Emma POV
I needed to trust Clay more, to trust myself with him. Clay had spent hours helping me, his presence a comforting anchor in the chaos. I could hear the distant sound of rain tapping against the window, a soothing melody that matched the rhythm of his gentle touch on my bare skin. The scent of lavender lingered in the air, a soft reminder of the calming oil he had used to ease my pain. I could feel his fingers moving delicately, tracing invisible patterns on my healing body. "You're healing now," he whispered, relief evident in his voice.
Gratitude filled my heart as I whispered my thanks to him. His response was a simple "anytime," spoken with a tenderness that touched my soul.
I knew I owed him an apology, for pushing him away, for not fully trusting him. The guilt weighed heavily on me. I vowed to myself to remember that he was my mate, a gift from the goddess, and that I should have faith in both her and in him. The room was filled with a sense of forgiveness and acceptance as I spoke these words to him.
As I sat up, the sheets sliding off my body, I felt a twinge of pain. But it was nothing compared to the agony I had endured before. Clay's presence had kept me stable throughout the night, ensuring that I could sleep without discomfort.
I reached out and took his hand, feeling the contrast between his large hand and my smaller one. As his fingers intertwined with mine, I could sense the warmth of his touch.
"I considered what you asked, Clay," I began, my voice filled with uncertainty. "We can discuss with Bryn today about you becoming Lycan. I'll be honest, I am not aware of the full process, but it can possibly put you into a deep sleep for several days. And then, at first, it may be difficult for you to adjust. And then, well, your first shift... it will be incredibly painful. So, I just want to make sure it is something safe to do here first, okay?"
He nodded, his eyes meeting mine, understanding passing between us.
"Understood," he responded softly.
Just as I was going to speak again my brother's voice echoed in my mind, breaking the tranquility of the moment.
"I'm sure you expected this already, Emma," my brother's voice murmured, his tone laced with concern. "And I hate to give you bad news, but Alpha Leon's son is now out for blood due to you killing his father. They have, of course, contacted the kingdom, seeking justice or even threatening to come after the kingdom and gather support. Not just that, they have now spread rumors about your relationship with Clay. If it's safe, Mom and Dad really think we should head home."
The weight of his words settled heavily upon me, the tension coiling in my chest.
Determined, I shook my head, my resolve hardening.
"Not happening," I linked with him, my voice tinged with defiance. "Ryan's pack will be destroyed since they aided us. Until the hunters are taken care of, I'm not leaving here."
"Is everything okay?" Clay asked me, his voice filled with concern. I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the situation pressing on me.
"Let's get dressed and head downstairs," I said. "I'm sure we're no longer trapped in this room."
"Noah, we need clothing," I linked my brother mentally.
"Outside the bedroom door already," he responded, his thoughts echoing in my mind.
"Thanks," I replied, grateful for his assistance.
Clay chuckled, his laughter filling the room. I looked at him curiously, wondering what had caused his amusement. "What's with the goofy face?" I asked, my eyebrows raised in curiosity.
He grinned at me, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "It's just... well, you really don't know how f*****g cute you are," he said, his voice filled with adoration. "Your eyes light up when you're using your mind-link with your brother, and you make these really cute faces too."
Surprised, I asked, "I make faces?"
Clay nodded. "Cute faces," he confirmed. I realized that I needed to work on keeping a straight face when using the mind-link, especially around others who weren't aware of our connection. "I guess I need to work on that," I admitted.
"When you turn me, will we be able to communicate that way too?"Clay asked.
I nodded. "Yes, it may take some time, but as my mate, we'll be able to speak through the mind-link. We can even share images with each other when we're apart. In my realm, technology isn't as prevalent as in the human realm. Wolves and Lycans prefer spending time in nature, so we rely more on personal interactions. I used to go for runs or visit a peaceful lake to relax. I also spent a lot of time reading and studying."
"Really? I would have never known you were into studying."Clay teased me, his words laced with amusement. I playfully rolled my eyes, grabbing the clothing quickly as he headed into the bathroom to start the shower.
I waited a minute, the anticipation building, before entering the steam-filled bathroom. The air was thick with the scent of warm water and soap. As I approached, I could hear the sound of water droplets hitting the shower floor, creating a rhythmic melody. His back was turned, unaware of my presence. Through the foggy glass, I caught glimpses of his glistening body. The sight of his sculpted physique was captivating.
I gently slid open the shower door, the cool touch of the glass contrasting with the warm mist surrounding us. With only one thing on my mind, I stepped inside to join him. "Emma," he exclaimed, his voice filled with surprise. My hands found their way to his back, feeling the smoothness of his skin beneath my fingertips.
"Is it okay if I shower with you?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.
"Sure," he replied, though he continued to keep his back to me. Undeterred, I moved my hands lower, tracing a path along his body. A low groan escaped his lips, a testament to the pleasure building within him.
“If you keep that up,” he murmured, his voice a low rumble.
"I'm well aware, Clay. I am healed enough now," I reassured him, my voice filled with desire. In an instant, he turned and pressed me against the shower wall, his body pressing against mine, igniting a fiery sensation. His mouth explored my body as he held my hands in place. I was still dripping wet, It was no longer the lingering effects of the drug, but rather my own longing for him.
