Page 31 of Blood, Shadow & Claw

"Nothing compared to you," I murmured, pulling her close against my chest, loving her wet nakedness rubbing against my skin. Her body responded instinctively, her arms wrapping around my neck as we moved together under the veil of the waterfall.

Water streamed down her back, carving rivulets along the curves of her spine as I traced the path with my fingers making her squeal when I caressed the crack of her ass. The world beyond our sanctuary beneath the waterfall had faded into insignificance. There were only the two of us, her bright eyes gazing back at me with trust and need.

I had to have her. Pulling her body against mine once again, I captured her lips in a kiss for the ages. Slowly, reverently, I explored her mouth with my tongue while my fingers explored the expanse of her skin, memorizing the way her body arched into my touch. I kissed her deeply, pouring into that kiss all the fears and hopes that knotted within me.

The cold water around us starkly contrasted with the heat that flared between our bodies. With every move and every touch, Isought to show her how much she meant to me. It wasn't just the physical pleasure I wanted to give her; I wanted her to know that I loved her. I hadn't shared the words, but she could feel my love with every last heartbeat.

Our moment of honesty evolved into something more primal, a dance as old as time. My desire for Mazie threatened to overwhelm me. I had a feeling it would always be this way. Our love was a force greater than any I'd ever known. As we moved together, kissing and caressing each other's bodies beneath the waterfall's veil, we lost sight of the worries surrounding us. All I knew was that she was my world, and I would never be the same without her.

"Mazie," I whispered against her mouth, my breath hitching in anticipation. Her arms tightened around me, drawing me closer still until there was no space left between us – only the intoxicating friction of our bodies rubbing against one another.

Her eyes crinkled in delight before she closed them tightly and tipped her head back to breathe, exposing her delicate neck to me. Encouraged by the want etched across her features, I kissed a path along her collarbone, savoring the taste of her damp skin beneath my tongue.

Lowering my hands, I worked her clit until she was bucking against my hand and begging for my cock. I had intended to worship every inch of her body, and I wouldn't stop. I moved her so that she could lower herself onto my cock. She began to rock back and forth, finding her rhythm until she started riding me earnestly. Her body grinding against mine, our shared moans swallowed by the thundering of the waterfall.

"Touch me, Daddy… please." Her whispered plea sent jolts of arousal coursing through me like electric currents.

Honoring her request, I slipped my hand between us, seeking out her clit amidst the swirling water. Fingers met warmth and wetness, and she arched towards me with a breathless cry that ricocheted off surrounding rocks. Our gazes locked as if magnetized, dark eyes filled with pleasure reflecting my own mirrored lust.

Her heartbeat thrummed against my chest as I drew lazy circles over that sensitive bud. The sensation of her bare skin rubbingagainst mine was a drug. I watched between us as my cock spread her wide, and my fingers urged her closer and closer to release.

With each thrust, I filled her deeper—her body matching my rhythm in our private dance. Her breath hitched as waves overtook her. I captured her cries of ecstasy with a feral kiss before letting myself be carried away by the same undertow of pleasure.

As we rode out the aftershocks together under the waterfall's spray, an unspoken promise hung between us—a promise of shared adventures and heated nights to come. At that moment, vows were silently made—bodies spoke louder than words could, professing their adoration in the most primal language.

Only then, when she lay spent and panting, her cheeks flushed with the afterglow of passion, did I allow myself to hope that maybe our most challenging days were behind us. I wanted to forget about the world and drown myself in her, even briefly.

We exited from under the waterfall and back to the warm blankets. Pulling one over us, I gathered her in my arms, kissing her temple and loving the feel of her body next to mine.

"Can we stay for a few more minutes?" she murmured sleepily.

"Of course," I promised, feeling the weight of my role as protector, pack leader, and now, partner.

"Thank you," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Not just for this...but for everything."

"Thank you for seeing me," I replied just as softly. For a moment, I let her see my most vulnerable side. "Not just as the Umbra alpha or a shifter, but for seeing me as a man. It's humbling, and I'm thankful."

As we sat nestled against one another, the silence spoke volumes. It was punctuated only by the sweetest of gentle touches. I absentmindedly stroked my thumb across her palm. She leaned up and placed a soft kiss on my jawline. And in those quiet moments, wrapped in each other's warmth, I knew we had both found what I'd been looking for.

12

MAZIE

The water's gentle babble was like a private serenade, just for me. I dangled my bare feet in the cool stream. The sun warmed my skin and made the surface of the water sparkle as if it were sprinkled with diamonds. Nature had always been my go-to when the world got too loud, too flashy, too much. Here, surrounded by whispering trees and soft grasses, I could just be me—no filters, no hashtags, just the girl who sometimes wondered where she truly belonged.

I was lost in thought when movement caught my eye—a flash of mousy brown against the vibrant greens. A young girl was sitting alone on the other side of the stream. Her knees hugged tight to her chest. Her hair, an untamed cascade of locks, was thrown into loose pigtails that seemed more like an afterthought than a fashion statement. Something about her stillness among the rustling leaves tugged at something inside me.

Curiosity nudged me to my feet, and I crossed the distance between us with a cautious grace. “Hey, I’m Mazie. Mind if I join you?" I called out gently, not wanting to startle her.

She looked up, and I was struck—not by the expected youthful innocence—but by the depth in her big, brown eyes. They were theeyes that had seen too much, carried stories in their corners, and carried wisdom far beyond their years. There was a seriousness to her maturity that seemed at odds with the playful pigtails.

“Kayla. Hi," she replied, her voice a delicate mix of melancholy and warmth.

“It’s nice to meet you, Kayla,” I said, settling beside her but giving her space. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?"

She nodded, her gaze returning to the stream as if it held answers to questions I hadn't asked. I watched her, this slip of a girl with the demeanor of someone who knew pain, who understood loss. And right then, I knew—I wanted to understand her story, to offer a piece of the solace that nature had given me so many times before. There was more to this girl, Kayla, and I felt an unexpected pull to discover the heart behind those old-soul eyes.

"Skipping stones?" I offered, picking up a flat pebble and flicking it across the water's surface. It hopped three times before sinking, sending ripples out like whispers of a secret being told.

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