Chapter 116

Aurora’s POV

“Mate,” a voice whispers. I look up from the chicken I’m cooking just as Thorne walks in. Though, my excitement at hearing my wolf’s voice quickly fades when I see the irritated and almost angry look on Thorne’s face.

“Is everything alright?”

“Hello, Luna.”

I lean to the side a bit to look around Thorne’s form, and Anders waves from the doorway. I wave back, the spatula still in my hand.

“I’m not sure what the extent of the situation is, but I’ve got to head out,” he says, pulling me into a hug. “There’s an issue with the pack. Anders will watch over you while I’m gone.”

Nodding, I set the spatula down and grab Thorne’s face. He freezes, shocked, as I plant my lips on his. Then, he grabs me by the waist and deepens the kiss. His lips move over mine, reminding me of the hot kiss from the forest yesterday.

If he’s going into danger, I want him to think of what’s waiting on him at home.

Home.

I’ve been thinking of this place as home lately, and I didn’t even realize it. Thorne, and his love, makes it easy to slip into a comfortable state with him. It makes me realize just how much I want to be with him, and how badly I messed up when he first proposed.

“Come back safe,” I whisper, pulling back. He nods, kisses me softly once more, and then turns to leave.

For a few minutes, I just stand there staring at the door. But soon, the smell of burning chicken pulls me back to reality, and I rush to save my dinner. I glance at Anders, who sits at the bar, and smile.

“It’s a good thing I made enough for three,” I tell him.

He stands, surprising me when he puts a fist over his chest and bows. It’s the most serious I’ve ever seen Anders, and I actually take two steps back, “Um, what are you doing?”

“It would be an honor to eat a meal made by our Luna,” he states, still bowing.

“Anders, you’re kind of freaking me out. Stand up, please,” I say, grabbing his arm and tugging. He stands, but not by any of my strength. If he didn’t want me to, I’d never be able to make him budge.

“And please just call me Aurora. It makes me nervous when you call me Luna. I’m not—”

“You are. You’re Thorne’s mate, which makes you my Luna,” Anders says. “However, I don’t want to make you nervous or upset, so if you want me to, I’ll call you Aurora when we’re not in important company.”

I’m not sure if that’s much better, but I accept the compromise. I’ve never been in a position of power before, and never thought I would be, so this is a bit strange.

Ignoring it probably isn’t the best solution, but I still busy myself and make three plates of food. I set Thorne’s in the microwave so he can eat it later, and I slide Anders a plate that has a little extra food on it.

“Thank you.”

We move to the living room and eat in comfortable silence, a movie playing in the background. But I can’t focus. All I can think of is Thorne and what he told me yesterday about marking me. From the moment he brought it up, I’ve had this feeling… this desire to give myself to him and let him mark me.

I just don’t know how to tell him that I’m ready now. Would he believe me after my hesitation on marriage? I wouldn’t blame him if he did, but then again, he seemed heated when talking about marking. I think he would agree if I asked him to.

Something in me knows I’m supposed to be marked by Thorne. I love him, and he loves me, but it’s more than that. I yearn to be part of him and to be with him, and from what he said, that’s exactly what marking does.

“Thorne is on his way back,” Anders announces, and I jump up from the couch. He sits up quickly, watching me with confusion, but I just smile and point at the stairs.

“I’ll be upstairs. Tell him when he gets here?” I ask, and as soon as Anders agrees, I bolt up the stairs.

Tonight, I’ll let Thorne mark me.

Thorne’s POV

“She ran upstairs when I told her you were on your way,” Anders says before slipping out the front door.

Upstairs?

I glance at the stairs that lead to our bedroom and catch a whiff of arousal, and I chuckle. No wonder Anders practically ran out of here. The closer I get to the bedroom, the heavier Aurora’s scent becomes.

“Aurora.”

Her name leaves me, and the second it does, the bedroom door flies open and she’s there. In the tiniest little lingerie night gown that leaves nothing to the imagination.

My wolf growls, pushing for dominance.

“Fuck,” I mutter, taking a deep breath. She’s trying to kill me.

“Inside,” I order, and she obediently takes a few steps back. I follow her, my hand on her waist, and the moment the door shuts behind me, I pull her to me. My mouth crashes to hers, tasting that sweet arousal in the air. I feel like I’ve been starving without her touch for the last two hours, and I turn her.

Her back hits the wall, and my hands are on her hips, pinning her there with no escape. I let one hand trail up her side, then across her breasts and the lace there.

Aurora gasps and arches into my touch.

“Did you wear this for me?”

She nods, and I lift her. She wraps her legs around my waist with no hesitation, her fingers dig into my shoulders, and she stares into my eyes. I think she’s looking for something, but I don’t know what it is.

“I’ve got you,” I growl against her lips. She needs to hear it, and I need her to hear it. It’s a promise for the rest of forever, but for now, she just needs to know that I won’t let her fall.

Her scent grows heavier, filling the air in a mixture of arousal and excitement, and something else.

I don’t question it, though, because I carry her to the bed and drop her on it. The frame creaks as I crawl over her, and my wolf pushes at the barrier between us. He fights for control, desperate to claim and mark our mate, to finally fully connect with the woman we were made for and that was made for us.

I touch her, slowly, sliding my hand down her waist and under the tiny scrap of a dress.

“You’re wet for me, Aurora.”

She whimpers when I sink my fingers into her wetness, and she rolls her hips, desperate to chase the orgasm as I pump my fingers in her.

She arches under my body, her heart thundering in her chest. When she looks up at me, her eyes flicker gold for a brief moment before fading back to normal. Her wolf is closer to the surface than she’s ever been, and in this moment, I can feel her.

“Mark her,” my wolf growls.

My mouth finds Aurora’s throat, tasting her, feeling her pulse flutter beneath my tongue, and savoring the feel of her against me.

My entire body aches to take her, but I’m too slow. Aurora’s hands are already helping me out of my clothes. I kiss and suck at the hickey on her throat, and she moans while pushing my jeans down my legs.

“Please, Thorne,” she begs, lifting her hips. I grip the bed, not wanting to hurt her by going to hard, but I have to have her.

Pulling her legs up, I lock them around my waist and enter her in one thrust. She cries out, a moan mixing with the raspy sound. I bury myself in my mate, letting the feel of her and my instinct take over.

“Mark me, Thorne.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

That’s all I need to hear. Our bond snaps together, becoming an electric current that has both of us groaning as my wolf surges forward.

I lower my mouth to her neck again and brush my thumb over her clit before sinking my teeth into her. Then, the world explodes. She comes apart quicker than I’ve ever seen her, and I hiss as her nails drag down my back. The fiery pain mixes with pleasure, taking me over the edge.

I can feel everything as our bond locks into place, a permanent connection. Her joy, relief, and her wolf’s magnificent howl echo in my mind.

“Mine,” I growl, pulling back.

“Mine,” she whispers, slumping back to the bed.

My body buzzes, but I fall to the bed beside Aurora, pulling her close and holding her like I’ll never let go.

Because I won’t. She’s mine forever.