Chapter Twenty-Eight

Emily asked the maid to not announce her presence. Instead, she slipped off her shoes and padded silently to William’s study. It had been a month since she’d last seen him. Almost two, since the incident in London.

She wished she could say that her days in Bath had been filled with happy walks by the sea, good meals and rest. Sadly, they hadn’t. Every day had been a painful excursion into her own mind and soul. She’d spent a month in solitude, thinking. Her thoughts were, in majority, unpleasant. Emily had nightmares about the incident in London, about the wolves, about being a shifter. She had trouble coping with the knowledge that such beings existed. That there were humans out there who could run so fast they could become invisible among the multitude. Who could be so strong they could crush a man’s windpipe with their bare hands. That her husband was one of them.

It was too much for her. She needed peace, quiet, to have her life restored to normal. At least, that’s what she told herself every day. Yet, with each passing day Emily could do naught but think of William. She missed him. For a while, she attempted to lie to herself, but it was impossible. She replayed their conversation in her head, their moments of intimacy. She missed his boisterous outbursts of laughter. She missed his hard-headedness. She missed his calm reassurance. She missed his touch. She missed his scent. She missed looking into his eyes and feeling butterflies dance in her belly.

She missed and she ached.

Emily slept, she bathed, she walked, she breathed, and always there was an ache in her chest, as if something important was missing. It was almost as if someone had reached deep inside her and taken something, leaving her empty and worn.

She argued with herself. She was finally free. Free of her parents’ rule. Free of her husband’s demands. She didn’t have to give explanations to anyone. She no longer cared. She was a prisoner in her own mind and as the days went by, she realized that she’d only been truly free with William. He let her speak her mind more than her parents ever had, he listened to her and he spoke with her. He let her be her own person without taking insult. He gave her wings when she needed them. He let her run from his side even if, perhaps, he wanted her to stay. Perhaps. That was her greatest fear: that he no longer wanted her or that he never had wanted her. He didn’t ask her to stay at his side. He let her leave without a word, giving her access to whatever she wished. Then again, she knew that William was selfless.

Emily paused at the door to his study. It was open. Her heart beat wildly and her legs shook. She wasn’t sure he was in there, but something told her that he was. Taking in a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and entered.

The sight of him stilled her. She crossed her arms over her chest and bit her bottom lip. He had his back to her. His large hands were laced tightly together at his lower back as he stared out the window. The soft glow of the moonlight bathed him in its white light, making the streaks of red in his hair stand out.

Her heart squeezed in anguish. She wanted him to turn around, but he didn’t move. He seemed lost in thought. Lost. Forlorn. Like a shadow or a ghost … an unearthly being that hoped for life and freedom but found none.

She trembled from head to toe as she moved further into the room. She had missed him, unbearably so. She missed his voice. She missed his laughter. Her heart skipped a beat remembering that sound: Boisterous and full of joy, would she ever be able to hear him laugh again. The month and a half she had spent away from him had been close to torture. More than once she thought about returning, but she didn’t dare. Until now. The questions were still there: What if he didn’t love her anymore? What if he’d never really loved her? Could she accept his true nature? Could she accept becoming one of them?

She could. She would. For William, she’d do anything. She recalled Mercy’s words to her before she left: Succumbing to the love and happiness that you feel, becoming one of us, will allow you to be free, Emily.

Freedom. Being with William was freedom. It was passion, it was laughter, it was anger … it was love. It was a wide array of emotions that she could not feel otherwise.

She stopped a few steps behind him. He still hadn’t moved or acknowledged her presence. What if he didn’t love her? What if their separation had broken them apart forever? Maybe, she wasn’t truly his soul mate. Maybe, there had been a mistake. Maybe—

She started as his soft, deep voice reached her ears.

“It’s a full moon tonight.”

Silence filled the room again as neither of them moved or spoke.

“Seasons come and seasons go but the moon is always there,” William said so quietly she was forced to cock her head and inch closer. Still he did not react to her presence.

“The moon is magical to us. We are not certain of the reason, for the truth was lost many centuries ago, but on nights like these we feel stronger, healthier, ready to stand any challenge.”

Emily cringed. He didn’t need to speak the words, as she could tell by his demeanor that he did not feel that way.

“There’s a legend.” He shrugged.

“Tell me,” Emily whispered.

William was silent for so long she thought he had not heard her or he refused to share his tale with her. Desperation clawed at her chest. She took another step toward him.

