They’d had too much fun shopping for lingerie. Having decided she wanted to ask Drew to imprint on her, she’d gone to Fredrica for an idea to help her make it memorable. When Fredrica had suggested lingerie to rival a new bride’s wedding undergarments, it had enthralled her. Together they had scoured two malls and three sex shops, looking for the perfect outfit. They filled the day with giggles as they tried on multiple outfits. Besides her outfit for tonight, she’d bought a corset, a wide selection of panties, and two new sex toys. Fredrica had walked out of the shops with a few bags of her own as well.
After their shopping excursion, they’d hit a salon for hair and makeup. Alyssa wasn’t sure if she and Drew would ever get married. Some mated couples seemed to, and others didn’t, but she was treating tonight exactly like her wedding night. Primped and polished, she was giddy with excitement and filled with nervous energy.
Standing before the mirror, she adjusted the ties on the side of the thong and fussed with the top. She’d selected a white two-piece lingerie set. The little silk bow at the back of the thong brushed against her skin as she shifted her breasts within the white see-through mesh top. It was a cute off-the-shoulder piece that looked like something a sexy milkmaid would wear. The tie on the top rested between her breasts, and she could see her nipples through the material.
She looked hot.
She bit her lip and tried not to giggle. Taking a deep breath, she slipped on the classic white pumps she’d bought before heading toward the stairs.
Tires on the gravel drive alerted her to Drew’s arrival. Hurrying as quickly as possible, she rushed down the stairs, careful not to trip. Her gaze darted to the fireplace, where the flames were growing. The heels clicked on the tiled floor as she retrieved the two wine glasses she’d poured before getting dressed. Moving to the couch, she leaned against it, striking a sexy pose.
When a car door slammed, she took a quick sip from one glass—liquid courage.
She pasted on a smile when the front door opened. Then she heard voices. Yes, more than one.
Shit!
The door shut and Drew and Callum both turned, stunned expressions on their faces.
“Oh my God!” she squealed, but holding two wine glasses left her with minimal options for covering herself. Scrambling, she set them down on the end table, and trying not to flash them her basically bare ass, she grabbed for the throw blanket on the back of the couch, using it to cover up.
Mortified, she could hear Callum laugh, but she couldn’t bring herself to raise her gaze. “Hell of a sendoff, Alyssa. Thanks!”
“Get outside, you fucker.”
She could just imagine Drew giving Callum a shove out the door.
Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Alyssa put her burning face into her hands, but she couldn’t stop the laughter. This was not how she’d planned on starting their night.
She was growing more accustomed to the nudity. Pack members were often naked before and after a hunt, even if for a brief few minutes. But being dolled up with her assets on display in such a sexual manner was entirely different from a midnight pack run.
Two minutes later, when Drew came back in, Alyssa still had the blanket across her body, but she’d relaxed against the couch and had finished half her glass of wine.
With a big smile, Drew removed his shoes and crossed the floor. “Callum was coming to say goodbye.”
“Yeah, I got that.” She took another long sip. “I’m so embarrassed.”
“Don’t be. Callum thinks I’m a lucky man.” Drew’s gaze ran down her body. “He’s not wrong.”
Alyssa didn’t say anything, but heat sprang to life.
“Is this for me?” Drew pointed to the wineglass on the table.
“Yes.”
Nodding, he picked it up and took a drink. His masculine hands, wrapped around such a fragile piece of drinkware reminded her of his fingers wrapped around her hips.
Drew’s finger slipped beneath the mesh sleeve of her top. His warm finger trailed along her arm. “Is this for me?”
“Yes,” she breathed.
He tugged on the blanket. Alyssa allowed it to slide out from between them. His gaze dropped, taking in her risqué outfit. His hand followed, cupping one breast and rubbing his thumb across the nipple.
Her breath caught as she arched into his touch.
“Fuck me, Alyssa.” Raw hunger lit his gaze when he looked at her. “What brought this on?”
“I wanted today to be special.”
His brow creased with confusion. “I’m not complaining, but what’s today? Did I forget about something?”
She shook her head. “It’s special because, well, it’s kind of like our wedding night.”
The crease deepened. With a little laugh, he asked, “What do you mean?”
Setting the wine glasses aside, she hesitated, swallowed, and then spoke. “I want you to imprint on me.”
For a moment, he didn’t react. His gaze flew across her face, searching for something, before he finally asked, “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I want this. I want you. I love you.”
She barely got the words out before his lips settled firmly over hers. He lifted her onto the back of the couch and stepped between her spread thighs. “Do you feel how hard you just made me?” He rubbed his cock against her. “This outfit is sexy. You’re sexy. But that you want me as badly as I want you? God, Alyssa!”
It was like she’d unleashed an animal. His touch was strong, his movements wild and full of need and passion. Each move he made, she matched. She removed his shirt and ran her fingernails down his back. He kissed her neck. She sucked on his collar, leaving a mark encircled by her red lipstick. He growled hotly in her ear. Her moan was porn-star-worthy.
