75 - Ben


    Every inch of me is struggling to stay calm as I sit beside her, caring for her with a quiet patience that feels more forced than natural. "So that''s why you didn''t wait for your mate,” I murmur softly, without any hint of judgment or bitterness. I''m not upset that she isn''t a virgin—after all, I didn''t wait for my mate either. But hearing her exnation brings a newyer of understanding, a rity I hadn''t had before.


    Her eyes lock with mine, steady and unwavering. “Yeah. It was something I could control. Having an Alpha''s son or a warrior in my bed meant they wouldn''t dare cross any lines." The thought alone stirs a low, protective growl deep in my chest, my wolf''s instinct ring fiercely. Slowly, she leans in closer, slipping her arms beneath mine, her fingers resting gently on my back. This is the first time since I arrived that she''s touched me willingly, outside the harsh, tense atmosphere of the training grounds. In this quiet, intimate moment, I realize I''m done fighting it. I belong to herpletely, without reservation.


    "They can''t have you," I say with quiet determination, my voice low but unwavering. "I''m not from your pack, and I wasn''t raised to stand by while anyoneys a finger on my mate. You are mine-no one else''s. If anyone even jokes about touching you, they''ll be beaten within an inch of their life and then thrown into the cells to heal like a human. Your elders? They''re done. They have no ce in our pack, especially not in leadership, if they think they can take advantage of you or that I would tolerate that kind of disrespect." She nods against my chest, her breath warm and steady. "Now, mate, can I mark you so we can heal and get the hell out of this damn witch blizzard?"


    Her head tilts up toward me, those vivid green eyes sparkling brightly, framed by the wild cascade of her fiery red hair draped across my arm. I find myself unable to focus on anything but her face. If I let my thoughts wander, I might lose control right here, right now—and she deserves so much more than that.


    I stay still. She needs to tell me with words that she wants this. It will happen soon, but I''m willing to wait if she asks for it.


    "I don''t want to be a ything," she whispers softly, barely audible.


    "I already told you-no one will touch you. Not ever. Even if you say no now, you''re still mine, and mine alone." I press a gentle kiss to her forehead, tightening my arms around her. "If you say ''yes,'' I promise you, many heads will roll just for looking your way too long. And that''s me trying to be nice." I feel a small smile press against my chest as her arms pull tighter around me. She''s physically here with me now. All that remains is for her to say the words.


    She pulls back just a little—just enough to make my wolf whimper in frustration—but then she shifts, sliding her body flush against mine. The whimper turns into a needy growl, and my body responds without hesitation. I want her so badly. I want to finish what I started months ago when all I wanted was to help her find peace in sleep.


    “Ben.....” she breathes out, a soft plea. I hold my breath, focusing on the shallow rhythm of my breathing. I need air. She needs to say it... now! "Mark me.....”


    Before she can even finish, my face is buried in the hollow of her neck. I lick her sweet skin, my fangs extending just enough to scratch the surface. If I hadn''t waited so long, I might have teased her, but neither of us deserves this endless limbo. I take a deep breath, then bite. The world shatters behind my closed eyes. I can''t move-locked in an embrace with her that I never want to end. Her soft pants in my ear send shivers racing down my spine. I feel like a live wire, every nerve ignited. My wolf''s full awareness crashes back into my mind. I am alive-truly alive for the first time in what feels like forever. It''s like waking up from a long, suffocating fog.


    I thought I could be patient, wait for her on her terms, but there''s no way. I want her now-right this second. I roll onto my back, straddling her luscious body across my hips, hovering just enough to leave room for my painfully hard cock. My hands grip her waist firmly, teasing her entrance. I raise an eyebrow, silently asking if she''s ready. She nods, and I line myself up, driving into her from below.


    "Oh, fuck! Ben!" she screams, but I''m lost in the moment. If she says anything else coherent, I don''t hear it. I keep a steady rhythm, thrusting upward. She leans over me, those gorgeous breasts pressing into my face as she holds herself up on my shoulders. “Harder, Ben, please," she begs.


    I love the way she says my name, giving me instructions I barelyprehend but eagerly follow. I lift her up and m her down harder, rubbing her clit for extra friction. Sweat beads on our skin despite the cold wind howling outside the storm. My legs burn, and I feel the first stirrings of my orgasm deep in my spine. I know she''s close too, and I want us toe together, especially this first time. I''ve seen her release before, and it''s breathtaking. I want to feel her tighten around me, drawing everyst drop from me.


    "You''re so close. You feel so good, ra. Such a good girl for me. Will youe for me?” I pant between thrusts, words slipping out without thought.


    "Oh, yes! Right there. So... good. Yes." Then she shatters, screaming incoherent words, and I follow soon after.


    The bond between us and the ck w pack surges stronger. Voices flood my mind, warmth washing over my body. I don''t fully understand what''s happening, but I can''t stop. I sit up, keeping her fully sheathed on me but adjusting the angle. She continues to move, the tremors of her first orgasm still pulsing through her. I n to make here again and again.


    Somewhere deep in the back of my mind, I know this isn''t the smartest or safest ce for this, but I don''t care. I will have herpletely before we leave this storm behind.