DARKEST ( Supernatural Beginnings Series) Book Three

Pacts and Arrangements Part Four

Mariana

I awakened to find myself glimpsing the kingdom's lush, verdant forests, with purple moonlight filtering through the leaves to cast dappled patterns upon the room through our bedroom window. In our fiery night of mating passion, Alohi and Aasim had completed the full alignment process and returned us to our human bodies after we completed the ritual in their realm.

Our bedroom now is the room back in the wolf's realm, similar to that of a bridal chamber. It was like we never left, but I knew we were so much closer now than before. The light blurry film when communicating with one another was no longer in the way between me and Alohi and I could hear and understand her more clearly now. The scent of pine and earth wafted in through the open windows, a reminder of the wild, untamed world beyond the castle walls.

Laying in Alexis' naked embrace, taking in her amazing scent, I couldn’t help smiling but also wondering about the change in the Lilth marks tattoo that seemed to have taken place while we were sleeping. She held me closer to her, causing Alohi to howl inside my head, bringing my attention back to the tattoo on her upper arm.

The Black moon Lilith's mark on Alexis' arm now carried a vivid blue moon behind it. The blue moon behind the Lilith mark seemed to pulsate a different kind of energy, almost as if it was warding against the Lilith mark itself. Mist from the blue moon cascaded around Lilith’s mark like strands of string that interlocked like chains to a lock. Curiosity had me checking my arm as well to find a similar tattoo, but the moon behind my mark was the red blood moon.

My instincts felt there was more to the Lilith mark than just the sacred scrolls, the moon's alignment would not subside for the next two days. The third world would be encased in the purple moon's ethereal light and energy. Meaning for three days there would be no sunlight.

No one knew what things would arise during this time and because of that, even with the changes, I felt Alohi's presence more clearly through me and I had to be on alert the best way I could. I could feel that Alexis and Aasim were hiding something. It meant they had to investigate it further so I wouldn’t bother about it too much.

However, I needed to prepare for the next steps, now that I was awake. There were three steps for each day in this tradition in the Red Claw Pack. The first night had already been successful with our official royal mating ceremony. On the second day, we needed to prepare the first meal for the pack. To welcome my homecoming and the pack's acceptance, my family and I returned. Tuning my senses, it seemed Alohi had woken us up with ample time to prepare. It was a wild night for sure, but I had no complaints about it. Alohi was dominant in nature with her Alpha blood and added to my hunter roots, I could be a bit insane regarding my love. Alexis had definitely upped things up several notches with a dominance that rivaled my own. With a soft kiss on her lips, I removed her arm gently from around me.

I loved the feel of the lingering slight ache in my limbs and tingling sensations in my body from last night, even though the scratch and bite marks had long healed. Getting out of bed, I headed to the bathroom connected to our bedroom. A spacious bathing area greeted me, boasting a large, stone shower with cascading water that seemed to flow like a gentle mountain stream.

“This is so wicked,” I murmured to myself as I checked things out. Grandpa’s kingdom was so unlike how I thought it would be and very much in the times mixed with the Claw family traditions. The shower's tiles were adorned with patterns of intertwined vines and wolves, embodying the natural world's harmony and unity. Nearby, a deep, freestanding bathtub beckoned, its waters infused with aromatic herbs and petals from the kingdom's gardens, offering a serene and luxurious bathing experience.

“How do we decide, Mari, both are so inviting,” Alohi said in a low, lazy-like tone. It seemed I wasn’t the only one who felt the aftermath of our intense mating. I agreed with her that either choice would work wonders for our bodies right now. I decided to explore the bathroom a bit more before making a decision after all the water had yet to fully temper to the temperature we liked and a tour had been skipped upon our arrival due to my unexpected exhaustion.

A large, ornate mirror framed in detailed carved wood hung above a marble countertop lined with scented oils, lotions, and other amenities to pamper whatever was to our liking. The bathroom featured a mosaic-tiled floor, with patterns that echoed the natural world outside, from the forest floor to the night sky.

I could feel the sense of nature resonate with me even when inside the castle. The feeling was quite exciting. Without further pondering, we chose the bathtub without hesitation. The water was perfect as my body sank down into its depths in bliss. Magic was present here in our room. The oils move on their own accord by adding and adjusting the water, finding myself in a lathering comfort.

“Damn, you even look sexy lathered up with soap.” Alexis’s sultry voice reached my ears, sending tingles down my spine once again. My eyes were still closed as they were soaked in the tub. I licked my lips and smiled.

“I’m glad you’re enjoying the sight babe, now are you going to join me or what?” I said, my voice sounding as seductive as could be. A minute after my words were spoken, Alexis made her presence known by stepping into the tub that was big enough for at least three people. Keeping my eyes closed, I waited in anticipation for what she would do. Alohi begins to howl again in my mind. I found my body beginning to heat up at the scent of Alexis.

