Marked For Love: The Alpha's Chosen Luna

That poker evening had grown increasingly uncomfortable.

It was her exquisite scent that unsettled me.

Or perhaps it was simply her breathtaking beauty.

She sat right beside me, so close and yet forever out of reach.

Natasha Cortez.

The black velvet dress she wore clung to every curve, highlighting her hourglass figure.

Still, I thought the neckline dropped a bit too low.

Royce Williams, one of my protégés from Vegas, hadn't taken his eyes off her all night.

I even caught him licking his lips-what a pervert!

Damn it! Speaking of pervert, I had already grown as hard as a rock!

No wonder I had been losing from the start.

This woman had been driving me insane.

I might as well have thrown in my cards.

I decided to retreat to my room for the night and cool off with a cold shower.

After all, everyone else had planned to organize a little BDSM strip-poker game later on. That was their way of quietly celebrating the upcoming wedding of Cameron Holt and Arlene Newman, a couple of friends whose ceremony would take place the day after tomorrow.

However, since I was an international star, I couldn't join in on such activities without risking exposure. Besides, BDSM had never really been my thing. I hoped people understood- while I would never say no to spicing up my love life from time to time, anything beyond that simply wasn't for me. I had no interest in a woman who catered to my every whim or in negotiating and checking off a partner's list before making love. No, thank you. That was never what I wanted.

What I truly longed for was a sense of mystery, a spark of romance.

What I wanted was... Natasha.

Stop it! Garrett! You shouldn't even think about it!

She was married.

Married-don't forget that!

And to my damn cousin, no less!

"I would like to join too... if it's... hmm... possible," Natasha announced shyly, her sweet voice barely above a whisper.

I froze mid-motion, just as I was about to toss my cards aside. I had thought about slipping away and heading back to my room. All I had wanted was to quit the game and put as much distance as possible between myself and this enchantress!

"I would like to join too." Those words struck me like a heavy blow.

A vein throbbed on my forehead.

I wasn't jealous, not at all. Of course not!

She was still my cousin's wife! It was only natural to feel shocked at the idea of her joining a BDSM strip-poker game with a room full of dominants, wasn't it?

Yeah, right. Just keep lying to yourself, Garrett!

Lenora Mendez, the wife of one of the most influential members of our pack at the Billionaire Beach Club, placed her hand on Natasha's and offered with a gentle smile, "Of course! It shouldn't be too difficult to find you a gaming partner." Then she turned toward the big players gathered in the neighboring room-not in the grand living room where we sat-and called out loudly.

"Hey! Jason! Natasha's looking for a partner for strip-poker! What do you say?"

Jason Fletcher was an Alpha, just like me.

He stood on the same level as I did.

A pure-blooded Divine Alpha, through and through.

His wife had passed away a year and a half ago.

That was why, in Lenora's eyes, he made the ideal partner for Natasha. He never engaged in full sexual relations with his partners, while Natasha happened to be married to that bastard-my cousin-who was nothing but a wife-beater!

My cousin, Brent Cortez, was an Alpha as well, but he belonged to a far lower tier than ours.

All this explained why, if Natasha truly wanted to dip her toes into the BDSM lifestyle that had fascinated her for so long-a lifestyle that attracted many people here tonight-Jason would be the perfect person to guide her, and, most importantly, the least committed option she could choose. Without question, he would be a much safer Dom than someone like Royce, who was barely more than a beginner.

After all, Jason not only lived the lifestyle but also owned several BDSM clubs that welcomed both Alphas and humans. If I remembered correctly, there was even a special day at his clubs set aside for Alphas in heat, looking for compatible partners...

So, it could be said that he was an Alpha with a wealth of experience as a Dom. My rational mind told me that Jason was probably the ideal person to introduce Natasha to the lifestyle she had secretly longed to experience for quite some time.

I also knew perfectly well that it wouldn't be with my idiot cousin that Natasha would ever risk exploring this submissive side of herself- at least, not in any way that was truly healthy.

