Page 63 of The Witch's Shifter
She stares at me without speaking. Her brows scrunch low over her eyes.
And when she pulls away from me, slipping out of my arms and standing to take a step away, I think I may break. I may run into the rain and let it sweep me into Moonstone Lake. I’ll swallow rocks and hope they weigh me down, dragging me to the bottom and allowing me to drown.
Because without her, I have nothing,amnothing.
Inside, my wolf howls with agony.
This can’t be happening.
Still not speaking, she takes a breath, eyes darting away from mine and toward the fire. Her profile is smooth, soft. There are no harsh angles about her, nothing to cut myself on. Everything about her is warm and inviting, yet right now, I feel a cold clawedhand wrapping around my heart, threatening to squeeze it until it bursts.
“If I accept you,” she whispers at long last, “that means you have to accept me too. You have to acceptallof me.” Lifting her gaze from the fire, she holds my stare. “I love Alden and Rowan. I’m pregnant with another man’s child. Can you still accept me despite this? Despite me not being the mate you always wanted? The one you deserve?”
My hands curl into fists. How can she even ask that?
“Youareall I’ve ever wanted. The others...” Another growl slips from my lips, and I press my sharpening nails into my palms, using the pain to stay focused. “They’re a part of you, as is your child. I understand that now, even if I didn’t at first, even if I hated the idea of having to share you.” My teeth ache as I grind them together. My dick is throbbing, and my wolf thrashes inside, wanting to break free, but I fight it all back and meet Aurora’s eyes. “I accept all of you, Aurora. I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life.” My chest rises and falls with my heavy breaths. “Please tell me you understand.”
She doesn’t respond. Still holding my eyes, she takes a deep breath. And as she lets it out, her hands reach around to grasp the ribbon holding the back of her dress taut, and she pulls it loose.
I hold my breath.
One inch of skin at a time, she reveals herself to me, slipping the sleeves of the dress over her shoulders, then dropping it to her feet.
She is radiant.
Her breasts are small but full, and her belly is swollen with life. Standing naked before me, feet bare upon the cave floor, pale freckled skin glowing in the firelight, she looks like a goddess come down from above to rule the legions of men. And I would willingly bow at her feet.
“If you accept me as I am,” she whispers over the sound of the crackling flames as she moves slowly toward me, “then I accept you as well.” She looks down at me, eyes aflame. “I accept you as my mate.”
Heat the likes of which I’ve never felt explodes in my chest, almost knocking the air out of me. It burns like flame, like the surface of the sun. It’s scorching and soothing all at the same time. She must feel it too, for she gasps and stumbles, and I leap to my feet, wrapping my arms around her, holding her to me with a promise to never let go.
“My mate . . .” I whisper against her.
“Your mate,” she says back.
And hearing those two words, I can stand it no longer.
I back Aurora against the nearest cave wall, then lift her by the backs of her knees, spreading her legs and positioning her pussy over the head of my cock. Her heady scent washes over me, more intoxicating than the richest wine. I tip my head back as I breathe it in. My body trembles for her.
She reaches for me, wrapping her arms around my neck.
And I stare her in the eyes as I push slowly inside her. She’s tight—sotight.
Her lips fall open, her brow wrinkling. She whimpers, and my wolf growls.
I want to claim her, to sink my teeth into her perfect flushed skin, to mark her asmine.
My mate.
“How,” Aurora gasps, “do I feel?”
Inside her, my length throbs. I press my weight against her, careful not to put too much pressure on her round belly. Her back sends a few loose stones from the wall, and they tumble across my bare feet.
“You feel,” I whisper as I brush my nose along the smooth column of her throat, “like I’m finally home.”
Aurora makes a small sound, then tips my face up and captures my lips with hers. I get lost in the taste of her, the feel of her wrapped around me, the smell of woodsmoke and passion dancing through the cave. Every touch of her skin against mine makes my hair stand on end, like she’s my energy source, my sun.
The thought makes me smile against her mouth.
