Page 42 of King of Moon and Claws

"We now stand at a precipice," Bastian said slowly, his gaze steady on his subjects. "A chance to rebuild and shape a kingdom where peace prevails. A land built on respect for all lives, not just the ones we deem worthy. This is not only my task but all of ours."

Murmurs flowed among the crowd, glances exchanged, heads nodding in agreement. The thought of building a peaceful kingdom where everyone would be treated equally was appealing, albeit daunting. But it was a vision worth fighting for.

"And so, let us rise from this destruction," Bastian continued, lifting his sword high above his head. "Let us honor those who fell here today by building a legacy worthy of their sacrifice!"

A roar erupted from the crowd as they echoed Bastian's sentiment. It was a roar of promise and hope for a better future – a roar that echoed across the battlefield and into the heart of each living soul that heard it. Their journey would be long and arduous, but if they walked it together, they might yet see their desired future bloom on the horizon.

Bastian smiled and turned toward Elora, holding his hand out for her to take. She slipped her fingers into his, and he pulled her alongside him.

“I love you, Elora,” he said loud enough for the crowd to hear. “And because of you, so many lives were saved today. You are my true mate, the light of my life. Will you marry me?”

The crowd gasped, echoing the surprise mirrored in Elora's eyes. She stood there for a moment.

Through the pounding in his ears, he could hear the cautious silence of the crowd as they waited for her response. He felt himself changed, strong yet gentle features hardened by battle but softened by love. He hoped that, in his eyes, she saw not just a leader but also a partner.

There was an underlying murmur of hope rippling through the crowd, and finally, with a beaming smile that outshone even the midday sun, she responded.

"Yes," she said loudly and clearly. "Yes, I will."

An uproarious cheer erupted from them all as Bastian pulled her close and kissed her deeply, oblivious to the jubilant cries and applause of the people around them.

He picked her up, carrying her tenderly into the castle and their bedroom. Carefully, he stripped her clothing from her body so he could make love to her. The moment she was bare before him, his fingers made their way to her core where he toyed intimately with her.

She gasped at his touch, her body arching instinctively into him as she clung to him. Her hands wandered along his chest, tracing the lines of his muscles and the scars that marked his flesh.

His kiss was passionate yet gentle, exploratory yet familiar. She tasted like victory on his tongue, a promise of peace and love intertwined. His lips moved from hers to trail kisses along her neck and collarbone, eliciting small gasps and sighs from her.

Her response drove him on. He worshiped her body like a sacred shrine, reverent in his exploration, fervent in his desire.

Their intimacy was a dance, an unspoken conversation painted in soft caresses and whispered endearments. It was the culmination of their joint journey, one that had begun with conflict but ended with a union that bound them both.

Bastian loved her with an intensity that took his breath away. She was the woman who had stood by him through battles and betrayals, someone who believed in his vision for their future. She was the heart that matched his, beat for beat.

As he continued to admire and explore her, their breathing syncing like two halves of a harmonious melody. The room was filled with the intoxicating scent of their mingled desires, the soft rustle of silk sheets beneath them, and the muted echoes of their whispered words.

She traced his features with her fingers, from the curve of his lips to the strong line of his jaw. He paused for a moment, cupping her face between his hands as he looked deep into her eyes. "I love you," he said again, his voice a mere whisper in the quiet room. It was a declaration meant only for her ears, an offer of devotion that was both humble and absolute.

She echoed his sentiments with equal passion. “And I love you, Bastian. Always.”

A smile graced his lips at her response, and he leaned down to kiss her once again, sealing their words with a thrust deep inside her body.

A shudder of pleasure rippled through Elora as he pushed into her, their bodies entwining even more intimately. She whispered his name, the sound carrying myriad emotions. Love, desire, and an unbreakable bond that would soon be sealed with their union. Bastian responded with a groan, his heart hammering in rhythm with hers, echoing the passion building between them.

The world outside ceased to exist as they lost themselves in each other. Every stroke and every touch was a testament to their love, marking their bodies and souls as one. The night was filled with whispered promises and moans dripping with raw pleasure, whispering tales of a love that had weathered countless storms.

Their lovemaking was intense yet tender, each movement bringing them closer until the lines that separated them blurred. They moved as one, matching breath for breath, heartbeat for heartbeat, in a harmony so profound, it echoed through the silent room.

He moved within her with measured precision, marking the pace of their desire. The connection they shared was deeper than the physical. It was a fusion of souls, an intertwining of destinies. It hung in every whisper of his breath against her skin, every beat of his heart beneath her hand.

'“I want to mark you,” Bastian groaned against her neck.

“Then mark me, Bastian. I want you to. I want to be yours.”

His wolf howled with pleasure at her easy acceptance of such a serious act. Once he marked her, she would be his forever, and everyone who looked at her would know it. The way she agreed without hesitation made his heart soar.

Her hands gripped at the sheets below them, her back arching off the mattress as she tried to get closer. "Bastian," she breathed out, whispering his name like a plea and a prayer. He responded by quickening his pace, surrendering themselves to the rising tide of their pleasure.

Their bodies were slick with sweet sweat glistening under the moonlight trickling through the window. It bathed them in a soft glow as their shadows danced on the walls.

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