Dark Woods

Chapter 11

Outside in the cool night air, the weight of everything settles over us like a suffocating blanket as logistics get complicated.

"How are we getting home? I left my car at the party," Kylie says, exhaustion finally breaking through her earlier fury.

"I could call an Uber," Jasmine suggests quietly, her worried gaze never leaving Sarah, who's swaying slightly on her feet.

"I'll take Sarah," Lucas says immediately, his voice rough with emotion as he moves to position himself protectively beside her—close enough to catch her if she falls, but careful not to crowd her. "We'll meet you at the house."

Sarah looks up at him with haunted eyes, and something passes between them—recognition, maybe, of the bond neither fully gets yet. The mate connection's humming beneath the surface, Lucas's wolf desperate to comfort and protect while Sarah's human instincts war between trust and trauma.

"Is that... is that okay with you?" Lucas asks softly, giving her the choice, his voice gentler than I've ever heard it. "I just need to know you're safe."

Sarah studies Lucas's face for a long moment, and I watch as she seems to see past the blood on his knuckles to the genuine concern in his eyes. Finally, she gives a small nod. "Okay," she whispers.

The relief that washes over Lucas's features is almost painful for me to witness. "Thank you," Lucas breathes.

As we make our way to the cars, I observe how Lucas stays close to Sarah but never touches her, his presence protective but not overwhelming. I watch my best friend open the passenger door carefully, waiting until Sarah's settled before closing it gently.

"We'll follow you," I tell Lucas through the driver's window. "And Luke? Drive slow."

Lucas nods, getting the subtext—Sarah's been through enough tonight.

"He really cares about her," Jasmine says quietly, following my gaze.

"Yeah," I reply. "I've never seen him like this."

"Kylie, you're riding with Nick," I say, watching as Nick steps forward.

"I can get an Uber—" Kylie starts to protest.

"No," I say firmly. "It's late, and after tonight, no one's traveling alone."

I watch as Nick gently but protectively guides Kylie toward his car. As Keaton's beta, Nick already knows Kylie's his mate, though she's got no clue. I can see the barely contained tension in Nick's movements—his mate's best friend just got brutally attacked, and his protective instincts are in overdrive.

That leaves me with Jasmine.

"You're riding with me," I say, taking Jasmine's hand before she can protest.

The moment our skin touches, electricity shoots through me. Her hand's warm and soft, and I can feel her pulse racing under my thumb. She doesn't pull away, which I take as a good sign.

"Okay," she says quietly, and I lead her to my Ferrari.

The drive starts quiet. Jasmine stares out the window while I listen to her racing heartbeat. The silence isn't uncomfortable, exactly, but it's heavy with everything that's happened tonight. I can practically feel the emotions rolling off her—fear, anger, protectiveness, and something else I can't quite figure out.

When I take her hand and caress her fingers, she gasps softly.

"Jasmine, I'll never hurt you. You're safe with me—I promise."

"I know," she says quietly. "It's just been... overwhelming."

"Yeah. Tonight was intense."

"Why was Lucas acting like Sarah's his mate?"

"Because she is."

"What?!" Jasmine's eyes go wide. "Seriously?"

"He turns eighteen soon. Having his mate so close probably triggered his protective instincts when she was in danger."

"Wait, don't you and Lucas have the same birthday?"

"Yeah. How'd you know that?"

"Everyone knows. You guys are like royalty at school. All the girls at North Wood ever talk about. It's actually annoying," she says casually.

I grin. "Didn't realize we were so annoying. Sorry."

"Oh no! Not you guys—the girls obsessing over you. You're all actually pretty cool," Jasmine says quickly.

She thinks I'm cool. I'll take it.

"So what about you?" she asks, glancing at me. "Do you think you'll find your mate soon?"

The question makes my stomach tighten. I know the answer, have known it for weeks now, but I'm not ready to go there yet. Not tonight, not after everything that's happened.

"I don't really think about it much," I lie, my grip tightening on the steering wheel.

"Really?" She raises an eyebrow. "That's surprising. I figured you guys would be obsessed with finding your mates."

"Maybe the others are. I've got other s**t to focus on."

"Like what?"

I glance at her, taking in the way the moonlight catches her hair, the curve of her lips. "Like making sure you get home safe."

She blushes at that, looking away. "Gabriel..."

"What?" I ask, my voice dropping lower.

"Nothing. It's just... tonight's been crazy, and I don't know what I'm feeling right now."

I pull over to the side of the road, putting the car in park. The sudden silence is deafening as I turn to face her. "What are you feeling?"

"Confused," she admits, her voice barely a whisper. "Scared about Sarah. But also... something else. Something I don't understand."

"Like what?"

She looks at me, and I can see the conflict in her eyes. "Like I don't want this night to end. Like being here with you feels... right."

Thank f*****g God.

Before I can second-guess myself, I'm leaning across the center console, my hand cupping her face. "Can I kiss you?"

She nods, and then my lips are on hers, and everything else fades away. The kiss starts gentle, tentative, but the moment she responds, something wild and desperate takes over.

She tastes like mint and something uniquely her, and I can't get enough. My tongue traces the seam of her lips, and when she opens for me, I groan into her mouth. Her hands fist in my shirt, pulling me closer, and I can feel her heartbeat racing against my chest.

"Jasmine," I breathe against her lips, and she makes this little sound that goes straight to my c**k.

"Gabriel," she whispers back, and the way she says my name makes me lose what little control I have left.

I pull back just enough to look at her, and what I see in her eyes makes my breath catch. Want. Need. The same desperate hunger I'm feeling.

"We should stop," I say, even as my hands slide into her hair. "This isn't... we shouldn't..."

"I don't wanna stop," she says, and that's all the permission I need.

