In the gloomy dark of the inner courtyard, shouts boomed as warriors swarmed down the side stairs from the battlements and tore from the gatehouse toward Alec. He reared back and with Kirk beside him, they heaved forward together and rammed their shoulders into the armory door. Wood creaked and the door split down the center.

“I’ll ensure these warriors dinnae reach us,” Cherub yelled as she raised her hands to the skies. With one flick of her fingers, clouds brewed into a swirling mass overhead and the wind rose and whipped all about.

“Let’s get this door down now,” Alec bellowed to Kirk.

“I’m right beside you.” Kirk gritted his teeth and dipped one shoulder.

“Now.” Alec hurtled forward and they plowed into the door together. Wood splintered and the door broke apart. He bounded inside over the scattered debris, his sword raised.

“I said Duncan’s down.” Annella jumped over the spill of weapons and bounded into his arms.

“I heard you. Where is he?” He crushed her against him, his heartbeat a raging mess.

“In the corner, and he’s not getting up anytime soon. Muirin’s brother has the sight and warned Duncan I’d be here. He’s well and truly out of it. He also never tried to harm me.”

“He’s lucky. Let me make certain he’s down.” He picked up a shovel, tossed it aside then crouched next to Duncan where he lay slumped on the floor. He lifted the man’s eyelids and nodded. All was as Annella had said. Sword sheathed, he returned to his woman and cupping her bottom in his hands, shoved her against the wall and captured her mouth with his. He kissed her, his need wild and untamed and rising fiercely from deep within his soul. Even though in her spiritual form and unable to be harmed, he’d still been beside himself with fear. Through good times or bad, no matter what difficulties lay ahead of them, he’d always guard and protect her, never allow another to bring any harm down upon her head, either her true or ethereal forms. “Where’s the trapdoor?” he murmured against her lips as he pulled back an inch.

“You sent the crate flying over it.” She dropped out of his arms and pushed the crate out of the way where it had wedged itself over the entrance leading downward.

“You two go on ahead.” Kirk slapped him on the back. “I’ll remain outside guarding Cherub while she keeps the warriors at bay. Be careful down there.”

“Will do.” Outside, Duncan’s warriors surged toward Cherub, their swords and battle axes raised and Cherub sent a wall of wind at them. Their enemy skidded backward, toppled head over heels across the stony yard and slammed into the curtain wall.

Dazed, a few stumbled to their feet and Cherub sent another blast of wind their way then glanced over her shoulder at him and Annella. “Go, both of you,” she hollered. “And be quick. I can only keep these warriors at bay for so long.”

“Thank you, and be careful.” He jumped through the trap door and bounded down the steep stairs winding downward into the darkened passageway below, Annella one step behind him with a candle in her hand. “Stay behind me at all times. Are we clear on that?”

“There’s no time to delay.” She snuck past him and raced down into the chilly depths of the stony-walled tunnel.

Damn it. She’d disobeyed a direct order, again. No more would she do so. He pounded after her, the air holding the cloying odor of dirt and grit, her candle’s flame casting its flickering glow partially down the length of the passageway ahead. Water dripped from overhead and splashed his booted feet, the mucky dirt underfoot squelching with each step he took.

“There’s a divide in the tunnel up ahead.” Frosty air puffed from her mouth.

“I see it.” He nabbed her hand, pulled her to a halt at the junction which divided into three separate passageways, breathed deep of the air in the first corridor, then the second and lastly the third.

Annella waited, her blue eyes wide and the sparks of gold glittering bright at the edges. “What have you found?”

“The first passageway is drier, with chunks of rock on the ground and within the walls. I’d say it veers away inland toward the hills. The second has fresher air and a hint of pine, possibly leads to the forest, and the third is musty and holds the reek of urine.”

“Then it appears these tunnels dinnae just hold the dungeons, but escape passages for those who reside within the keep.”

“Exactly, which means we need to be quick and ensure we don’t get trapped down here. Our enemy could come at us through any of the other underground entry points.”

