Page 18 of Alpha's Heir

“You too,” she said breathlessly, trying to look into my eyes but failing as her eyes rolled up, another orgasm overtaking her.

I felt myself getting close once, but I wanted to be even closer to her to finish. I wrapped my arms around her and spun her, pulling her onto my lap so that she was straddling me. She sank easily down onto my cock and began to rotate her hips forward and back, riding me, driving me crazy. She leaned forward and I kissed her, our bodies and faces as close as they could possibly be.

With a rough thrust, she let loose a series of cries, clenching around my length and sending me reeling into my own climax. I clutched her to me as I bucked my hips, forcing my emission deeper inside of her, until the little pulses of pleasure faded out.

In the quiet aftermath, the only sound was our gentle breathing. I lay Cora back against the pillows, watching her with eyes still hazy from the high of our connection. The moonlight spilled through the window, casting a serene glow over her skin, making her look ethereal, almost otherworldly. I brushed a stray lock of hair from her face and bent to kiss her forehead.

"I love you," I murmured, my voice low and filled with the raw emotion that always seemed to swell within me after we were this close.

Cora's eyes, soft and filled with the same love that coursed through my veins, met mine. "I love you more," she whispered back, her hand reaching up to trace the line of my jaw.

I couldn't help the chuckle that escaped me. "That's not possible," I said, the words a gentle tease between us. But as I spoke them, I knew they were more than that—they were the truth. My love for her was boundless, a force that had reshaped my very existence from the moment we met.

She smiled, that beautiful, radiant smile that had the power to light up the darkest corners of my soul. "Let's agree to disagree," she said, her fingers now playing with the hair at the nape of my neck.

The feeling of her touch, gentle and familiar, brought a sense of peace that I hadn't realized I was craving. The world outside was uncertain and dangerous, but here, in this moment, with her, I felt a strength that I knew could face any challenge.

As I lay down beside her, wrapping my arms around her, I felt a fierce protectiveness surge through me. She was my mate, the mother of my child, and there was nothing I wouldn't do to keep them safe. The thought of the danger lurking just beyond the walls of our home made my heart clench with a silent vow—I would save them, no matter what it took.

Cora snuggled closer, her head resting against my chest, and I felt her exhale a contented sigh. Her trust in me was a sacred thing, something I would honor until my last breath.

The steady rhythm of her heartbeat against mine was a lullaby that slowly drew us both toward sleep. In the quiet of the night, with her in my arms, I allowed myself to believe that we would find a way through the darkness that threatened our pack.

"We'll make it through," I whispered into the silence, more to myself than to her. "I'll make sure of it."

She didn't respond, already drifting off, but I felt her grip on me tighten just a fraction—a silent acknowledgment, an agreement. It was all the assurance I needed.

As sleep claimed me, I knew that whatever tomorrow brought, we would face it together. For now, I let the world fade away, holding Cora close, our hearts beating as one.

Chapter nine

Cora

Themorninglightcreptin, lazy and unassuming, doing nothing to betray the turmoil that had taken root in the compound. Weston lay beside me, his breathing deep and even in the clutches of a sleep I envied. I watched him, tracing the lines of worry that had etched themselves more permanently on his face these past weeks. Guilt twinged in my chest as I thought about the plan unfurling in my head.

I eased out of bed, the chill of the room wrapping around me. The baby kicked, a stark reminder of what was at stake. "Sorry, little one," I whispered, a silent apology for the danger I might be dragging us into. The compound was waking up, life persisting despite the dread that hung over us.

My feet padded quietly on the wooden floor, every creak a shout in the silence. I dressed quickly, practicality over fashion – boots, jeans, layers. Each article a silent betrayal to the man still sleeping. I pocketed the knife Weston had given me, its weight a comfort and a reminder of how real the danger was.

The house was quiet as I left our room, the stillness a contrast to the storm in my mind. "Just a walk, that's all," I muttered to myself, trying to believe it.

In the kitchen, I grabbed some provisions – food, water, a first aid kit. Essentials. The door shut with a click behind me, sealing away the warmth of our home. I took a deep breath, the cool morning air doing little to soothe the fire of my resolve.

I walked through the compound, the early hour my ally in secrecy. A couple of pack members were up, patrolling, their nods terse.

"Morning, Cora," grunted Jared, his eyes scanning the treeline as he passed.

"Just needed some air," I said, the lie sour on my tongue.

He nodded, oblivious to the deceit. "Be careful."

The words were a weight, but I moved on, the treeline calling. The edge of the forest loomed, the shadows beneath the canopy darker than they'd been weeks ago. The forest had changed, become a stranger, and fear fluttered in my chest. But fear had become a constant companion these days, just another shadow among many.

I stepped into the woods, the threshold crossed, a line blurred. A sense of finality settled over me. Behind me lay safety, uncertainty, love. Ahead? Only the unknown. The forest swallowed me whole, the morning light dimming as I ventured deeper.

"I'll find answers," I promised the silent trees, "I have to."

The forest whispered back, leaves rustling. Whether it was a warning or an encouragement, I couldn't tell. My heart hammered as I moved forward, each step a mix of determination and a silent plea for forgiveness from the man I'd left behind. The chapter of my life I was stepping into was unwritten, pages ready to be filled with hope or despair.

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