Bloodbound

Mates

After getting ready, I took a few minutes to myself before going out to see everyone. I was sitting quietly when I heard a faint knock at the door.

“Come in,” I called.

I was dangling a few of my mother’s jewelry pieces between my fingers, watching the diamonds catch the light. They glittered so beautifully it almost hurt.

“Little wolf—happy birthday!” Jackson said as he stepped inside, carrying a massive plate of pancakes.

My stomach immediately growled. “Is that what I think it is?”

“If you’re thinking strawberry pound cake pancakes,” he said proudly, “then yes. Ashley made them specifically for you. I haven’t even stolen a berry.”

“I’m guessing you brought two forks, though, right?”

“And let you eat alone?” he grinned. “Never.”

He handed me a fork and set the plate on the coffee table before sitting beside me.

“Rhea—my wolf—says she likes you,” I said casually before taking a huge bite. “She says you’re special.”

Jackson laughed softly. “Well, Rhea, Onyx, and I like you too. He told me earlier that he likes his new sister wolf.”

Emotion tightened my chest. “I love you, Jackson. Thank you for always being the best brother. Thank you for coming back for us. I’m so thankful you’ll be our beta.”

“Big shoes to fill, little wolf.”

I popped another bite into my mouth.

“Do you remember when we were kids and got into that Jell-O fight?” I said, laughing. “The Jell-O stained the walls so badly they had to redo the entire dining hall.”

“Oh, I remember,” he groaned. “I had to help the omegas clean every floor for a month. Mom and Luna were thrilled, though—they got to redecorate.”

“They took me shopping and got my nails painted that weekend,” I said with a grin.

“Of course. I got punished, and you got praised.”

“Not always,” I shot back. “What about the time you and Elijah painted that tree fort? Dad thought it was me. I had to stack firewood until the tree was gone. I had blisters for days.”

Jackson chuckled. “Fair. Dad usually was.”

Then my smile faded.

“Hey… do you smell that?”

The scent hit me all at once—rich, intoxicating, overwhelming. Rhea surged inside my mind, wild and alert.

I jumped to my feet.

I rushed to the door, barely slowing as I stepped into the hallway—and there he was.

Elijah.

His sandy blond hair was cut short, just a little longer in the front. His tan skin made his smile impossibly bright, and his blue eyes were glowing with something fierce and tender all at once.

“Mate,” we breathed together.

“It’s you,” I whispered, tears spilling freely. “Thank God it’s you.”

“It would have been you,” he said softly, kissing my cheeks and my hands. “Or no one.”

Jackson quietly slipped away. “Happy for you both. I’m going to find Heath.”

“See you later, bro.”

Elijah didn’t pull away.

His forehead stayed pressed to mine, his hands firm at my waist, thumbs brushing slow, grounding circles into my skin. I could feel how tightly he was holding himself together.

“Say it again,” he murmured.

“Say what?”

“My name,” he said. “The way you said it when you smelled me.”

“Elijah,” I whispered.

Something dark and protective flashed in his eyes.

“I almost lost you,” he said quietly. “Do you have any idea what that did to me?”

I swallowed hard. “I thought I lost you first.”

“Every night,” he continued, voice tight, “I imagined walking into that dungeon and being too late. I imagined your scent gone from this world.”

His voice cracked. “I don’t survive that version of reality.”

I pressed my hands to his chest, feeling his heart pounding beneath my palms. “I’m here. I’m breathing. I’m choosing you.”

His arms tightened around me.

“I want you, Chloe,” he said softly. “I want to spend the day mating and marking you but only if youre ready"

"There is nothing I want more than you right now" I said breathlessly

I jumped into his arms wrapping my legs around his waist.

everywhere that our body's touched tangled.

He quickly carried me down the hall to the guest room he stayed in. kissing my neck and pulling at my clothes. he kicked the door shut behind us and sat me on the bed.

" if you change your mind or you want me to stop I need you to do so." i nodded my head. he helped me out of my clothes until I was completely naked.

" you are so unbelievably sexy baby" he took his shirt off and pulled off his pants so he was only in his black boxers.

He kissed my toes and trailed kisses all the way to my thighs. I could feel myself getting moist. He leaned over and put a n****e

in his mouth.

" argh Jah!" I cried out

" mmm I love your t**s baby" he groans

squeezing and sucking on them. He gave them an gentle slap and then stuck his hand in my moist core.

" f**k yeah baby"

He positioned himself between my thighs. His tongue very gently did circles on my bud. He grew to a welcomed assault with his mouth. I cried out in ecstasy. I was about to lose it when he slid his fingers inside me.

my body bucked and convulsed as he continued to lick and pump me.

when he was satisfied with my climax he stood before me grinning.

" on your knees princess" I eagerly did so. Wanting to give him the same pleasure he just gave me.

I opened my mouth as he released his very large member from his boxers. He slapped my mouth a few times with it.

"good girl" he hissed

Grabbing me by the hair and pushing himself to the back of my throat. I sped up the pace licking and sucking as I went.

Hearing him groan was so sexy.

" Baby are you ready for more?" I knew he went to mark me. To make me his entirely.

" I need you to make me yours. I want to be tied to you for eternity. We both know things can happen. I don't want regrets. "

"I feel the same baby"

he trailed kisses from my face and neck and licked where he would soon mark me.

I shivered in anticipation.

He laid me down and put himself at my entrance. He took my hand and kissed it

" I love you" he says as he entered me.

slow light thrust invaded me.

"ah" I cried out

my body feeling new sensations I grabbed at his shoulders, dragging my nails into him.

He loved it.

His thrusts became faster and harder

He kissed my mouth before he grabbed my neck and bit down marking me.

my body bursted with euphoria.

I saw stars and felt tingles.

I reached up and grabbed for him. He bared his neck and I made him mine.

he released himself inside of me groaning in pleasure.

When he rolled off we laid together.

"mine" I whispered holding his hand in mine

" mine" he says back kissing my fingers.

We stayed that way for hours before allowing ourselves to move. For the first time in two years I felt safe, loved and happy. I didn't want to move. I didnt want to leave this haven we created here.