EMBER
I’ve never been a needy person. In fact, I’ve hardly ever been sociable; I preferred my own company. Suddenly, all that changed.
Ever since Damon marked me, I can’t get enough of his kisses and caresses. Every time he touches me, I feel like little shock waves are running through my body.
My mind is no longer in control. My body seems to be in charge. I can’t even blame my wolf anymore.
I have the distinct impression that Damon feels the same way, and I haven’t even dialed him in yet.
I’m both excited and scared to think about what will happen if I mark him. I can barely function now without his touch; when the bond is complete, will we walk in constant contact like Siamese twins?
I relax against Damon’s chest as he bathes me. Although I try to enjoy the moment, I can’t help but feel a little guilty that his partner is so useless. I can’t even walk, and despite what the healer says, I wonder if I’ll ever walk again.
I focus on my feet, where they’re sticking out of the soapy water, and ask them to move. Nothing happens.
I let out a heavy sigh.
It’s bad enough Damon has a mate incapable of healing or defending herself, but one who can’t walk? He’s an alpha. His moon needs to be strong, not weak and pathetic like me.
Damon’s hand wraps gently around my throat, his fingers gently caressing my skin. “Don’t overthink it, little wolf. Just be patient,” he whispers, his lips almost brushing the shell of my ear.
How does he even know what’s going through my mind? “But what if…?” My voice trails off as the realization hits.
“ Traitor ,” I growl at my wolf.
The only way that Damon could know what I’m thinking is if my wolf spilled her guts to his wolf.
“You don’t need to do this alone. Not anymore,” she huffs.
I hate to admit it, but she’s right. It’s been so long since I have been able to talk freely to anyone. Until now, only my brother knew that I was a conduit, and we never talked much about what that meant to me.
Oliver barely had the time to listen—or chose not to. It’s strange to think I have someone who’s willing, maybe even eager to hear my feelings. About my injury, and about the strange legacy that leaves me able to heal everyone but myself.
“What if my legs never heal…” I start, tentatively.
“Then I’ll carry you,” he soothes.
“But if anyone else finds out about…” I’m cut off by Damon’s finger pressing gently to my lips, shushing me. Then his fingers move to my side, gently trailing across my rib cage.
“You feel that,” he whispers, his breath on my neck making me shiver with pleasure. I moan an acknowledgment as sparks light up my skin.
His fingers slowly move, tracing random patterns across my lower abdomen. “And this?” he coos.
I can’t even find any words. I just whimper as his fingers move lower. His hand cups my mons, and his fingers brush close to my entrance. “What about this?”
I arch my back, and I can’t help the moan that escapes my lips. Every nerve in my core seems to pulse; I feel like I’m standing on a precipice and one little touch will push me over the edge.
Damon sucks on my mark, and that’s enough. I tumble into ecstasy.
“Just tell me to stop and I will,” he offers.
I quickly shake my head. “Please,” I moan breathily.
“Please? You want me to stop?” he questions. His fingers stop moving, and he starts lifting his head away from my neck, though he can’t quite hide the disappointment in his voice.
I shake my head. That’s not what I want. The last thing I want him to do is to stop. “No. Please, Damon, don’t stop.”
Permission granted, his finger slips inside and gently strokes the little bundle of nerves, and I shatter for the second time.
Lost in a wave of ecstasy, I don’t feel him move from behind me. But when I open my eyes, feeling wrung-out and wonderful, he’s standing, leaning over the bath.
The water drips off of his bronze skin, his v-line disappearing beneath the white towel that’s wrapped around his waist.
He’s brought me to the peak of pleasure twice, but I haven’t done anything for him yet, except whine about my own weakness.
My eyes dart down toward the towel, and I can feel my face flushing.
Él se ríe entre dientes, y el sonido me llena de excitación. ¿Qué demonios me pasa? “No se trata de mí, Ember. Se trata de ti”.
Se inclina hacia mí. «Ahora, rodéame el cuello con los brazos y entrelaza los dedos con fuerza».
No le hago preguntas. Por primera vez desde que llegué, hago exactamente lo que me dice.
Mientras mis dedos se entrelazan tras su cuello, sus labios rozan los míos suavemente, demasiado fugazmente. Antes de que pueda responder, se endereza.
Apenas ahora me doy cuenta de lo alto que es. Debe de medir alrededor de 1.93 metros, mientras que yo solo mido 1.52 metros, incluso con tacones bajos.
Me saca de la bañera. Mis piernas, inertes, cuelgan flácidas, pero él no les presta atención mientras me sienta en la encimera para envolverme el cuerpo con una toalla enorme y esponjosa.
Luego me toma en sus brazos una vez más mientras camina hacia la puerta.