No.

Brent was a wife-beater, an abuser who cared only for his own satisfaction. He never gave a damn about Natasha!

That meant she would never have dared ask him to tie her to the headboard for a rough session. That would have been nothing but an invitation for more abuse.

Logically, I shouldn't have gotten involved either.

Natasha was an adult, after all.

She was free to make her own choices.

Yet I couldn't stop myself from speaking up and objecting. And when I did, even I was surprised by the words that spilled out of my mouth.

"That won't be necessary! I'll be Natasha's partner!"

Not only did I say this, but I spoke with the commanding voice of a true dominant. It was the tone of a Divine Alpha with an unbroken, pure lineage-something I had always carried.

I sensed right away that Natasha was far from unaffected. A visible shiver ran through her. With my Alpha magnetism in play, it would have been almost impossible for her to resist me. Even those sitting around the table seemed equally affected. The game came to a sudden halt as everyone turned to stare at me, mouths hanging open. Even the other dominants and a few of the Alphas at the table seemed to shudder, as if a chill had swept down their spines.

They recognized it instinctively.

Who I truly was.

My essence as a Divine Alpha.

The supernatural authority I held.

After all, I stood among the most powerful supernatural beings on earth-even within my own species.

The charismatic aura I exuded-the very force that had helped make me internationally renowned- now bristled with dangerous, possessive energy.

I tried to rein in the fierce aura that had slipped out of my control for just a moment.

I started to open my mouth, ready to explain away my impulsive outburst. But before I could, Natasha once again showed me, as she had so many times before, just how courageous she was as a Consort* one of our kind, but somehow always willing to stand up to me.

To me, of all people- an Alpha male with more power than most.

Me... the one who was destined for her.

"No!" the brave little woman protested.

What followed was a flurry of Spanish insults-which I'll spare you-but every word reflected that fiery temperament of hers.

My gaze darkened. The Alpha inside me felt the sting of rejection. Natasha had made me endure that kind of pain more times than I could count. She had to be the only woman of our kind capable of resisting the Alpha meant for her.

But tonight, the pain cut deeper than ever; she actually seemed ready to choose someone else.

I could understand why she'd held back all these years, causing us both so much pain-especially with my cousin being such a fool.

But now, to see her willing to go to another Alpha, someone like Jason Fletcher, while she continued to turn me away?

Not that I had tried to seduce her before today. She was my cousin's wife, and I had always respected that! I was a man of honor! But to be asked to let her go to another man... again?

It had torn me apart to watch her marry my cousin.

To see his mark on her neck, to catch his scent lingering on her skin.

He was the one who had claimed her!

All the while, my heart, my soul, that sacred flame within me- she had taken them for herself. Stolen. Confiscated!

And tonight, she trampled on them all over again!

Unable to hold back any longer, I finally lost my composure. I tossed my cards onto the table.

I seized her delicate wrist, sprang to my feet, and pulled her toward a nearby sitting room whose doors opened to the large hall. Natasha tried to resist, but it was useless!

The room we entered was dark, the lights off, with only a sliver of moonlight shining through the bay window. I slammed the door shut behind us and pressed her against it.

She let out a small, fearful cry, pleading with me, "Garrett! Stop! You're hurting me!"

I released her wrist at once, troubled by the sight of the faint mark I had left behind.

My mind, still hazy from all the scotch I had consumed during the poker game, must have caused me to misjudge my own strength.

Once freed, Natasha tried to slip away from me. I quickly slammed my left hand against the door behind her, blocking her escape, while my other hand tightened on my target. To her right, near the door, a piece of furniture stood in the way, leaving her with no path to flee.

I found myself so close to Natasha that my warm breath brushed her face, and her intoxicating scent rose up to fill my senses.

...

Consort: Female of the Alpha

Natasha's scent reminded me of cherries or wild raspberries.

To me, she was a ripe and juicy fruit.

A forbidden fruit.

