Page 87 of Alien Prince's Fated Mate

Her fingers intertwined with mine, warm and sure. Such a simple gesture, but it sent heat racing through my blood. The beast rumbled approval at her easy acceptance of my touch.

Conversation flowed easily as we shared the meal. Denna described Wanderer customs we’d encounter at the midwinter gathering. Korrin and I discussed patrol routes between our territories. Through it all, I remained acutely aware of Niam - every brush of her arm against mine, every soft laugh, every heated glance from beneath her lashes.

When she shifted in her chair, pressing closer to my side, the beast's control slipped slightly. A growl rumbled from deep within me.

Denna’s eyebrows rose. She exchanged a look with Korrin, then pushed back from the table. “We should rest. Early start tomorrow.”

“Of course.” Niam stood to embrace her friend. “Safe travels. And thank you, for everything.”

The women held each other tight, whispering promises to visit soon. Korrin clasped my arm in the warrior’s grip, his expression understanding. They knew what this parting meant - the end of one chapter, the beginning of another.

As the door closed behind them, Niam turned to me. Lamplight caught the elegant line of her throat as she tilted her head. “Shall we go up?”

My voice came out rougher than intended. “Yes.”

The stairs had never felt longer. Niam climbed ahead of me, her movements deliberately slow. Each step drew my gaze to the graceful curve of her neck, the subtle sway of her hips. The beast’s hunger built with every heartbeat.

Our room waited exactly as I remembered - wide windows letting in starlight, a copper tub steaming in the corner, the bed piled with fresh furs. But this time there was no uncertainty between us, no need to hold back.

I closed the door, the latch clicking with quiet finality. When I turned, Niam stood in the center of the room, her eyes holdingmine. Moonlight painted silver across her skin as she reached for the laces of her traveling dress.

“Let me.” I crossed to her, my hands replacing hers on the delicate ties.

Her breath caught as my fingers brushed her throat. “You’re still wearing too many clothes.”

A laugh rumbled through my chest at her boldness. “Demanding mate.”

“Yes.” She turned in my arms, rising on her toes to press her lips to my jaw. “I am.”

The last threads of my control snapped. I cradled her face between my hands, claiming her mouth with a hunger I’d been holding back all day. She met my intensity with her own, fingers tangling in my hair as she pulled me closer.

“Mine,” I growled against her throat.

“Yours.” Her hands worked at the fastenings of my shirt. “Always yours.”

Her skin glowed like moonlight under my hands. Each touch drew new sounds from her lips, each kiss marked her as mine. The beast purred as she pressed closer, all hesitation gone. This was my mate, my queen, giving herself to me with complete trust.

“Beautiful,” I murmured against her collarbone. “Perfect.”

She arched into my touch, my name a prayer on her lips. Gone was the uncertainty of our first time - now she moved with confidence, showing me exactly what she wanted. The beast reveled in her demands, in her pleasure.

“Please,” she gasped, nails scoring my shoulders. “Tharon...”

NIAM

Tharon gathered me closer, a growl rumbling through his chest. Such power in his hands, yet he handled me with exquisite care - as if I were something precious, something to be cherished.

“Say the words,” he commanded, fangs grazing sensitive skin. “Let me hear you.”

Heat bloomed everywhere his fingers traced. No more hesitation, no more fear - just pure need burning through my veins. I arched into his touch, showing him exactly what I wanted.

“More,” I demanded, threading my fingers through his hair. “Everything. You.”

His purr deepened at my boldness. One hand slid down my side while the other supported my back. When his mouth found my breast, stars exploded behind my eyes. Each careful stroke of his tongue sent lightning racing through me.

“Beautiful,” he breathed onto my flesh. “The sounds you make. The way you respond. Perfect.”

I was floating, drowning in sensation. His beast’s rumble vibrated through every point of contact, marking me as his.When his fingers found more sensitive places, my world narrowed to pure feeling.

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