Chapter 83: Sutton

Lucas froze. He stepped back, looking at me with a guarded expression.

“Sutton, you know I want that more than anything,” he replied. “But that’s not a decision to make in the heat of the moment.”

“I’m not,” I told him. “I want this.”

“Baby, I know I said I’d believe you when you said you were ready, but I also know what a mark means to you,” he said, stepping back again. “After seeing Mason, I can’t imagine you’re not still carrying those beliefs.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my brow furrowing.

“I won’t let you go into this believing you’re giving up your freedom, Sutton,” he said. “I’m not letting you cheapen this by making it about protection either. A mark is sacred to me.”

A laugh bubbled up uncontrolled. It amazed me how different the two sides of this man could be. And I couldn’t explain how… blessed I felt to be the one who gets to see this part of him. Someone so honorable and good. I closed the distance between us, slipping my arms around his waist.

“I know that,” I told him. “That’s why I want this. I want, more than anything, to be with you. And I want them to know that. I want them to see that I’ve made my choice. Unwavering and undeniable. And that choice is you.”

His lips slammed into mine. His hand fisted my hair. His body pressed against mine as my back hit the wall behind us. Need and desire flared within me. The tingles I felt from his touch still as intense as the first time. I met him with the same enthusiasm easily. Excitement and anticipation started to boil up in my core. But it was halted when he pulled away suddenly.

“I’ll send word to Elise in the morning,” he said. “I’ll make sure the arrangements are started right away.”

“Arrangements?” I questioned, confused.

“For the mating ceremony,” he said.

“Oh,” I said, realizing what he was thinking. “No, I want to do it now. Tonight.”

His hold on my waist tightened. He was already struggling to maintain control of the situation. I didn’t want him to. I wanted to give in to everything we were feeling. Then a shadow crossed his eyes, and his gaze shifted away.

“What?” I asked, worry taking hold.

“Rhonen still senses your doubts,” he said. “Nova can too, Sutton.”

‘Tell him,’ Nova urged before I had a chance to deny him. ‘Tell him the truth.’

I sighed, shaking my head in defeat.

“That’s not about you, Lucas,” I assured him. “Seeing Mason and Anders did stir up some old feelings… about myself. I know you have faith in me to be your Luna, but it’s harder for me to have the same confidence. But I’ll get there. I’ll do whatever I have to to be with you.”

He brushed his knuckles along my cheeks gently, contemplating what I had told him. He looked around the room. His gaze settled on something as a sly grin presented itself. Taking my hands, he started to pull me across the room.

“Then we should do something about that,” he said.

Next to the wardrobe, was a floor-length mirror. Lucas moved me to stand facing it. He moved behind me, so the only way I could see him was to look at my own reflection. He swept my hair over one shoulder, exposing my neck. His lips grazed along the curve and up to my ear.

“Tell me what you see,” he instructed.

“I see you,” I told him. “I see my mate.”

“What else?” His warm breath tickled over my skin, sending a shiver up my spine.

“Me,” I breathed. “Just me.”

He unzipped my dress slowly. “I see the most gorgeous woman in the world,” he stated, pushing the fabric over my shoulders to fall to the floor. “I see a woman who is smart. Generous. Kind.” He unhooked my bra, dropping it next to the discarded dress. “Braver and more capable than any male I’ve ever met.” He knelt to his knees, his thumbs hooking in my panties. “I see a woman who never ceases to amaze me.”

I now stood in front of the mirror fully naked. Stripped of any protections or guises I could hide behind. Tingles erupted as he trailed up my legs. Lucas’ teeth nipped at the upper crest of my buttocks with a soft growl before he returned to his feet. My breathing had quickened. Desire burned in my core, but he didn’t move to continue.

“Do you trust me, Sutton?” he asked.

“Of course,” I insisted.

“Do you value my judgment?” His hand moved over my belly. My head fell back.

“You know I do.”

His hand went to the nape of my neck, forcing my head straight. “Look in the mirror, princess,” he said firmly. “Look at everything you are. I won’t continue — I won’t go through with this — until you see exactly what is in front of you, Sutton.”

“Lucas…” I gasped, my body burning with the need for him.

“Tell me what you see, Sutton,” he demanded. “Tell me who you are.”