Page 21 of Mated By Midnight

Elijah set a relentless rhythm. Celine’s body responded with an eagerness that matched his fervor. Each powerful thrust sent ripples of pleasure through her core, which was alreadypulsing rapidly, building to another peak. The aftershocks of her previous climax merged with this new wave of desire, creating a cascade of sensations that left her breathless and desperate for more.

Elijah’s mouth released her sensitive nipple, trailing kisses up her neck until their lips met in a kiss that stole the cool night air from her lungs. His tongue plunged into her mouth, mimicking the motion of his hips. Celine found herself caught in the dual cadence of his desire. Her hips rose to meet his. Her nails dug into his ass. Her nipples rubbed against the soft hair at his chest. Each movement was a silent plea to be taken even deeper, harder.

She reached out and grazed her finger over Elijah's nipple, lightly pinching the taut flesh. He groaned against her mouth, a deep sound that vibrated through her body and made her inner muscles contract. It was clear that they shared this erogenous sensitivity, this connection that seemed to magnify their pleasure two-fold.

Celine reveled in the power of her touch, in the knowledge that she could bring this mighty shifter to his knees with such a simple act. And as the pace of Elijah’s thrusts hastened, as the world narrowed down to the point where their bodies joined, she surrendered to him again.

Elijah's hands slid beneath Celine's knees, drawing them up and into her chest. The shift in position drove his length deeper, the angle intensifying each of his thrusts to a point that seemed to touch her very soul. As he moved within her, the rough skin of her knees rasped against her tender nipples, sending shockwaves of pleasure through her already quivering body. She wasn't sure if she had ever stopped coming from the second orgasm, as a third sent her hips into uncontrollable convulsions.

The world around her narrowed to the raw, exquisite sensations cascading through her veins, converging in her corethat pulsed with an explosion of complete and utter ecstasy. She was no longer mistress of her own reactions as her orgasm tore through her, wild and untamable. She bucked against him with abandon, riding the crest of a pleasure so intense it demanded to be acknowledged by more than mere silence.

A howl escaped Celine's lips, her voice intertwining with the silvery beams of moonlight above them. Elijah's own growls joined hers, a deep, resonant sound that echoed her thanks to the celestial witness of their union. Their voices merged, reverberating through the forest as they both shuddered in the throes of mutual release.

As the echoes of their wolves' calls faded into the night, the couple collapsed into a tangled heap of limbs and satisfaction. Elijah's breath warmed Celine's neck as he nestled closer, wrapping her in the solid embrace of his arms. They lay there under the watchful gaze of the moon, bodies cooling in the gentle breeze that rustled the leaves around them.

"I think I just fell in love with you," Elijah murmured, his voice a husky whisper against her ear.

Celine turned in his arms to face him, her heart swelling at the sincerity shining in his eyes. "I think I fell in love with you too," she confessed, the words spilling forth like a secret she'd been holding close.

Without another word, they drew the comfort of each other's presence around them like a blanket. The forest, with its nocturnal chorus, sang lullabies of ancient rhythms and time-worn melodies. Underneath the glow of the ever-present moon, Elijah and Celine surrendered to slumber, their hearts entwined, their breaths mingling as one in the tranquil cocoon of newfound love.

17

The bell above the bank door jingled softly as Elijah and Celine stepped inside. Elijah gave Celine’s hand a squeeze, feeling the warmth of her fingers entwined with his. The bond between them was stronger than ever. Today wasn’t just about securing a loan—it was about starting their future together.

They were greeted by the quiet hum of bank activity: the low murmur of voices, the soft click of keyboards, and the occasional shuffle of papers. Rochelle Etienne, the bank's VP of Operations, stood behind the sleek desk near the back of the building. She was dressed sharply, her hair pulled into a neat twist, her demeanor calm and in control. The bank manager’s posture was one of confidence, as if she were made for this sterile world of numbers and transactions.

"Elijah, Celine, good morning," Rochelle said with a professional smile as they approached. Her eyes flickered briefly to their joined hands before she gestured toward the chairs in front of her desk. "Please, have a seat."

As Elijah settled into the chair, he couldn’t help but notice the quiet energy in the room. Rochelle was calm, poised as always, but there was something in the way her eyes keptdrifting to Celine’s hand in his. She was thriving here at the bank—he could tell that much. The polished surface of the desk reflected her drive, her ambition. She’d moved up quickly, earning respect within the pack and beyond. Still, as she sat across from them, something seemed… off.

“I understand you two are looking to expand your home,” Rochelle began, her voice crisp and professional. “And start a business as well?”

Celine grinned in that way Elijah loved. His mate leaned forward slightly. “Yes, we’re hoping to grow in both ways. Elijah and I want to build a studio space for my artwork, and eventually… well, we’re thinking about starting a family, too.”

The thought of building something real with her—both their home and their future together—made Elijah's mouth water. He crossed his legs, hoping Rochelle didn't see how his pants tightened when his mate spoke of babies. But as he glanced at Rochelle, he caught the fleeting look in her eyes as she watched them. There was a hesitation there, a flicker of something deeper, though her face remained composed.

Rochelle nodded, her fingers lightly tapping the keyboard as she reviewed the loan details. “It sounds like a solid plan. Both your credit is strong, and the project sounds feasible. I’ll just need a few more details to finalize everything.”

Elijah’s focus drifted. He had to wonder—did Rochelle regret her decision? Her fingers hesitated just a little too long on the keys, and the way her gaze flicked between him and Celine, the subtle lingering on their entwined fingers, made Elijah think so. Was Rochelle second-guessing her choice to reject the mate bond with Caleb?

Elijah’s gaze caught movement outside the window. He spotted his brother standing in the shadows across the street, watching. Always watching. The weight of Caleb’s silent vigil pressed heavily on Elijah’s chest.

Caleb had never fully let Rochelle go. He didn’t interfere in her life, but he never left her side, either. He stayed on the fringes, protecting her from afar, even though she had walked away from the bond.

Elijah tore his gaze from the window and focused back on Rochelle. She was speaking again, but there was something in her tone now—a distant coolness.

“I recently received a promotion,” she said, her eyes locking on to Elijah’s. “It’ll take me out of the pack for a while. I’ll be moving to oversee another branch.”

Elijah raised an eyebrow. “Out of the pack?”

Rochelle nodded, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “Yes. It’s a great opportunity. I’ve always prioritized my career, and this is the next step.”

There was a pause. Elijah glanced at Celine, feeling her fingers tighten around his as she sensed the unspoken tension in the room. Then, unable to stop himself, he said, "I almost accepted a job outside of the pack. But my mate stopped me. In fact, she tackled me until I gave in."

"I did not tackle you. I kissed you."

"It was some kiss."

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