I fear I may never come down from it.
He comes inside of me with a roar, and then everything dulls down a little, like the magic that had us in its grasp finally let’s go, and I can breathe again. I lean forward, resting my head on his chest, listening to his thundering heart.
"Mine," he growls once more, before moving us so I lay beside him.
"Yours. Mine," I sigh, and he holds me tighter.
"Always." He kisses my forehead, and I feel so content, so sleepy, that I could lie here forever. He slips from the bed and leaves the room. I hear the shower start, then running of taps, and then he appears before me again. "We should get cleaned up."
Lifting me from the bed, my bones feeling like jelly, I don't complain about being carried everywhere today. He stops and moves us into the shower, cleaning every inch of my body with such care. He jumps out, turns off the taps to the tub, and then returns, cleaning himself off under the dual shower heads, and walks me to the bath.
He steps into the tub, and holds out a hand for me, so I join him, stepping in, and sitting down with him at my back. The warmth of him behind me, of the water around us, lulls me that much closer to sleep. I feel it then, his emotions, as if they were my own. The bond. It worked.
I read once, a long time ago, that it is almost impossible for a Lycan to mate with another species, and yet, here we are. Again. Bonded. Our very souls entwined. It is different to the bond with Kain, but the peace it brings me, in being connected to him like this, is similar.
I sigh as he kisses my neck, his hands skimming my ribs as we relax in the water.
"I love you, Roman."
"I love you too, Princess."
Chapter Fifteen
The packs are late. The first were due to arrive yesterday, Ebony Pack, but it’s now mid-morning, and they still aren't here. To say tensions are high is an understatement. The defiance, while it could be explained away, is being seen as a challenge to Roman’s leadership. He's been on edge since yesterday. Gone is the soft, loving Lycan I completed the bond with, in his place is the domineering asshole I came to love, but damn if he doesn't get on my nerves.
I've been walking on eggshells, spending most of yesterday with Tobias, while Roman and Theron roared and shouted about the lack of respect. I've said nothing, because I fear that I’m the reason for some of it. We heard from the pack expected today, Night Walker Pack, they are due to arrive within the hour. I am glad that they haven't taken the stand that Ebony Pack did, though I also wonder if that's because it is Theron's father who leads the pack, and Theron’s mate travels with them.
Roman did not come back to our room last night, instead he spent the time in the gym, which is one of the many buildings around here. Tobias took me on a tour yesterday, once it was obvious the pack wasn't arriving. He gave me a rundown of the twelve packs, their leaders, and who potentially could be a problem. Those who have been the most outspoken about the fact that their Alpha of Alphas is bonded with a Hunter. They judge me without knowing me, which I understand, the bigotry has gone both ways for a long time.
Knowing what I know, I can't hold it against them. I'd likely feel the same.
We are due three more packs today, Wind Winder Pack, Dark Moon Pack and Shadow Pack. From what Tobias told me, their pack names go back to the early days, when Lycans were linked closer to the Witches that cursed them. Each pack has their own story about their name, but they were not his to share. Since he is part of Roman’s small but elite pack, he gave up his place in his father’s pack, and so the stories are no longer his to share. The Alpha Pack does not have such stories, at least, not of the same ilk.
And so, we wait. Again. I can barely breathe with the anticipation of it all.
Roman paces the room, and when Theron appears, his movement stills, as if he's ready to attack at any second.
"They're here," Theron says, nodding to Roman, and glaring at me again, before he leaves.
"We should