Chapter 5 A first kiss with my mate

Karen POV

When Zaiden finally tore his mouth from mine, I was shaking half from breathlessness, half from the storm inside me. His thumb lingered at my jaw, his gaze heavy, unreadable.

I pushed weakly at his chest, whispering, "I... I can't do this."

His eyes narrowed, but instead of arguing, he stepped back, his grip loosening only enough to guide me toward his room. "Then don't fight," he said simply. "Rest."

I blinked at him, stunned, as he opened the heavy wooden door that led to his chambers. The scent of cedarwood and smoke wrapped around me too strong, too him. My pulse jumped when I saw the enormous bed dominating the space.

"I'm not..." I started, panic clawing up my throat.

"You're not leaving." His tone was final, like carved stone. "Not tonight."

My wolf purred at the command, but my human side shrank, torn between fear and... safety. Moon goddess, I hated how safe his presence felt even as my body trembled.

"I'll take the couch," I muttered, trying to sidestep.

A growl rumbled from his chest, quiet but dangerous. "No couch." His eyes pinned me in place. "You'll sleep here. With me."

Heat flared in my face. My mouth opened to argue, but exhaustion struck the weight of the day, the kiss, the bond clawing at my soul. My body betrayed me, sagging.

Zaiden caught the flicker of fear in my eyes. His expression softened, just barely. He brushed a strand of hair from my cheek and said, low, "Sleep. I won't touch you."

I did believe him. Not entirely. But when he lay back on the bed and tugged me down beside him, his arm a heavy barrier keeping me there, something inside me unclenched.

I curled stiffly at the edge, heart racing. His warmth pressed against my back, steady and immovable. My wolf sighed, content. I closed my eyes, praying sleep would come praying my heart would stop betraying me every time he whispered through the bond.

And just before sleep dragged me under, I swore I heard him murmur, voice rough with a promise and a threat all at once

"You'll run in your dreams, little Luna. But when you wake... you'll still be mine."

*******

The Next Morning

A heavy, solid weight wrapped around me, cocooning me in a way that made it impossible to move. For a blissful moment, I thought I was safe... until the deep rumble of breathing at my neck shattered the illusion.

My eyes flew open.

Zaiden's arm was draped across my waist, his hand splayed possessively over my stomach, pulling me firmly against the hard wall of his chest. His legs tangled with mine, anchoring me in place. Even in sleep, he was claiming me.

My pulse hammered, every nerve alight where his skin brushed mine.

Carefully, I shifted, testing the iron grip around me. His hold tightened instantly. A low growl vibrated against my back.

"Don't," he muttered, still half-asleep. His voice was gravelly, raw, and far too dangerous to my resolve.

"I... I wasn't...." My whisper died when his nose brushed against my hair, inhaling deeply.

"You smell like mine," he murmured, and gods help me, my traitorous wolf purred at the sound.

Heat burned in my cheeks. My body screamed to melt into him, to let the bond take over, but my mind... my mind wanted to escape.

Summoning every ounce of courage, I pushed lightly at his arm. "Zaiden... let me go."

His eyes cracked open stormy, dark, piercing right through me. For a heartbeat, he only stared, lips brushing the curve of my neck. The bond surged instantly, sending a shiver racing down my spine. My breath hitched. Then he smirked, lazy and possessive.

"You woke up in my arms," he said, voice thick with satisfaction. "You'll get used to it."

My heart stuttered violently. "Never."

He leaned closer, his lips grazing the shell of my ear as he whispered, "We'll see."

********

Zaiden's POV

"Alpha," Cole said, his tone clipped in the mindlink. "There's a problem."

I glanced at Karen, who was still tangled in the sheets, eyes wide and wary.

"It's urgent, Alpha," Cole pressed.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice low.

Karen's soft voice cut in, interrupting the mindlink. "Who's that?"

I climbed off the bed, dragging on a shirt. "He's my Beta."

Her brows knitted, but I didn't give her a chance to question further. I leaned down, brushing a quick kiss against her cheek. "Stay here. Don't leave this room. The maids will bring your breakfast."