Chapter 41
When Jax kissed me, a series of events happened.
First, a buzzing noise then a pop. As if an electrical wire had burst from the heat of its own current. I couldn’t tell whether the sound was real or in my head.
Next were sparklers in my mind, a giddy feeling that reminded me of my first kiss with Julien. It wasn’t quite love, but a scary excitement for something new and unknown.
Lastly was a roar. A howling, angry, and demonic cry from far beyond the trees. I knew whose it belonged to on instinct. Dominic had felt what I felt.
His lips would have tingled with the same sensation that I felt when he was beating on Grayson long ago.
Jax knew too. He pulled back with a hint of something in the corner of his mouth. An acknowledged rising of his brows. But where my expression showed fear, his showed exhilaration.
I swallowed hard, nervouseness catching in my throat. He must not know the danger of his actions, that or he was too rebellious to care.
He bent in again, planting a quick kiss on my cheek.
"Gotta run, catch you later." He winked as he stood and bolted for the woods. A game of cat and mouse was beginning between him and Dominic.
I hurried in the opposite direction, tenacious in my efforts to avoid Dominic. I could feel him near but could also tell he took the bait, and was already quick on Jax’s trail.
The jog to the village was long and once I arrived, I searched for Marek, knowing he would keep me safe from Dominic’s wrath. I hoped Jax would be alright but also felt how he must always feel, defiant and free-spirited.
Marek was strapping wood together to make new shelving for the smoker-hut. I tiptoed to his side and watched him work. Julien must be off on his own adventure, collecting flowers or leaflets to try and turn into paper for his writing.
I nervously asked why we needed more shelving, wanting to distract myself from the days events and the outcome of Dominic’s hunt. Jax had always challenged Dominic’s authority and Dominic would always let him get away. I just hoped this time Jax hadn’t gone too far.
Marek explained that he wanted to double our jerky production and store half in preparation of the breeding season. They had learned that they would quickly deplete their food sources if they continued to hunt as much as they did without allowing the population to recover.
The population of fruits and vegetables were in no danger, I scoffed in my thoughts. Animals outsmarting animals, it seemed...diabolical.
With my nerves starting to calm and Marek’s precise handiwork to distract me, I hadn’t noticed when Dominic emerged behind me.
Turning, I saw his seething glare and out-of-breath panting above me. I jumped away, ready to run for my life but was caught mid-stomach by his powerful arm.
"Where do you think you’re going, princess?"
Marek’s back stiffened as he stood to attention, eyes flashing gold.
"Tell him to stand down or you’ll never find Jax," he threatened.
"You’re lying!" I shouted, squirming in his grip. "You wouldn’t hurt him!"
"Wouldn’t I?" He challenged. "When a dog forgets his place, an alpha puts him on his back."
I pictured Jax in his wolf form, whimpering under Dominics claws. My legs buckled and I held onto his forearm to steady myself. Marek stepped forward, a growl emanating from deep in his throat.
Dominic’s breath was hot on my ear.
"Call. Him. Off."
I huffed in defeat, "Marek, I’m fine."
He took another step forward, eyes locked on Dominic in a hostile snarl.
"Marek! I said, I’m fine." The command in my voice was reinforced by a flash from my eyes.
His head snapped to look at me, face slacking into obedience. He looked hypnotized, his eyes following me in every movement with a blank stare.
Dominic began slowly backing away, heading toward the back of the village.
"Marek, go find Jax!" I called out, knowing he would as I lost sight around the corner of our bunkhouse.
My breathing quickened as I stumbled in Dominics arm. He dragged me along, pinching the skin of my arm as he held tight around me.
I stared at the door of his hut, our old cots were stored in there at his insistence. He probably planned to trap me in there again. It was the only building with a lock. I thought of the ropes tied to the cot posts, waiting for my wrists to be bound to them.
We passed the hut and I looked above me, confused.
"Where are you taking me?"
"Away from watchful eyes and interfering wolves."
Panic rose. If they weren’t in ear shot than I couldn’t call on their protection if Dominic decided to tear into me in every way he wanted.
I could feel Dominic’s intention, the rage and thirst for me building into a dangerous combination. Jax’s game had just turned into the thing I feared most.
My feet kicked in the dirt as I was carried down the path. My mind raced with the possibilities of how the day might end. When we arrived at the river, I recognized it instantly.
The cool water rushed over my legs as Dominic trudged up the river. I became hyper aware that he was masking our scent. The hope of the others finding me was quickly vanishing with each step in the coursing torrent.
