Page 71 of Soul Fated

I frowned, nipping at him. “Why?”

He clenched his jaw. “Showing you my weakness. Letting you see all of me.”

I straightened, cupping his face in my hands. “I don’t see any weakness. I love every part of you. Maybe that part best.”

Kael huffed a laugh. “Best?”

I grinned. “Second best?”

Kael slipped my underwear off, and I stood before him, completely exposed. I didn't feel an ounce of self-consciousness. Safe.

"Callista," he growled, and my wolf howled inside me. I reached out. Kael grabbed my hands, pulling me down onto the quilt with him.

He positioned himself over me, his body a cage of heat and muscle. Kael lowered himself, his lips brushing against my ear. "I want to hear you say it," he whispered, and his breath sent shivers down my spine.

"I want you, Kael. You’re mine. My mate." My voice was barely a whisper, but it was enough.

Kael's eyes darkened, and I gasped as our bodies melded into one. We moved in perfect sync, both of us reading the other like braille. I clung to him, my nails digging into his back, as color and heat swirled within me.

My wolf was wild, her energy crackling like electricity. She wanted to claim him, to mark him as ours. My heartbeat quickened, and I knew Kael could hear it. Could feel my pulse under his fingertips.

“I’ll take care of you. I’ll protect you, always.” His voice was rough as he sank his teeth into my shoulder, marking me his.

A wave of euphoria pulsed through me as our magic, our wolves connected, swirling into one. I returned the mark, biting the side of his neck with his pulse hot against my tongue.

“Kael—” I threw my head back, my body exploding in pleasure as I cried out into the night. Wave after wave crashed over me, my body convulsing with the intensity of it. Kael's grip on my hips tightened. He tensed above me, and then collapsed, his body slick with sweat.

For a moment, the world was silent except for the sound of our breathing. I gripped him, reveling in the weight of him before he rolled off me, pulling me into his arms. The night air was cool against my skin, but his body was a furnace, keeping me warm.

We lay there in silence, our bodies entwined. The steady beat of Kael's heart against my back was the most comforting sensation in the world.

Finally, Kael spoke. "Well, that was a first."

I laughed, the sound muffled against his chest. "What, you don't usually drag women off into the woods?"

Kael's chest rumbled with laughter. "Not usually, no."

I turned in his arms, my head resting on his shoulder. "Thank you," I whispered.

Kael's brow furrowed. "For what?"

"For making it perfect." I reached up, tracing the lines of his jaw with my fingers. "For making me feel wanted." We lay on the quilt, limbs tangled together, and stared up at the stars.

“I think your wolf is finally satisfied,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble in his chest.

I raised my head and grinned. “She’s been very patient, I’ll have you know.”

Kael chuckled. “Patient? That’s not the word I would’ve used.”

I kissed his shoulder, my skin buzzing. “Alphas. Always so stubborn.” I pushed up on my elbows. “You realize you do have a pack now.”

He raised an eyebrow. “A pack of two?”

I nodded. “I’ll follow you anywhere, Kael.”

He brushed a tendril of hair from my cheek. “What if I lead you astray?”

I turned my cheek into the palm of his hand. “Oh. I’m counting on it.”

---