Page 38 of Hunter's Moon

Tharion began to move, each thrust slow and deliberate. He stared into my eyes, his gaze filled with such love and tenderness that it made my heart ache.

The pleasure built gradually, a rising tide that threatened to sweep me away. Tharion’s movements remained measured, each touch calculated to bring me maximum pleasure.

“You’re everything to me,” Tharion murmured, his voice strained with effort. “My mate, my love, my life.”

His words pushed me closer to the edge. I clung to him, my nails digging into his shoulders. “Tharion,” I begged. “I’m so close.”

He increased his pace slightly, his hand sliding between our bodies. “Let go, my love,” he urged. “I’ve got you.”

The pleasure crested, washing over me in waves. I cried out Tharion’s name, my body shaking in his arms. As I came down from my high, Tharion’s movements became more urgent.

“Lina,” he growled, his voice thick with need. “I need you. Are you ready?”

I nodded, tilting my head to expose my neck. “Yes,” I breathed. “Please, do it now, Tharion.”

With a low growl, Tharion buried his face in the crook of my neck. The sharp sting of his teeth pierced my skin, followed by a rush of warmth that spread through my body.

A wave of dizziness washed over me. The world began to spin, colors blurring into a kaleidoscope. My last conscious thought was of Tharion’s arms holding me tight as darkness claimed me.

When I opened my eyes, everything had changed. The world was sharper, brighter, more vivid than I’d ever seen before. And I felt... different.

Powerful. New.

Tharion lay next to me, the warmth of his smile the same as it had ever been.

I reached for Tharion, my fingers tracing the contours of his face. As I did, a flash of green caught my eye. I froze, staring at my arm in wonder. Delicate swirls of emerald now decorated my skin, intricate patterns that matched Tharion’s own markings perfectly.

“Tharion,” I breathed, my voice filled with awe. “Look.”

He took my arm gently, a smile spreading across his face as he examined the new markings. His thumb traced one of the swirls, and I hissed at his touch, like sparks dancing along my skin.

“Beautiful,” he murmured. “Just like you.”

A giddy sound bubbled up from deep within me. “Flatterer,” I teased, but I couldn’t keep the smile off my face.

As I admired the new markings, a thought occurred to me. “Tharion,” I wondered aloud. “How long do you think we have before Dr. Heylarth clears things up back in Adtera?”

Tharion’s pulled me closer. His eyes met mine, a mischievous glint in their depths. “I hope it’s a long, long time.”

I raised an eyebrow at him. “Oh? And why’s that?”

He grinned, showing off those sharp canines that had so recently claimed me as his. “Because,” he said, leaning in to nuzzle my neck, “I’m not ready to share you with the rest of the galaxy just yet.”

EPILOGUE: LINA

Inestled closer to Tharion, reveling in the warmth of his body against mine. His fingers traced the new emerald swirls that marked me as his mate. The thought still sent a thrill through me.

“So,” I murmured, “where to now? The whole galaxy’s open to us.”

Tharion’s chest rumbled with a low chuckle. “Well, we could visit Inion. It’s a gas giant with floating cities. Or maybe Neiomrim, a bioluminescent jungle world.”

I hummed, considering.

He ran a lock of my hair through his fingers. “Or if you want something less exotic, we can visit Thodos III. There are quite a few Vinduthi there.”

I tilted my head to look up at him. “More Vinduthi? I think I have enough with just you.”

Tharion laughed, the sound warming me from the inside out. “Is that so?”

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