Authors: Stacey Kennedy
“That’s right.” He nodded, appearing pleased I remembered the conversation. “That night I told him I would always protect you. Do anything in my power to see you happy and that it was my intention, when the time was right, to bond with you.” He smiled softly, his eyes shining in pure happiness. “I believe the time has come.”
Dear God, he was proposing. I wasn’t expecting this in the least. My heart blossomed. Happiness soared through my body and sent butterflies aflutter. Without hesitation, I grabbed the Guardian who stole every part of my heart and kissed his mouth in answer. He responded immediately with more emotion than I had ever felt from him. This wasn’t about heat or intensity—it was about the love that had evolved between us.
He released my mouth to run light, sweet kisses along my neck. “I’m taking that as a yes.” Amusement filled his voice as his lips created heaven along my skin.
I grasped the sides of his face, drawing his gaze to mine. “Kyden. You say those things, but the truth is those are my words you’re saying.”
His eyes glistened. All that we had been through, all that had gotten us to this point, made everything about this moment mean more than the world itself.
“Álainn,” he whispered before he captured my mouth with his once again.
With our lips connected, our hands worked quickly to remove our gear. Every part of me wanted—
needed
to feel him. To be connected. My body was warm from emotion and I was ready for him. This wasn’t about passion or about consuming each other with sultry needs, nor was it about arousal. It was the need to be together, be as close as we could to each other skin and skin.
Slowly, he laid me back, settled between my thighs as I widened them to accommodate him. He ran his hands along the sides of my head and entered me with the smoothest movement imaginable. I sighed at the perfection of it.
He stared adoringly into my eyes. With each long, slow stroke, our love blossomed deeper. There was nothing else—nothing in the world that mattered except us in that very moment.
Lovemaking at its finest.
Kyden’s eyes were deep and soft. I gazed deeply into them, seeing my future resting within their depths. We would have a life full of love, happiness and complete admiration for each other. How had I become so lucky?
He grasped my head tightly as his thrusts continued, long and slow, stroking so I felt all of him. So I understood just what it meant to be completely connected to him and how glorious it felt to be united. I reached up, cupped his face, and drew him closer to me. We faded away from existence, knowing only each other. We were bare, completely naked and hid nothing. We exposed every bit of ourselves that defined who we were.
His angle changed, and with it came waves of pleasure deepening my breath, and arching my hips toward him. He groaned deeply as my muscles clenched against him in the pure agony of my release. His speed never increased. His eyes never left mine as I moaned out our love, completely surrendered to the satisfaction rushing over me.
As the sensation grew, our souls captured each other in our building release. We never closed our eyes—never looked away as we both came together in nothing more than total trust in each other. We had belief in the wonderful prospect that was our life.
“Gods, do I love you.” Kyden breathed heavily, still gazing deeply into my eyes.
“Right back atcha.” I used Kyden’s famous line. He never was one to say the
words
. But it meant more because I knew when he said it, like moments like these, he felt it deep within him. He chuckled deeply as he rested his head against my neck. Everything was quiet around us as we took a moment to recover. Finally, I asked, “So, what exactly is bonding?”
He rose up, leaning on his forearms and stared down at me, a brow arched. “You have agreed to something you know nothing about?”
“I know it’s like marriage,” I shrugged. “I just wondered what you do exactly?”
“It is very much the same. There will be a ceremony similar to a wedding. The difference is the bonding will tie us together magically. It will deepen our bond.”
“Really?” What we shared was something I wasn’t even capable of dreaming up. “I can’t imagine it being much deeper than this.”
He brushed my hair off my face. “It is permanent in ways you cannot imagine. That is why you do not see many who have done it.”
That I had taken notice of. Only a few Guardian couples I had met were bonded. Even Talon and Zia, who seemed so perfect for each other, hadn’t taken the plunge. “Tell me then, why are so many hesitant?”
“We will belong to only each other. You will be unable to be apart from me without a sense of real loss. We will feel each other more deeply—know each other’s emotions.”
“You will feel what I feel?” I asked a little surprised.
