Page 28 of A Kiss From a Wolfman
“Goodnight, Ciaryn.”
“Goodnight.”
With a final deep breath, she fully relaxes. It is not long before I feel her breathing evenly in my arms. I can hear the steady pounding of her heart. I let it soothe me to sleep, all the while silently vowing to Stella that I’ll always provide and protect her no matter what the future holds.
Forever.
9
STELLA
The den does not come into view until late the following evening.
Despite Ciaryn’s assurances that we would reach it shortly after midday, an unexpected tryst this morning caused a considerable delay. Not that I’m complaining. Despite the stiffness of my muscles due to our traveling and the delicious soreness between my thighs, I can’t help but feel blissfully content. A part of me had always felt a drift—an outsider even when I tried my best to settle. Now that the frayed parts of my soul are mended, I feel complete in a way I never had before.
However, I will admit that the closer we travel to the den, the more apprehension tickles the back of my neck. We are nestled deep withinThe Woods,a place I was taught to fear as a child—now it will become my new home.
The trees grow together densely, nearly blotting out the darkening sky above. The air is dank with the smell of grass and rotting foliage. Underneath the wet smell is Ciaryn’s familiar scent.
I lay my cheek against his back, allowing the scent of pine to wash over me. It is odd to think of my heart as no longer my own.Ciaryn has laid claim to every part of me. Our souls fused while he was tied to me last night. Baring the secrets of my past to him has lifted that phantom weight from my shoulders.
He met my confession with love and protection. Love is such a strong, fickle emotion. Many believe it takes time to form, but that is not the case. I do not need to spend weeks or months with Ciaryn to arrive at the conclusion I’ve already come to. I love him.
I will tell him soon enough—once this matter of his pack is settled.
The moon is in full bloom above us. Small animals scurry in the trees, and birds call overhead before perching on low-hanging branches.
A lone howl cuts throughThe Woods. Ciaryn’s steps slow as we approach the mouth of a great cave. What lurks behind its rocky opening is entirely obscured by unending darkness. A shadow darts across my peripheral vision, and Ciaryn pauses a few feet from the entrance.
Another deep howl echoes from before us. My hands tangle into his fur as my heart pounds in my chest. There is a beat of silence before a striking pair of eyes beams from inside the opening. At first, there is only one, then after another moment, two, then three, appear. It is not long until the cavern is filled with countless pairs of glowing eyes.
Sleek, furry bodies hustle out in formation, encircling us.
Sharp, white teeth are bared from between ruby lips. Each one is heavily muscled. Their posture is tight, as if ready to pounce on us at any moment. None of them are as large as Ciaryn, but their sheer number makes sweat slide down my neck.
One of them growls at us, and Ciaryn answers in kind, his ears flattening. Despite my death grip on his fur, he gently slides me from his body and tucks me firmly against his side. Dragginghis gaze away from the wolfmen before us, he looks at me intently.
“Stay behind me. I’ll keep you safe.”
The words are low and end with a firm kiss to my brow. An uneasy whine echoes around us as Ciaryn turns to face the other wolfmen. It is clear that he rules over them. Even if they are displeased to see him, their bodies submit to the power he radiates. A few try to fight it, but the longer Ciaryn bares his fangs at them, the more they supplicate to his will.
One wolfman, however, shakes off Ciaryn’s dominance. He strides forward, raising himself from all fours to his full height. His fur is a deep brown. One of his ears is bitten, missing a chunk as if lost in a fight. The scars smattering across his snout add to his intimidating appearance. I shuffle further behind Ciaryn when the other wolf’s golden eyes land on me with a feral gleam. Ciaryn’s warning growl vibrates throughoutThe Woods.
“You’ve returned,” the other wolfman snarls.
“I have.”
Despite Ciaryn’s warning, his eyes dip to me again, and he licks over his sharp teeth.
“And with a human.”
The muscles of Ciaryn’s back tense.
“She is my mate.” A few wolfmen look at each other before flattening their ears. “And as the alpha’s mate, she will be permitted entrance into the den and live amongst us.”
“She bears no claiming mark.” Another wolfman with a white stripe down his back steps forward and nods toward me. “Will you dishonor us by not only abandoning your pack but now with lies?”
I look up at Ciaryn, waiting for him to explain, but he keeps his eyes locked on those circling us.