Whenever she stayed close a little longer, I always picked up a deeper note beneath the sweetness. It carried a subtle bitterness, something like dark chocolate or coffee.

I had always been drawn in by Natasha's gentle fragrance. It was the first thing that caught my attention the day we met. That intoxicating scent of hers.

Tonight, her fragrance felt even more mesmerizing.

It carried the sharp trace of fear, but there was also the unmistakable sweetness that came with the anticipation of doing something forbidden, something thrilling and delightful.

With all her senses heightened, this petite woman lifted her wide, innocent eyes to meet mine, returning the feeling. Just as naturally, she leaned closer, taking in my scent as well. Her pupils widened, and I knew the pull between us was mutual.

Natasha pressed her thighs together right there in front of me, making it clear I had not imagined the spark between us.

She could not pretend to be unaffected by how close we stood.

By my presence.

By the true Alpha who was always meant for her.

I half-closed my eyes, doing everything I could to keep myself in check. I refused to let this wild beast loose, the one that strained and fought for freedom every time I stood near the woman meant for me. My heart. My soul. My Divine Consort.

Natasha Cortez.

I knew I should have resisted.

She was my cousin's wife.

But I grew tired of holding back this hunger inside me, this force that wanted only to claim her.

The Alpha within me wanted her more than anything. And unlike Garrett Cortez, "the so-called honorable one", he cared nothing for the fallout.

I had always managed to control myself.

I prided myself on keeping those violent instincts buried.

But with Natasha, everything I had ever learned seemed to vanish all at once.

I opened my eyes and saw that she had lowered hers, trying to avoid my gaze. Her shoulders slumped. I sensed her fear, but I could also feel her shame for wanting another man-a man who was not her Alpha.

Tonight, I nearly let myself forget about him, probably because of the alcohol. Still, Brent would always stand between us.

But tonight, Brent finally served his purpose.

"What were you thinking, Natasha? Did you really believe my cousin would be fine with you going to parties at a BDSM club or hanging around people like Jason Fletcher? Men like him would see you as nothing more than a plaything. Just a way to keep boredom at bay! Hey, Natasha, how could you even think about cheating on Brent with a man like that?"

But what I truly wanted to ask was, why choose him and not me?

Natasha met my eyes and held my gaze.

Just like she always did, she challenged me with a single look.

Tonight, though, whether it was the alcohol or something else, her answer rang with honesty.

"Yes. It would be worth it. Even if it was just for one night where I could finally breathe, away from this stifling marriage. That would mean everything to me."

Her answer left me at a loss for words. Brent was so violent, so twisted and cruel toward her, that I always thought the only reason she stayed was because she loved my cousin. Maybe it was a warped kind of love, but it was still love-or so I believed.

But she spoke about this marriage as if it was nothing but torment. As if it were a prison sentence. A burden she could never escape.

Natasha threw her head back and let out a sharp, sarcastic laugh when she noticed my shock.

She mocked my foolishness.

"Do you really think Brent would divorce me if he ever found out? Never! Brent would never let me go. Hurting me is the one thing he enjoys most. You know, I had the bad luck to be the daughter of the man he hates most in the world. He'll never set me free. This is how he gets revenge on my father for everything he did. I'm nothing more than a toy to him, Garrett. He tortures me without mercy. Even letting me work for you is just another way to make me suffer."

My breathing grew rough and uneven. I could feel a vein throbbing in my neck. The Alpha inside me threatened to burst out in a storm of anger. I had to steady myself, to keep my emotions in check, so I would not frighten her into shutting down completely-especially now, when she was finally telling me the truth.

If she only knew how many times I had tried to give her a chance to open up to me, hoping she would finally hand me a real reason to fight for her.

But her words broke my heart all over again.

Her soul belonged to another Alpha. And someone took pleasure in her suffering.

Suddenly, something she said hit me with a force I could not ignore, and I felt that sharp pain twisting deeper inside my chest. It was as if she had taken a knife to an old wound and twisted it repeatedly.