Once we were far enough up, he crossed. His grip on me tightened as he hauled me along, my head dipping under the water in the spots where he forgot I was shorter than him.
On the other side, we walked deeper into the forest until we reached an open area with a large rock slab laying in the middle of the small field.
It looked like a shrine, a pedestal for offerings to the gods. He let go of me and headed for the nature-made bed.
I stayed still, watching him carefully. I held a single arm across my chest, resting my hand on where his grip had cut into me.
"What do you want?" I finally asked, breaking the silence.
Nightfall was reaching us now and my stomach groaned from the missed meals.
"You." He sat on the edge of the rock, opening his knees and leaning back on his palms.
The look on his face was one of victory. He finally had me alone. With a week and a half left before the next full moon, I felt the doom of my loss.
"Jax is fine. I didn’t touch him."
I eyed him, unsure. "How could I? The kid is too stubbornly defiant to change with any kind of punishment. I just... needed time. Alone with you."
Relaxing a little, I shifted on my feet. Jax was safe, that was all that mattered in the moment.
"You’ve been avoiding me for weeks. Why don’t you want to seal the bond between us? Did you not enjoy our... intimacy together?"
I didn’t need to answer, he could see it in me. The problem was I did enjoy it. Too much. I wanted him physically but that was all.
"OK, so it’s what? My personality you don’t like? None of the others can protect you like I can."
My reasoning was faltering. Suddenly, I couldn’t remember what about him I didn’t want. It was like walking into a room and forgetting what you were going to do. I knew there was something I didn’t like about him but couldn’t call it to my memories.
"Come here," he beckoned.
I sauntered over to him, my head held low.
"You don’t have to date me, or fall for me. We could just... have some fun. You would get your protection from any danger you can imagine and I would satisfy my hunger for you. Its a win-win."
It seemed so reasonable. The way he proposed this deal took away every questioning I held before. His hands reached out and took mine. I stood in front of him and he pulled me closer.
"I know you enjoyed it last time. Don’t you want more? Don’t you want me?"
I lifted a knee around his side, and grabbing onto his shoulders, pulled the other one up. I straddled his lap, sitting against the growing cock beneath me. I did want him, I really did.
His face lifted up to me and our lips met. I tasted his upper lip, then his bottom. His hands wrapped around my waste, pulling at the hem of my shirt.
He lifted the top over my head and buried his kisses in my cleavage. I rubbed my fingers in his hair before grabbing a handful and yanked his head back to look at me.
His eyes were hooded with desire and I kissed the smile from his lips. He grabbed at his pants and I lifted my hips while he pulled them away.
He stroked himself before rubbing the tip against my underwear, the only barrier keeping him from entering me. I moaned in pleasure, feeling myself swell with a need.
His arm moved to my waist and he flipped me around, laying me against the cool stone. Standing, he pulled my skirt off while I unhooked my bra. His fingers paused at my underwear.
He stared with contentment as his fingers trailed the edge of my panties. His penis bounced in the air, communicating its own desire while I watched.
He kneeled, sliding the garment down and away from my body. Kissing my inner thighs, I moved with his every touch. I was soaking for him and the build was becoming torturous.
A tongue slid against me and I cried out. He moved slowly upward, a finger replacing where his mouth had been. I was already getting so close.
His finger twirled around me, pushing in and out with such gradual force, I was brought to the brink.
"Not yet," he demanded, and pulled away. I whimpered, eyes closing with frustration.
The heat of his helmet pressed above where I pleaded for him to enter. He was taking his time, relishing the sight of my naked body writhing on the alter where we would consummate.
He rubbed back and forth between my lips. I was begging now, the want for him uncomfortable.
He pushed against me, too soft to penetrate and I groaned. He was teasing the very thing he fought for.
"Please. Dominic. I want you, I need you."
My words felt so foreign, and at the same time so hot. He grinned, my pleas appeasing to him.
His eyes changed from their black pits to a golden ring. This was it, our Binding Rite would become complete.
I scooted closer to the edge, pulling my knees up. He rested a hand on my knee, gripping it for leverage as he readied to thrust himself inside.
He pressed at my entrance, hard and nudging. It was a delicious feeling, my body opening, waiting for him to crossover the threshold and penetrate deeper and deeper.
He was so close, my wetness begging for him to ease himself in. He pushed harder, the energy building in anticipation.
Just before he entered, right at the precipice of taking my virginity and bonding us together for life. A hand wrapped around his throat and stole him away from me.