Page 43 of Lord of the Lone Wolf
Kitsuki
Auslin trembled beneath Kitsuki, poised on the edge of release yet unable to fall. Every detail of his mate’s surrender captivated him, from the fine sheen of sweat making Auslin’s skin gleam in the afternoon light to the small sounds of pleasure escaping his throat with each movement of their joined bodies. Kitsuki committed each element to memory, a treasure to revisit during the long, lonely nights he would soon endure when he left for the warfront.
With each powerful thrust, Maseo’s wish pendant swung from Kitsuki’s neck, tapping against his chest. The small orb served as a constant reminder of promises made and kept.
Kitsuki noticed Auslin’s gaze following the pendant’s arc, his violet eyes darkening whenever it brushed against his heated skin. Each time the metal touched Auslin’s chest, his mate’s body tightened around him, pulling a deeper groan from Kitsuki’s throat. The pendant served as a third presence between them, an unspoken reminder of the half-wolf who had given it to him.
Through their mating bond, Kitsuki sensed a chaotic flux of emotions from Auslin. Pleasure dominated, but beneath it lurked currents of shame and embarrassment that confused him.
His mate’s sweet musk mingled with the bitter tang of guilt, creating a complex bouquet that Kitsuki’s enhanced senses parsed with growing concern. His dragon rumbled with unease at the contradictory signals before redoubling his efforts to drive all thoughts from Auslin’s mind.
The conflict in Auslin’s expression gave way to pure sensation. Whatever had been distracting him receded, overwhelmed by the connection they shared.
Auslin’s hands clutched Kitsuki’s shoulders, his nails digging into skin. His body arched off the cushions, a cry tearing from his throat as his orgasm hit. Warm wetness spilled over Kitsuki’s hand as Auslin’s cock pulsed in his grip, painting the mage’s stomach.
Their mating bond allowed him to experience Auslin’s climax as if it were his own, a cascade that radiated outward until it consumed him.
His dragon roared in triumph at satisfying their mate, but Kitsuki continued to thrust into Auslin’s now oversensitive body.
Auslin gazed up at him with half-lidded eyes, his expression one of dazed satisfaction. The shame and guilt that had clouded their bond earlier had vanished, replaced by a warm contentment that wrapped around Kitsuki like an embrace. “Fill me. Make me yours.”
The request made his orgasm crest as he drove deep into Auslin’s willing body, spilling his cum with a growl that was more dragon than human.
His satisfaction grew as his knot swelled, a biological imperative to claim and keep that was as old as dragonkind itself. The gradual expansion stretched Auslin further, locking them together in the most intimate way possible. Through their bond, Kitsuki felt Auslin’s profound enjoyment as his body accommodated the increased girth.
“Mmm, I think we both needed that.” The tension that had marked Auslin’s features earlier had melted away, leaving him more at peace than he had looked since their return to Tiora.
Kitsuki shifted, causing his knot to tug against Auslin’s rim. The movement drew a soft gasp from his mate, followed by a contented sigh as Auslin rocked against the intrusion. It filled Kitsuki with a profound sense of rightness that quieted his dragon’s restless nature.
They remained joined, neither speaking as their breathing slowed. Kitsuki savored Auslin’s warmth and the steady pulse of their mating bond. For now, they were safe from the world beyond their chamber. The war preparations, the political maneuvering, and the looming threat of Nasume all faded into insignificance compared to this perfect union of bodies and souls.
Once Kitsuki’s knot receded, he withdrew from Auslin’s body. His dragon mourned the loss of their intimate connection, even as he preened at the sight of his release trickling from his mate.
Kitsuki settled beside Auslin on the veranda cushions, gathering him close with gentle hands. Auslin curled against him, restinghis head on Kitsuki’s shoulder, one arm and leg draped across his body.
“I have missed this,” Kitsuki murmured, trailing his fingers along Auslin’s spine. “The war preparations have kept us apart for too long.”
Auslin pressed a kiss to Kitsuki’s collarbone. “I understand why. But I miss having you to myself.” His voice held no accusation, only a wistful acknowledgment of their reality.
The mating bond between them thrummed with contentment, yet there was a lingering disquiet beneath Auslin’s apparent relaxation. The same turmoil he had sensed earlier during their lovemaking had not dissipated. It reminded Kitsuki of watching storm clouds gather on a distant horizon. They may not have been an immediate threat, but they promised turbulence to come.
“What troubles you?” Kitsuki asked, keeping his tone free of accusation. His fingers continued their soothing path along Auslin’s back, offering comfort through touch.
Auslin stiffened, confirming Kitsuki’s suspicion. For a moment, he thought his mate might deny it or retreat behind reassurances. But then Auslin sighed as he toyed with the pendant resting on Kitsuki’s chest. “I went to see Maseo during training today to make sure he was adjusting well.”
“And was he?” Kitsuki asked in a measured tone, grounding himself in the physical sensation of Auslin against him as his dragon pressed closer to the surface of his consciousness.
“It was amazing to see him so confident and in control. He defeated Bitris in combat, despite being half his size.”
Maseo’s success pleased Kitsuki. “That is an impressive feat. According to Uncle, Bitris is one of our strongest fighters.”
And one of our most arrogant, his dragon added.It would do him good to be humbled by Maseo.
Auslin nodded, still not looking up. “Maseo fought with such grace and precision. He made it look effortless, even though Bitris was trying to use underhanded tactics.”
The hint of displeasure in Auslin’s tone caught Kitsuki’s attention. Before he could question it, Auslin sat up to make eye contact. “What was it like when you fought Maseo for his assessment?”
Kitsuki had avoided discussing the details of that session with Auslin, uncomfortable with how strongly his dragon had responded to Maseo. The memory of pinning the half-wolf to the training room floor, of feeling him yield beneath Kitsuki’s greater strength, still evoked a visceral response.
