Moonlit Rescue (6 page)

She stared at him as if she were trying to take him all in. “I want to.”

With no further incidents after the scout, he felt sure the pack wouldn’t find their hidden retreat. He knew he’d made the right decision to take her out when they stepped outside, and she held onto his arm and sighed. The forest at night was his favorite time. He wanted Kira to experience the magic, live her passion, breathe in the air tinged with pine and oak, and spy on the animals who only ventured out after dark.

“Look there.” He pointed out a small family of opossums, a mother with three babies in tow.

She twisted to watch them as they trundled away. “They’re so sweet.”

Here and there, he picked up rocks he found below his feet. At one point she stopped and dug one out of the dirt. He crouched down to help her, their fingers colliding as they liberated the stone.

“Here you go. That’s a good one.” He wiped off the bumpy rock and held it out to her.

“Thank you.” She put her hand over his and leaned up with her lips pursed.

The fact she requested a kiss from him gave him hope he was chipping away at the wall she’d built around herself. He pressed his mouth to hers, only pulling away because their tour wasn’t over. “Shall we continue?” When she nodded, he helped her up and motioned toward a tall oak tree where a majestic owl kept watch.

“It’s beautiful out here.”

“Just wait.” He moved some low hanging branches aside, revealing a small lake. “We’re here.”

“It doesn’t seem real,” she whispered.

The nearly full moon shimmering off the clear lake provided the perfect light to see his mate, and he sat down on the bank placing her in his lap. “Yes, it’s beautiful.” He kept his gaze on her.

“Vale.” She looked away.

“I know it’s been difficult waiting for the full moon.” He leaned back. “I have to be able to blend into the human world so we can travel.”

“What about you?”

“I only care that you are safe and with me.”

“How can you be sure you want me with you?”

“That’s not even a question.” He dug his fingers into the soft sand of the shore.

“Yes, it is.” Every word she spoke put up another barrier to him.

“You belong with me.” He sat up. Her wall still stood tall. He had much more work to do. He reached into his pocket, retrieving the items he wanted. “I found this yesterday to add to your new collection.” He held up a smooth, beige rock. “This one seemed different. Tell me about it.”

“What do you want to know?”

“How long has it been here?”

She ran her index finger across the surface. “I don’t think this was originally here.”

“A transplant?” He would prove his point.

“Yes, probably brought here by some visitors.” She took on the tone of a teacher. “The texture and color indicates it may have been submerged in salt water for quite some time.”

“Maybe whoever brought this here thought they were saving the rock from being lost in the ocean.”

“Why would they do that?” She tilted her head toward him.

“Because maybe the rock was too unique and wonderful to be swept away by forces beyond its control.” He needed her to understand in her terms.

“Do you mean that?” Her voice told him he’d made a crack in the wall.

“Maybe our stone earned a place next to this one?” He put the silver stone in his palm, changing its form to liquid.

“This defies everything I know.”

“That doesn’t mean it can’t happen.” He concentrated and the fluid began to glow. “The element can only be transformed by pack leaders. Only those above you in the hierarchy can alter the stone once it’s been changed.”

She touched his wrist. “You’re a leader.”

He suppressed a growl and continued. “I’m part of the ruling class. Yes, I can transform the stone, but I cursed my human side the day Xander proved he could change the rock after I did. He was above me in the pack, and my path was chosen.”

She looked him in the eyes.

“I forget there are two sides of me.” He poured a tiny bit of the molten rock into his free hand and closed his fist around the rest, returning it to its solid state and putting it in his pocket. “You join me to my human side. I am pledging myself to you, Kira.” With both hands, he molded the rest into the shape he wanted.

“Vale.” She put her hand to her chest when he held out a gleaming ring.

“This is yours.” He took her trembling hand and slipped the ring on her finger. “I want the world to know you are mine.”

Her eyes darted between him and the ring.

“With you I know what I’m meant to do. I’m meant to be with you.” He brought his lips to hers. “That is why you belong with me.”

When she smiled into his kiss, he assumed he’d received the gift of the barrier she built around herself crumbling at last.

****

The moment a man gives a woman a ring is sacred. Usually such an event comes after a long courtship where there is a period of growing love, mutual respect and maybe a little uncertainty.

When Vale pledged himself to her with such intensity, she did what came naturally and kissed him, her arms encircling his chest. No matter how she tried, she would never be able to wrap her arms completely around him, a metaphor for their entire relationship.

She studied him, her fingertips taking in the satin skin that covered pure muscle and strength. After being with him for a week in the most intimate of situations, she knew every inch of Vale, and yet she didn’t
know
him.

“My Kira.” He trailed his lips down her neck.

She closed her eyes, trying to block everything out. What she knew was no other man would ever live up to Vale. She had never been more physically or mentally attracted to anyone.

With him, she was special. He made sure she was comfortable, warm and happy. He went out of his way to entertain her. He lavished her with attention, something he gave happily and willingly. “Do I give you what you need?” The words left her mouth when she only meant to think them. She wanted to be a partner not only a mate.

“What?” Vale held her out by her shoulders.

She shook her head. “You risked everything for me.”

“And?”

She turned away and went with her gut. “How can you be sure it’s worth it?” She needed for this to make sense.

“Because I know. You give me purpose.”

He spoke his truth. She couldn’t ask for anything more and maybe that was all she needed.

“I want to show you the lake.” He stood and helped her up.