My voice betrayed the struggle inside me as I asked, "Why? My love, why do you say it's torture to work for me?"

I always thought that bringing her into my life, hiring her as my cook, letting her join me on tour, might give her a little escape from the misery she endured with my cousin.

I wanted to believe we had carved out a space just for the two of us. A place where, even if only for a while, we could both find happiness.

But from what she said, it was clear that, for her, it felt like the complete opposite.

Her voice shook as she looked away. "Because I love you, Garrett. And your cousin knows it."

My hand, which had been resting on the door, fell limply at my side, stunned by her admission. She would not even meet my eyes, as though loving me was a secret she felt ashamed to reveal.

I reached out, took her chin gently, and made her look at me. My thumb brushed softly against her lower lip as I asked, "How long? How long has it been, Natasha?"

She spoke so quietly I almost missed it. "From the very start, Garrett."

Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed her. My lips pressed firmly against her soft, yielding mouth. My tongue explored her hungrily while I held her by the waist, drawing her closer. As our kiss grew deeper, I slid my hand beneath the hem of her dress, pulling down her panties, my arousal straining against my pants as it pressed against her hip.

Natasha moaned softly into my mouth.

I could feel her excitement, how much she wanted me, how wet she was for me.

I wanted her right there against the door, with everyone on the other side able to hear us. I wanted to claim what had always belonged to me.

I wanted to claim her, to announce to the world that she was mine. My Consort. My soulmate.

But just as I started to pull down her panties, I felt Natasha's small hand press gently against my chest, pushing me away. Her lips broke from mine.

"No, Garrett! Not here!

Not like this. Not in a place where anyone could catch us."

I pressed my forehead against hers and shut my eyes.

I forced myself to regain control.

When I looked at her again, she could sense my determination. Without another word, I bent down and lifted her into my arms.

Natasha gasped in surprise, wrapping her arms around my neck and nestling close to my shoulder.

I carried her away with quick strides, taking us through a side door that opened onto the main corridor. I could not stop kissing her as I led her toward the room I used on the floor above.

Tonight, Natasha would finally be mine.

And if she thought I would let her slip away in the morning, after everything she had admitted, she could not have been more wrong.

I shut the door behind us with the heel of my shoe. Then I set Natasha down gently at the foot of the bed.

For a brief moment, we simply looked at each other. My gaze dropped, while hers searched mine.

We took in each other's scent, almost like wild creatures.

The Alpha in me recognized his mate, and the Consort in her recognized her Alpha.

She was the one meant for me. I knew it deep in my bones, and so did she, even if Natasha had spent years refusing to admit it.

At the same instant, we reached for each other.

We kissed passionately, like two people who had been kept apart not just for months, but for years.

Years... Long, bitter years.

A flash of anger flickered in my eyes.

She should have always been mine.

Only mine.

My hand, once cradling her cheek, drifted down her elegant neck until I reached her nape, lifting her smooth hair away.

There, my fingers found that mark that never failed to enrage me.

Brent's mark. My cousin's.

It was a tattoo. A skull.

Miquiztli. The symbol of death from our homeland, Colombia.

He had used a symbol of death to tie his alpha mate to himself. That alone showed how little Brent understood about souls that were truly meant to be together. He never grasped the depth of the bond between an Alpha and his Consort.

For him, Natasha was nothing more than a tool. A way to boost and steady his Alpha strength.

But a Consort was so much more. She was the soul of her Alpha's heart. The guardian and protector of his sacred flame. They needed each other to survive. When an Alpha finally found the one meant for him, they fit together in a way that could never be forced.

Brent and Natasha never had that. Not even close.

They were never meant to be together.

She belonged to me, Brent-do you hear me? She was always meant for me.

For a moment, I felt tempted to leave that tattoo visible while I made love to her, just so Brent would feel it. So he would know I had finally claimed what was rightfully mine.

