An Alpha's Claim (10 page)

Regine, perplexed, slowly made it into the living room only to find it covered in her favorite flowers. They were hung all around the windows, and the scent filled her nose. The Christmas tree was already decorated with presents at the bottom of the tree. Little reindeer ornaments were hanging all over the place, and the mistletoe was just above her.

Walking to the huge bouquet of lavender roses in the center of the table, Regine slid her hands over them and smiled. She couldn’t believe he did this all by himself. Nathan had never celebrated Christmas until they met. Now they held a yearly contest to see who could make it out to his cabin first in order to celebrate.

“So how long have you been here?”

“Long enough to get this done.”

“Wow! You’re not gloating.”

“That’s because I figured out it’s better for both of us to bask in
my
victory.” Regine rolled her eyes anytime Nathan won a challenge because it always ended with sex. Everywhere but in the bed. In the time they’d been coming out to the cabin, she could count on one hand how many times he’d won. And he always made the same requests as her.
Run me my bath. Serve me my dinner. Bring me my wine. And do all of it naked.
Regine could only imagine what Nathan cooked up for them to supposedly bask in.
Why do I have the feeling I’m going to be naked for this?

“How exactly are we both supposed to—” Regine’s words were cut off by the sight of Nathan on one muscled knee holding a velvet box. “Nathan…” She could see fear in those deep green eyes, but knew that wouldn’t stop him. He was an Alpha, and Alphas didn’t back down.

“Regine, I’m not the easiest man to deal with. I’ll be possessive of you. Other shifters will know you’re mine and mine alone. And since I won, the only thing I want is for you to say yes to being my wife. If you do, my Christmas will be complete. Regine Hamilton, will you marry me?”

No words could describe how happy she was at this very moment. The Alpha who only believed in mating for life was proposing.

“Yes. Yes, Nathan, I’ll marry you.”

Nathan breathed a sigh of relief; he’d worried that Regine might actually say no. Placing the ring on her finger, he lifted her without any effort and went to their bedroom.

“So, how ’bout that bath, ma’am?” He watched a mischievous smile form on her face.

“Only if you join me.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I’m glad I lost this challenge,” Regine admitted.

“Well…” Nathan deposited her on the bed and hurried to the bathroom to fill the tub. “I’m happy to say this Christmas challenge is one I’ll never forget.”

Nathan ran a bath for them to share. Regine sat between his powerful thighs. She smiled feeling his hands massaging her shoulders. Looking at her ring, she couldn’t believe the big brute who’d stolen her heart, had proposed. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to get married; it was that she didn’t want to be the one to bring it up.

“What are you thinking?” Nathan asked against her shoulder before nibbling on it.

“What makes you think I’m thinking about anything?”

“You always get quiet. And you sigh every couple of seconds.” Regine smiled at how well he knew her. “So, are you going to tell me or do I have to order you to? Remember who won this challenge.”

“Fine. I was thinking about the first time we met. Do you remember that day?” She felt Nathan go stiff behind her.

Of course Nathan remembered that day.

“I recall not being the most welcoming.”

She turned and gave him an incredulous look over her shoulder.

Nathan smiled recalling how awful he’d been.

“You caught me at a bad moment. Regine turned back around and laid her head against his shoulder.

“That’s why I walked out on your meeting.”

Nathan laughed at how pissed she was..

“Did I or did I not apologize?”

“Yes. When no one was around. Besides you had other motives.”

“That’s partially true but you put me through hell with your stance on dating Alphas.”

Regine’s laughter warmed him. The pack felt complete whenever Regine came around. So was he. Their relationship began very rocky, but she was the only one who saw his softer side.

“Why do I have the feeling something else is on your mind?” Nathan asked while rubbing the mating scar he made on her shoulder.

She smiled. “Because you know me. And since you didn’t kill me like you first threatened, maybe we should start working on having some pups of our own.”

Regine listened to his rapid heartbeat with bated breath. She had been thinking about them having children for a while now. Most of the pack had at least two pups. Regine had helped deliver some of them. These past few weeks, watching babies and pups come into the world made her realize it was time to start a family.

“Nathan, did you hear what I said?” Regine turned to look at him and was floored by the volume of excitement in his eyes. He placed both wet hands on each side of her face before asking his question. “Are you sure that’s what you want?” Nathan asked, not even bothering to hide the enthusiasm at the prospect of being a parent.

“I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, and I believe we’re ready. Unless you don’t want to.”

Regine screamed lightly when Nathan lifted them both out of the tub.

Before she could blink, he was laying her gently on the bed. “You don’t know how long I’ve waited to hear you say that,” Nathan admitted, before possessing her mouth with a bruising kiss. She released a soft moan when he pressed his erection against her thigh. Nathan’s hands were roaming everywhere.

“Nathan, we’re still wet,” Regine forced out before two powerful fingers found their way inside her wet entrance.

“Not wet enough,” he whispered as his fingers moved in and out. With all of his acute senses, Nathan still had to strain to hear the soft moans escaping her lips. Nathan was still getting used to the fact that Regine was such a quiet lover. Hearing her softly whisper his name during lovemaking was something he looked forward to though. But tonight was different. Tonight, he wanted to hear her.

He wasted no time taking a nipple into his mouth. Nathan’s tongue swirled and nipped at it making Regine arch into him. She pumped her hips against his fingers, and he knew her orgasm was coming. Quickly removing them, Nathan lowered his head and feasted on the cuisine between her thighs. Regine’s breath quickened with every touch to her clit, and he knew he found her spot. Nathan grabbed her thighs and spread them even wider, but he didn’t let go.
You won’t have a voice when I’m finished with you tonight,
he thought before working her spot even harder.