Her lips tingled, her chest heaved as Kael drew back just enough for her to breathe. The heat of his body linger against hers, his golden eyes darkened. She found herself studying him, almost without realizing it. Her fingers brushed the line of his chest, her gaze back to his face to study his eyes. The gashes she had seen earlier had already beginning to fade.
"You're healing. That's good." she whispered more to herself than to him. But her brows furrowed with worry as though she wasn't sure if it was truly strength returning or the wolf consuming him. He tilted his head, lips curving into a smile. "What's with that look, my own?"
His hands slide to the small of her back, pressing her closer until she held her breath. "Do you... care for me?"
Tasha pulled back instantly, hiding the heat on her cheeks. "Just asking. Don't get it wrong."
He chuckled, bent without warning and lifted her off the ground in one effortless sweep.
"Kael? What are you doing!"
"Punishment, for coming to the top floor of the house."
"What? I was trying to save your life! Don't be so arrogant!"
"To make pups will do." he said simply, his tone playfully wicked and unapologetic. Tasha's cheeks burned hotter.
"You-"
"Don't fight me, my own." His arms tightened around her as he carried her with determined strides toward the room.
His heat surrounded her in the room, her fingers digging to the hard planes of his shoulders. He doesn't want to see anyone at the moment. All he wanted was her. Kael's hand slid to her thighs but a sudden knock stopped him from moving further. Nico's voice muffled through the door. "The council is waiting, Alpha."
Tasha instinctively yanked the sheets up around her body though she was still fully clothed. Kael nostrils flared as Nico left. He crossed the room and scooped Tasha into his arms. He smirked, carrying her with ease as if she weighed nothing. "To the bath."
He set her down gently, peeling the blanket from her grip. She clutched it tighter. "I am capable to do this."
"You fight with linen, my own?"
"Turn around," she snapped, clutching the sheets to her chest. "Don't do that."
With rumble of reluctant laughter, he turned his back to her. "Don't forget, my wolf can smell anything."
"Then, tell your wolf to fuck off."
She slipped from her leathered pants and slid into the tub, the water wrapping her in warmth. He moved closer, sinking into the water opposite her, and reached across the space between them naked.
"Relax.' he murmured, dipping his fingers to her hair, massaging her scalp with soap, the scent filling her senses and bringing memories of his heat. "I won't do anything you don't want."
When he finished, he leaned back. "Out."
"I'm fine here."
Kael's jaw flexed, his wolf pushing forward. He exhaled slowly, rose from the tub in one smooth motion, and reached for a towel. The water slicked over his skin, every muscles taut and defined, the sight of him making her heart stumble. He dried himself slowly, as though her refusal amused him, then grabbed his phone from the bed.
"Rena," he ordered when the line connected. "You presence is needed here."
When Kael left, the room felt too big. Steam curled like ghostly fingers across the bathroom. She let her shoulders sink beneath the water, covering her face with her hands. Her chest still tight from the way he looked at her.
Rena came in a minutes later, her silver hair pulled into a soft braid over her shoulder. When she saw Tasha still huddled in the bath, she chuckled. "So, it's true, my lady."
"What's true?"
"That my lord cannot make you leave the water."
She rolled her eyes. "Is that what he told you? He's impossible."
"Impossible is what keeps him alive." Rena said softly, kneeling at the edge of the tub to help her up. "I've never seen him want anyone the way he wants you."
As she was dressed in an elegant silk gown, Her tone grew lighter. "You have no idea how glad to know you survived. Our Alpha would've lost it without you. And, that witch made me work until my bones ached every hour of the night."
"I'm sorry, Rena. You've been so kind to me. And. I think it's time to relieve you a little. What do you say?"
"Come," Rena urged, smiling warmly. "Serving you and the Alpha is already part of me."
At the far end of the hall, Kael stood waiting. The throne behind him looked heavy for any man, but he made it seem small by comparison. His golden eyes were fixed on Tasha, not the crowd. She walked forward, her heels echoing softly until she reached him. His hands stretched out, and when hers slipped into it, her heart almost stopped.
"What happened with the traitor will not happen again. For a long time I have searched for my mate. Ruined and cursed because of it. Now, with her by my side, I will protect our own. No betrayal or curse will undo what we built."
The crowd stirred, then a wave of applause swept the room. Somewhere, a soft music filled the hall. She barely heard it, barely heard what he said. She cold feel his hands enclosing hers, the bond between them thrumming like a pulse. From the side, Sera swept toward her, glowing in green silk.
"Congratulations!" She lean in, unable to contain herself. "We've been summoned to stay by the Alpha. We have a wedding to plan!"
Her words rang in her ears. The thought should have terrified her. But instead, her chest fluttered with want. She looked up across the crowd, and found Kael's gaze on her again. The bond pulled at her like hook on her soul. She wanted to cross the room to kiss him, and to make real what she already know. Before she could take a step, he was there. One moment across the hall, the next in front of her. His swiftness stealing her breath.
"Miss me?" he asked in a low rumble and smiled. Heat crawled up to her neck as his hands found her waist. She tried to look firm and annoyed.
"My phone, Kael. I need it back."
He chuckled. "Thought you had it."
"As a reminder, you went all wolfie and smashed it, remember?"
"A phone can be arranged." his smirk deepened. "But with new rules."
Before she could argue, he swept her off her feet. Applause rippled through the crowd as he carried her through the hall. Sera squealed, clapping with excitement, while Veyra casually flicked her fingers and the doors swung open with a whisper of magic.
"Put me down!" She hissed.
"You wanted me through the bond. I feel everything you're feeling remember? Even when you imagined kissing me." He murmured against her ear.
"No way!"
Suddenly, they were in their chambers. He set her down on the bed, the world outside vanishing as if it had never existed. His lips captured hers before she could speak, claiming her in a kiss that was fierce and steamy. Her resistance melted like snow under fire. She returned the kiss, her hands sliding against the hard planes of his chest, trying to open his shirt. His weight, his warmth pressed into hers as though the bond demanded nothing else. His forehead rested against hers, his breath ragged, and his gaze raw and unguarded.
"I love you, Tasha." he whispered. "Oh, my own, I'm crazy about you."
Her lips trembled, but she smiled, kissing him again. She knew coming to the penthouse wasn't a mistake, and the Alpha wasn't ready to let her go. She was his. And he was hers.
Forever.