My body betrayed me, heat pooling low in my belly at the roughness in his voice. Still, I pushed him back a step. I needed to clear my head. Needed to get the words out before I forgot why this conversation was important.
“I can’t have you run off like that,” I said, making sure he held my gaze. “Not without telling me. If you have plans or leads, I want to know about it.”
Nico’s eyes went flat. “Are you saying this as my mate? Or as my alpha?”
The question hung in the air between us. I weighed my answer, aware of the delicate balance we were trying to strike.
“Both,” I said finally. “As your mate, I’m terrified of losing you. And as your alpha, I need to know I can trust you not to put the pack in danger.”
Tension radiated from Nico’s body. He took another step back, a muscle ticking in his cheek. “I’m not used to answering to anyone,” he admitted in a rough voice. “Not since... not since I lost my family.”
I nodded, understanding all too well. “I’m not asking you to be a mindless follower. But we need to present a united front. The pack needs stability now more than ever.”
He was quiet for a long moment, his dark eyes studying me intently. Then, slowly, a wicked grin spread across his face. He took a step toward me, then another, until my back pressed against the wall.
“How about this?” he murmured, his breath hot against my ear. “Out there, you’re in charge. The big, bad alpha keeping everyone in line.”
His lips trailed along my jawline, sending shivers down my spine. I struggled to focus on his words, my head spinning with desire.
“In here? In our bed?” His fingers traced lazy circles over my hipbone. “It’s a negotiation.”
Heat flushed my cheeks. Excitement and desire thrummed through me. I bit back a moan as his hand dipped lower, teasing across my inner thigh.
I hooked an arm over his shoulders, dragging him down until my mouth brushed his ear. “My wolf won’t accept those terms,” I said, my voice husky with want. “Not from anyone but my mate.”
His responding laugh was pure sin.
“Then I guess I’d better make it official, hadn’t I?” His hand slid to the back of my neck, gripping firmly. “On your knees, Elise.”
The command sent a shiver down my spine. For a moment, I was torn between the urge to submit and the need to assert my dominance. But then I saw the respect and trust in Nico’s eyes, and I knew.
This wasn’t about power. It was about connection. About finally, truly belonging to each other.
I sank to my knees, my eyes never leaving his. Nico’s hand remained on my neck, anchoring me in place.
“Good girl,” he breathed, his cock twitching in response. “I’m going to enjoy watching you fall apart on my cock.”
A whimper escaped me at his filthy words. Heat rushed through my veins, setting my skin ablaze. “Make me yours.”
He wrapped a hand around his cock, stroking once, twice, before pressing the tip against my mouth. I darted out my tongue, licking at the saltiness glistening at the head. He groaned, his fingers tightening in my hair.
“That’s it,” Nico encouraged as I wrapped my hand around him. “Take me in that pretty mouth of yours. Show me what that alpha tongue can do.”
I leaned forward, maintaining eye contact as I slowly took him between my lips. I swirled my tongue around the head, exploring every ridge and vein, while my hand stroked his base. His breathing quickened, his pupils blown wide with lust.
“Fuck,” he muttered, thrusting into my mouth. “You look so fucking beautiful like this, alpha. On your knees. That... Thatscentin the air.”
His hand tightened in my hair as he rocked his hips again, deeper this time. My free hand clutched his ass, pulling him closer as I worked to take him further down my throat.
I wanted this. Wanted to drown in the taste of him. His growls of pleasure washed over me as I sucked and licked at him, taking him to the edge of oblivion.
“Touch yourself, alpha,” he growled. “I’m going to fuck you hard before I claim you. Need to know you’re ready for me.”
I moaned around his cock, reaching down to obey. My pussy throbbed, wet and wanting, and I easily slid two fingers inside myself. Fuck, it felt good. My clit throbbed under my thumb, begging for attention.
Nico grunted in approval, picking up speed as he fucked my mouth. Pleasure spiraled higher and higher as I fingerfucked myself, his thrusts matching my rhythm perfectly. I could feel his restraint slipping, his control hanging on by a thread.
Just as I felt him tense, Nico suddenly pulled back. I gasped for air, my fingers still working furiously at my core. He chuckled darkly, hauling me to my feet.