Separo los dedos y jugueteo con el pelo que le cuelga suelto en el cuello. Un gruñido profundo, casi un ronroneo, brota de su garganta. Me pregunto si es su lobo el que hace ese ruido, o él.
No tengo mucho tiempo para pensarlo antes de que abra la puerta y volvamos al dormitorio. Me quedo sin aliento al ver tantas bolsas tiradas por el suelo que es imposible contarlas, con nombres de diseñadores estampados por todos lados.
—Ahora, vamos a buscarte algo que puedas ponerte —se ríe Damon.
Me coloca con cuidado en la cama y empieza a sacar ropa de las diferentes bolsas, lanzándola sobre la cama a mi alrededor. Enseguida me veo rodeada de blusas, faldas y zapatos elegantes y de colores brillantes, como una jungla de moda.
Es casi como si estuviera buscando algo, y me doy cuenta de que eso es exactamente lo que está haciendo cuando saca un vestido impresionante de una de las bolsas.
Se acerca y me acerca el vestido. La tela es la más suave que he sentido en mi vida.
En mi antigua manada, no éramos pobres, pero tampoco ricos. Desde luego, no sobraba dinero para disfraces, y de todas formas no habría tenido motivos para usarlos. Ayudar en el hospital no era una ocasión formal.
Nunca había visto un vestido tan bonito, ni tan caro. Está hecho de seda suavísima y ribeteado con un encaje finísimo, blanco puro como un vestido de novia, pero ajustado y elegante.
Nunca imaginé llevar algo así. Jadeo y lo abrazo.
“Esto es demasiado”, susurro.
Damon me mira fijamente, recorriendo mi cuerpo con la mirada. “Vales cada centavo. Además, cuando presente a mi Luna a mi manada, quiero que lleve algo tan impresionante como ella”.
Bajo la mirada. De repente siento náuseas. Damon me desea porque soy su pareja, es instintivo. ¿Pero qué pasa con el resto de la manada?
¿Sienten lo mismo que esos tributos que me atacaron en el pasillo? ¿Que no pertenezco aquí, que debo ser un espía o algo peor?
Siento los dedos de Damon tocar suavemente la parte inferior de mi barbilla mientras inclina mi cabeza hacia arriba, obviamente recibiendo nuevamente un informe de mis pensamientos de parte de mi lobo y queriendo tranquilizarme.
Esos perros ni siquiera eran miembros de mi manada, y ahora nunca lo serán. Eres mi compañera y mi luna. Mi manada te amará tanto como yo.
Sus labios rozan los míos en un beso delicado. Es fugaz, pero promete mucho más.
Observo a Damon mientras camina hacia el vestidor. Me cuesta apartar la vista de él, por cómo se mueven sus músculos al caminar.
Ya casi llega a la puerta cuando se detiene y se gira para mirarme. “¿Necesitas ayuda para vestirte?”
I look at the dress and then back at him. I blush a little at the thought of the help he could give me.
He smiles at me.
Damn wolf. Keep telling him all the evil thoughts I have in my head.
I clear my throat as I look away from her body. “I could use some underwear,” I murmur.
Damon chuckles and walks back. He sorts through several bags until he finds the one with the underwear.
He raises an eyebrow, but there’s a twinkle in his eyes as he brings it to me. I look inside and can’t help but blush.
I’ve never worn underwear like this before. It’s pure silk and lace, and it’s very sexy.
Damon laughs at my embarrassment before heading back out to get some clothes for himself.
I could remind Damon that Joshua picked him out, but I doubt he’d like it. Besides, Joshua probably had some female help; I doubt any man would feel comfortable alone in a lingerie store. I wonder if it was Crystal.
Even though she left me, I still miss Crystal a little. I’d never had a friend before; Crystal was the closest I’d ever gotten. Even in my old pack, I avoided friendships in case they discovered my gift.
If I’m introduced as Damon’s moon, and if the pack doesn’t reject me outright, I expect a lot of people will be vying to be my friend. It’s a powerful position, after all. The moon is the beating heart of the pack.
I swallow nervously. I feel butterflies in my stomach. I’ve never liked being the center of attention; I guess I’ll have to get used to it.
By the time Damon returns, I’m already dressed. It’s surprising how uncomfortable it can be to get dressed when you can’t stand up.
Damon comes out of the closet dressed in a designer suit and shoes polished so much you can almost see his face. The top buttons of his white shirt are undone, revealing a few strands of his dark chest hair.
I can’t help but lick my lips. Damon is always the alpha male, but this outfit really highlights it.
He stares at me and lets out a low growl. I guess I get it too.
Then he walks over to the bed and hugs me. This way of moving is something I’ll have to get used to, I think, as I put my arms around him. But, to be honest, it doesn’t bother me at all.