She always had control, never took risks. After her heartbreaks, she had systematically managed her life. She became a corporate geologist and didn’t go exploring. She stayed in an apartment and didn’t risk buying a house. She remained alone and never exposed her heart.

The last week of being with him and fighting him at every fork in the road was exhausting. She wondered if she could go with her heart, accept what he wanted and give herself the power to let go. For the first time, she pictured a future with him.

“Let’s clean up out here.” He stripped his clothes off and reached for her.

“Wait.” She backed up, needing time to process everything. “The water will be freezing.”

“Learn to trust me.” He caught up to her, helped rid her of her clothing and picked her up bridal style. With a slight chuckle, he walked into the water.

She stiffened in anticipation of her body hitting the frigid liquid, wishing she possessed the ability to do what he asked. When she found herself submerged in warm water, her muscles relaxed. “Is this water from an underground spring?”

He let go of her.

The water became icy torture. She yelped, jumping back in his arms and the water heated again. “How do you do that?”

“Believe in me.” He held her close.

Try to enjoy this
, she begged herself. Her breath hitched as she watched him. He treated her as a priceless artifact he didn’t want to break. She filled her palm with water, rubbing her hand across his silver skin.

A growl echoed from Vale’s throat when his hands grazed across her breasts.

Her body had been trained to react to his growl. She found herself leaning forward in search of his mouth and wrapping her legs around his waist, noticing his erection already at its peak.

He moved her hair aside and pressed his palm against her cheek. No words were needed as he gazed into her eyes, his thumb tracing her jaw line.

She watched him. Every one of Vale’s actions was done with her in mind, from picking her favorite berry to ensuring her satisfaction when they made love.

No matter the circumstances, she wanted to be with him. She loved him.

Her chest tightened as if trying to shield her heart, and even in the warm water she shivered.

She loved him, and her mind reminded her he would never return her love the way she wanted.

She shut her eyes, trying to turn off her thoughts and kissed him.

“Kira.” He tightened his hold on her and went to kiss her again.

She pulled back and noticed their position. For the first time, she had control. Forcing herself to act on impulse, she slid her hand down his stomach. Staring into his eyes, she began to stroke him. A slow, light motion that wouldn’t be enough for him.

He threw his head back. “Let’s go to the shore. I need you now.”

“No.” She had to do this her way.

“No?” His tone, a tinge of annoyance laced with desire and amusement.

“I want you right here.” Without giving him time to protest, she encompassed him with her body.

His eyes rolled back. “More.”

She ground against him, holding onto his neck and making sure she took care of him.

“Faster.” He arched his back.

“Vale.” She tried to keep up, but found herself collapsing against him as her end approached.

He held her hips. “Finish me.”

She wanted to satisfy him and sped up, pummeling her body to his while he guided her. He growled, signaling he was close, and her body obeyed, succumbing to the pleasure she only achieved with Vale.

He filled her. “Kira,” he panted. “You question if this is worth it?”

Maybe he was right. She bit her lip, mindlessly gliding her finger across his shoulder, enjoying the moment.

He turned up to the sky. “The moon will be full soon, and we will be able to begin our lives together.”

His comment caught her attention because he never addressed where they would go next, only saying she would be treated like a queen. She didn’t prod because, in her head, this was always temporary, but not now. Not now that she recognized her feelings for him.

If this were to work between them, they needed to be a couple. She needed answers. “What’s next?”

“Don’t worry, you’ll be treated like a queen.” He brushed her hair back with his fingers.

This time she shook her head. “That isn’t enough, tell me more.”

He looked beyond her, pausing, his voice lowering as if he didn’t want her to hear. “There’s a colony that needs a leader.”

“You’re going to be a leader?” She straightened up.

“No, I’ll help, that’s all I can do.”

“You can be more.” She saw her purpose, her path and gave him her strength.

He didn’t move.

“You can.” They could do this together. “What’s it like there? What will I do? I need to know.”

“We will be joining a colony of other werewolves, half-humans and humans where we will be accepted, and where you will always be protected,” he told her. “They need a geologist. You’re perfect for the job. You’ll finally get to work on your passion.”

He floated with her while he described in great detail a land of magical creatures and humans coexisting, and where she would indeed not only be treated like a queen, but be working on something she loved. While thrilled to get an answer, the thought of vanishing to an unfamiliar place with only Vale made it hard for her to catch her breath. “Vale, you can’t just take me away. Why can’t we stay here?”

“Kira,”—he shook his head—”we can’t stay hidden here forever.”

“Why?” She leaned in closer.

“I can’t stay in this world full-time. For us to be together, I need to bring you into mine.” He cleared his throat. “This is what is best for us.”

Her stomach sank. He couldn’t stay in this world, her world. She would have to vanish forever to be with the man she loved who couldn’t love her in return. “This is my future.” Faced with reality, her mind screamed no.

“Our future.” He stood up and glared at her. “Trust me.”

“How can you be so certain about everything?” He planned their life without even asking her and assumed she would accept it. How could he go with his instinct and trust that everything would fall into place? She tried to push him away, but he didn’t budge. This wasn’t some fairytale where she disappeared with her prince charming. “You can’t simply make things happen because you want to.”

“We are meant to be together.” He held her to him. “You are my mate.”

Since the day they made love for the first time, he had branded her with that title, but now she had to face it. “You never even asked me.”