“We’ll hurry.” She dashed past him and down the third passageway.

“You’re supposed to stay behind me,” he growled as he shot off, ducked around her then halted as up ahead, voices traveled to him. With one finger to his lips, he gave her the silent command to remain quiet.

She blew out her candle, crouched and left it against the wall and stood.

Around the bend, he crept, the light from another lantern flickering somewhere up ahead, and the iron-rich taste of blood in the air coating his tongue. Hell. The scent made his bear rise and there wasn’t a chance he could hold his beast back when blood had clearly been spilt. “I need to shift.”

“Now?”

“Aye, hold onto my belongings.” He shucked his clothes as quick as he could without making a noise and dumped them in her hands along with his weapons then dragged her against him and kissed her before he made the Change. In a blaze, his beast burst from him and on all fours, he pounded down the tunnel, claws slicing into the gritty floor.

Two mail-clad warriors stood outside a cell lined with iron bars, both with whips in hand, the dozen barbed tails of leather from both dripping with blood. He pawed the ground and the warriors whipped around and heaved their claymores free.

Teeth snapping, he growled. They’d harmed his mate’s brother. Unacceptable.

“I’m here.” Annella hunkered down behind him, spread one hand over his rump, her fingers sinking into his pelt. “What’s the plan?”

Thick brush clogged the end of the tunnel and booming shouts swept through the scrub.

“We’re about to have company, and far more than I’d like. You remain here, and I’ll go and dispatch these MacKenzies. I have to take care not to kill any of them since your father has now aligned himself with this clan.”

He rose up on his hind legs and roared. Forward, he charged, the two warriors both releasing a fierce battle cry. They slashed their swords as he sailed through the air and came down on top of them, blood spurting, his claws razor sharp and as precise and deadly as any blade could be. Bellowing, he sank his teeth into the wrist of one warrior and his weapon clattered to the ground, stamped on the other’s body and his bones snapped. He reared back, ready to hit them again but both lay motionless on the ground, their breath rasping out. They were injured, and neither would be getting up anytime soon. Perfect.

Head down, he snorted as three more warriors surged forward through the slashed brush at the end of the tunnel, their weapons drawn, the scent of salt now stronger and the crashing of waves echoing toward him. This tunnel exited out high over the loch. He roared and tumbled all three men into each other with his fierce momentum. Blood ran, his beast raging at him as they all soared through the brush as one. Nothing but cool night air swished past him as he fell away over the side of a sheer rock wall and dropped down into the darkened depths of the ocean thirty feet below.

* * * *

Annella screamed as Alec’s bear barreled through the warriors who’d slashed through the brush, their weapons coming down on him as he sent them all flying over the edge and into the dark abyss of the night-shrouded sea far below. She jumped the first two warriors he’d downed then teetered at the edge of the tunnel. The wind rushed all around, the storm Cherub had set in motion thrashing all about.

“Alec, where are you?” She searched the crashing swell.

“I’m coming.” A grunt as he shifted in the water, lights flashing, then he was there against the wall, hauling himself up using whatever hand-and-foot holds he could within the craggy rock wall. Water sluiced down his body, running in a river of red. Cuts everywhere, his pain fierce and storming down their link and saturating her. He made the top and rolled onto the ledge on his back and stared up at her. “I’m fine.”

“There’s so much blood. You arena fine.” She fell to her knees, heart heaving as she checked each and every wound and only when she was assured he hadn’t actually sustained any life-threatening injuries, did she burst into tears and thump him.

“Hey.” He caught her fisted hands against his chest, his golden eyes shifter bright. “I’m truly fine.”

“I’m not. Losing you would kill me.”

“Shifters heal far faster than mere humans alone can, and I’ve always healed even swifter than any of my kin. A few changes back and forth and I’ll be back to my usual self.”

“Annella!” Chains rattled from one of the cells.

“Oh goodness. Ronan, I’m coming.” She fled down the passageway, skidded in beside the two downed warriors, swiped the keys still jangling from the belt of one while Alec checked on both fallen men and nodded at her.

