Page 14 of Auctioned Wolf Bride
A hush had fallen over the group, and all I could hear was dead leaves rustling in the wind. The officiant stared at Tannen, who had yet to move. After a moment, Tannen stepped forward so he was facing me.
The officiant didn’t mince words. “Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” he asked, not bothering with a preamble.
“I do,” Tannen said. Something about the words made my heart pound faster despite myself.
“And do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the officiant asked me.
I didn’t need to look to know that Damien and Viktor were both staring intently at me, ready to leap into action the instant I didn’t do what he said.
My jaw twitched, lips refusing to open as a lump filled my throat. I wanted nothing more than to say no. I didn’t want to be tied to Tannen, and I definitely didn’t want him claiming me.
But what choice did I have?
Tannen’s eyes stayed locked on me. I knew what he was thinking. He was as unhappy as I was about the situation. He didn’t want me, especially not in that way. It didn’t take a genius to recognize that. The stoic, determined expression, however, spoke of a willingness to do what was necessary. He was determined to get me out of this, even if it meant marrying and claiming me.
A flutter of affection blossomed in my chest at the thought. I shoved it down. The last thing I needed was to start thinking that way. But still, at this moment, we were in it together, and we both knew it.
Everyone stared at me expectantly. Someone cleared their throat behind me. I didn’t have to look to know that Damien was glowering at me, ready to step in if I didn’t cooperate in the next ten seconds. Taking a deep breath, I raised my head, meeting Tannen’s gaze.
“I do,” I said.
“I pronounce you man and wife,” the officiant said. “You may now claim your bride.”
Tannen took a step forward. His hands went to my shoulder, thumb stroking it gently as he leaned forward. His scent, familiar and surprisingly comforting, washed over me. My shoulders loosened, and I leaned toward him unconsciously.
His lips brushed my ear, sending shivers down my spine.
“We’ll figure this out when we get out of here,” he whispered. “I promise.” He moved back, his eyes meeting mine,boring into me as if to make sure I understood what he was saying.
Something about the words made warmth and comfort run through me. I believed him. I didn’t have any reason to do so, but I did. Taking a deep breath, I met his gaze and nodded.
His teeth sharpened, lengthening into fangs. A second later, his mouth fastened to my collarbone and he bit down.
Heat flooded through my entire body. I gasped, my body going almost limp. It was more painful than I’d expected, knives everywhere as his teeth sank into me. Warm blood spilled from the wounds.
I wasn’t sure what I had anticipated. I’d read stories about claimings, heard people talk about them, but nothing could have prepared me for the actual sensation. My wolf snarled, howling, but I couldn’t tell if it was out of anger or excitement. My mind went blank as I let out a soft moan and my eyes closed. Something about it felt strangely erotic, even through the pain.
After what felt like an eternity, Tannen stepped back. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes locked on me, an intensity there that seemed to flood my entire body with heat and something like longing. I sucked in a breath as my collarbone throbbed, streaks of crimson trailing down and staining my white dress.
My blood had smeared across Tannen’s chin, and something about that sight solidified the reality of the situation more than anything else.
He’d claimed me.
I was Tannen’s.
Chapter 6 - Tannen
My wolf howled, a surge of need running through me the instant I bit down. My cock twitched, and I had a sudden urge to fuck her right then and there. Her scent and the beginning of the claim clicking into place was a high I didn’t want to come down from. I wanted her and her alone as we became linked for life.
When the rush was over, I took a step back. My eyes caught on the mark on her collarbone. The claiming mark. Over the next couple of weeks, it would heal over. But instead of becoming less visible, it would grow more prominent, the same way our attachment to one another would.
I’d never wanted a claiming bond. I’d never been that interested in attachment. I was happy with my one-night stands. Claiming had always felt uncomfortable to me. Too permanent. If something happened and we ended up regretting it, it wouldn’t matter. We’d be stuck with one another until one of us died. Until death do us part.
I tried reading Thea’s expression, but she wouldn’t look at me. Her cheeks were flushed, but I couldn’t decide if that was out of embarrassment or anger. Her hand twitched, as if she wanted to raise it to cover or touch the mark. The handcuffs rattled, and her fingers stilled at the sound.
Damien clapped me on the back. “See? Was that so bad?”
“Are you going to let me take the girl and get out of here, or are there more hoops I have to jump through?” I growled.
