Chapter 5

Ryker's POV 

I couldn't believe my luck, Elara was ready to accept me. I never imagined I would find my mate, let alone someone as breathtaking as her. I had thought I would just settle for someone my family arranged for me. The fact that she was willing to be mine meant everything. As I carried her upstairs, it felt surreal. My mate was in my arms, and she wanted me to mark her, wanted me to make her mine.

True to his words, the mate bond was fully activated between us. Even though I hadn't gotten my wolf yet, I felt certain that I would soon.

What I didn't know was that a dark, suffocating cloud of betrayal was looming directly over my head. I didn't know there was a deadly storm coming.

I couldn't wait to taste her, so I dove in without hesitation. She was utterly intoxicating, and while part of me regretted how quickly she came, I was proud to have unraveled her so easily. She had been a little nervous at first, but she eased into it faster than I expected. I already craved more, but I wanted to move on before she fully recovered. She had just come down from her high, and I didn’t want her watching me too closely just yet. If she had been more experienced, she might have understood the message when I guided her hand to me earlier. Had she been afraid before, the sight of me would have stirred it right back to the surface.

I licked my lips, relishing her sweet juices in again. Her scent continues to assault my senses. I lined up to her and coated my dick with her juices. Knowing it was her first time, I was determined to make the experience as tender and reassuring as I could. I pushed through her hymen, then paused to give her a moment to collect herself before I started again. God, she was tight.

I kept my pace slow, giving her time to ease back into it. But the moment I noticed the shift in her expression, guilt hit me hard. She looked upset. Was she starting to doubt her decision, to do this with me, now? I was desperate to go faster, but it was taking everything I had not to explode too soon inside her, and I wanted this to be good for her. I wanted her to come again before I did.

I felt she was upset and it broke my heart. If she had changed her mind, I didn’t want to go any further. So I braced myself on one arm, and I gently tipped her chin up, urging her to look at me. The tears glistening in her eyes shattered me.

“What’s wrong, love?” I asked softly.

I would do anything to make her smile again. Had she changed her mind about me? I didn’t know what was going on, but I could feel the weight of her pain, it was real, and it cut deep.

“Elara, please,” I said softly, brushing my thumb along her cheek. “Tell me what’s wrong, baby. Did you change your mind?”

She shook her head, tears still clinging to her lashes. “I didn’t change my mind,” she whispered. “I just… I feel like I’m disappointing you. I want more, but I don’t know what that ‘more’ is or how to explain it. I want this to be good for both of us, but I feel like I’m not giving you anything in return.”

“You want more?” I asked, a small smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

She nodded, looking down for a moment before meeting my eyes again. “Yes. But I don’t know what that means yet. I just want to feel what you made me feel earlier. I hate that I can’t even put it into words.”

“I know what you need, love. Don’t worry,” I murmured before leaning in to kiss her, then gently began again.

She was still wet for me, and I did a few slow strokes before I sped up on her. I then thrust into her hard and watched her face as her mouth fell open and her head fell back onto the bed. I knew she wanted me to go faster. Her moans and gasps were music to my ears. Making me become almost uncontrolled as I thrust into her over and over again.

I had never felt anything like this before, not with anyone. Being with Elara was something entirely different; no one else had ever come close to making me feel the way she did tonight. I wanted her to enjoy this just as much as I did. And deep down, I was already dreaming of the future, of seeing her pregnant with my child. She would be breathtaking, and I couldn’t wait to make that dream a reality.

It was a delicious torment trying not to cum before Elara, my balls felt like they would burst if they didn’t release soon. I braced on my arm again and reached between us to press down on her clit to send her over. It worked a little too well, as she screamed out my name and clenched down on me as she came hard. I managed to get one more stroke in before I couldn’t hold out any longer. I cried out as well as my load shot out over and over again. I have never cum this hard before. I hope my love will be carrying our first child soon.

I rolled to the side, spent, and pulled her into my arms. Pressing a kiss to her shoulder blade, I whispered, “Elara, you are my forever. No one could ever replace you in my heart.”

She turned her head slightly to look back at me, her voice trembling as she asked, “I didn’t disappoint you?”

The uncertainty in her tone cut deep. She still feared I didn’t want her, something I couldn’t allow her to believe, not even for a second.

“My love,” I said softly, brushing her hair from her cheek, “you could never disappoint me. You are the kindest, most selfless soul I’ve ever known. You love so deeply, especially when it comes to your sisters, that it humbles me. I hit the jackpot being blessed with you as my mate.”

I slid my hand up her arm, found her fingers, and brought them to my lips, kissing her wrist gently.

“Don’t ever doubt my love for you. If you believe nothing else, believe this: you hold my heart in the palm of your hand, and it belongs only to you. I intend to spend the next few centuries showing you just how deeply I love you.”

Because the truth was, if anyone was unworthy, it was me. I only hoped she never felt that way about herself.

“I love you too, Ryker. I never want to know what it feels like to live without you,” Elara whispered.

Then I asked, “Can I mark you now, Elara?”

“Of course, Ryker,” she said, sitting up and moving closer.

She tilted her head and swept her hair to the side, exposing her neck without hesitation. That simple act of trust, that willingness to give herself to me so completely, undid me. I let my fangs drop and sank them gently into her skin.

She gasped softly at the bite but didn’t pull away. I felt her joy, the warmth of being claimed, of belonging. She was proud to be mine.

She laid back on the bed, as her breathing slowed down, and I felt her body finally relax. She was at peace. I loved having her warm body pressed against mine, but I didn't like that I couldn't see her face as she fell asleep. Next time, I'd make sure she was facing me. We had our whole lives ahead of us, and I knew I would never get tired of watching the woman I love sleep.