But then I remembered what that would mean. Brent would seek revenge on Natasha, or he would challenge me to a fight to the death. If I killed him, I would earn the right to have Natasha by force. That was not the way I wanted it. I did not want to stake my claim through violence and blood. Those days had long since passed for our people. Only those who had lost their way still resorted to such things.

We had evolved. We were meant for something greater.

With a cynical smile, I traced the skull tattoo with my nail. As I did, a low sound slipped from my lips-a small, rough click of my tongue.

With my lips pressed to those of my beautiful Consort, I savored the fresh intimacy between us. My hand traveled down her spine and came to rest on her lovely behind.

Natasha trembled under my touch. She sensed the break from her Alpha at once.

Startled, she pulled away from my mouth and stared up at me, a small gasp slipping out.

The constant shadow of fatigue she had carried ever since Brent marked her had vanished from her eyes. Her scent, too, grew even more alluring. That faint bitterness that had always clung to her, likely Brent's mark, was gone.

An Alpha's scent would always linger on the mate he had marked, or after their time together. But tonight, Natasha was free. She was finally able to choose me.

Her lips parted in amazement. She could hardly believe what she was feeling, and I knew why. By severing that delicate link between her and her Alpha, I had shown her a side of myself she had never seen before.

Yes, Natasha. I was not just any Alpha-I was one of divine blood.

My bloodline reached all the way back to the very first Alphas. We were direct descendants of the First Beings, the ones who walked this earth long before humans ever appeared.

That made me stronger and infinitely more dangerous than a regular Alpha like Brent.

Without shying away from what I was, I leaned in close and explained in a low, rough voice, "Just for tonight..."

For all my strength, I could not truly sever the tie between her and my cousin. I could only weaken it, or block it for a little while. That was the best I could do.

Suddenly, Natasha was filled with questions. I could see the curiosity burning in her eyes, pushing aside every other thought.

She wanted to know how powerful I truly was.

She wondered where my ancestors had come from. Did the First Beings really emerge from the Amazon, as the Elders always claimed?

Natasha had never realized the Alpha bloodline in the Cortez family ran so deep. Now, she was hungry for answers.

A crease formed on her brow as she thought aloud. "But if that's true, why are Brent and you the only ones in the family who inherited the supernatural alpha gene? And if you are a divine Alpha, doesn't that mean Brent is, too?"

A headache started to pound behind my eyes. My commanding voice slipped out without meaning to.

"Natasha!"

She fell silent at once, wide-eyed, as if startled in the wild. I immediately regretted it, so I gently wrapped my arms around her waist, drawing her close and brushing her lips with mine to make it right.

"Not now," I murmured. "Tomorrow, I'll answer everything you want to know. All right, my love?"

I refused to let her protest, closing the distance and silencing her with another kiss.

Natasha's arms wound around my neck as she answered my kiss with her own. Our bodies pressed so tightly together that she could feel my arousal against her belly through the sharp trousers I wore tonight. She shivered in my embrace as I let my hand slide down her back, lifting her leg and setting it against my hip, letting me grind against her in a way that was both instinctive and sensual.

She matched my movement, arms tight around my neck, rising on her toes to rub her warmth against the hardness pressing at her through my pants.

We moved against each other, the heat between us fierce and wild, our hearts burning until it seemed we might be consumed.

Natasha nuzzled her cheek against my chest, and I buried my face in her soft hair, drinking in the intoxicating scent of her desire.

Suddenly, I pulled away, unable to wait any longer.

I did not bother with slow undressing. I tore her dress from her in one swift motion.

Natasha seemed too frustrated by the ruined dress to bother covering herself, her body now laid bare before me.

Her indignation faded almost instantly, because in the next moment she hurried toward me, tugging at my clothes with just as much impatience as I felt. I was only halfway through loosening my tie when she started tearing my shirt open, popping the buttons off and scattering them across the floor.

Natasha was done pretending to be shy. Her wild, passionate spirit took over as she pulled the shirt off my shoulders, her eyes widening as she stared at the tattoo covering my forearm, curling up over my shoulder, and spreading across my right chest.

