Moon Bound

14. Carina

Most. Bizarre. Day.

Any funeral I’ve ever attended has concluded with the ceremony. Not shifters though. They know how to do a funeral. After the pyre, a party started in the old alpha’s honour. Think bonfire kegger and that’s what I’m observing now.

Shifters are scattered everywhere all over the camp, due to the addition of two more packs. Groups of them hang around, all drinking from beer bottles. Where and how they managed to bring in the few cases they did amazes me and I wonder if we’re closer to a town than I originally believed.

Perched on the edge of a bench near the fire, I keep my gaze focused on the roaring flames. It’s something to stare at that isn’t a wolf because the few times I glanced around, I got hostile gazes.

The fire also keeps my attention from him. He who has a girl perched on his lap with her mouth fused to his. I glance away, disgust rising in my throat.

“Hey.” Lucas plops down on the bench beside me. He holds up a nearly-full beer bottle in greeting. “What’s up?”

What does he want me to say? My shoulders lift in a shrug. “Watching the fire.” Without being able to resist, my eyes focus on Ryder again. Only this time, his returning stare steals my breath and I shift my gaze away, directing it to Lucas again. He’s friendly at least.

His attention also remains on Ryder and his mouth twists in a humorous sneer. “It’s pathetic, eh? They’d do anything to mate with the alpha.”

Curious, I ask, “Does he have to take a mate?”

He blows out a breath. “Yes, because he’ll be expected to create the next alpha. It’s a sign of strength to have a partner beside you.

I risk a peek back through the fire, noting he’s no longer where I last saw him. I suppose he and the girl went off somewhere. There’s a tightness in my chest and a strong desire to call upon fire magic creeps its way into my thoughts.

“Can any shifter be a mate?” I ask. Witches’ unions are marriage-based with no supernatural element to it.

“Anyone we want to, more or less. He’ll need to find someone suitable for him. It can be someone in the current pack, but mating serves as an ideal opportunity to create unions with another.”

“Is that what all this is about?” I gesture at the space around us. All these people are here for…?

Lucas chuckles. “Partially. It’s courteous for neighbouring packs to come out and celebrate the life of the outgoing alpha. It shows respect for the past and support for the future—support for Ryder’s leadership. But they also like to use it as a chance to throw any available wolf at the pack, for anyone. Not just Ryder.” His hand motions the area. “Look around. Notice how many skimpily-dressed females there are tonight? How many young males? It’s not by accident.”

Now that he mentions it… everyone seems to be grouped up in twos or fours. Women in tiny clothing and large males towering over any pack female.

“So, someone here can be for you?”

His eyes lock on something—or someone—behind my head and a wistful smile stretches his mouth. “I suppose so.”

“It’s barbaric.”

“It certainly is.” He laughs, the gloom lifting from his tone. “Ryder hates it all.”

“Doesn’t seem to.” The words escape snider than I mean.

Lucas chuckles again, this time his eyes penetrating me. “He’s drunk. He hates it. He wants his true mate.”

“What’s that?”

“In rare cases, there is a shifter out there designed specifically for each of us. Elders call it our true mates. We’re bonded to them in ways we couldn’t be with a normal wolf. They’re all who matters, all we think about. We fight to protect them with our last breath. Shifters mate for life, so who we accept is important, but when it comes to the true mate, they’re chosen for us.”

“Doesn’t seem fair,” I comment. “Having nature choose someone for you. How do you feel about it?”

He shrugs. “I’m not sure honestly. It’s extremely rare. The last time I heard it happening was before I was born.”

“Ryder wants it?”

“He does. He knows he needs a mate, but deep down, he’s a romantic. He’ll do his duty, but I think he wants his person, you know?”

“Were his parents that?”

“No.” Lucas’s head tilts, his eyes moving far away. “But they were an example of choosing the right person. They got very lucky.”

“What was his mother like?” I find myself asking.

“Kind. Lovely. She was a mother to us all.” His serene smile is cast into the fire in front of us.

“What was her name?”

“Amaris.”

“Hmm, beautiful,” I murmur. Amaris. Unique, but without even knowing her, I suspect her name suited her well.

Lucas nods once. “Just like she was.” His head lifts, eyes locking on something behind me. His expression crinkles, amusement lifting one half of his mouth into a smile. “With that, good luck, Carina.”

Before I can question his meaning, his space is filled by an even larger body, the same penetrating eyes I watched from across the fire earlier boring into me angrily. As if I did something wrong.

