Page 26 of Love & Violence

Shifting, I turn to my beautiful mate.

“Don’t shift out here,” I say. “We need somewhere a little more private, where I can make sure no one sees you naked.”

“Lead him to your room,” Domenico says from behind me.

I hadn’t even realized he was there.

I follow as Aryanna’s cougar leads me through the maze of hallways inside her father’s mansion. The place is beautiful, decorated by someone who obviously has more money than sense. But it’s cold and bleak. It’s not a home but a shell to house all his wealth.

When we enter her room, my mate shifts back to human form. Lust surges through me at the sight of my mate, that stands naked before me. I know that now isn’t the time to be distracted by my libido, but the need to reestablish our bond rides me hard.

“Little mate,” I growl as I prowl toward her. “I need to fuck you. Make sure you know who you belong to.”

“I already know,” she replies, her tone husky as she presses her breasts against my chest. “But I certainly won’t complain if you want to remind me.”

Turning her harshly to face away from me, I press her up against the wooden door, kicking her legs apart while pulling her hips back. My fingers slip through her wetness.

“Are you still sore, my love?” I ask, rubbing circles around her clit.

“No,” she moans. “Please. I need to feel you inside me.”

I don’t hesitate, spearing her with my erection. A loud moan falls from my lips.

“This is going to be fast,” I rasp in Aryanna’s ear. “I need to make sure my scent is unmistakable on your skin.”

My hips continue a punishing rhythm, my fingers slipping between her thighs and playing with the bundle of nerves above her sex. I want her with me when I come deep inside her body. I know it won’t be long. My balls are already pulling tight against my body, ready to explode.

“Draven!” she moans loudly as her orgasm sweeps over her, and her knees go weak.

My teeth sink into her skin again, marking her come once more as I shoot my load deep inside her. I hold her for long moments before pulling out. In silence, we both dress quickly, Aryanna in her own clothes and me in clothes that smell distinctively of her bother. As we leave the room in search of Domenico, my mate pulls me to a stop.

“I love you. I wanted to make sure you know that,” she says. “No matter what, I will always be by your side.”

Tangling my hands in her hair, I fuse our lips together. Kissing her with all the love I possess for her. Yes, it may have been fast, but I know that even without the mating bond, I would have loved Aryanna. There will never be another woman for me.

“I love you too, Aryanna,” I say as I lean my forehead against hers. “Now, let’s go find your brother and make sure we’re safe so we can finally start our life together.”

Aryanna takes my hand in hers, leading me down the grand staircase to a solid oak door. There is no one around, no people milling in the hallways, and for a moment, I find it strange. But when the door swings open, I no longer care.

We enter the cavernous office space, and I take in the large desk and shelves filled with all manner of books. In the center of the room sits one of the most powerful men in the country. Beaten, bloody, and tied to a chair.

Stefano Esposito has been taken out by his own son. Domenico stands behind him, breathing harshly, his knuckles bleeding as rage radiates from him.

“Daughter,” Stefano rasps. “Help me.”

Aryanna goes to walk around me, but I stop her. She smiles at me before moving forward. My mate stops a few steps from her father.

“Tell me, Father, would you have let me die? All for the sake of this vendetta you have with Mr. West and the Fallen Legion?”

He shakes his head but doesn’t answer her.

Aryanna places her hand over her stomach. “And if I tell you I can feel Draven’s offspring growing inside my womb?”

Stefano spits at my mate, and I see red. How dare he disrespect her like that. I want to rip his head clean off his shoulder, but my mate holds me back with a palm against my chest. Of course, I could overpower her, but I don’t want to.

Then her words hit me. My child? Can she really already know she is with child? It has been less than twenty-four hours but with our shifter magic, I assume it could be possible.

“I have no daughter,” Stefano says slowly. “You are just like your whore of a mother. Willing to spread your legs for any stray that comes along.”

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