Chapter 146: Chapter 40

COLE

Ian decided to return to our pack right away to await Dara’s return. Derrick and I returned to our mates to find them laughing while drinking milkshakes.

Lexi saw us first and greeted me with a smile. I sat beside her and pressed my nose to her neck, inhaling her beautiful floral scent.

“It was that bad, huh?” Ang commented. Derrick had his nose in her neck as well.

“We no longer have a prisoner. The Goddess decided to take her.” He answered.

Lexi cuddled in closer to me.

“Is my sister treating you all right?” I asked, but I already knew she was.

“Just fine. Angie was telling me all about her girls. We’re going to meet them at Derrick’s parents’ house.”

She offered me her milkshake and I took a few drinks.

“Thank you,” I told her and kissed her temple.

Derrick started choking and Ang was laughing her ass off.

“Seriously? A pickle juice and peanut butter milkshake?” Lexi and I joined in on the laughter.

Annabelle and Elizabeth are such beautiful little girls. My nieces are five and two. Ang only had to go through two heats.

Ellie took five before she got her first pup. I hope Lexi doesn’t have to go through many before we’re… I let out a breath. I have to wake her wolf first.

Goddess, that’s still a problem. I looked at Lexi’s wolf and watched her as she slept. She stirred momentarily, but like a tired pup, went right back to sleep.

“What has you brooding?” Ang asked.

“I’m trying to figure out how to wake her wolf. I explained the situation while at the diner earlier.”

“Have you tried commanding her?”

“Twice. I’m at a loss. The Goddess told me that only my wolf is strong enough to wake her, but my command did nothing. I don’t know what else to do.”

“I suggest just let nature take its course. Problems have a way of working themselves out.”

I looked to my sister as she rubbed her tummy. Goddess, I wanted to see Lexi rubbing her belly while filled with my offspring.

Lexi laughed as she tickled little Betsy. I couldn’t hold back my smile at the thought of my own little princesses running around.

Lexi and I stayed for dinner, and we were joined by Damon and Natalie. They seemed relieved to know that Sarah was gone.

Lexi is such a treasure that everyone loves her instantly. She’s my perfect partner. I can’t believe I had any doubt.

Lexi fits me just right. Everything is easy and natural with her. Maybe my sister is right. Maybe her wolf will wake naturally. I can only hope.

“You’re very quiet tonight,” Lexi told me in the truck on the way back to our territory.

I glanced over at her.

“I’m sorry, love. I’m just thinking.”

She reached over to place her hand on my thigh.

“What about?”

“You,” I told her with a smile.

“What about?”

I held her hand, keeping it on my leg.

“Your wolf. But mostly I was thinking about how I feel when I’m with you. How I feel completely comfortable and everything makes sense. I love you, Lexi.”

She gasped, and I looked at her to see her biting her lip. I reached over to pull it free. She blushed, then took my hand.

“I love you too, Cole,” she softly whispered.

“Cole, will you be traveling again soon?”

“I don’t have to go anywhere right away. We can spend some time together. Lexi, I have a question for you. I know you just moved down here, but do you still want your own place?” I stole a glance. “Because I would love for you to live with me.”

She took a moment to think it over.

“Um… I’m not ready for that yet, but will you stay with me tonight?”

I nodded.

“Of course.” Her eyes lit up, even in the darkness. Goddess, she’s beautiful.

She tapped my leg.

“Watch the road. You may heal ridiculously fast, but I do not.”

***

LEXI

I’m exhausted. I’ve been traveling for what feels like forever. I haven’t even slept in my own bed since moving, and this whole world opened up for me.

I just need rest and Cole by my side. I’m still so happy about my home; it’s perfect. I can’t wait to curl up in my bed with my mate.

I’m still pretty scarred from watching him burn, just like my mom’s lifeless body. Goddess, I was scared he would burn to ashes right in front of me.

I’m so glad Dara showed up when she did. I will forever be grateful to her. I was shocked when Cole rejected her. I didn’t know what was going on. Dad had to explain everything.

Cole pulled up to my little cottage and helped me down from the truck. I took a minute to stretch, then we headed inside.

It’s my home, but I have no clue where anything is. I looked around for my towels and toiletries, but I didn’t have to look hard. Everything was where I would put it.

“Cole, do you want a shower?” I called out. His hands wrapped around my waist from behind. I startled, not knowing he was right behind me.

“How are you so huge, but still silent?”

He chuckled as he planted soft kisses on my neck.

“I’m a wolf, love. Yes, I would like to take a shower. You go ahead, I’ll wait.”

I bit my lip, then turned around in his arms. He pulled my lip from my teeth.

“We could take one together.”

Cole grumbled deeply, then picked me up and threw me over his shoulder caveman style. I giggled and smacked his back.

“You’re such a beast.” He growled to emphasize my point, making me laugh even harder.

He turned the water on before setting me back to my feet. He looked in my eyes as he pulled his shirt up and over his head.

He kissed my forehead, which was perfectly aligned with his lips. He then checked the water.