Scowling, I turn away from him, facing the fire again. “Where’s your posse?”

“She was boring.” Beer wafts from his breath and into my nose and I gag at the strong odour.

“Drink water.”

A bottle of water enters my vision. It’s half-empty, showing he has been, so slowly and half-reluctantly, I twist to face him again.

“What happened to her?” I jerk my head to the other side of the camp, where he was previously.

Ryder waves his hand, his attention obviously elsewhere. “Told her I wasn’t interested.”

“And why’s that?” I can’t stop the dangerous game I’m playing.

His head ducks. “Because I can’t get you out of my head.”

My lips part and my heart thumps to the point of pain. “You’re only saying that because you’re drunk.”

His mouth tilts into a messy smile. “Not really. Between the water and my metabolism, I’m merely buzzed.” His body slides closer, his leg pressing into mine. “And I know what I want.”

My breath hitches. What is happening? This shouldn’t be happening.

Ryder’s arm snakes around my waist and I’m tugged nearly onto his lap. Hot breath strokes down my neck to the base of my spine, enticing a shiver. I’m sure he feels it, since he whispers, “You put a spell on me.”

“I didn’t. You’re drunker than you believe you are.” Or else his self-control would kick in and he wouldn’t be saying these things.

His free hand grasps mine and he stands, tugging me along with him. “You did, but let’s fight about this later.” I stumble, barely catching my fall as he drags me along the length of the fire. Curious eyes observe us as he pulls me toward his cabin.

My heels dig into the ground, but his strength is too much for me. His door opens and shuts before I can say anything more and his hands grasp my waist, bringing me right up against him.

“Better,” he murmurs, backing himself into the wall. “It’s too loud out there.”

Only the increased tempo of my heart, alongside the muted sounds from beyond the door, fill the otherwise silent cabin.

His hands rest on my waist, and his thumb pushes under my shirt finding a patch of bare skin. It tingles and I jerk my eyes from the floor to his piercing gaze. A question sits there, a plea.

Do I want to?

Yes.

Should I want to?

Probably not.

I’ve known this man for less than forty-eight hours, and yet something about this feels right. I’m a princess in the traditional sense; despite my time in university, I held onto my virginity. Grandma and Mom would have had a fit if I gave it up, but that’s not what deterred me. Even knowing they’re getting their way and I’ll enter into whatever future match they find for me as a virgin didn’t tempt me enough to just do it. I simply didn’t feel anything for any guy I knew.

Not like Ryder makes me feel. Blistering with need, tingling with desire, I inhale him, every fibre of him, allowing myself to bask in him. On no occasion have I cared about my virginity. It was simply a fact, and I feel no reason to hold onto it any longer.

His thumb brings me back to the present, back to his dark penetrating eyes, keeping me there in his arms.

They say everyone should have a fling. Why can’t mine be with the hot wolf who I’ll never see again after tomorrow? I have practicum to finish, I need to figure out my family disaster, and he has a pack to lead and a woman to eventually mate with. One fling before we separate isn’t a bad idea. Something good should come out of this trip.

I shouldn’t want him, but desire for him wins out against any and all logic and I answer his touch with my own.

My hands weave their way into his hair, using the strands at the back of his head to tug him closer. His mouth meets mine halfway, smashing together, like two souls finally finding one another after time and distance kept them apart. His mouth moves, opening, his tongue demanding submission.

His hands rove down my body, rubbing the length of my thighs until meeting my knees. His hands hook under them and suddenly I’m lifted, my legs intertwining around his waist. Without breaking our kiss, he walks us backwards.

When my back meets the mattress, a thrill shoots straight into my core. He breaks from my mouth, nudging my legs from his waist and stands at his full height above me. His eyes, clear as ever, stare down at me as he tugs his shirt from this body and—

Oh, my Goddess. My mouth dries. His muscles gleam and ripple as his hands undo his jeans. A belt, one snap, and a zipper later, he’s tugging his jeans down, past his c**k.

If my mouth was dry earlier, it’s a drought now.

I should have gotten rid of my virginity years ago, because he’ll surely break me. His large c**k throbs, standing firm and thick and I unconsciously lick my lips. While I may be a virgin, there’s been the odd time I’ve had other experiences, but right now, none of them match up.

His chuckle drags my gaze upwards to his knowing smirk. “I want you too.”

His words signal the need in me and I begin ripping my shirt off too, but his hands take over, pushing mine out of the way. Once it’s off, he yanks my jeans from my body. I unclasp my bra, letting it fall to the side.

