Alpha Jaxon came back after meeting with his father. He came straight to the spot where he told me to wait, behind the tall statue of the first Alpha King.
I stayed completely still, holding my breath. I hoped no one would see me. I didn't want my parents or that awful brother of mine, Cory, to find me here.
His eyes met mine, and a small smile formed on his lips. That smile made my chest flutter.
He didn't say a word. He reached out and took my hand, pulling me gently. We moved quickly down the hallway, laughing quietly like kids sneaking away from school. His fingers never left mine. They felt warm and strong, while I melted, feeling safe and excited as we pushed through two large doors and slipped into one of the royal guest rooms.
The door shut behind us with a soft click.
Jaxon turned to the guards and said in a calm but firm voice, "Leave us."
They didn't argue. They walked away and closed the doors, leaving us alone.
My heart beat faster. The air between us changed. It felt thick and warm, almost like electricity.
Jaxon walked closer. His eyes were deep and focused on me. There was a hunger in them, but also something softer. Something that made my heart ache in a way I didn't understand.
I swallowed hard as something burned inside me, low and steady. His eyes lit a fire in me, and I didn't know how to stop it.
I shivered, even though the room wasn't cold.
He was close now. I could smell him. He smelled like the forest after a storm, dark, smoky and wild. My body reacted before I could stop it. I leaned in, pulled by him like I had no choice.
Then he spoke in a deep, low voice.
"You feel it, don't you? That fire in your chest. That ache you can't explain. That's the bond calling you."
I looked at him with wide eyes. My lips parted. "What's happening to me?" I whispered.
He didn't answer right away. He searched my face, then slowly reached up and brushed his fingers across my cheek.
His touch sent heat rushing over my skin. I gasped.
My body moved on its own as a small whimper left my throat.
Jaxon moved in until his lips were just inches from mine.
I couldn't think clearly. My body ached in ways I didn't know it could. I wanted him. I needed him, right here and now.
"Touch me," I whispered. I didn't mean to say it, but the words slipped out.
I quickly covered my mouth, shocked by what I'd just said.
But Jaxon didn't laugh. He just leaned in closer and whispered, "You're shaking."
I shook my head, but he already knew. My hands were trembling.
Then he smiled and kissed me.
His mouth crashed into mine, hot and wild and full of need. There was nothing soft about it. It was hungry, like he had waited a long time for this.
I kissed him back just as hard. My hands slid up his shoulders and I gripped him tightly, holding on like he was the only thing keeping me grounded.
He picked me up easily. I wrapped my legs around his waist as my back hit the wall. I gasped.
His hips pressed into mine and my eyes rolled back from the feeling.
He pulled away just a little and said in a rough voice, "Tell me to stop."
I looked at him. My lips were swollen and my eyes wide, but I couldn't speak.
I didn't want him to stop. I shook my head.
He pressed his forehead against mine and whispered, "We can't do this here."
Then he carried me out of the room. His long strides were fast as he took me to his private chambers, past the guards who bowed and didn't dare question him.
When we reached his room, he kicked the door shut and gently placed me on the huge soft bed. The moment he looked at me, I knew I belonged to him.
He sat on the edge of the bed and slowly traced his fingers down my arm. His touch was light, teasing, like he was taking his time to remember every part of me.
"I've wanted you from the moment I saw you," he whispered. "I told myself to stay away, but I couldn't."
His words made my chest tighten. My heart raced faster.
He leaned down and kissed me again, slower this time, but deeper. His tongue moved with mine, pulling soft moans from my throat.
He touched me like I mattered, like I was precious. His hands slipped under my dress, brushing my thighs with slow circles that made my skin burn.
When his fingers found my underwear, he paused.
"Tell me again," he whispered. "Tell me you want this."
"I want this. I want you," I whispered back without fear.
His eyes darkened with need.
He slipped my underwear down my legs and tossed it aside. His hands moved gently over my skin as he laid me down on the bed, pressing kisses along my thighs, moving slowly up.
I gasped when his lips found the soft heat between my legs. His tongue moved in slow circles, tasting me, teasing me. His hands gripped my thighs, holding me in place as my body trembled.
"Jaxon," I breathed his name, my fingers tangling in his hair.
The sounds that came from me were loud and desperate. I didn't know I could feel like this.
My whole body tightened and then broke apart as waves of pleasure crashed over me. I cried out and shivered under his touch.
He kissed his way back up my body, his lips brushing my stomach, my chest, until he was face to face with me again.
He took off his shirt, his muscles were hard and perfect, but his eyes were soft for me.
"I'll take care of you," he whispered as he pressed his hips against mine.
I felt him, hard and thick, rubbing against me. It made my body burn all over again.
He pushed inside me slowly, giving me time to adjust. The stretch burned at first, but then it turned into something sweeter, something I never wanted to end.
His lips found mine again as he began to move, slow and deep.
He whispered soft words in my ear.
"I'll never leave you. You'll be my Luna. You'll always be mine."
I clung to him, believing every word.
His pace quickened. His hips met mine in deep, hard strokes that made me see stars.
My nails dug into his back as I moaned his name over and over again nonstop.
He filled me completely, like he was made for me.
I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him deeper, wanting more, needing more.
"You're mine," he growled in my ear, his voice full of need.
"Yes," I cried out. "I'm yours."
His hand moved to my breast, his thumb brushing over my sensitive nipple. It sent more sparks through me, making my body arch into his touch.
His kisses were messy now, desperate. His thrusts were rougher, faster, as we both chased the edge.
"I'm close," I gasped, my voice breaking.
"Come for me," he ordered, his voice thick and full of power.
His words tipped me over. I came undone beneath him, crying out as waves of pleasure ripped through me.
He followed with a deep groan, his body shaking as he spilled inside me.
His hips stilled, but he didn't pull away. He stayed inside me like he belonged there.
He kissed my forehead, my cheeks, my lips, like I was the most precious thing he had ever touched.
"I'll always be by your side," he whispered. "You'll never be alone again."
I smiled weakly, feeling safe in his arms.
For the first time in my life, I didn't feel small. I didn't feel like I had to fight to survive.
I felt wanted and felt loved.
I pressed my face to his chest and listened to his heartbeat as it slowly calmed.
'Now, I don't have to suffer anymore. Not in this pack. Not under my family's violence.' I said to myself in my head, as a huge smile plastered across my face, as I soon drifted off to sleep after that.