CHAPTER 4

ARIA

He let out a growl and strode towards me.

Laila paced frantically. ‘ Mate is here. Touch him.

Without a word, he reached down and scooped me into his arms. I moaned softly at the contact, my head falling back against his shoulder as he carried me from my room to his grand chamber. He placed me gently on his bed and moved over me, his powerful frame enveloping my smaller body.

He braced himself on one forearm, while his other hand softly caressed my cheek. His eyes kept flickering from red to blue. He was fighting his wolf for control. His eyes finally settled on blue and he nuzzled his face into my neck and inhaled sharply.

“ You smell heavenly, Aria, ” he rasped, his voice thick with lust, “ My wolf wants to claim you. ”

I arched my back slightly, angling my neck to give him better access. “ And you, Your Majesty? ”

“ Call me Knox, ” he corrected, grazing my throat softly with his teeth. “ I want you, Aria. All of you. ”

I took his face in my hands, pulling him back so I could look into his eyes. I nodded, giving him permission to claim my body and soul.

He let out a primal growl and crashed his lips onto mine. I wrapped my hands around his neck, sliding my fingers through his silky hair. Our tongues tangled in a deep kiss that made me burn from the inside out. I rubbed myself against him, seeking relief for the heat building between my legs.

He broke the kiss, his breathing ragged, and with one powerful tug, he ripped my dress apart. He bent down and took my left nipple into his mouth, sucking hard, while his large hand kneaded the other. I gripped his hair and let out a moan, arching my back for more.

His hand trailed down my stomach to my thighs. When his fingers reached my wet core, I sucked in a breath. Even though I wanted him, I was still scared because I was a virgin. As if hearing my thoughts, Knox raised his head and looked into my eyes, his own dark with lust but filled with gentleness.

“ I know, ” he whispered, “ I’ll be gentle, I promise.”

I gulped and nodded.

He began to rub my clit in a slow rhythm that made my toes curl. Then, he slowly pushed one finger inside me. I moaned at intrusion, my core clenching around his finger. He added a second finger, stretching me gently and started working his fingers in and out of me.

I was a moaning mess beneath him, my head tossing back and forth.

“ You’re so wet, ” he groaned, “ I need to be inside you. ”

He pulled his fingers out and quickly stripped off all his clothes. When his length came into view, my eyes widened. It was so long and thick.

He climbed back over me and rubbed his length against my folds, coating it with my wetness before pushing in slowly. I winced at the discomfort and Knox stopped immediately.

“ Breathe for me. ” he whispered,

I gripped his shoulders, my fingers digging into his hard muscles for support. He wrapped one hand around my waist to hold me steady.

“ Just tell me when. ” he murmured, pecking my forehead

I took a few shaky breaths, focused on the warmth of his skin and the gentleness in his eyes. When the tension melted, I nodded and tilted my pelvis up. He moved slowly, pushing deeper until he was buried fully inside me. I gasped as I felt the incredible fullness of him.

Knox stayed still, letting my body adjust to his size. Soon, the sting faded, replaced by a deep throb of pleasure. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him closer, my silent way of telling him I was ready.

Knox let out a jagged breath and began to move, pulling out almost all the way before sliding back in with a deep thrust. I moaned, lifting my hips to meet every stroke.

“ You feel so good, Aria. ” he groaned,

“ Knox, ” I whimpered.

I didn't even know what I was asking for, only that I needed more of this… more of him.

He heard me. His pace shifted, becoming a little faster and harder. My fingers curled into his shoulders as he thrust into me with so much power that the bed shook.

“ Oh my god… Knox... ” I choked out, my head tossing back as my moans turned into loud, shameless cries of pleasure that echoed off the walls.

I didn't care if the entire palace heard me because at this moment, there was no secret anymore.

“ Yes, ” I gasped, as he hit a spot that made my whole body vibrate, “ Right there…. ”

My core clenched around his length and I felt my stomach tightening as pressure built up inside me.

