“You set them on their feet and gave them hope when your father’s cruelties made them believe all hope was lost. And you gave them the glimpse of how rich and wonderful and joyous life could be for all of us. For me. That’s why I fought for alpha, Kara. Not for myself, or even the pack. I fought for that vision you placed in all of us when the nights were so long and desperate, none of us thought we’d make it out alive.”
Kara looked into the mirror again and saw his belief in her strength shining in his eyes. “You really see this when you look at me?”
He gave a crooked grin. “Oh yes. And besides that, you have really nice tits.”
“Ryder!”
“Had to say it…”
“Like it is.”
Ryder gathered her into his arms. “You are beautiful Kara. You always will be to me, even when we’re old and gray and wrinkled. I’ll always see you as the female who captured my heart.”
For a few moments, she rested against him, accepting her place in the pack. In his life. Then Kara lifted her head. “My brother will be here soon.”
Ryder brushed back a lock of hair from her face. “Yes.”
“Nothing will stop him from a pack war.”
His fingers stroked her throat. “One thing will.”
“The mating mark.”
“I must do this, before Aiden arrives. You have to bear my mark that we are bonded. It’s going to hurt, but just for a minute.” A heated intensity filled his gaze as he gathered her hands into his. “But I will not do it without your full consent. Do you agree to this, Kara? Do you wish to be mated to me for life? As much as it would kill me, I – I would let you go.”
She thought about her cold, lonely room back at Aiden’s ranch, and the fresh, new possibilities awaiting her here. She thought about how much Ryder cherished, and loved her. Oh, he admitted he needed her to help rule the pack, but it would be ruling with love and tenderness, not cold indifference.
Kara kissed him, and rubbed her nose against his neck, marking him in her own way, with her scent. “I love you. I will mate with you.”
A low growl of approval rumbled deep in his throat. They disrobed and he led her over to the bed. She lay on her stomach. Twisting her neck, she watched his fangs descend and sharpen. Kara braced herself as Ryder gently turned her head. His warm mouth nuzzled her throat, then he sank his fangs into her neck. Sharp pain flashed through her, along with an erotic throbbing in her loins.
Then he licked the wound, his tongue dragging slowly over her skin. The stinging faded, replaced by growing arousal. Wetness gushed between her legs.
She turned over. Ryder spread her legs wide and knelt between them. The musky scent of her arousal mingled with his sharp male fragrance of spices.
His mouth felt hot and wet as Ryder softly kissed her thighs. Trembling, she watched him lower his head between her legs. He blew a gentle, warm breath against her most intimate flesh, making her tingle with anticipation.
He put his mouth on her and she cried out in shocked pleasure.
Ryder tongued her, delving between her swollen, soaked folds as he buried his head between her legs. The silky hair on his head rubbed against her inner thighs as he slowly dragged his tongue over her clit. Cupping her ass, he rubbed his face against her and hummed deep in his throat, the vibration causing an erotic friction. Kara squirmed, eager for more.
“I love how you taste,” he murmured against her wet flesh. “I will never tire of you, sweeting.”
The flicks of his tongue intensified. A delicious pressure built, making her bottom clench hard, triggering the instinct to move her hips upward.
He squeezed and kneaded her ass as he continued pleasuring her. Kara fisted her hands in the sheets. Tension built higher as he stroked his tongue faster and harder.
And then he gave another flick, and she shattered with a sob. He remained with her, gently soothing her pulsing flesh with tiny kisses, staying with her as the last spasm faded and she lay limp and panting.
Sitting back, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, giving a wolfish grin.
“Turn over,” he said thickly.
Ryder’s darkened gaze met Kara’s. The bed dipped beneath his weight as he settled on it, behind her. The traditional mating stance for Lupines.
Kara climbed onto her hands and knees. The position made her feel exposed, vulnerable and aroused. She glanced over her shoulder. From its nest of thick, dark hair, his long penis thickened. Her core throbbed with need.
“It’s time to consummate our bond, Kara,” he whispered, guiding his engorged shaft between her legs.
Nudging past her soaked folds, he slid the broad head of his cock across her slick cleft. A delicious friction ensued as he repeated the action. Each slow push and drag caused her flesh to pulse in renewed pleasure. Kara gasped. Never had she imagined it would feel this good.