Amazing. Wren was amazing. Completely and utterly amazing. And she was absolutely meant to be my mate. The surge between us while she worked her gift was incredible, as was the way our bond had deepened over only a few days once we gave in little by little to the undeniable attraction we shared.
I lay beside her in our tent listening to her even breathing. My mind was racing thinking over everything that had happened that had led me to that spot.
The Shadows had been far worse than James had described. I tried to push off those memories, but they came surging back.
I noticed Wren’s shadow first. At first it looked only as a shadow. Dark, off to the side of her, but then it seemed to materialize into something solid, an entity of its own. I was my wolf so my vision was strong yet narrow. I started to lunge for it—this shadow that was going after Wren, but something had me around the neck. Choking me. I fought against it, almost free, when it tightened further.
The ground started to shake. I struggled to keep my eyes open as my shadow choked me more, at least I assumed it was my own. The choking subsided some and my eyes were more fully open and they found Wren—her hands outstretched toward the sky with my bow at her feet—standing right in front of a hazy line. The shadows were gone.
And I understood. Immediately, even as my wolf, what had happened. I shifted back to my human form and moved to comfort Wren.
“Frost?” Her eyes were still closed.
“Yes, love. I’m here.”
“Did all of that really happen?”
“You mean you are opening a chasm and saving all of us from the Dwellers?” I still struggled to understand how she’d known how to do that. But High Fae always had a gift.
“Yes. That’s what I meant.” She rested her head on my chest.
“Then, yes. It happened.” I pulled her more tightly into my arms. “You were incredible.”
She lifted her head. “Why is everyone so sure it was me?”
“You mean other than the fact that you were standing right at the line with your hands up and shaking?”
“Yes. That may all have been circumstantial.” She put her head down again. “And what about what James said? About me being behind all the other chasms?”
“Ignore what he said. It doesn’t really matter. We know you can do it, and we work from there.” I’d been thinking over his statement as well, but I couldn’t fathom how she’d opened chasms without knowing she was doing it.
“But I have a duty to protect our people. And that means protecting them from me.”
“They don’t need to be protected from you.” I cupped her face with my hand. “None of this is your fault.”
“You truly believe that?” Her voice quivered.
“Have I told you lately that I love you?”
Her expression relaxed, and she snuggled into me. “It has been a few hours.”
“And was everything else last night real?” She ran a hand down my chest.
A totally different sort of memory flooded back. Naked skin. Kisses. And possibilities I couldn’t wait to explore.
“Yes. That was real.” So real. And amazing.
“I’m ready now.”
“Are you sure?” I’d assured her I understood why she hadn’t wanted to have sex. Because sex for us would be something else entirely. Something out of body. We both knew I’d claim her as my mate. Now that the pull had gotten as strong as it did, there would be no way to stop myself.
“Yes. I love you. Why wait? Why wait when I also know the strength it’s going to give us in our fight?”
“But I don’t want to do this for the wrong reasons. I don’t want to do this out of fear.” I never wanted her to regret anything, even if I knew it was the right decision.
She rolled over onto her side so she could look into my eyes. “This isn’t out of fear. It’s out of love and desire.” She brushed her lips against mine.
“And I have lots of both of those for you.” I kissed her. Hard. Possessive. Carnal. I let my hands slide down her body, exploring her breasts, teasing her nipples, and continuing down until a hand slid between her legs. She opened her legs at the same time she opened her mouth to give me access.
Her moans urged me on, and I delivered, needing to give her pleasure.
“Frost, now. Please.” Her voice was full of need and desire.
So I made her wait. I continued to pleasure her, my lips lighting nipping at her neck as a tease.
“Frost!” This time it was a demand, and I knew when enough was enough.
I moved above her. “I love you, Wren.”
“I love you, Frost.”
I thrust into her, letting the incredible feeling of being inside her surge through me. Her arms wrapped around my neck pulling me down to kiss her. I gave in, kissing her until I needed more control. I pinned her hands above her head. I kissed her breasts as I continued to move inside her. I waited until I knew we were both close to release before I bit down on her neck, claiming her as my mate. Forever.
She cried out both in pain and pleasure and closed her eyes. I licked the wound, sealing it up, and taking the pain away.
She moaned happily and opened her eyes. “Hello, my mate.”
“Hello to you.” I kissed her before rolling over to lay beside her.
“I know we need to go back out there and find a way back home and make sure the Dwellers aren’t wrecking damage somewhere else.”
“Yes, yes we do.”
“But for now… for now, can you just hold me?”
I’d never heard Wren so vulnerable before, and I was grateful this was a wish I could easily grant. “Of course.” I pulled her into my arms. “I will always be here to hold you. Forever.”