This time, it’s his turn to stare. “Fuck.” His deep, gravelly voice sends spikes of desire straight to my p***y. “God, you’re…”

I tug him on top of me again, capturing his mouth with my own. He moves over me, one hand caressing my side, before drifting upwards and seizing a n****e between his fingers. Sounds of pleasure break through my lips and I arch my back.

His mouth splits from mine. “Greedy girl.”

“Only for you.” I gasp.

His dark eyes blaze before he ducks his head again, taking my n****e into his mouth. I moan and his other hand travels down to trace the edging of my panties. I need those removed too. I need him. His finger slips underneath, finding my centre, and wasting no time in rubbing my c**t. I gasp and he releases my n****e with a pop.

“f**k, you’re so wet.”

I nod, unable to speak as all my brain power is focusing on the sensations his finger is eliciting from me. It stops at my centre, dips in an inch, before rubbing my c**t again.

“You’re tight too.”

I wonder if I should tell him, but he might stop. Guys get weird about it and with this being a one-time thing, he may not want to.

His finger completes another round of rubbing, before entering another inch.

“In me,” I beg.

He licks his lips and I bite down on my own, trying not to show him how he truly affects me. With his eyes pinning mine, his finger slowly enters me, until its completely seated inside.

I pant, slamming my eyes shut as I focus on only feeling and breathing as his finger moves inside me. His finger is thick and I can’t imagine what two will do to me. Or worse, his c**k.

The sensation in me builds, bringing me up to the precipice, and with a final stroke of his finger, I jump off. I may be a virgin, but this isn’t my first o****m, though he sure makes me feel like it is. After a moment, I land, my heaving chest slowing from the o****m, and I open my eyes, flinching at what I find.

Ryder’s heated eyes are now glowing silver orbs. His wolf has come out to play.

“I need more.” I nod my approval and he climbs over me, lining his c**k up with my entrance. His glowing eyes meet mine. “After that… f**k, Carina, I want you. Need you.”

“You have me,” I say, lifting my hips.

I had heard it’s better to lose your virginity when on top, something about control, but watching Ryder now is like watching his wolf and I get the sense his dominance won’t allow for it. He’s controlled every moment since we’ve entered his cabin—has controlled every breath I took, every spark I felt, every jolt of heat in my chest. All brought on by his touch and I’ve only been able to hold on for the ride.

My breath hikes in my throat, and my eyes close as I wait for the pain I know is about to come. His mouth finds my throat, pressing slow, gentle kisses upon it as the head of his c**k slips inside of my opening.

At the intrusion, my hands lift to hold onto his shoulders. Another inch and it feels like my insides are being stabbed. My teeth sink into my lip, creating a barrier for the gasp wanting to escape.

Ryder freezes, his glowing eyes darkening with panic. “Carina? You’re a—”

“Keep going,” I insist.

“But—”

I jerk my hips up, forcing more of him inside me, despite the flash of pain I elicit for myself. His eyes flash again and I see the wolf take over in that instant. His eyes glow, somehow brighter, and his hands flex beside my head. His body hardens, his arms cording, and he thrusts into me. I awoke the alpha inside him and he’s more than happy to show it.

After a few more seconds, pleasure consumes the pain, making it no longer uncomfortable or concerning.

With each thrust, sparks move through me. This time though, the sensation zings my heart, before travelling down my arms, numbing my fingertips, down to my centre, my legs, and I gasp. It’s not an o****m… but it’s something.

Ryder freezes inside of me, his silver eyes darting manically around. I’m about to open my mouth, to say something to him, when he rears back, his c**k yanking out of me. His eyes widen and he seemingly forces another step backwards, his arms beginning to quiver at his side.

I sit up. “Ryder?”

“R-r-run, Carina.” His feet dance backwards a dozen steps until he meets the wall. His hands carve into the wood at his back, as if he’s holding himself there. “Carina, run.”

Emotions flash in his eyes. Panic, fear, confusion, and finally urgency. His silver eyes glow brighter and despite his words, warmth fills my p***y. The only thing I want is him back in his bed and inside me.

Tendons in his neck flex as he grits, “Go.”

He’s serious… The expression in his eyes…

I scoop his shirt off the ground, throwing it on over my head as I back away. Silver catches my attention and I bend, yanking the necklace Mary gave me from the ground. “Tuck it away until you get home.” Somehow, I think I’ll need this.

Then I do what he demands.

I run.