Blackshadow (Kingdom of Wolves #2)

“Come on, let’s get to bed.” I hold my hand up to stop her speaking. “Nothing will happen, not that you don’t want to happen, anyway. If you’ll allow it, I’d just like to hold you while we sleep.”

After freshening up and giving Hope a t-shirt to wear to bed, I climb in next to her, only wearing sleeping shorts. I can see the brief panic in her eyes, but I remain calm with my movements. Lying on my back looking at the ceiling, but aware of every movement that Hope makes.

“Can I snuggle into you?” Hope asks and I turn my head to look at her and give her a winning smile while holding my arm out for her to shuffle closer to my body, and lay her head on my shoulder, and an arm around my waist. I’m counting sheep to stop my body reacting to her closeness and sense Knight at the front of my mind, taking in Hope’s scent. If he was a cat, he’d be purring with the joy of having his mate nearby.

I listen to Hope’s even breathing and count my blessings that I found my mate, and she’s gentle, kind, and from the reaction of everyone who’d come with her, she’s loved too. I can’t stop the pride that is swelling in my chest, and that’s how I eventually fall asleep.

Waking up the next morning, I take in the enticing aroma of Hope, and enjoy the moment before anything can stop or spoil the feeling. When I feel a gentle finger stroke my cheek, nose and chin I slowly open my eyes to see Hope with a gentle smile on her face as she studies me.

Remaining still while she continues her perusal, gasping when she looks from my chin to my eyes and finds them open and watching her. I wrap the arm that isn’t underneath Hope around her and draw her onto my chest where she lays quietly watching my face.

“Do you like what you see?” I ask and give her a wink which has her blush a beautiful shade of pink.

“You are very handsome.”

“Why thank you, my beautiful mate. I’m happy that you think so.”

A knock on the door has us both look up, and I growl slightly under my breath. “Sorry, Hope. I better check what’s going on.” Climbing out of bed, I hurry to the bedroom door and open it, but keep myself fully in the doorway so Hope cannot be seen.

Caleb is looking embarrassed as he shuffles from one foot to the other. “I’m sorry Alpha Connell. Flint wants to announce Hope as Luna officially before he leaves today. He asks if you can hurry and get downstairs.”

“Tell Flint he’ll have to wait a while. I need to be sure this is what Hope wants because I’m not forcing her to take on the Luna position if she doesn’t want that. I’ll be down in a while.” I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks. I’m not pushing my mate into the position. She’ll become Luna because she wants to be with me forever, and not because she feels it’s a duty she has to fulfill.

Turning back to Hope, I’m surprised to see a beautiful dark gray wolf, and the light from the window, where the morning rays are landing on her back, shows silver flecks that appear to glow. I know it’s only the light catching, but it looks magnificent. She has silver eyes that you would class as nearly ice blue.

Sitting in the middle of the bed watching me approach, I hear the mind link. Hello mate, my name is Briar and I want to meet my wolf mate.

‘Okay Briar, just give me a minute.’

I link Caleb and inform him that Hope and I will go for a run before we head to the office and give any announcements required.

Knight bursts from my skin, not waiting any longer for me to shift. Hello mate, my name is Knight and you are mine.

Damn, could he be more of an alpha, I think to myself while watching from the back of my mind and through the vision of my wolf’s eyes.

Mate. Briar responds, and I feel like eye rolling, but think better of it when I know Knight will stubbornly refuse to shift back if I do.

Turning, Knight throws his massive paw onto the bedroom door handle and steps back as the door opens. Trotting out, he does the same to the living area door, and heads down the stairs until trotting out of the packhouse, across the lawn and into the forest.

Knight checks if Briar is behind him at all times, then picks up his speed and runs, enjoying the wind in his face and his mate by his side. Coming to the clearing where the cornflowers grow, Knight finds a spot near a large tree and lays down, with Briar settling by his side.

Licking her face, Knight places a paw on her shoulder, holding her in place until he is satisfied she is clean, before shuffling even closer and placing his chest on her side. When Briar makes no complaint, he lays his head across her neck.

Are you ready to mate, to become mine? Knight asks Briar and I feel a panic in my mind, because this isn’t how it’s supposed to go down. I want Hope to have the option.

Yes, we are both ready to mate. Briar replies, and I’m shocked that it appears Hope is okay with this.

Knight stands and so does Briar. Turning her back to him, she lowers her shoulders slightly, throws her tail to the side, and he’s on her before I can stop him.

Gripping the back of Briar’s neck, Knight positions himself and mounts her perfectly, piercing into her while gripping harder onto her neck. Briar whines a little at the penetration but pushes her butt into him as she does so.

Knight pumps into her while maintaining the hold on her neck. I pull back to give them privacy at this moment of mating for the first time. It feels like I’m being a pervert, although Knight and I are one.

Biting deeper into Briar’s neck, Knight marks her as ours and there is nothing I can do to stop it. Hope is now tied to me as strongly as Briar is tied to Knight. We are one for the rest of our lives.

When Knight roars ‘MINE!’ and the knot ties them both, I feel them settle, and rather than back-to-back, Knight takes one of his front legs over Briar’s back and stands alongside her, although they are joined, and will remain so for a while.

I stay quiet, allowing them to concentrate on the surrounding area as they still have to be alert to any danger that may sneak up on them while in this submissive position.