I capture her lips again, this time with none of the earlier restraint. She meets me kiss for kiss, her hands roaming over my chest, her nails scraping against my skin through my shirt. When she arches against me, I can feel the heat of her body, and it's driving me crazy.

"Backseat," I growl against her mouth, and she nods frantically.

We're both breathing hard as we climb into the back of the Ferrari. The space is tight, but I don't give a s**t. All I care about is getting my hands on her, tasting every inch of her skin.

I pull her onto my lap, and she straddles me, her dress riding up to reveal the smooth skin of her thighs. My hands slide up her legs, and she shudders at the contact.

"You're so f*****g beautiful," I murmur, pressing kisses along her neck. She tilts her head back, giving me better access, and I can feel her pulse racing under my lips.

"Gabriel," she gasps when I find that sensitive spot just below her ear. "Please..."

"Please what, baby?" I ask, my voice rough with want.

"Touch me," she whispers, and I nearly come undone right there.

My hands slide higher, pushing her dress up around her waist. She's wearing black lace panties that are already damp, and the sight makes me groan.

"You're so wet for me," I say, running my finger along the edge of her panties. "Is this what you want?"

"Yes," she breathes, rocking against my hand. "Please, Gabriel."

I push her panties aside and slide one finger into her tight heat. She's so f*****g wet, so ready for me, and she cries out at the contact.

"f**k, you feel incredible," I growl, adding another finger. She's tight around me, her walls fluttering as I work her higher.

"Oh god," she moans, her head falling back as she rides my fingers. "Don't stop."

I curl my fingers inside her, finding that spot that makes her cry out, and she comes apart in my arms. Her body shudders against mine, and I can feel her pulsing around my fingers.

"That's it, baby," I murmur, working her through her orgasm. "So f*****g perfect."

When she finally comes down, she looks at me with glazed eyes. "That was..."

"Just the beginning," I finish, capturing her lips again.

She reaches for my belt, her hands fumbling with the buckle. "I wanna touch you too."

"No," I say firmly, catching her hands. "Tonight's about you."

"But I want—"

"I know what you want," I interrupt, my voice dropping to a commanding tone. "But I'm in control here. You're gonna let me take care of you."

The way her eyes widen and her breath catches tells me she likes this side of me. Good. Because I need to be in control right now, need to show her exactly how she should be treated.

I lift her off my lap and position her on her back across the seat. She looks up at me with those blue eyes, and I can see the trust there, the willingness to let me take charge.

"Spread your legs for me," I command, and she does without hesitation.

I push her dress up to her waist and hook my fingers in her panties, pulling them down her legs. She's completely bare to me now, and the sight makes my mouth water.

"Jesus Christ, you're perfect," I breathe, running my hands up her thighs. "I'm gonna make you feel so good."

I lean down and press a kiss to her inner thigh, then another, working my way higher. She's trembling beneath me, her breathing shallow.

"Gabriel," she whimpers, and I can hear the need in her voice.

"I know, baby," I murmur against her skin. "I'm gonna take care of you."

When I finally put my mouth on her, she cries out, her hands fisting in my hair. I use my tongue to explore every inch of her, learning what makes her moan, what makes her arch against me.

"Oh f**k," she gasps, her hips rolling against my mouth. "That feels so good."

I slip two fingers inside her while I work her c**t with my tongue, and she practically screams. Her thighs tighten around my head, and I can feel her getting close.

"Come for me," I growl against her. "I wanna taste you when you come."

She falls apart with a cry, her body convulsing as I work her through it. I don't stop until she's pushing at my head, oversensitive and shaking.

"Holy s**t," she breathes, staring at me with wide eyes. "I've never..."

"Never what?" I ask, moving up to kiss her neck.

"Never felt anything like that," she admits, her voice still shaky.

"Good," I say, my voice rough with possession. "Because I'm not done with you yet."

I reach for my belt, but she stops me.

"Wait," she says, sitting up. "I want to..."

"Want to what?"

"I want to taste you too," she says, and the shy way she says it makes my c**k throb.

"Are you sure?" I ask, searching her face.

She nods, and I help her position herself between my legs. When she takes me in her mouth, I see stars. She's inexperienced, but eager, and the combination is driving me crazy.

"f**k, baby," I groan, my hands tangling in her hair. "Just like that."

She finds her rhythm, and I have to grip the seat to keep from losing it. When she looks up at me with those blue eyes while her mouth works on me, I nearly come right then and there.

"Stop," I say, gently pulling her off me. "I need to be inside you."

She nods, and I position her back on the seat. "You sure about this?" I ask, even though every fiber of my being is screaming at me to claim her.

"Yes," she says firmly. "I want this. I want you."

That's all I need to hear. I position myself at her entrance and push inside slowly, giving her time to adjust. She's so tight, so perfect, and I have to bite my lip to keep from coming.

"You okay?" I ask through gritted teeth.

"Yeah," she breathes. "You can move."

I start with slow, deep thrusts, watching her face for any sign of discomfort. But all I see is pleasure, and it drives me wild.

"Faster," she begs, and I lose the last of my control.

I pick up the pace, driving into her with everything I have. The sound of our bodies coming together fills the car, and I can feel her getting close again.

"Come for me one more time," I demand, reaching between us to circle her c**t. "I wanna feel you come on my cock."

She cries out, her body convulsing around me, and the feeling sends me over the edge. I thrust into her one last time, spilling myself inside her with a groan.

We collapse against each other, both breathing hard. I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, and I press a kiss to the top of her head.

"That was..." she starts.

"Perfect," I finish, and she smiles against my neck.

"What happens now?" she asks quietly.

"Now," I say, tightening my arms around her, "you're mine. And I'm never letting you go."