The water did not overflow with her added presence as she sank into the water halfway. Her hands slowly slid up my legs to my thighs to spread my legs wide, then bent them back and up toward my chest. On instinct, my hands grabbed hold of the edge of the tub as she slid closer to me, sitting on her knees in the tub.

With swiftness, I felt her inside me, but she didn’t move. My eyes popped open and I glared at her with a sneer on my lips. She grinned and eyed me back at me. Then they lifted me up until I was pressed against her with my arms finding their way around her shoulders. My legs are now on either side of her in the tub.

“Mari, I can’t resist mate, It feels so good,” Alohi sighed in my head. A low growl rang out inside the bathroom, coming from Alexis, who took a firm hold of my ass underneath the water. My body was still full of suds of soap and rocked me just enough against her, causing a moan to escape my lips from the feeling.

“Mmm”

“Dare you tease me.” She whispered in my ear, taking the lope into her mouth with a light suck, my body clenching around her in reaction to the sensation.

“Lexi…” I pleaded, wanting her to move. With the new changes in me, I found myself wetter than usual and more in need of my mate, as if in heat.

PA! Smack! Her hands gripped and kneaded my ass more, slowly rocking me into her. The pain and pleasure of it with the sound of the splashing in between was overwhelming my senses and driving both Alohi and me crazy. I tried moving my hips on my own but Alexis kept me in place and under her control.

“Goddess! Can’t she just f**k us already! We are already close!” Alohi yelled in my head while whimpering.

“Hmmmm, so you like that little minx! Let us show you what teasing us like this will get you in the future.” Aasim responded in my mind, causing Alohi to growl and succumb to him.

Finally, Alexis began to guide me slowly and then fast, fast, and then slow in rotation. The bathroom quickly filled up with sound of our moans and heavy breathing. She bent down to take one of my n*****s into her mouth. The sound of her suckling added to the heightening sensations that were flowing through me.

“Mmmmm.” she moaned against me, the friction, our movements, her scent and touch bringing me quickly over the edge, but she didn’t stop her motions one bit, building me up again as she moved to give my other breast some loving attention.

“Ahhhh, mmmmm” my hands were tangled in her hair.

“Oh f**k! That’s it!” Alohi moaned in my head. The sound of Aasim’s chuckles wasn’t far behind as they changed the tempo to a light but very effective bounce as we rode or mate.

With my body and mind on overload, my last thought before surrendering to ecstatic bliss was that if teasing our mate led to this, I wouldn’t mind it one bit. Alexis' dominant side was one I was rapidly becoming fond of.

We were late for preparations, but the pack seemed not to mind our tardiness. Mom and Tamzin, bless their lovely hearts, had set up fruit and small appetizer platters for everyone to hold off their hunger. This kind gesture brought me a blushing face and many knowing glances once we made it downstairs and to the ground floor.

The ground floor housed the communal areas, including a grand hall where meetings and celebrations took place. Its towering ceilings were adorned with intricate murals depicting the pack's history and victories.

Adjacent to it was a massive open kitchen, where my grandpa and father stood with knowing smirks on their faces. Without a word, my mother handed me and Alexis an apron. Alexis took the lead, helping me put my apron on her own, and led me to the kitchen to get started.

“Don’t think too much, everyone here is family,” Alexis said, taking out ingredients for the first meal that we had discussed beforehand.

“We will help with setting the tables now,” Tamzin said as she took a service pushcart and began filling it with tableware. She patted me on the shoulder and gave Alexis a wink.

I blushed even harder as my thoughts began to wonder once more. It was my job to prepare the teas and Alexis, who loved the kitchen, prepared the meal. With Tamzin and Mom setting the tables and Dad and Grandpa entertaining the pack. Harmonious laughter and joyful aura soon filled the kingdom and soon the first meal was made and ready to be served.

“Well., well, well, this is quite the lovely gathering you have here.” A man's deep but sarcastic voice sounded from the entrance.

My actions froze when pouring the tea and my back stiffened in pure disgust. A sour and rancid stench hit my nose that almost made me want to gag. I calmed myself and looked up to find a man with a similar aura to Suxhen’s.

“A gathering you weren’t invited to,” Tamzin said as she stood up in anger. Her gaze was pinned on two familiar people standing behind him. They were Ingrim and Enid Claw and next to them stood an unknown woman.

The man ignored Tamzin’s words as he turned his gaze toward me, making my skin crawl. Alexis instantly went on defense, shielding me behind her, but then his gaze turned to her, his eyes lighting up with interest. Frowning, I let out a menacing growl before I knew it. How dare he ogle my mate!