“Indeed I will. It will be similar to your bond with Haven.” Then, he winked. “Just a little more intense.”
“Ha.” I laughed. “You’re in for it then. Look at what Haven goes through.” She was always on a constant roller-coaster ride with what I went through on a daily basis.
Kyden brushed his lips along mine. “It will be a moment of great peace for me to finally know all you feel. Trust me, Álainn, nothing will please me more.”
“We’ll just see about that.”
He obviously had no idea what a basket-case I could be.
With the blanket pulled high up to my chin, I snuggled into the pillow, wanting nothing more than to just stay in bed forever. Happiness swept through me as thoughts of my night with Kyden came rushing back. Leaving him last night was tough, but I made a promise to Rynn that I would be with her when she woke up. I wasn’t about to go back on my word.
Suddenly, I got the sinking suspicion that someone was watching me. I cracked open an eye to see Isla’s face very close to mine. I screamed, startled and bolted upright, causing Rynn to scream right along with me. “Jesus Isla, don’t do that!”
She laughed, thoroughly pleased. “Morning.”
I glanced over to Rynn, who looked a little ruffled. She started laughing and the sound relaxed me immediately. It was a nice sound to hear. “What are you doing in here?” I snapped at Isla.
“I have a message for you.” She smiled brightly.
A few moments passed as I waited for her to say more, but she just sat there smiling at me. “Okay. What’s the message?”
She handed me a piece of paper. I looked at it:
Zia told me about the bond. I’ve already started planning. There’s a full moon party tonight and you better make it. I miss you.
Love, Haven.
I missed her too, incredibly so. We’d never been away from each other this long before. “Do you mind if I come?” Isla asked.
“To the full moon party?” I questioned.
She nodded, happily.
“Are you up for a party?” I asked Rynn.
“What kind of party?” She was understandably hesitant.
Isla interjected. “It’s so fun. The Otherworld always puts on a big bash to celebrate the full moon. You’ll love it.” She bounced up and down on the bed. “Come on, we have to go.”
Rynn looked uncertain. I grabbed her hand and gave it a little squeeze, hoping it would comfort her. “It really is a good time and you could use a night of fun, right?”
She thought for a moment, then asked. “Will Briggs be going?”
So she was sensing something between them. It made me smile.
Isla laughed. “You think he’d go anywhere without you?” I shot Isla a look to keep her mouth shut. She didn’t take the hint. “You are his mate and all.”
I hissed, glaring at Isla. “That was not for you to tell her.”
Rynn appeared completely taken back. “I’m his what?” she squeaked.
I sighed and glared at Isla. “Time for you to go.”
She scowled, crossing her arms over her chest. “No way, I want to hear this.”
“Oh no.” I got out of bed, grabbed her arm, pulled her with me then pushed her out the door. “You’ve done enough. Let me talk to her.”
Just as we reached the door, Briggs appeared behind her. Confusion marred his charming face as he looked between us. “What’s happened?” he asked.
“She’s kicking me out,” Isla growled.
“Are you now?” Briggs laughed. “What have you done, Isla?”
“She told Rynn about being your mate,” I whispered.
Briggs laughter ceased immediately, tension filled him. “You…” He glared at Isla.
I gave her a shove and pushed her down the hall trying to save her from a serious thrashing. “Just go, Isla. I’ll see you later. We’ll go to the full moon party together.”
She smiled at me as she tried to keep her footing. “Great, I’m going shopping. I’ll get you something.” Thankfully, she left.
Briggs looked past me to Rynn. When I followed his gaze, she was wide-eyed and trembling a little.
“Shit,” Briggs exhaled.
“It’ll be alright. Let’s go explain it to her.” I took his hand, pulled him into the room.
We sat down on Rynn’s bed. Briggs rested at the end of it, keeping a good distance from her probably in hopes it would comfort her, while I sat next to Rynn.
“Mate…what…” Rynn’s words were as confused as the look on her face.
“I’d explain this to you, but I am a little lost myself.” I said in all honesty. “So, go on Briggs. Tell us how it works?”
