The sounds of twigs snapping and my guttural panting were the only things I could hear.
The scent grew stronger with every step I took, and my wolf grew excited. "He is coming."
My feet skidded against the dirt, as I ca to a halt. A man stood a few feet away, his grey eyes already locked on mine. His chest rose and fell like he couldn’t breathe. His hands were clenched at his sides. His jaw tightened. But his eyes... gods, his eyes... looked at like I was the only thing he’d ever needed.
’Master.’ I muttered in my head. But I didn’t know if it was because of the pull or the pain, but I couldn’t concentrate, even my wolf was fighting to take control.
"That is our mate!" My wolf whimpered inside my head.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The world faded, the trees, the chirping of the insects, the music, the noise, all of it disappeared. There was only him and .
My legs almost gave out, and my body reacted before my mind could catch up. My skin tingled, and my chest ached with anticipation. I felt like I’d been waiting for this exact mont without even knowing it... or maybe I did.
His scent hit again, stronger this ti, flooding my lungs. It cald the storm inside and soothed the pain that had been clawing through just minutes ago.
"Mate." We both said at the sa ti.
His eyes road my face like he was trying to make sense of what he was seeing. Like he wasn’t sure if I was real or just sothing he’d imagined a thousand tis in his dreams.
My lips parted, but no words ca out. My throat was dry, my chest tight. Warmth spread across my chest, tugging toward him like gravity had flipped.
His fingers twitched slightly at his sides, like he wanted to reach for but didn’t know how. A low sound escaped his throat, half-growl, and half-breath.
A breeze swept through the trees, brushing my skin. I shivered. Not from cold, but from the way the air carried his scent, pine, damp earth, and that dark, bitter sweetness that made my stomach twist.
My wolf whimpered again.
But my feet were frozen to the ground. I wanted to step forward. I wanted to close the space between us. But all I could do was look at him like a fool, my heart pounding so hard it drowned out every other sound.
His eyes dropped to my lips, then to my neck, and then back to my eyes. There was sothing wild in his expression.
Suddenly, he walked hastily towards , as if he were afraid I might disappear.
"It is you?" his hands cupped my jaws, and a deep growl of approval rumbled from his chest.
The mont his skin touched mine, I felt a jolt rushing up my spine.
I whimpered at his touch. Then all of a sudden, his lips claid mine in a frenzied way.
His tongue intertwined with mine, and heat pooled in my lower abdon. My body ached forward, pressing my chest against his bare chest.
His arms wrapped around like I was his salvation.
He pulled away, leaving a whimpering ss. "Mine." He growled deeply in my ears. "You are mine!"
His lips brushed over my neck. I bared my neck for him. My nails dug into his shoulders... All I could think of was for him to mark and make his.
"Mark ." I whimpered.
He growled in approval. His tongue brushed over the place he had bitten before. I shivered in his embrace, his warmth, his scent made snuggle more into his embrace.
His teeth grazed that exact spot, sending a maddening sensation down my spine.
He pulled back, his eyes darkened to the darkest shades of grey I have ever seen.
"How did you escape my guards?" He tilted his head.
"Are you... really going to ask about that now?" I dug my nails deeper into him.
"No... Ember... you are driving crazy. I want to make you mine." he growled in between his breaths.
"Then make yours."
He inhaled deeply as if he was battling with himself. I can see the hesitation in his eyes. "I never thought I would have a second mate... again." His voice was low and hoarse.
"Is that a good thing or a bad one?"
"A mix of both," he muttered under his breath.
A yelp escaped my lips when he suddenly carried in his arms.
"Where are you taking to?"
"A place... I can mate with you."
His growl made my wolf whimper in submission and anticipation. I should have been scared but all I wanted... was him.
The mont Damon stepped back into the clearing with in his arms, everything stopped.
The music, the chatter, the clinking of glasses, it all just... died.
Dozens of eyes snapped in our direction. The Elders, guests, warriors, Betas, and even ogas froze mid-step. It was like soone had paused ti, and we were the only ones moving.
His hold on tightened like he was afraid soone might try to rip away.
I curled into him instinctively, burying my face against his shoulder. I could feel my heart pounding. I didn’t even know what to do with myself. Every step he took felt louder than the last.
Allison stood near the center of the gathering, her injured hand pressed against her chest. Her dress was stained with blood, and her eyes were red and swollen. The rage in her face made my stomach twist.
She looked like she wanted to rip apart.
’Why is he bringing here? I thought he said he was bringing to a place to mate? Why is everyone looking at with disgust?’ I panicked.
Damon kept walking like she didn’t exist, like none of them mattered.
When we reached the center, he finally stopped. His eyes scanned every face in the hall, including those of the elders.
"This is my mate," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.
My head skittered in my chest, and I turned to look at him. ’Did he just announce it to the world? Does this an he chose over Alpha Allison? A few hours ago he had locked inside his room... and now he is declaring as his to the world? So... this is the power of the mate pull... it just feels too good to be true."
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