press myself closer to him, surrendering to the magnetic pull between us, and he responds by slamming me against the hallway wall with a fervent intensity that leaves me breathless.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done that," he apologizes, momentarily breaking the connection. But I shake my head, a silent plea, and pull him back in for another kiss. His hands slip under my shirt, fingers tracing the curves of my waist, creating a symphony of tingles that erupt wherever his touch lingers. "If we continue, I won't be able to stop," he confesses, his voice laced with desire. "You have no idea how much I want you, and my wolf is dying to just have a taste of your skin." As his words hang in the air, a warm tongue glides over my neck, right where my mark is, eliciting a soft moan from deep within me. "So fucking delicious, my love," he murmurs, his lips finding mine once more. His kisses lack a proper rhythm, a deliberate chaos that makes it challenging for me to keep up. "Keep up, baby," he chuckles darkly, and I find myself gasping for air between the onslaught of kisses. In the midst of the passionate exchange, every fleeting moment is a delightful struggle."Jump," he commands, and without hesitation, I comply. He catches me effortlessly, his strength evident as my legs wrap around him. The urgency in his actions reveals his excitement for this connection, and I can't help but moan into his ear, the flames of desire consuming my body, wishing desperately that I were naked.The sensations and emotions intertwine, creating a symphony of pleasure and longing. Every touch, every whispered word, and every shared breath weave a tapestry of passion that I never want to end. In this moment, pressed against the wall with him, I find myself reveling in the intoxicating dance of desire and surrender.
A sudden wave of memory crashes over me, plunging me into a whirlwind of recollections. "Zion," I murmur, my voice distant as reality shifts around me. In an instant, I'm no longer in the hallway; instead, I find myself in a forest, sprinting toward the edge of a cliff. The rush of adrenaline courses through me, only to transition abruptly to another moment—I'm soaked, a girl straddling me in a very... intriguing position. The scenes flicker, the forest reappears, and I'm gazing at a distant castle. Then, there he is—Zion, locked in a kiss with another woman. The pang in my heart is palpable, each memory flashing by too swiftly, overwhelming me. My legs weaken, collapsing beneath me, as I hear Zion calling out, though I'm suddenly engulfed in a wintry landscape, grappling with a man in the snow. The chaotic snippets fade, and I'm back in the hallway, facing Zion. He looks worried, and my head spins as he holds me close, both of us sinking to the floor.
"What did you remember?" His concern is evident as he asks, and I draw in a deep breath, my head shaking slightly. I can only confess to remembering fragmented flashes, yet one remains vivid.
"Who was that woman you were kissing?" The question escapes my lips, and his expression shifts, puzzlement clouding his features until realization dawns.
"Kathryn—my fated—but I didn't kiss her," he clarifies. I push him away, my memory contradicting his words. "I understand, but it was Aega. Kathryn left the Royal Pack after rejecting me, she did come back upon discovering my status but now lives in a different pack. Aega, cunning as she is, manipulated your perception with a vision, leading you to run with the boys for an extended period. I searched everywhere for you. Gabriel aided your escape, bearing scars for it. That demon doesn't regret his involvement, leaving me torn between pride and concern," he chuckles, offering his hand to help me up. "Come, let's rest for the night. We have a demanding day ahead."
I shake my head, declining his suggestion. "If you have more questions, would you mind if I held you while I explain? After that intense moment, neither my wolf nor I wish to rest without you by our side. But if you prefer to be alone, we'll respect that and sleep outside your door." His comment strikes a chord, earning a chuckle from me. His earnestness, however, underlines his sincerity, prompting a deeper laughter.
I did have a multitude of questions swirling in my mind, but the allure of cuddling with him sounded irresistible. Perhaps, in the warm cocoon of his embrace, the pressing inquiries could momentarily wait. "Cuddling does sound pretty nice," I admit, my voice tinged with anticipation.
In response, he swiftly slams me against the wall once more, the force of his actions betraying a more intense desire. As his lips meet mine with a rough urgency, I sense a subtle difference, a nuance that hints this might not be Zion. The way he bites me, the hunger in his kisses— it's a playful ferocity that sets my heart racing. Giggling, I push him away, needing to confirm my suspicion. A glance into those full golden eyes dispels any doubt. It's not Zion; it's his wolf, and I welcome the electrifying energy that courses between us.
"Hello there," I tease, a mischievous glint in my eyes, "will you let me change into some sleeping attire?" Without waiting for an answer, I pepper his face with light kisses. He shakes his head in refusal, turning me around so that my back is pressed firmly against his front. A gasp escapes my lips, my arousal intensifying at the proximity. "Oh, yes," I murmur, biting my lip to suppress a moan as he continues his assault on my neck. His fingers entwine in my hair, granting him more access, and I revel in the pleasure coursing through my veins.
"If you don't stop, my neck will be full of marks for the coronation," I warn, a moan escaping as he presses harder, his hand finding its way to one of my breasts. The sensation elicits a sigh of pleasure, and a thought crosses my mind—I should trigger Zion's wolf more often.
"Baby, you really should give Zion control before we do something irrational, don't you think?" I suggest, prompting a whimper before I feel a sudden rush of wind and a loud thud. The warmth surrounding me vanishes, leaving my body feeling cold. I turn around to find Zion by the wall, breathing heavily. Concern tugs at my heart. "Are you okay?" I inquire, and he nods, the intensity of his golden eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.
"I'm sorry; I will control him better," Zion breathes out, still catching his breath. His gaze lingers on my neck and travels down, taking in the exposed skin where his wolf had playfully lifted my shirt, exploring further, his fingers having traced paths of warmth and anticipation. "Those look good on you," he grins, a mischievous sparkle in his eyes.
I roll my eyes, a playful retort on the tip of my tongue, but his gaze intensifies, and a chuckle escapes him. "He said that even though he's hurt that you asked him to give me control, he still wants to do this more often," Zion reveals, amusement dancing in his eyes. A hint of a blush colors my cheeks, and I turn away, deciding to walk towards his room.
"Whatever," I mutter under my breath, trying to feign nonchalance, but the corners of my lips betray a suppressed smile. Zion's laughter echoes in the hallway, a melodic sound that reverberates with warmth and affection. As we continue our banter, a sense of lightheartedness fills the air, dispelling any lingering tension. The playful exchange becomes a shared secret, a thread connecting us in the tapestry of our intimacy, and I find comfort in the familiarity of our connection.
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Fun fact: Your comments make me write faster because I feel like you guys are enjoying the story and it keeps me motivated.
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