“There was once a shifter by the name of Taikei. He was a human by day and a wolf by night. How he came to be is unknown. He was blessed. He had everything a man could wish for and everything a wolf could wish for. Yet, he was unhappy. As a man, he felt that there was something missing in his life. As a wolf, the solitude was even more excruciating.

He had no pack for he knew no other wolves and though nature was a good companion, it was not enough. Men were good companions during the day as well, but it was not enough. Specifically, during the night. It was then that Taikei would shift into his animal form and roam the land, thinking. Every night he’d run to the highest peak he’d find, and there he would sit and contemplate on his solitude.”

Emily held her breath, waiting for him to continue.

“Gradually, the loneliness poisoned him. Humans were not good enough and neither was nature. He ran through the wild, he drank from the freshest streams, he saw the brightest skies and yet, it was never enough. At night, desperation would settle in his soul. He’d climb up his hill and cry. His howls were heard far and wide. A cry for help, a cry of solitude and misery. He was drowning in his own sorrow.”

Emily chewed on her lips, holding back the urge to cry. She understood Taikei. She understood that desolate loneliness and craving for another.

“The moon spirit, Eliasan, heard his frantic howls and decided to help him. She’d known Taikei since he was a pup and had born witness to his ongoing seclusion. One night, she came down to earth in her human form. At her side, a young woman walked. This is Ayalasan, she told Taikei. She is my child and she will be your wife. Ecstatic, the wolf thanked the moon. His howls and cries turned into ones of happiness and love. His joy was short-lived. Ayalasan was not like him. Ayalasan was human and could not run with him as a wolf. Ayalasan could not see the world at night as he saw it. Taikei the man loved Ayalasan, but Taikei the wolf was once again alone.”

Emily waited. William unclasped his hands and dropped them to his side. He stared at the moon, like Taikei. Alone. Arming herself with valor, Emily closed the distance between them. She stood at his side hoping, her heart in her mouth, for him to acknowledge her. He didn’t have to hold her, or kiss her or—she just wanted a glance from his dark eyes, something that confirmed that he still cared. He did nothing.

“William.” His name tumbled out of her mouth in a strangled whisper.

“Every night, the wolf cried, begging Eliasan to help him. Finally, the moon took pity on him and descended onto earth once more. The wolf explained his plight. He had a heart, but only during the day for his love could not run with him through the trees, she could not hide in the fields, or hunt. His animal was desperate in his loneliness. A wolf was not meant to be alone. The moon thought long and hard about how to solve the problem, until, finally she came to a solution. The next day, Teikei did as Eliasan requested. He took his wife to the top of his favorite hill. There, he seduced her. As the couple lay, their bodies entwined, Eliasan shone brightly, bathing them in her white glow. As she did, Teikei bit into his Ayalasan’s shoulder.”

“She—?”

“Ayalasan became wolf with Teikei. They were no longer alone. They were one and the same, and every night they sang their thanks to the moon.”

“William.” Tentatively, Emily brushed her fingertips against his. His fingers were cold. “You’re not alone.” She slid her hand into his larger one. She closed her eyes as William’s hand curled over hers firmly. Warmth traveled across her body mingling with silent rapture. He wasn’t pulling away. No, he was squeezing her hand tightly. Tears burned behind her lashes. Her flesh blazed as William rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand.

“I missed you,” she said, her voice catching with emotion. William’s grip tightened. She felt him move and turn his body toward her. Emily opened her eyes. William’s gaze was pinned on hers. Sad, guarded. She hid her shock at his haggard appearance. He looked exhausted. Paler than usual, dark shadows danced under his eyes and lines of exhaustion marred his features. Her soul wilted and her heart wept. Was she the cause of his sadness? Like Teikei howling to the moon because of his desperate solitude, she had brought William to his knees. A silent tear rolled down her cheek.

“You’re not alone,” she choked out. Her fingertips trembled as she ran them over his jaw. He was warm and familiar. She cupped his cheeks. William closed his eyes and leaned into her touch. “Not anymore, never again.”

The tears she’d been holding back slid down her cheeks. Her heart slammed against her chest, not with fear as she’d suspected but with bliss. She’d spoken the truth. Unless he sent her away, she would never leave him again. She would stay and sing to the moon with him forever.

“Are you sure?” His eyes bore into hers.