Quetzalcoatl. The feathered serpent.

It was the symbol of my family, the one passed down through my mother, the one I had always claimed as my own.

The serpent was inked in shades of green, its ruby eyes watching her with an almost sentient spark, as if it was pleased to witness my union with my Consort at last. The Alpha's tattoo was alive- an outward sign of the sacred bond we shared with the First Beings, who once roamed this earth and taught us its secrets.

Mine was even more special. The ritual ink used to make it followed the ancient method of those spiritual ancestors, a tradition the Alphas still honored.

Natasha could feel the power pulsing from my tattoo, the way it seemed to breathe with supernatural life. For a moment, she could only stare, caught in a spell of fascination.

I took off my shoes, letting her look as much as she wanted. I guided her hand to my chest, giving her the chance to touch me. Natasha let out a soft gasp of surprise, her fingers moving over the tattoo, tracing every intricate line and detail.

The quiet sound of my belt buckle echoed through the room as I undid it, slowly sliding it from the loops of my pants. Her hand traveled down from my chest, following the dark trail of hair to where the fabric stretched tight.

Natasha bit her lower lip, then leaned in close, moving with a slow, sultry grace.

She unzipped my pants and eased them down.

Kneeling in front of me in her delicate black lace underwear, she looked up, her gentle eyes fixed on the bulge in my boxers. She moved slowly, never looking away, as she pulled my boxers down, freeing my arousal, which sprang up, rigid and eager.

Natasha ran her tongue over her lips, staring at the swollen, flushed tip, so ready to finally be inside her.

With a slow, reverent touch, she wrapped her hand around the base of my shaft and guided it to her lips.

At first, she kissed me softly, treating me with care and adoration. I leaned over her, watching the devotion in her expression as she tasted me for the first time, her tongue exploring with a hunger that took my breath away. Her eyes widened, and she savored every stroke, as though she were sampling something exquisite.

It truly was our first time sharing such closeness, and together, we lingered in that new intimacy.

I had always kept my distance from Natasha, but all of that belonged to the past now.

At last, she took my length into her sweet, heart-shaped mouth, and a deep moan of pleasure escaped me. My hand settled gently on her head while she lavished attention on me, and I barely touched her, only caressing the silky strands of her hair.

I refused to force her or give in to the urge to push for more. The Alpha within me craved dominance, wanted to claim her fully, to command her to surrender and take everything from her. But I had sensed, even through her silence, just how harsh Brent had been with her in the past. I would never be like him. I would not be one of those Alphas who cared only for their own satisfaction, cruel and thoughtless.

So I held back the wilder side of myself. Natasha was the keeper of my soul. The true heart of my world. I would never do anything to force her, not now, not ever.

I had promised myself long ago to treat her like a queen. To never deny her anything, and above all, to never force her into anything she did not desire. I could have-after all, I was a Divine alpha.

I possessed a gift unlike any other.

With a single word, I could bring crowds to their knees.

With a single word, I could awaken alphas to supernatural life.

Natasha quickened her pace, drawing another deep, satisfied growl from my throat.

It was becoming harder and harder to resist.

To keep control.

To hold back the wild creature inside me that was desperate to break free.

I wanted to take her, to lose myself in that primal heat.

If this kept up, I knew I would not last.

"My love..." I whispered, my voice rough with longing.

Natasha shivered when she heard those words of love. She looked up at me with such innocence, my arousal still in her mouth.

She had no idea what she did to me.

She never truly understood-at least, that was what I believed.

I reached for her shoulders and gently urged her to stop.

"If you keep going, I'll climax."

But I wanted our first release to happen inside her.

Natasha rose slowly to her feet, letting go of me with obvious reluctance. Without wasting a second, I caught her by the shoulders and kissed her deeply, tasting myself on her tongue and breathing in the scent of her arousal. My hand slipped between her thighs, caressing her through the delicate lace that was already drenched with her excitement.

It was like a fresh wind feeding the sacred fire inside me, making the blaze burn so hot it threatened to consume us both if we waited any longer.

