Page 31 of A Kiss From a Wolfman

Quickly, he makes a fire in the small, carved hearth along the nearest wall. Once it is blazing, the room turns deliciously warm. Ciaryn shakes himself dry before holding out a hand to me. I take it, allowing him to lay me down in the pile of silk and feathers. The fire licks over my skin.

Resting on his side, Ciaryn’s hand glides over my face, watching me intently. The silence stretches between us. Not uncomfortable, but heavy with unspoken admissions. Cuppingmy cheek, he turns my face towards him. His golden eyes are unreadable.

“Do you fear me now, Stella?”

The question is asked so softly I nearly miss it.

“What?” Startled, I grip his hand in mine. “No.No, of course not.”

“I couldn’t stand it if you looked at me differently after what transpired between me and Lukar.”

I nod.

“Truthfully, I detest the violence, but as I said before, I understand why you had to do it.” I slide closer toward him on the pallet, our chest nearly brushing. “Just like with Timson, sometimes violence is the only answer.”

“But that violence will never be directed at you,” he states. “Never, Stella. I can’t even imagine raising my voice at you.”

I giggle at his serious face.

“Because I am perfect?”

“In every way,” he agrees. “And you are mine.”

Quirking an eyebrow, I purse my lips.

“Are you unsure of my devotion?” he asks.

He rolls me on top of him. Ciaryn’s large hands find the backs of my leg and the hem of my shift. Slowly, he lifts it from my body, baring me completely to his hungry gaze. Tossing it aside, his tongue licks over my pert nipple, and I moan.

“If I have left you questioning the depth of my desire, let me rectify that now.”

Alternating between both of my nipples, his large cock rises to attention and presses against my backside. My arousal seeps from me as I grind against his front. Claws sink into the fleshy swell of my ass, encouraging my hips to work faster. My breaths come out in little pants, desperate for release at my mate’s hand.

“I don’t doubt your devotion.” I open my heavy-lidded eyes. “But I wonder why I don’t bear this claiming mark the other wolves mentioned?”

Ciaryn releases my breast with a pop. His eyes are liquid fire as he stares at me. Gently, he rolls me onto my back. The soft silk is cool against my hot skin. Ciaryn looms above me. My thighs widen to accommodate his size, burning slightly from the stretch. His mouth descends on mine.

The kiss is claiming—a mixture of tongues and teeth locked in battle. Once he is satisfied in his plundering of my mouth, his lips leave mine to taste the skin of my neck. I suck down air, and my hands fall to his strong back. My fingers thread between his soft fur, locking him to me.

“The claiming mark,” he purrs against me. “It is the final thing I have yet to bestow on you. It is a warning to all who see you that you are spoken for. That your mate shares your bed and safeguards your heart.”

“Ciaryn,” I sigh as his tongue licks the hollow of my throat.

“I’ll bite you here, Stella.” His teeth prick into my shoulder, not hard enough to break the skin. “And you’ll beg me to do it.”

“Yes,” I say. “Bite me, my mate. My alpha.”

Worry clouds his eyes.

“I still do not feel worthy of that title. I feel even less worthy of you, Stella. How could I be given someone so wonderful?”

“Because you are a good male, Ciaryn. The only male I’ve ever needed—or wanted.”

I stare into his eyes and let him see all my love for him in my gaze.

“It won’t be easy—the others are still wary of me, but I’ll step up. I’ll keep us safe. I promise you, mate.”

“Of course you will,” I agree. “Now, my great alpha, I have an ache that needs your attention.”

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