With his gaze fixed on Rynn, he said. “I did not want this conversation to come about like this. Are you sure that you are up to hearing about this? I don’t want to rush you.”
“I…what.”
He gave her a soft smile, moved forward and took her hand. She stared at their joined hands, then met his eyes again. “Do you feel the connection between us?” he asked, his tone gentle.
She glanced back to their hands and sighed deeply. “I don’t know what I feel. I know that I feel safe with you and I do like it when you touch me.”
Briggs lightened at that, his eyes beamed. “Of course you would, darlin’. It’s because we share a deep bond. Our souls have found their counterpart.”
“So, you’re my future husband?” she exclaimed, obviously still in shock.
He laughed. “That is a human word. You’re my destined mate. As I am yours.”
“I don’t have a choice in the matter?” she snapped.
“You won’t want a choice. This is the way of the wolves. I’m your perfect mate. My role in your life will fulfill you completely. You will not need to look elsewhere because I’ll be everything you will need and want. As you are everything to me.”
“But I don’t know you.”
He gave her a soft smile and it spoke of a thousand words of rightness. “You do—your soul does. Do you not feel it?”
Unexpectedly, she reached out, trailed a finger lightly up his arm and the desire burning through him was undeniable. “I knew from the second I met you,” she whispered. “I wanted to do this to you.”
Okay, now this was awkward. This was such a private moment—one I shouldn’t be witnessing, but I didn’t want to get up and leave. I didn’t want to interrupt them, so I sat quietly, wanting to look away but unable to.
Briggs held both her hands, raised them up to his heart. “We do not need to rush this. I know your soul has been damaged and I will take my time to see that it is healed.”
Tears ran down her cheeks, her eyes flickering between pain and trust. “The weirdest part about all this is that I believe you.”
He wiped her tears away and smiled. “That is a good thing, darlin’.”
In a move that shocked the hell out of me and appeared to have the same effect on Briggs, she leaned forward, cupped his face and kissed him.
My eyes widened as they shared one of the deepest kisses I’d ever witnessed. Her entire body sank into him as he wrapped her in his safety. Their mouths worked perfectly as if they had kissed each other for a lifetime.
After a very long moment, she drew away. “Wow.”
Briggs looked ravished, as he ran his fingers along her neck. “Wow is right.”
They gazed deeply into each other’s eyes as tears fell down her face. I cried right along with her—seeing for the first time since she came here, her eyes held a little life in them—a little hope.
Briggs reached up, cupped her cheek and brushed his fingers down her cheek. “We will take our time with this.”
She smiled, and leaned into his hand.
Wolves were such amazing creatures. The bond they shared must be an intense one because since their kiss, Rynn instantly glowed with happiness. In less than ten minutes, Briggs got her to trust him, and after what she had been through that was pretty incredible. It was as if, in that very moment, she realized that she belonged with him—that he was her safety blanket.
Briggs eventually sighed. “I wish we could stay here, but the gathering has been called and we need to go.”
Tension instantly filled Rynn, her face tight with emotion. Briggs slowly reached for her. He was gentle, his movements slow, not wanting to scare her. It was obvious just how much control it took on his part. The desire in his eyes was fierce. When a wolf meets his mate there must be an immediate demand to immediately bond with them. But judging the way Briggs was being with her, you’d never know it.
“I’ll be with you,” he told her. “Let your fear go. I will never let harm come to you, darlin’.” Then, he cupped her face again. “Do you trust in that?”
She relaxed a little. “I do.”
“Let’s go then,” He kept her hand enclosed in his as they walked toward the door.
I sat there dumbfounded, taken aback a little at what I had just witnessed.
She glanced back at me. “You are coming, right Nexi?”
I gave my head a shake and jumped off the bed, attempted to pull myself together. “Of course! Sorry…that was…er…amazing.”
Briggs chuckled as he opened the bedroom door. “The bond that wolves share is a deep one. Once you open yourself to it, it cannot be denied.” His smile was sly. “Kyden told me you have accepted him.”