“We’re clear for now, but if either of these warriors move or the other three I took with me into the sea return, then I’ll tear their heads from their shoulders.” He snagged his clothing which she’d dropped in her mad dash, dressed and fastened his weapons. “Give me the keys.”

Hands shaking, she passed them across and he jimmied the first key in the lock. It didn’t turn. He tried the second while she gripped the door’s bars, the metal cold against her palms.

Ronan dangled from a chain strung over an iron hook hammered into the rocky ceiling above, his ravaged body swaying and turning, his black tunic hanging in shreds over his leather pants and his back bleeding from deep welts slashed into his skin. So much blood. It coursed down his legs and bare feet and splashed the ground.

One click and the lock popped open. Alec shoved the door and iron grated over stone.

She stumbled inside, snagged the wooden crate from the corner and hauled it across and set it firmly under Ronan’s dangling body. “Feet down.”

“Got it.” Ronan found his footing, rolled his shoulders as he tried to ease the ache in his raised arms. Voice raspy and dry, he mumbled, “Is there another key to unlock this chain and cuffs?”

“It’ll be one of these.” Alec jumped up onto the crate next to Ronan, slid another key that looked like the right fit into the cuffs and turned it. The clamps swung open and fell to the ground, the chain coiling down like a snake and clattering in beside them.

Ronan swayed and Alec slid one shoulder under his arm to support him then helped him down. “Come here, little sister.”

Still shaking, she grasped her brother around the waist and clung to him.

Gently, Ronan stroked the back of her head. “Are you going to introduce me to your mate? You said he was from Kirk’s future bear shifter clan.”

“Ronan, meet Alec, the man who holds the other half of my soul, the man I intend to wed.” She rubbed her cheek against Ronan’s chest, tears flowing down her cheeks. Goodness. He’d been strung up then so badly beaten, and for what reason?

“’Tis good to meet you, Alec. I enjoyed seeing your bear storming through that passageway. Those warriors deserve their broken bones.” Ronan spoke over the top of her head, gave her hair a tug as he did.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t get here sooner.” Alec slipped a finger under her chin, tipped her gaze toward his. “Do you want me to explain about what’s happened with your father?”

“Nay, I shall.” She squeezed her eyes shut then opened them again and looked into Ronan’s eyes. “Father has found his mate, or I should say Muirin, the fae sorceress who has allied herself with Duncan, is his mate and he’s accepted their bond. Father and I spoke and he intends to fight alongside Duncan and his brother who’ve both apparently broken away from their father. Muirin said ’tis time for the fae to live.”

“I see.” Yet clear confusion swirled in his gaze.

“Are you all right?”

“I’m still a little groggy, not quite of sound mind and body as I usually am.”

Aye, he needed to be tended to then allowed to rest. Following that, she’d speak some more to him. “Father won’t allow any harm to come to our people. Why the beating?”

“Apparently I infuriated my guards when I demanded to see Kyla more times than they appreciated.”

“This is all such a mess.” She shook her head, worry consuming her.

“Aye, but we’ll deal with it as we always do.” Ronan hugged her. “My mate is Duncan’s sister, and her soul cries out for mine, just as mine cries out for hers. Once I’ve healed, I’ll return to this place, just however I can manage it, although preferably without being seen.”

“I’ll come with you when you do.”

“We’ll see.” Ronan grimaced, arched his shoulders back then with a small smile, he popped a kiss on her forehead. “I love you. You have my immense thanks for the timely rescue.”

“I love you too.” She smiled at Alec, the one man she could never live without. “Thank you for protecting me, for saving my brother and most of all, for being my chosen one.”

“You’ve accepted my beast, even tamed him as I thought none other ever could. Without you by my side, I would never survive.”

“I would never survive without you either.” He was her life, and always would be.

A breeze rustled through the tunnel and swept all around then Cherub appeared out of thin air with Kirk and dashed into the cell, her golden hair a wind-tossed mess and her olive skirts flaring. She grasped Ronan’s hand. “Glad I am to see you’re alive.”