I gave a sharp tug and slid her panties to the floor. Natasha must have been just as desperate as I was, because she immediately started tearing off the lacy demi-bra she wore.

Soon, her chest was revealed to me, her small, firm breasts lifted toward me so beautifully. They were perfect-neither too large nor too small. Just right for my hands and mouth.

I wanted them. I was desperate to taste them.

But an even stronger need surged inside me- the need to be inside her. I could see the same hunger burning in her eyes. Her breasts could wait. We had the whole night ahead, after all.

I took her by the shoulders and pulled her onto the bed, making her tumble backward. Gripping my arousal, I moved closer to where she lay, ready to claim her. But then I stopped short.

Damn it! I didn't have a condom.

It had been so long since I brought anyone back to my room that I hadn't even thought to grab a condom before leaving Orlando.

"What's wrong?" Natasha asked timidly from the bed.

Feeling a little embarrassed, I admitted that I had forgotten to bring protection. "But I'm sure Royce has some. Just wait, I'll-"

"There's no need!" Natasha interjected quickly. Then, in a much softer voice, she looked away and admitted, "Brent and I have tried for a long time... but the doctor said I was..." Her words trailed off into a faint whisper.

A tightness gripped my throat. My Consort was infertile. We would never have children of our own.

For me, a man who already had a daughter born outside of marriage, it was not a devastating blow. But for Natasha-who adored children, and especially as a woman of our kind-it was heartbreaking. Among alpha consorts, infertility was an unspoken wound. Non-dominant alpha women often dreamed of being chosen as soulmates, guardians of the sacred flame, and bearers of an alpha's children. For Natasha, this was a secret hope-a calling she had never spoken aloud. To carry the child of her chosen alpha.

Sensing her discomfort, I decided not to dwell on such a painful subject. Instead, I knelt on the bed, feeling the mattress dip beneath my weight, and gently slid my hand between her thighs. I spread her legs apart, taking in the sight of her soft, dark curls and the sweet wetness that told me how much she wanted me. My need to taste her was fierce, but at that moment, the urge to be inside her was even stronger. The ache in my body was almost unbearable. Still, I promised myself I would take my time with her later. I would savor her, lick and tease her until she trembled with pleasure, not once, but over and over again.

I stroked her gently, never breaking our gaze as she looked back at me, feeling the force of my desire.

Tonight, my sweet Consort, I was determined to make her forget every harsh word or cruel act Brent had ever used to make her feel unworthy-especially for something as heartbreaking as not being able to give him children.

As if she sensed what I was thinking, Natasha spread her legs wider, inviting me in. I eased one finger inside her, then another, carefully making sure her tightness was ready to receive me.

Her body arched, trembling with every movement of my hand. Just before she could reach the edge, I withdrew my fingers, wanting us to experience that first climax together.

Leaning over her, I kept my eyes on hers while I guided my length between her soft, slick folds, letting her feel the heat and promise of what was about to come. I pressed closer, our faces almost touching.

My arms trembled, muscles flexed on either side of her delicate body, as I fought to enter her gently, giving her all the tenderness she deserved.

Tonight, I intended to cherish every inch of her flawless body.

Her soul would come to me in time, but tonight, our bodies had their own demands.

Overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment, I leaned down to her left breast and bit her firmly, as if I wanted to leave a mark.

But that was impossible, and we both knew it.

The Alpha in me was driven by something deeper-irrational, wild, and hopelessly possessive.

Natasha's body arched beneath me, lifting her chest so I could sink my teeth deeper into her soft flesh.

Like a child at its mother's breast, I bit down and tasted the faint copper tang of her blood.

Natasha's hand tangled in my hair, holding me tightly to her heart.

For one fleeting moment, she belonged to me completely, and I belonged to her. In that instant, we were the only souls in the universe.

When I felt her reach the height of pleasure, I let go too, crying out her name with everything in me-the name of the one who was always meant for me.

Natasha!