Chapter 27: The Next Step

ANDREI

I am sitting on the floor, grinning like a fool, watching the beautiful woman in front of me sit up. As she swings her legs over the side of the gurney, I quickly get up and move between her knees. My hands fall to her sides, effectively trapping her.

I lean in, burying my face in her neck, inhaling her scent—wildflowers and rain. She smells like nature itself. I can’t help but smile as I pull away, rubbing my nose against hers.

Her green eyes lock with mine, her hand reaching up to gently touch my face.

“Are you feeling better?” she asks, her voice soft, her eyes filled with concern.

“I’m definitely feeling better. I’ve never felt this alive, my love,” I reply, running my tongue over her lips, nipping them gently. “I need to taste you. I haven’t felt this way about a woman in centuries! The desire is burning in my chest. The blood in my veins feels powerful. I have a great lust for you, my love. A need to keep you by my side for eternity.”

Slowly, I wrap my arms around her, pulling her closer. My arousal is evident, pressing into her leg. I haven’t felt this way in…forever!

Desire, want, lust, need—all crashing into me with a force I don’t recognize. And I know it is because of this woman! I want to keep her! Taste her! Make love to her!

I want a lifetime with her. To protect and guard her. I would kill for her, and the beast within me wants these things as well. I recognize her as my mate.

Her small hands rest on my hips, pressing into her core. Her heat against my hips tells me she is feeling the lust as well.

“My love,” my voice is husky. “I need you.” I run my nose along her jawline, feeling her shiver. “I need to claim you, my love. Make you mine. Will you agree to be mine?” I breathe her in.

“Yes!” she gasps. “I want that very much, Andrei. I have since I first sensed you were my mate.”

From that moment, all I can think about is making this woman mine. I scoop her up, holding her against me. My arms hold her body flush with mine.

My lips on hers, devouring her! Her taste is so pure and innocent. I am quickly becoming addicted to her flavor. She wraps her arms around my neck, pulling me closer.

I am all over her! My hands roam freely over her body. I am desperately trying to remove her clothes. She is also tugging at my shirt.

Soon, our clothes are discarded on the floor. She wraps her legs around my waist, and I press her up against the same wall I had earlier.

Her arms wrap around my neck and my hands at her firm breasts. I caress her and kiss her, and my arousal throbs with need. Precum dripping off the end and slipping against her.

This creates added moisture to slide my arousal against her core. She rubs herself against me, her breaths rapid. Her eyes dilated and lustful.

“Andrei!” she gasps. “If you don’t make your next move and claim me, I will impale myself on you and take what I want! Do you hear me?” Her eyes gleam into mine. “Now!”

I position myself at her entrance and push my way into her body. I still as I realize she is a virgin. I look at her in shock.

She moves against me, pushing herself up into me, her arms tightening. “Please, Andrei! Move!” she pleads.

That…that spurs me into action. She is so tight! So delicious and wet. I slide up into her and pull back. Then ram back in.

Thrusting my hips and sinking my teeth into the side of her neck. Her blood floods my mouth as she climaxes. She screams my name and then her teeth bite into me.

Claiming me as hers. I keep thrusting until my climax stutters my movements. Never! Never have I felt this passion, this…thrill!

Never have I felt this connection to anyone! Only her! She is my only! Slowly, I set her back down on her feet and kiss her.

Then she rests her head against my chest and wraps her arms around my body, holding me close.

“Next time we do that we use a bed!” she chuckles. “My back is a little sore from the rough wall.”

I lean away from her. I push her hair away from her face and tuck it behind her ear.

“My apologies, my love. You are, without a doubt, the greatest gift the Goddesses could give me. I pledge my life to you. Always to protect and care for you. To stay by your side and keep you. I solemnly swear to always love you. My bite won’t leave a mate mark as yours does, but it is here in my soul that you are my only love.”

“Andrei, I don’t need an outward show of your love. Just you being beside me is answer enough. For always.”

“I will never leave you,” I promise, kissing her again. Her eyes close on the promise.

We step apart and start to gather our torn clothing. My pants are still wearable, but my shirt is in shreds.

She giggles when she picks up her jeans and shirt. They look as though she had shifted while wearing them. I watch as her eyes blank and realize she is linking to someone.

I give her a quizzical look.

“I asked my mother to bring me a robe. We need to go to the packhouse and start forming our next move against your brother. As long as you are keeping your aura low, he will continue to believe you are dead.

“Keeping you secret in the packhouse will be difficult, but not unheard of. You will stay in my room until we decide what to do, and when.

“Only certain people know you are alive. People we trust wholeheartedly. Walking around outside will be a no-go for now. We have many who are here, and we don’t know if any have been compromised. So, for now, you are stuck with me in my suite.”

I gather her into my arms. “Being stuck could be fun, my love.” I grin as I hear the door to the crypt being opened.