“ Let your wolf out, ” Knox rasped, his thrust becoming hurried.

I didn’t hold back.

I let Laila surge to the surface, her consciousness merging with mine. Knox’s blue eyes vanished, replaced by a fierce, glowing red.

“ Laila, ” Knox growled, the name of my wolf vibrating through his chest as if he had known it for a thousand years.

“ Fenris, ” I breathed back, my wolf recognizing her mate with a soul-deep hum of satisfaction.

Knox buried his face in my neck and I felt the sharp pressure of his canines grazing my pulse point.

“ MINE. ” he growled and sank his canines deep into my skin.

I screamed but the pain instantly turned into a deep moan of pleasure. A surge of energy exploded within me, traveling through my veins. The feeling was so strong that I cried out as I came, my whole body shaking.

At the same time, Knox gave one final thrust and pulled out, spilling his warm seed across my stomach. He retracted his canines and licked the fresh mark. My eyes felt drowsy, barely able to stay open as he scooped my spent body into his arms and carried me to the bathroom.

I watched him through half-closed lids as he cleaned me up and then himself. He carried me back to the room and laid me gently on the bed before climbing in beside me. He pulled the covers over us, holding me close to his chest as we fell asleep.

****

I woke up to Knox staring at me.

“ Good morning, beautiful, ” he murmured in a deep voice that almost made me swoon, “ Did you sleep well? ”

I smiled shyly and nodded, blushing at the memory of last night.

‘ He is ours, ’ Laila purred, ‘ Let’s mark him too. ’

I ignored her wolfish desire as Knox brushed a strand of hair from my face. “ Last night… meant everything to us, Aria. ”

His words melted any remaining doubts I had.

“ It meant everything to us too, Knox. ”

“ We have much to discuss, ” he said with a serious expression. “ But first, I need to let everyone know I’ve found my mate… their Queen. ”

He pulled the covers back and stood in his naked glory, his length standing at attention.

“ Knox, ” I shrieked, my face heating up instantly.

“ You’ve already seen and felt it all, Aria, ” he teased, his deep chuckle vibrating in the air as he made his way into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, he stepped out of a different door across the room, fully dressed.

“ How did you...? ” I trailed off, looking from the bathroom door to the one he just exited.

“ The bathroom leads directly into the dressing room which leads back out here, ” he explained, approaching the bed.

“ Oh… ”

He leaned down, kissing my forehead softly. “ Someone will come in soon to get you ready. I need to take care of a few things. ”

He left, and I was alone for only a moment before a knock sounded at the door.

“ Come in. ” I said.

Maya and two other maids, Susan and Rose, stepped in carrying folded clothes and baskets. Their eyes met mine, and they smirked at me at the same time. I wanted to shrink into the mattress.

“ Let’s get you ready, my lady. ” Maya said, helping me out of the bed.

She and Susan led me to the bathroom while Rose stayed to tidy the bedroom. After the bath, they took me into the dressing room. They helped me get dressed into a beautiful gown and also styled my hair. When they were finished, they led me back to the bedroom and left.

Moments later, Knox returned.

“ You look beautiful, ” he kissed my lips softly, “ Everyone is gathered in the Royal hall. It’s time. ”

My heart raced as he led me out. When we reached the massive doors of the hall, guards pulled them open.

The hall was packed.

Everyone stared at us as Knox led me to the front where seven large chairs stood. He took his place at the center, and I sat to his left. Directly beside me was Elder Thomas and next to him was Elder Marcus. On Knox’s right sat Beta Ethan, an empty chair, and then Elder Silas.

“ I have gathered you all here for a reason, ” Knox’s voice boomed through the room, “ This is Aria. She is my mate and your Queen. I expect you all to treat her with the same respect you give to me. ”

The room was filled with murmurs and whispers. Then all at once, they erupted into cheers and applause. I breathed out in relief, smiling at them.

“ She's not fit to be your mate, ” a disapproving voice rang out.