I smiled as I stepped through the door. “What can I say—loves in the air.”
As we headed down the hall, I noticed for the first time since meeting Rynn, that she wasn’t glued to my side. Briggs now held that role and the sight of it brought tears to my eyes. She was going to be okay.
Quickly, we were out of the house and Briggs led us around the back of Valor’s home to an open part of the valley. When I took in the scene, my eyes widened. It was filled to overflowing, with men and women—well wolves to be exact.
Kyden waited beside Valor. When he turned our way, his gaze immediately zeroed in on Briggs and Rynn’s joined hands. He glanced at me, his brow arched. I returned his look with a smile to answer his question, that yes, things better them were just as they should be. Happiness flashed across his face.
Valor looked too and immediately beamed, knowing just what had taken place.
“Holy cannoli,” I said to Kyden when I reached him. “The Utah pack is huge.”
He glanced out to the crowd, then back at me. “Many do stay within Valor’s protection. I’m sure you can understand why.”
Of course I could. Being protected by the top dog meant a whole bountiful of safety. “Oh, by the way, Haven sent me a message. Looks like Zia told her about our bonding and Haven has spread the word.” Kyden laughed at that. “I have a feeling she’s going to become our bonding planner.”
“I contacted Talon last night to tell him the news.” Then, he gave me a knowing look. “Would you expect any different from Haven?”
I shook my head fiercely. “Nope.” I looked back at Rynn, who appeared nervous to say the least. “What’s going to happen here?”
Apparently, Kyden didn’t feel the need to answer because he said nothing. All he did was give an outwards nod, which I followed. Valor approached Rynn, his hand held out, waiting for her to take it.
She glanced at Briggs who gave her a reassuring nod. “Go on,” he told her. “He is to be trusted. I will stay with you.”
Hesitantly, she placed her hand in Valor’s and he led her in front of the crowd with Briggs following close behind. The murmuring crowd instantly hushed. Rynn glanced back at me. I gave her a huge smile, hoping it would settle her. But really, I’d be just as scared as she was right about now.
“Welcome,” Valor’s voice poured through the night air. “Tonight we are here to recognize this young wolf as a member of our pack. Wolves accept Rynn,” he shouted.
Suddenly, as if Valor’s words had magical influence—they probably did—the entire crowd shifted, along with the wolves standing beside us.
I gasped, causing Kyden to chuckle beside me. Then, in complete unison, the wolves howled loudly. Rynn was tiny in comparison to Briggs and Valor beside her. Valor approached her and nudged her side. In complete understanding, she lay down in front of him and rolled onto her back.
He let out a low growl, with it came a rush of wind. I shivered in response, then something inside her changed—her entire body relaxed—settled. Valor immediately shifted, kneeling beside her, and whispered soft words to her. “Calm yourself, Rynn. Remember your form and return to yourself.”
Nothing happened, then Briggs sidled up and nudged her with his nose. She immediately responded, and shifted back to her sweet little human state. The other wolves followed suit.
“We are your home. We will protect you—always,” Valor declared. Then, he looked at Briggs. “Is it your wish to claim her?”
Briggs examined Rynn, his trouble features spoke of the battle going on in his mind. “I am unsure.”
Torment obviously ran through him. He was desperate to claim what was his but didn’t want to rush her. I thought it sweet.
Rynn stepped into his arms and he accepted her immediately, his arms wrapped around her tight as he glanced down at her. “I want it,” she whispered.
Again, I was a little astonished at how strong the bond between them was. To find out that destiny has given you a soul mate, then half an hour later, to be basically married—wowzers. If only all relationships were as easy. Many broken hearts and therapy appointments would be saved if humans had this luxury.
Briggs brushed Rynn’s hair away from her face. “Alright then, Valor. It is my wish to claim my mate.”
Loud applause came from the crowd and Rynn looked out, laughing. Valor was right about how the pack would help her overcome all she’d endured. The darkness that sat hard in her eyes lifted. All the hardships that had become her life, she wouldn’t have to face alone anymore. She had others to lean on—thousands of them.