She saw hope in their amber sparks, but also the fear and pain she’d made him go through.

“Yes.”

She cried out, startled when William pulled her into a tight embrace. His scent filled her nostrils. Wild, musky, and unforgettable. Home. The scent of happiness. She wrapped her arms around him and leaned her head against his chest. His heart beat as frantically as hers.

For long minutes, neither of them moved or spoke. They held each other as they should have done months ago, as she’d make sure they always did. Slowly, William pulled back.

“Don’t cry anymore, my love.”

He brushed away her tears with the pad of his thumb and smiled. New light shone in his eyes. She smiled. The yellow in his eyes stood out against the light of the moon. They were beautiful.

“Come.”

William took her hand and led her to their bedroom. Her body warmed with pleasure. He wanted her. However, when they arrived he did not go to the bed as she’d hoped. Instead, he moved a tapestry aside revealing a secret door. She raised her eyebrows and almost cried again when William’s laughter filled the room. It was just as she remembered.

“Come.”

Leading her by the hand, they walked through a dark tunnel out into the fields. Emily took in a deep breath, the crisp night air invigorating her. Her bare feet curled over the soft, wet grass. William grinned.

“Come.”

They walked in silence across the moonlit fields. Neither of them spoke. Perhaps, because they were afraid words would ruin the moment, or simply because words were not necessary. They reached the forest and continued walking. A small scattering of trees soon became thick woodlands. Moonlight danced through the leaves, inviting the night creatures to come out and play. An owl hooted its greetings, fireflies sprung from branch to branch. The forest was alive at night. Emily took in a deep breath. She smiled, realizing that William’s scent, which she loved so much, was the same as the nature surrounding them. Wild, musky, alive.

They began to climb. At the top, the trees cleared. Emily gasped. They stood above a cliff, staring down into woodlands that reached as far as the eye could see. Moonlight bathed it all in a warm white glow.

“This is why I bought this property,” William said.

“It’s amazing.”

Emily shivered slightly as a soft breeze traveled through her. Awe coursed through her as if a fairy had stopped to dust them with magic. Slowly, William turned her so that she was facing him. Speechless, Emily looked at him. How could she have been such a fool?

He pulled her closer. Emily closed her eyes, sighing happily as he touched his lips to hers. Her heart thumped with excitement. Her body responded as it always did near him. He drew her closer. Emily threw her arms around his neck. Pinpricks of desire traveled across her. She’d ached inside and out, missing something. Him. It had always been him. One touch of his and she was alive again.

Liquid rushed to her core. Her nipples hardened. William gently touched his lips to hers again and she whimpered. More, she wanted so much more. She slid her hands across his chest before circling his neck and bringing him closer. Emily brushed her tongue across his lips and William groaned. She coaxed his mouth open, tangling her tongue with his in a dance that was older than the earth on which they stood. William drew her closer, his erection hard against her belly. His kisses turned passionate, all tenderness vanishing and becoming fervent.

“William.” She repeated his name over and over again. She filled her lungs with it, savored it in her mouth. “William.” she cradled his face and ran a hand across his chest at the same time.

“Say it,” William urged. He pressed his cheek to hers, the heat of his body like a gentle caress. “Let me hear what your kisses have always told me,” he whispered, urgency undeniable in his voice.

“I love you,” Emily admitted. She loved him. Whatever ache had remained in her chest vanished completely. Her heart filled with emotion she could hardly put into words. For her there was no other and there never would be. William had forced her mind into marriage, but her heart had gone willingly. She pulled back and gazed into his yellow-flecked eyes and repeated the only words she knew: “I love you.”

“And I love you, Emily,” William said, leaning in to smile against her lips. He nipped at her bottom lip, drawing a gasp from her. His tongue invaded her mouth, tangling with her tongue like the wind caressed the trees, making their leaves scramble and mingle into one. She was lost, lost to the kiss that bade her to surrender when it didn’t need to. She was ready to surrender to William, ready to be fully his.

“Make me yours, William.” She dragged her hands through his hair, bringing him down to her mouth again and kissing him until they had to part to breathe.

“Are you sure? There’s no going back.”

“Make me free,” she urged. “Make me so that I can sing to the moon and praise her. Make me so that you are never alone at night.”

William crushed her against him so she could feel the hard testimony of his arousal. Emily moaned.

“I’ve missed you.” She peppered kisses on his face. Oh, to be able to touch him again. “I’ve missed you so much.”