He effortlessly lifted me, as if I weighed nothing, and kept me pinned me against the wall and positioned himself. With each thrust, he filled me, creating an overwhelming wave of ecstasy.
"f**k," he moaned, his manhood throbbing inside me. I knew he had been holding back, his own desire for my pleasure outweighing his own. The way he held me, his powerful movements, it was undeniably arousing.
"Just imagine what it will be like when we turn mate," Inara howled within me, her words fueling my passion. The mere thought of it sent shivers of pleasure throughout my entire body. As an orgasm washed over me, he hit that perfect spot, intensifying the pleasure. Moments later, he released into me, his voice filled with adoration. "You are perfect," he whispered, holding me a little while longer before gently placing me back on the shower floor. Together, we washed away the remnants of our passionate encounter.
"You really are something else, Emma," Clay said to me, his words filling the air with a mixture of awe and desire.
I could feel my cheeks flush as I hastily dressed, trying to hide my reaction. He was like a drug to me, intoxicating in every way. The sound of water droplets hitting the floor echoed in my ears, a reminder of the steamy shower we had just shared.
Inara's voice rang in my mind, her excitement palpable. "We can lock ourselves away with our mate for a few days once we return home," she suggested mischievously, causing me to chuckle softly. Her presence was both comforting and exhilarating.
Leaving the room, I was greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, courtesy of my brother. I eagerly accepted the cup, the rich scent enveloping my senses. The kitchen was filled with an array of food, a feast prepared by my loved ones. The sight of the spread warmed my heart, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for their care and support.
"Just so you know, the noises from the bathroom tends to travel through the vents here," Noah casually mentioned, causing me to spit out my coffee and cough. Flint and Clay burst into laughter, but my gaze shifted towards Clay.
"I'm sure Noah already filled you in on the bad news," Flint said to me.
"Yeah, but I had a feeling it was coming. I know my parents can handle the kingdom, but I understand if you and Bryn need to go back and be with family," I replied to Flint.
"You kids are all grown up, and right now, you're the one who needs us, Kiddo. I'm assuming you won't be returning to the Kingdom," Flint remarked.
"No, not until things here are sorted out," I affirmed.
Flint smiled, saying, "Just like your mother, Emma. I'm proud of you. Well then, let's show these hunters and tractor wolves that they shouldn't mess with the Lycans," he said with a mischievous grin.
Meanwhile, my phone buzzed with a text, and I looked at the screen with a smile before responding, "Ryan is just checking in on how I'm doing. We need to prioritize their pack and protect them," I stated.
"I agree," Flint nodded in agreement. I then turned my attention to Bryn.
"Is it possible to turn Clay here?" I asked her. She looked at Clay for a moment, her eyes scanning his face for any sign of hesitation. "Is this truly what you want?" she asked him, her voice soft and echoing in the quiet room.
"Yes," he said.
"A change like this forced can be harmful," she warned. "But if this is what you want, then yes. Although it may be a little more difficult here."
"I do think it may benefit Emma and you will become stronger," she continued, her words laced with a hint of hope. "I can be prepared by this afternoon."
"Flint and Noah, you will need to help patrol this area," she instructed, her voice filled with authority. "Even with the barrier, as Clay may be out for a few days."
"Emma, it is best you stay with Clay," she advised, her voice tinged with concern. "Have Flint and Noah, as well as Ryan and his pack, handle any situations that come up in that time."
"The transformation will be a lot easier for him with you nearby," she added, her voice gentle and reassuring.
"I will," I replied. "Let me just message Ryan and tell him what is going on."
"I want to be updated on a regular about Kris and make sure that eyes remain on Melody as well," I explained. "I need to make sure nothing more happens to them," I said, my voice tinged with worry. "I still have not spoken to Melody much, other than to lie and say that Kris was dealing with a personal matter."
"But she seems like someone that will reach out more and search for him soon," I admitted, my voice filled with a mix of uncertainty and guilt. I couldn't help but wonder if the truth would bring her closer or push her further away from the hidden world that awaited her.
"You have known I was your mate from the first moment we met, right?" Clay asked me, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and anticipation.
"Yes," I said.
"Did you consider not being with me because I was human then?" Clay asked.
"Yes," I admitted.
"There were times since you did not sense the mate bond like me. It made it harder, and, well, I could also not blame you," I confessed.
"The only real times I questioned if we could be together were, well, when you were with Liz," I admitted, the words feeling heavy on my tongue.
"I'm sorry," Clay said, his voice tinged with remorse and regret. I reached out to touch his hand, feeling the warmth of his skin against mine, a comforting reassurance amidst the swirling emotions.
"You don't need to apologize," I assured him, my voice filled with understanding.
"The past is the past, and you had no clue," I said. Clay opened his mouth to say more, but I gently silenced him.
"Now, let's eat," I suggested.
"It seems like today will be a busy day, and I also need to work more on a strategy moving forward with our attack plan," I continued.
"I'll help, Emma. I know well you like to do a lot of this on your own," my brother offered, his voice filled with a mix of support and understanding. I smiled gratefully, feeling the warmth of his presence beside me as we shared a meal.
"Thanks," I said, my voice carrying a sense of appreciation
The attack on Ryan's pack and the attempt to hold me captive had only strengthened my resolve to put an end to the corrupt hunters and the wolves that sought to destroy everything my family had worked towards.