They explored each other’s bodies on the back of the couch. With a slight tug, he pulled free the tie holding her panties. With his fingers, he brought her to orgasm twice. She dropped to her knees and worshiped his body with her mouth.
In the bedroom, he tugged off her top and shed his clothing. They lay intertwined on the bed, making each other crazy with tongues, fingers, lips, and hotly spoken words and promises of forever.
He entered her slowly at first, pulling all the way out before leisurely entering her again. He kept that pace until she begged for more. Soon, the mattress rocked against the headboard with each thrust. Above them, the Blood Moon painting banged slightly each time the bed hit the wall.
Drew’s body quivered above her. His arms shook. Her nails dug into his biceps. Her feet crossed at the base of his back, holding her in place for each stroke of his cock. Sweat fused them, yet neither one cared.
Shifting, he urged her legs onto his shoulders and plunged inside her. He was so deep and hard, and the angle was so incredible that her eyes nearly crossed. The pleasure was bordering on pain when suddenly, the sensations skyrocketed. She knew the moment he’d imprinted on her.
The sensations were so intense, she couldn’t hold on. She wasn’t sure where one orgasm ended, and the next began. She screamed in ecstasy as he roared out his release, his bellow likely rattling the windows.
Drew pulsed inside her, his seed claiming her, their scents mingling, their souls melding.
They were joined. Every ounce of her felt him.
She’d feel him tomorrow. And the next day. And every day after that.
They were a pair now and would face the future together.
He collapsed. His body covered hers, and for long moments, neither one moved. She wasn’t sure how long they stayed there, kissing tenderly and stroking each other with care. Tears had fallen from both their eyes.
When he finally heaved his weight off her, she wasn’t ready to give up his warmth. “You want a shower or just a quick clean up?”
Alyssa tore her gaze off his superb ass and grinned. “A full shower for two. Then I want food.”
“Mmm,” he murmured, bending to kiss her. “How about we order it now, so it’s here by the time we’re done?”
“Sounds like a plan.” Her words came out huskier than she’d planned. She couldn’t believe she got to keep this man all to herself.
An hour later, they were at the kitchen table, their plates full of lo mein, orange chicken, and egg rolls. As they ate, Alyssa noticed Drew was quieter than she’d expected. “What’s wrong?”
He glanced up from his plate. “Nothing.”
She pointed her fork toward him. “Don’t shut me out. Especially after tonight.”
“I’m not.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m really not. It’s just…I’m worried about Callum.”
After returning a few days ago, Callum had finished up some business at Master’s Grilling and planned out his trip. During their time at the spa, Fredrica had opened up about him leaving. She was worried about him, and after everything Drew had told her about Thatcher’s pack, it sounded like they all had good reason to worry.
“His cousin will keep him safe, right?” Alyssa believed Callum was capable, but this Thatcher character sounded like bad news. Elliot, Callum’s cousin, believed his father had died at the hands of the alpha, but they had passed it off as a hate crime committed by another pack. It was appalling to Alyssa when she’d learned that Thatcher’s pack was at war with a neighboring one. They fought for territory and caused all kinds of trouble for each other. A death at their hands apparently wouldn’t be all that strange. Yet Elliot and his family didn’t believe it.
“Elliot seems to think it’s safe enough for him there, but I don’t trust it. I don’t like him going up there. Especially not with their Curusm so close. I want him home before that damn thing happens.”
“Me too.” Alyssa shuddered as she thought about the mating ritual Drew had described to her.
They released naked females from a cave and allowed a group of males to chase them down a hill until the women were all claimed one by one. If a male caught her, he had the right to imprint on her. Apparently, nowadays, it was done safely and consensually. Alyssa still didn’t like the premise. The idea of being imprinted on surrounded by others was appalling. According to Drew, a few hundred years ago, they used to kidnap mortal women and force them to participate. During their rape, the male would bite and change them. It made Alyssa sick. According to Callum’s cousin, that sort of thing didn’t happen anymore. Nowadays, women chose and even wanted to be there.
Lack of choice in her life partner was not appealing to Alyssa, but she supposed these women were a product of the pack that had raised them, and each one likely believed that was the best fate for them.
That alone terrified Alyssa. Callum shouldn’t be surrounded by people like that. She completely understood Drew’s worry, yet she tried to put him at ease.
“Maybe he’s going there for a reason. Fate brought us together just when I needed you.” She hated to think what would have happened if Mitch had attacked her before she knew he was a shifter. “Maybe fate is at it again.”
He pushed around a hunk of chicken on his plate. “I hope so.”
Changing the subject, Alyssa said, “I know we moved all my stuff the other day, but I just wanted you to know that my lease with Zelda runs out next week. We officially live together. I hope you don’t mind.”
“I hope you don’t mind that you’re never allowed to leave.” He smiled. “Your nomad days are over. From now on, when you travel, we travel. When you move, we move. From now on, I’m your home.”
Tears shone in her eyes again, and her voice wobbled. “I’m finally home.”