Mated To The Cold Hearted Alpha
Chapter 84

Hycinth

Standing side-by-side, I clutched the beautiful blanket draped over our shoulders, my eyes drifting over the interior of the quaint cottage bathed in the moon’s glow, taking in the details.

Several dozen candles, grouped together in clusters, provided the only light. Their flames flickered and pirouetted, undulating in a sensual dance with the shadows. My sensitive Wolf nose twitched. The heavenly aroma of fresh cut hardwood, earthy and sweet, filled the air, but I noticed the glowing firelights lacked scent.

My attention flickered to the wall of curtains, the breathtaking view of the lake now hidden by the closed gauzy fabrics, light and airy, gently swaying with the wind. I was thankful for the northeastern breeze, ricocheting off the water to help cool my overheated skin.

The sheer barrier provided minimal visual privacy, but what it didn’t conceal was sound.

But I expected that already.

A strange dichotomy whispered to my senses -absolute stillness, not a breath could be heard, but at the same time, the racing of my pulse echoed loudly in my ears. The wolves surrounding the small cottage had gone silent as they waited with bated breath to hear me cry out my pleasure. My climax was a clear signal to all that the real Ceremony had begun. Just the thought of it caused a flush of embarrassment up my neck.

Leander interrupted my internal musing and captured my full attention when he released our joined fingers and reached over his shoulder to exchange his grip on the blanket to his other hand, turning to face me at the same time.

I stared up at him, rendered immobile by the unspoken promises of pleasure and intent in his dark eyes. Liquid pools of violet and cerulean swirled together to create a color I couldn’t quite identify. The vibrancy of his stare was potent, a tangible lover’s caress on my skin.

Seductive

Confident

Deliberate

Without a word, his free hand came up. Long fingers brushed the sensitive flesh of my neck before leisurely trailing to my shoulder. He gently pried the corner of the blanket from my frozen grip, leaving me standing sandwiched in between him and the mating gift he now held around my back.

My breath hitched and the air stalled in my throat. My empty fingers remained resting on my shoulder, my brain too fascinated by the way his pupils were dilating, to consider moving them.

The image of him consumed me, fueled the ever-increasing heat churning in my belly. His broad chest and muscular shoulders blocked my view from anything but him.

So close but still not touching me, arms slack around my shoulders, his head came down, lips only a whisper on my neck. Leander inhaled the fragrance of my skin, a slow breath in. A sound of deep satisfaction and approval came from his throat. “You smell so f*****g good.”

The contact was featherlight but enough to cause my pulse to stumble. Untethered and set adrift now that the drums and ethereal music of the wolves had gone silent, my heartbeat stuttered and struggled to replace its own rhythm.

Leander didn’t give me a chance to catch my breath. Eliminating the already minimal space between us, he took a step forward. His arms tightened around my small frame. Less than an inch separated his body from mine. Breath hot on my neck, lips barely touching my skin, a rumbling hum came from his throat, “The things I’m going to do to you…” The resonance of his tone was so naughty, my pelvis clenched tightly. Heat skittered down my spine and pooled between my legs.

Leander collected the blanket behind my back in one hand and unexpectedly stepped away.

Keeping me captive in his riveting gaze, he folded the mating gift neatly and walked backward five steps to drape it over the edge of a nearby chair.

I watched him, every nerve ending in my body eagerly aware of this provocative male in front of me. He wasn’t just emulating sexuality, power exuded off of him, a display of dominance he knew his female would respond to.

I certainly wasn’t immune. Not at all. The force of his presence washed over me, inciting my most based desires.

But even more, one thing was clear, Leander was dangerous, a predator of the highest caliber, confident in his ability to take his prize. Virile and deadly. And I wanted nothing more than to play with the fire that could scorch me.

I waited for him to return…

…but he didn’t.

Instead, he remained standing several feet away, a knowing smirk on his face. My eyes narrowed. What game was he playing at?

Leander kept silent and unmoving…

I tilted my head to the side, studying his posture and analyzing his intent. He seemed content to stay where he was, unbothered by my sharp examination of him.

The ever-growing heat in my belly flared even hotter. A light sheen of sweat covered my skin. My clothes felt too tight, too restrictive. A wave of irritation, fury even, washed over me. Leander was supposed to relieve the deep ache inside of me. He was my mate. It was his job to satisfy me! So why wasn’t he moving in my direction? Why wasn’t he speaking? I frowned.

Leander’s lips curled wickedly at my expression. Still, he didn’t move.

Ohhhhhh…..

I understood now-this was a challenge.

My beast of a mate was trying to force me to make the first move. Damn him! Well, he had another thing coming if he felt like I could be coerced. I batted my eyelashes, gave him a sweet smile…and stayed planted in place.

His grin widened.

No movement…he waited.

Another minute went by…

I felt itchy in my skin. The heat was becoming unbearable. I shifted from one foot to the other, not even realizing I had taken a step forward until Leander gave me a short nod of approval, looking very satisfied with himself.

I stopped and glared at him. This was not what I’d imagined. I’d expected to just give in to what Leander wanted, not to have to make the first move. What the hell?