Page 18 of Claiming Their Slave
Chapter Six
Ava finished the meal and turned to find Wolfe seated on the bed, his gaze hot on her. She suddenly remembered that not too long ago, he’d seen her standing naked by the washing basin as she cleaned herself. Shame pulsed through her, and she reminded herself that he’d entered without knocking, in an effort to feel less embarrassed over being caught in such a private act.
Even when she’d bathed in the stream in the woods, Jaxon hadn’t watched her. He’d turned around and ordered her to hand him her clothes, because she obviously wouldn’t run away while completely naked.
“Thank you for the meal, Wolfe—I mean,Master. Thank you,Master.”
His stare turned predatory, and she shivered in place, wondering what he intended to do next. She tore her gaze from his, feeling uncertain. Should she resist his advances? She hardly knew him, but part of her trusted him. He was Jaxon’s brother, and she trusted Jaxon, even though his failure to inform her of his plans to claim her as his mate still had her reeling.
Her breath left her in a quick exhale. She was free now. Sort of free, anyway. She would never have to endure life in a miserable human village again.
The curtains in front of the huge window were pulled back, revealing a starry night and a crescent moon. Though the window was closed, the increasing sound of nighttime bugs entered the room, and in the distance, she spotted fireflies dancing in the darkness. It was a beautiful sight, and she rose and walked to the window. In the village, bright torches lined the perimeter of the community each night to ward off the beasts of the forest, and the glow of the torches had made it difficult to glimpse the night sky in all its natural beauty.
“Do you like it here?” Wolfe asked, coming up behind her. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her, threading his fingers through hers and squeezing her hands.
“Yes, Master. It’s wonderful. I used to dream of escaping the village I lived in, dream of running off to the forest and certain freedom, but the stories about the beasts always scared me into staying put. Now that I’m out here, in the forest, I wish I had been brave enough to leave sooner.”
“The forest is no place for a female, Ava. Even during the daytime. You must remain in the clearing our homestead was built upon, though you may walk the path to my parents’ house, for it is safe. We’ve lined the woods surrounding both houses and the path connecting them with safestones.”
“Those are the glimmering stones Jaxon always placed around our campsite?”
“Yes. Our family used to mine the stones, before the cave they came from was buried in a landslide, many years ago.”
She was quiet for a long while, simply enjoying the feel of his strong arms around her. His masculine scent, similar to Jaxon’s but slightly woodsier, left her wanting to turn around and press her face to his chest and inhale deeply.
“Jaxon told me he had to punish you for trying to run off.” He rearranged her into one arm and with his free hand, gave her bottom a squeeze. “Is your bottom still sore from your spanking, little slave?”
She had to hold her breath for a moment in order to repress the moan building in her throat. His hand on her ass, and the mention of her spanking, made her pulse skitter and sent waves of heat to her loins. She pressed her thighs tight together and hoped he didn’t suspect her arousal. What was wrong with her, that the mere mention of punishment had her aching and longing to be claimed, even though she wasn’t entirely sure what being claimed entailed?
Wolfe turned her in his arms and placed a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to gaze up at him. He was as tall as his brother, and just as handsome, though his features were, of course, much darker. He had midnight black eyes and equally dark hair that rested above his shoulders. His hair was thicker than Jaxon’s, and her fingers tingled with the urge to run her hands through it, but she held off on touching him, because she wasn’t certain if she needed permission.
She didn’t want to incur either brother’s displeasure. Even though the thought of a spanking might incite her desires, actually receiving one had been quite painful and had brought her to tears.
“Ava, do you like us?”
“I… yes,” she admitted. It was the truth. “I confess I am drawn to you and Jaxon. Very much so, but I am still a bit nervous. I don’t know what is meant to happen between us. I-I do-don’t know wh-what to do,” she stammered in her increasing trepidation. Would it hurt as much as the village ladies always said during their morning gossip sessions by the well?
“You needn’t be afraid, my little slave. I will guide you and teach you, and Jaxon will do the same. Now come, your education is about to begin.”
He steered her to the bed and stared longingly into her eyes, his fingertips grazing her cheek as he brushed her hair behind her ears. His dark eyes mesmerized her.
When he leaned down, she parted her lips in anticipation of their first kiss. He claimed her mouth softly at first, brushing his lips across hers, before his tongue delved inside to tangle with hers. She gave a breathy moan and tried to return his kiss, though in truth, she felt a bit clumsy about it.
He growled and clutched her face in his hands, deepening the kiss. Sparks of desire ignited between them, and she imagined the fireflies she’d seen outside were now in the bedroom, dancing around them in a majestic display of blinking lights. Because the kiss felt like magic.
When she had imagined her first kiss with a man, she hadn’t known it would affect every part of her body. Her head buzzed and an odd warmth squeezed in her chest. Between her thighs, she was aching more than ever before, longing for him to slip a hand up her dress and stroke through her gathering wetness.
Withdrawing from her, he said, “I can smell your arousal, Ava. You’re wet and ready for your master, even though I won’t be fucking your tight little cunny tonight.”
His crass words should’ve outraged her, but they didn’t. She peered at him, eager for all he had to teach her. Eager for the time Jaxon would join them and she would officially become their mate.
A family. She would become part of their family soon, and she now realized she would do whatever possible to hasten the moment they took her as their mate. She blinked against the burn of emotion in her eyes. She’d been so busy dreaming about her freedom, because she didn’t think she could have what she’d really wanted in her wildest, most secret dreams—a place to belong.
“If you wish to claim me tonight, you can, Master. I will do whatever you say.” It was probably best they claim her soon, in case they were to change their minds, or in case a Banded female caught their attention. Yes, she had to hurry.
Wolfe’s gaze darkened further, and a shiver went up her spine. She got the sense that what he was about to ask of her would push her limits.
“Whatever I say?”
