Mated by Fate

3

Zephyr's voice rumbled in her ear. "It's just me. I decided to join you." His large hands massaged her shoulders, running up and down her arms. "You're a delicate little thing, aren't you?"

"I... yes." Her muscles tensed once more, all the relaxation benefits of the hot water disappearing.

"Nielle, I know this is... awkward... but try to relax, and I'll make it as easy on you as possible."

She obediently nodded, but inwardly, she thought he must be kidding. Relax? He was about to invade her body, tear down the walls of her virginity, and leave his seed inside her. A bubble of hysterical laughter threatened to escape her throat.

Standing frozen under the pounding water, Nielle felt his lips trail down her neck, while his hands encircled her waist before moving up to cup her breasts. She gasped as she felt his rough palms caress her, and he tweaked her n*****s before lowering his mouth to kiss her ear, his hot breath tickling the sensitive skin.

"Mmm, your skin is so soft," Zephyr rumbled his approval before spinning her around and capturing her mouth with his. Expertly, his lips teased hers, and before she realized what she was doing, Nielle opened her mouth, and his tongue slipped inside, gently stroking hers. His skillful lips caressed and teased, igniting a fire within her. Involuntarily, she found herself responding, gripping his biceps as his hands roamed up and down her back, drawing her closer until their bodies touched from chest to knee.

Nielle could feel his hot erection pressing against her stomach and a strange quiver of excitement shot through her. This was what her friends had talked about… Even as the thought passed through her mind, she felt herself being picked up and carried into the bedroom.

Zephyr seemed unconcerned about their wet condition as he gently placed her on the bed and settled beside her. He lavished her with kisses and caresses, his nips and strokes sending shivers of pleasure through her body. Every nerve ending seemed to be on fire as he teased her. Heat continued to build inside her, and she squirmed restlessly. Zephyr moved down to lick her belly and massage her hips, then, surprisingly, he gripped her thighs and parted her legs, burying his face in her curls. Inhaling deeply, he traced his tongue along her nether lips. Nielle tried to pull away, but his hold was firm.

"I can smell your arousal, taste it... It calls to me," Zephyr said, his eyes dilated, breathing uneven. He moved up and kissed her fervently. "You are my mate," he whispered against her lips before shifting to her neck, lightly grazing her skin with his teeth, not breaking the surface. He trailed his lips back to hers, sucking on her lower lip before kissing her again.

She began to lose herself in the kiss, but then she felt him insert a finger inside her, and she tensed. It felt unfamiliar. "Relax, this will make it easier," he murmured against her mouth. The finger explored her body, and an intriguing sensation tingled low within her. Her hips moved of their own accord against his hand, and he introduced another finger. Once again, she stiffened, the tightness causing discomfort, but soon the motion of his hand generated a new, unusual pleasure, and she found herself growing moist and at ease.

Zephyr's fingers glided in and out of her, and Nielle closed her eyes, focusing on the growing sensations within her. There was tension, but it was undeniably thrilling. Her breathing became shallow, and she felt herself inching closer to an unknown destination. When he suddenly stopped, she whimpered in frustration. Then, his fingers were gone, and her eyes shot open as she watched him rise above her, positioning himself at her entrance. For a brief moment, he locked eyes with her before thrusting himself inside.

She gasped in pain. He was too large. "No!" She struggled, attempting to escape, but she was trapped between his arms. He pulled out and thrust into her again twice more, each time delving deeper until he was fully inside.

Tears streamed from her eyes, and he leaned forward, tenderly licking them away. "It will be okay. The first time can be challenging," he reassured her. "You're smaller compared to me, but in a moment, it will get better. Let me know when the pain eases."

A part of her mind registered Zephyr's trembling as he held himself still within her, but her own sensations overwhelmed any curiosity. The burning sensation gradually subsided, and she nodded after swallowing hard. "I'm okay now." Slowly, he began to move within her, and soon the pleasurable sensations resurfaced. They seemed to emanate from deep within her, like a slowly expanding bubble. As Zephyr's movements intensified, her shallow breathing betrayed her growing need. Her fingers dug into his back, and he instinctively responded.

Zephyr thrust into her with increasing speed and intensity. Suddenly, the bubble burst, and she lost control, her limbs quivering as she reached her c****x. Vaguely, she heard Zephyr's gratified grunts before he collapsed on top of her, his chest heaving.

After a moment, he withdrew and rolled over, and the room fell silent, save for their labored breaths. As the pleasurable sensations waned, Nielle's rational thoughts took hold. It wasn't Kieran who had just brought her to her first o****m; it was Zephyr, a near stranger. Overwhelming shame and regret flooded her. How could she have enjoyed being with him? It all felt so wrong, but there was no turning back. She was bound to him for life.

Beside her, Zephyr stirred, and she sensed him turning toward her, his amber eyes fixed on her. She made no effort to meet his gaze and instead attempted to regain control of her breathing. It proved futile. With each inhalation, her breath trembled, revealing her emotional turmoil. Despite blinking rapidly, a stray tear trickled down her cheek.

The covers rustled beside her, and then she felt his finger gently brush the tear from her cheek. "I'm sorry, Nielle," Zephyr's voice, deep yet gentle, filled the room.

"It's inconsequential," she whispered, her gaze fixed on the ceiling. She couldn't discern the exact reason for his apology. Was it for bonding with her? For the inevitable pain that came with their first union? Or perhaps it was an apology for the fact that she was now forever tethered to him, despite her heart belonging to another. Maybe it was all three, though they were circumstances beyond anyone's control. She swallowed hard, her voice trembling, "There was no other choice."

He sighed in agreement, his arm encircling her waist, drawing her closer. She rested her cheek against his strong chest, too drained to resist, finding solace in the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. "I wish I could have given you more time to know me before our mating, but the Elders demand proof of our union."

A flush of embarrassment tinged her cheeks at the thought of bloodstained sheets serving as proof of her virginity, an archaic tradition to ensure the purity of the bloodlines between packs. The prospect of her coming into the relationship tainted with another male's offspring was unthinkable. Zephyr was undeniably her first and only mate now.

Yet tradition couldn't diminish her shame. All her friends and family would witness and understand the intimacy that had transpired between her and Zephyr. Most painfully, Kieran, the one she loved, would know as well.

She closed her eyes, memories of the past day flooding her thoughts. The recollections brought her back to the present, pinned against Zephyr's chest, his arm enveloping her. She felt ensnared, by both his embrace and the irrevocable bond that now defined her life. The future loomed uncertain. What would it be like to spend her days with this man? To share his bed, bear his offspring, and grow old by his side? Would he make time for forest runs, or would the demands of his Alpha duties consume him? And who were the members of his pack? Leaving her friends and family behind was inevitable. Her new status as his mate would command respect, but would anyone truly be her friend, or was a solitary existence her destiny?