“It’s warm.” He turned back around. “Are you sure?”

I took a quick moment, then nodded. I pulled my own shirt over my head and dropped it to the floor.

“I’m sure.”

Cole stepped forward, pulling my body against his.

“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, his gaze piercing straight into my soul.

His hands caressed my back and arms, sending little chills and shivers throughout my body.

I felt completely and utterly safe in his embrace. He’s so gentle and natural with me that I feel like I’ve known him forever.

I guess that’s part of our mate bond, but I’m certain there’s more to it.

I inhaled his scent, which seemed to have become stronger, more heady, and more comforting. Cole is my mate, and I’m beginning to understand what that actually means. He belongs to me and no one else; mind, body, and soul.

His body belongs to me and mine to him.

I reach behind my back to remove my bra, my eyes never leaving his. I slide the silky material from between our bodies. My breasts press against his upper abdomen.

I grip his elbows while he continues to hold me.

“I’ve never showered with anyone before,” I notify him.

Cole’s lips turn up into his sexy smirk.

“I haven’t either. I’m almost as inexperienced as you are.”

His hand holds my cheek.

“You’re it for me, Lexi. There’s no one but you. I’ve known it for a while. I’m sorry for dragging things out for so long. I was just trying to be fair.”

I nod.

“I know it, Cole. Now you’re mine.”

He leans forward and presses his lips to mine. I reach out to unbuckle his pants then push them down his legs while our mouths are still locked together.

My fingers trace his legs back up to pull down his underwear, but there are none.

I feel my face growing hot and I swallow nervously. My hands go back to his arms. I’m not sure how, but Cole can feel my trepidation.

He looks questioningly at my face.

“I, um... I didn’t know you weren’t wearing any...”

“Werewolf, Lexi. It’s easier when we shift.”

I bite my lip nervously. He pulls my lip from my teeth. The scent in the room slightly changes and I find it quite intoxicating.

“Nudity is fairly common too,” he comments, and the new scent intensifies.

“I gathered that the first time you shifted in front of me.”

I close my eyes and let out a breath. I open my eyes to Cole’s silver orbs. His eyes hold no judgment, no pressure. He’s waiting for me.

“This life is so different, but I’m not afraid. I trust you, Cole.”

Cole takes my waistband and pushes my pants down my legs, and I step out. He runs his fingers under the waistband of my panties.

I nod, and he pushes them down my thighs. I’m nervous, but this is what I asked for. I take a step back to allow him to see my body.

He looks over me admiringly. Then I drop my eyes to trace his body. Good Goddess above, he’s a beast. His body is completely solid, including his manhood which stands erect, and I can pinpoint the scent.

I look back up to his eyes and he softly smiles. He motions toward the shower, allowing me in first. I step under the water and sigh. The heat is perfect and my muscles relax instantly.

I douse my hair while Cole steps in behind me.

“Turn around, love. Let me take care of you.”

I do as requested and turn to face the water. Cole begins to lather my hair. His fingers massage my scalp and I close my eyes with a hum.

He washes himself as I rinse. He then takes care to apply the conditioner. He lathers up his sponge and begins to wash me with such gentleness and care.

He gets to his knees to wash my legs and the scent of the body wash is overpowered by my arousal. Cole’s chest rumbles a sound of pure delight. He visibly sniffs the air with his eyes closed.

Normally I would be embarrassed, but I’m not. I want him to crave me as I crave him.

The combination of the steam and my desires causes my breathing to become labored. Cole runs his nose ever so gently along my slit. My fingers knot into his hair. I’ve never felt so needy, so wild in my life.

“Goddess, Cole. Please touch me.”

Cole looks up at me with desire in his eyes.

“I can’t, my magnolia. I’m barely holding myself back. Once I touch you, I won’t be able to stop.”

This wasn’t the plan, but I can’t think of anything else I want more.

“Don’t hold back.”

Cole growls deep and low. He holds my hips as he guides me under the water. His nose continues to sniff my arousal. My head lulls back. Then Cole stands under the water.

He grabs a towel to pat us both dry, then lifts me up. My legs wrap around his waist and his erection rubs against me as he carries me to my bed.

Cole’s nose goes back to my slit, then his tongue takes over. He switches between licking and sucking. My mouth drops open and a whimper escapes my throat. I’ve never made a sound like that before.

Cole’s eyes snap to mine and I’m not sure, but I think I see a soft blue tint on his forehead in the shape of a crescent.

Cole growls and the rumble causes me to shudder from the sensation. My toes curl and I feel a soft growl deep within my diaphragm.

Cole’s eyes are intense as he crawls up the bed over my body. The blue tint is still there. I touch my finger lightly to the faint mark.

“You can see it?” he asks in awe.

I nod.

“Barely. It looks like a crescent.”

“Yes. I’m looking at your wolf. She opened her eyes.”

I gasp.

“She’s awake?”

He shakes his head.

“No. It’s like looking at a newborn. She opened her eyes, but was too tired to stay awake. I think I know what to do.”