Captured by the Alpha King

13 Rowan

13: Rowan

I awoke to golden sunlight filtering through sheer curtains, dust motes dancing in the beams. The warmth caressed my skin, and as I slowly opened my eyes, I became aware of a heaviness across my waist—Onyx's arm.

His breath stirred the hair at the nape of my neck. I felt the steady thump of his heartbeat against my back, the rise and fall of his chest in sync with my own breaths.

Such intimacy should have frightened me, but in the hazy bliss of the moment, I only felt safe. Protected.

Cherished.

I turned in his embrace to face him, watching as his eyes fluttered open. They were luminous in the morning light, glowing with warmth and affection as his gaze found mine.

"Good morning," he rumbled, his voice rough with sleep in a way that made me shiver.

"Morning," I whispered, tracing a finger along the sharp line of his jaw. His stubble pricked my skin, igniting sparks along my nerve endings.

The arm around my waist tightened, pulling me fully against him. I tangled my legs with his, craving the feel of his skin on mine, of our bodies and hearts and souls intertwined.

The sun rose higher outside the window, but in here, in the sanctuary of this bed, time seemed to stand still. There was only the two of us, hearts laid bare in the quiet intimacy of dawn.

Onyx dipped his head, brushing his lips over mine in a kiss that sent my head spinning. It deepened slowly, unhurried, an exploration that left me breathless and aching for more.

When at last we parted, I gazed into his eyes and saw my own wonder and joy reflected there. No more doubts, no more fears.

Only love, as boundless as the sky and as eternal as the sun. I drifted back to sleep with a smile on my face. Knowing this is my happily ever after, my knight in dark shadows somehow made my past and the fear of my future disappear.

The smell of coffee and bacon woke me. I stretched, the sheets sliding silkily over my bare skin. The space beside me was empty, the mattress still warm from Onyx's body.

I found him in the kitchen, flipping pancakes on the griddle. He glanced up as I entered, and the smile that lit his face made my heart skip a beat.

"Hungry?" He slid the pancakes onto a plate and brought it to the table, along with plates of bacon, eggs and fresh berries.

"Starving," I said, sitting down. He poured me a mug of coffee, adding a splash of cream and a spoonful of sugar just the way I liked it.

"Eat up." He sat across from me, watching with an intensity that should have been unnerving but only filled me with warmth. He wanted to take care of me, to provide for me, to make me his in every way.

"What's gotten into you? The broody, angsty wolf man I fell in love with has been replaced by this domestic god." I teased.

"Excuse me, miss, but I'll have you know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day." His eyes turned somber, "but in truth, I wanted to do something for you. I... I know I have issues, and that my heart has been full of darkness, but for you, I will not only burn the world, but I will make you pancakes and kiss your nightmares away."

A blush spread across my chest, creeping up to my cheeks. If I hadn't been sitting, my knees would have buckled from under me.

The food was delicious. Onyx was an amazing cook, and he'd gone all out for this meal. Still, it was hard to eat when all I wanted was to get lost in the depths of his gaze.

I reached across the table, taking his hand in mine. "Thank you for this. For everything."

He squeezed my fingers. "You're welcome. And thank you, for coming into my life and making me whole again."

Emotion welled in my chest, and I had to blink back tears. I'd found my mate, my missing piece, and together we were so much more than the sum of our parts.

After breakfast, Onyx suggested a hike to his favorite wildflower field. How could I refuse him anything? I readily agreed. Who knew he liked flowers. This version of Onyx was... interesting.

The trail started in a thick forest, sunlight barely breaking through the canopy above. Onyx led the way, his powerful body moving with predatory grace. I followed behind, admiring the view. The way his ass moved was divine.

The path grew steeper, winding up the mountainside. My leg muscles burned, but Onyx never slowed. Reaching back, he grasped my hand and pulled me along. I stumbled and laughed, clutching at his fingers. He glanced over his shoulder, eyes glowing, a wolfish grin on his face.

When we finally emerged above the treeline, I gasped. We stood at the edge of a vast meadow filled with wildflowers of every color—blue lupines, orange poppies, yellow sunflowers and pink fireweed stretching as far as the eye could see under a boundless blue sky.

Onyx wrapped his arms around me from behind, his chin resting on the top of my head. “Beautiful, isn't it? I come here to think, to escape. Now I'll only come here with you.”

My heart swelled at his words. I turned in his embrace, winding my arms around his neck and pulling his mouth down to mine. We kissed deeply, and I knew I'd follow this man anywhere. He was my mate, my love, my everything.

