Page 19 of New Year with the Cartel

"That's what's been troubling me." He sat up fully now, his massive frame looming over me. "In the vision, I knew its importance. It wasn't just jewelry—it was a key of sorts, meant to unlock something significant. But I woke up before I could remember what."

I frowned. "You think it still exists? In this time?"

"Oh, I know it does." His confidence was unnerving. "And I have a fairly good idea where to find it. The question is..." His thumb traced my bottom lip again, more demanding this time. "Are you ready to help me recover it, knowing how the last attempt ended for you?"

The smart answer would have been no. But as I looked into his eyes, dark with centuries of accumulated purpose, I knew I'd follow him into danger again. Who would have thought that waking up when I did would change my life so dramatically?

Maybe that was the curse of fated mates—or maybe it was just who we were, in every lifetime.

"Tell me what you need me to do," I said, even as part of me wondered if I was making the same mistake that had gotten my past self killed.

Fendwyr's smile was all predator. "That's my good omega. First, we need to visit an old acquaintance of mine who deals in ancient artifacts. And this time," his grip became possessive, "I'll make sure no harm comes to you."

As Fendwyr's words hung heavy in the air between us, I felt a shiver run down my spine. There was an intensity to his gaze, a promise that sent heat rushing to places I tried to ignore but couldn't. I licked my dry lips, tasting something I wished wasn't there.

"What's the rush?"I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the turmoil inside me."If we've got eternity together, surely we can take our time figuring this out."

Fendwyr chuckled, the sound rumbling through his broad chest."Eager to savor every moment, are we?"His hand drifted lower, tracing the line of my collarbone, dipping into the hollow of my throat."I suppose I can indulge that desire... for now."

He understood exactly what I wanted. I didn't have to say anything else.

And so, he leaned in closer, his breath hot against my ear."But make no mistake, Gustall. Once I have that necklace, once I've unlocked whatever secret it holds... The next thing I'm going to do is make you happy. In every way imaginable."

My heart stuttered at the blatant hunger in his tone. I swallowed, trying to formulate some witty retort, but coherent thought eluded me under his scorching fingers. Instead, I arched into him, craving more contact even as my mind screamed at me to pull away.

It kept telling me that we should be sleeping, but I didn't want to. This was exactly what I wanted.

Sensing my surrender, Fendwyr took full advantage. Strong hands gripped my hips, pulling me flush against him until I could feel every hard inch of his body pressed against mine.He nipped sharply at my earlobe, growling softly as he ground himself against me.

"You respond so beautifully,"he purred, his fingers splaying across my stomach."Your body knows you've always belonged to me, and now you do too. There is not a single part of you that denies it."

And as much as I didn't want to say it, I knew he was right about that.

Shame heated my cheeks at how easily he read my reactions, but arousal chased it away. I clenched my teeth, forcing myself to maintain some semblance of control, even though it wasn't working so well."Don't get cocky,"I gritted out."Just because we might be fated doesn't mean I'm going to roll over and submit whenever you snap your fingers. It's not going to be like that."

Fendwyr laughed, the sound dark and sinful."Oh, Gustall. If only you knew how much that defiance turns me on."To punctuate his point, he rolled his hips, letting me feel exactly what effect my resistance had on him. And I wasn't surprised. I knew he was going to react this way.

Desperate for some leverage, I tangled my fingers in his hair and tugged, forcing his head back. Golden eyes flashed with surprise and lust, a wicked grin spreading across his face. Good, I thought. Let him see that I wouldn't be so easily dominated. It wasn't going to be like the other times.

"Less talking, more touching,"I demanded, channeling every haughty omega archetype I'd ever seen."Unless you're all bark and no bite?"

Challenge accepted, apparently. With a feral snarl, Fendwyr flipped us over, pinning me beneath his bulk. He attacked my neck with lips and teeth, marking me as his own personal conquest. Pleasure spiked through me like lightning, drawing a choked moan from my throat.

"There we go,"Fendwyr rasped against my skin."Let me hear you. I want everyone to know who makes you sing like that."

His mouth trailed lower, laving attention on every sensitive spot he seemed to magically map. I writhed beneath him, overwhelmed by sensation, drowning in the heat building between us. And deep in my mind, I registered the wet sounds he was making, the filthy praise falling from his lips...

Lost in the heat of the moment, it took me a moment to realize he'd maneuvered us such that he loomed above me, knees bracketing my hips, pupils blown wide with unchecked lust. My dick strained urgently against his abs, smearing sticky trails of pre-cum on his skin.

"I'm going to ruin you even more than you've already been,"Fendwyr promised, one large hand wrapping around both our lengths and squeezing."By the time I'm done, you won't remember anything but the feeling of my knot splitting you open."

The vulgar words should have disgusted me. But trapped in the intense heat of the moment, I found myself aching for the depravity he described. I needed him inside me, filling me, claiming me until I couldn't think anymore. The rest of the world faded away until there was nothing left but the two of us, lost in rutting.

"Please..."I keened, too far gone to care about pride or dignity anymore."Need you... please..."

With a triumphant roar, Fendwyr surged forward, sheathing himself fully inside me in one brutal thrust. Pain and pleasure exploded behind my eyelids, stealing my breath. I convulsed around him, inner muscles clenching as if to hold him deep.

"Fuck!"Fendwyr barked, still buried to the hilt."I never get tired of how tight you are."

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