William groaned. The palms of his large hands ran down her back in an intimate caress that invited much more.

“And I you, my love. I kept waiting for you to come back, hoping that my senses had not deceived me. Hoping and wishing that after London you still loved me and you could forgive me.”

He closed his eyes, but she’d already seen the flash of pain. Emily hugged him. She rested her head on his chest and placed her hand over his heart.

“I never stopped loving you, William.” She sighed. “I was angry and scared and confused, but even as I asked you to let me go, I loved you. I was too frightened and worried to see it. I was terrified that I’d given you my heart and you didn’t reciprocate, that it had all been an illusion, that…”

William caressed her back and kissed the top of her head.

“I didn’t want to get hurt and I thought that loving you would hurt.” Emily chuckled. “Being without you all this time hurt.” She tilted her head to look at him fully in the face. “I’ve not only missed you, I’ve ached for you. I spent my days trying to forget. Trying to forget what happened in London, trying to forget you, but all I could think about was you. There was this pain inside of me, this emptiness. I couldn’t get rid of it.” She sighed. “Then I thought about you, I thought about us being together again and the ache eased, and I knew, I knew I had to come back. I had to be with you, because with you the storm in my heart would rest.”

William captured her lips in a desperate kiss. His hands strayed to the stays of her dress, hurriedly undoing them. The piece of clothing was cast aside. Emily undid the buttons of his vest, helping him shrug it off. Her dress slipped from her shoulders to the floor just as his shirt went over his head.

With little hesitation she reached for him, pressing her palm on his chest. So hard, so soft. She closed her eyes and ran her hand over the muscled flesh, tracing every ridge and scar. She kissed the sore spots, sucked the hard points of his nipples. William groaned. He pulled out the pins of her hair, causing it to tumble to her shoulders. Emily licked her way downwards, tasting the saltiness of his flesh. She rested on her knees. Eagerly, she fumbled with his breeches until she finally pulled out his manhood. She glanced at his face. William stared at her, his lips set in a thin line.

“You shouldn’t bite your lips,” she admonished.

His mouth parted, surprised, and she took advantage of the moment to kiss the head of his cock.

“So good.”

William growled. She cried out with laughter as he pushed her back onto the forest floor. Her mirth quickly evaporated as he parted her legs and started kissing his way upwards. Emily squirmed beneath his attention.

“Stay still, Emily.”

“You can’t make me.” She clapped her hand over her mouth, surprised at her outburst. William chuckled. His eyes gleamed as he took her hands and held them over her head. Emily arched beneath him.

“We’ll see about that.”

William moved further up her body. The persistent throbbing between her legs increased its pace. She spread her legs wider as William pushed a finger into her. His digit slid in and out creating a delicious friction that did little to alleviate the growing need inside. Another finger joined the first and Emily cried out in pleasure.

“More!”

William chuckled. He glanced at her. His scar was drawn taut and Emily reached to touch him, running her finger across the puckered flesh. William closed his eyes, letting out a strangled groan. He leaned in to kiss her, softly. Gently, he peppered kisses across her neck, down her chest and over her bare stomach. Emily undulated beneath him, searching for the elusive organ that pressed between her legs, teasing her and bringing no immediate satisfaction.

“William,” she groaned.

William licked her puckered nipple in response to her protest. Her body bowed. Laughing, he licked the nipple in a circle before drawing the nub into his mouth, suckling softly. Emily thrust her breasts at him, silently pleading him to take more. He responded, sucking deeply while massaging her other breast in firm circles. Emily moaned. She curled her legs around his ankles. William took hold of her other nipple. Emily cursed. Her body thrashed as it desperately sought more.

“William.”

Finally, he nudged her legs open wider and slid into her. They groaned in unison.

“Wonderful,” she gasped. She lifted her hips, urging him to fill her more. William pulled back and entered in a firm thrust. Emily mewled.

“You feel exquisite, love.”

They rocked together like a ship in a storm at sea. Passionate. Unbridled. Wild. Slowly, she climbed to the peak of her own particular mountain. Her eyes widened. The moon smiled down at her.

“Bite me.”

William brushed her damp hair from her face.

“Bite me.”

She ground her hips against his pelvis and dug her nails into his broad shoulders.

“Do it.”

Her orgasm crashed over her as William finally sank his teeth into her flesh. She screamed.