We wandered into the meadow, the flowers brushing against our legs. Onyx kept his arm around my waist, his warmth seeping through my clothes. I leaned into his side, dizzy with love and the crisp mountain air.

“Look,” Onyx said, pointing upward. A pair of eagles soared high above, describing lazy circles in the endless blue sky.

“They're magnificent,” I breathed. Onyx's eyes were on my face, a soft smile curving his lips.

“Not as magnificent as you.” His voice was a low rumble that made my cheeks flush with pleasure.

We found a sunny spot and lay down facing each other, the wildflowers rustling around us. I traced the lines of his face with a fingertip, those sharp cheekbones and that strong jaw. He caught my hand and pressed a kiss to my palm, his eyes glowing amber.

“What would you like to do now, my love?” he purred. “We have all the time in the world.”

My heart raced. I knew what I wanted, what we both craved. I moved closer, slanting my mouth over his in a slow, deep kiss. He made a low sound in his throat, pulling me against him. His hand slid under my shirt, callused fingers skimming up my spine. I tangled my legs with his, desire burning through my veins like fire.

“Take me,” I whispered against his lips. “Claim me as yours.”

A wolfish smile crossed his face. “As you wish.”

In a flash of movement, he pinned me beneath him. I cried out at the feeling of his hard body against mine. He took his time, exploring me, caressing me, moving against me before ripping my pants off and plunging inside me with the need of a madman. He pinched my n*****s, rolling them in between his fingers as he hastened his pace.

"Oh my god..."

"Yes?" He smirked, "what can I do for you, little bird?" He slowed his pace until it was torturing me. I ground my hips against him, trying to force him to go faster.

"Stop squirming. I'll torture you forever if you keep this up."

I stilled, allowing him to set the rhythm, but underneath his facade, I could see he was barely holding on. Pulling his ear to my mouth, I nibbled on his earlobe before whispering, "fill me."

That was all it took for him to unleash the beast. Flipping me over, pushing my head into the ground, he growled as he relentlessly f****d me. Forcing me closer to the edge until he reached around and pushed his finer on my c**t, eliciting a storm through my body as I moaned through my release, feeling his c**k twitch as he unloaded.

"My god, you are perfect," he panted.

"No, you." I giggled before he pulled me up and rolled me into his arms.

I traced slow circles on his chest, drinking in the sight of him. His tanned skin glowed as the sun hit him just right.

“Tell me about yourself,” he said softly. “Your past, your hopes, your dreams. I want to know everything.”

His request made my heart clench. I hadn't spoken of these things in so long, afraid to bare my soul. But this was Onyx. I could trust him.

I took a deep breath and began. “My childhood wasn't an easy one. My parents were never around, always working, but they weren't bad parents when they were around. So I learned to take care of myself from an early age. I loved them but they weren't the kind to coddle.”

Onyx made a low sound of sympathy, tightening his arms around me. I continued, “Books were my escape. I'd read anything I could get my hands on, losing myself in other worlds and lives. They showed me that there was more out there waiting, if only I was brave enough to reach for it.”

“Oh, my sweet little bird,” Onyx said fiercely. “You deserve all the joy and wonder in the world.”

Tears pricked my eyes at his words. “You've given that to me,” I whispered. “A home, and love, and freedom. You've made me whole again.”

“As you have made me,” he replied softly. “Two halves of the same soul, joined at last.”

I kissed him then, pouring all my love and gratitude into it. Onyx responded with a fierce passion that left me breathless. We moved together under the rustling wildflowers, hearts and bodies entwined. And I knew that this was where I would always belong. Home, at last.

And just like that, my mind turned to mush as his c**k hardened again. My lord this man is insatiable.

Our lovemaking was slow and tender, each caress a revelation. Onyx kissed every inch of my skin as if sealing me to him, binding us together with silken threads of pleasure and desire.

When we finally joined, the world fell away. There was only Onyx surrounding me, within me, our hearts beating as one. I rode the waves of ecstasy again and again, crying out his name, clinging to him as the sun dipped low in the sky.

Afterward we lay tangled together, too sated and content to move. I could do this forever.

“I never knew it could be like this,” I mused. “So deep, so all-encompassing. You make me feel...” I trailed off, unable to find the right words.

“I know."

The shadows lengthened around us as twilight fell. But in Onyx's arms, I had no fear of the dark. I knew that together, we could face any challenge, overcome any obstacle. Our love would be the light to guide our way.

Onyx tucked me closer against him, his heartbeat strong and sure under my ear. “Rest now, my heart,” he whispered. “The sun will rise again.”

And cradled in his embrace, I slept through the night without dreams, safe in the knowledge that I was loved.