“Thank you for coming to my aid, Cherub. It appears we still have some trialing times ahead of us, but for now we need to leave.” Ronan nodded at Kirk. “How quick can we be gone from here?”

“There’s a storm of warriors on our tail, warriors we need to divert and we’ll do so through one of Cherub’s portals.” Kirk sheathed his sword. “This very moment.”

Shouts and thundering footsteps ricocheted down the passageway.

“One second.” Cherub glanced at each one of them. “Who has the key to this cell?”

“I do. Here.” Alec tossed the keys to her as he kept Ronan propped up and on his feet.

“We need to lock ourselves inside since I dinnae wish for these warriors to jump into the portal I open. Our trip through time will be for those of Matheson blood alone. No other will be permitted through.” Cherub slammed the door shut and through the bars, twisted the key in the lock then tossed the keys into the far darkened corner and held out her arms. “Grab ahold, everyone. We’re about to return to Ivanson Castle and the twenty-first century.”

They held on and once all connected to her, the Fae Angel of Love did as she was born to do, to protect and guard her people. With a flick of her fingers, she swirled the air blowing in and sent them all falling away into the dark abyss of time. They soared amongst the stars, thunder and lightning crashing and blazing all around. Aye, ’twas the most blessed portal Annella had ever traveled through, her brother now once again at her side and her mate so very close.

She caught Alec’s hand in the churning darkness as she aided him in keeping Ronan upright, his fingers curling warm and firmly around hers. Then a minute or two later, they bumped down inside a large room holding white-painted walls and a bed on wheels that sat in the middle of it. So much white. The ceiling glowed white, as did the cupboards lining one side of the room, the steel benchtop the only concession to it all as it reflected the brightness of the lights overhead.

“Hell.” Ronan jerked, his gaze wide on the lights above. “How is there is light without fire?”

“The glass bulbs are run from electricity, and you’ll find there will be a million and one other new and amazing things to discover in this time.” Cherub patted Ronan’s hand. “Now you’re here for a visit, Kirk and I will be sure to show you around until you’ve healed well enough to return to your chase of Kyla.”

“Aye, that is one chase I look forward to, provided I can remain out of those dungeons. I’ve no intention of visiting them a second time.” A sparkle lit Ronan’s eyes, his lips lifting. There was naught her brother adored more than fighting the good fight. Father too. Trialing days might lie ahead of them, but they’d also be days filled with a vibrant and soul-soaring hope. Ronan’s mate awaited him, not lost to him as he’d always believed, and although currently beyond his reach, not for very long. Her brother would never give up his chase of Kyla, and of that she had no doubt.

“Here, let’s get you sitting down.” Alec aided Ronan to the white-sheeted medical bed and her brother shucked off the tattered remains of his black tunic and sat in the middle, a fluffy pillow at one end and a white folded blanket at the other.

“I’ll go and fetch Tavish. He’s our clan doctor and an excellent healer.” Kirk strode out the door, his black war coat flapping at his sides and his sword gleaming.

Never more glad to be back on Matheson land, Annella twirled around, caught Cherub’s hands and whirled her about too, such happiness overflowing her heart. “You’ve done so much for me, Cherub, stood right by my side during this perilous journey and never faltered with your aid. You have my immense thanks.”

“I will always be wherever my fae kind need me, no matter what time or place that draws me toward.”

“’Tis so wonderful to be back.” She released Cherub and bounced to the window. Palms on the windowsill, she took in the moonlit inner courtyard of Ivanson Castle, the curtain wall rising high and the forest’s treetops beyond swaying in the distance. Aye, she was back in Alec’s time and where he’d brought her physical body. Eyes closed, she reached out with her senses and found herself lying in her mate’s chamber one floor higher up and farther down the hallway, exactly where she wished to be, snuggled in his—

Her chest tightened.

“Annella.” Alec moved in behind her, slid his hands over her shoulders then turned her around to face him. “Do you wish to return to your true form?”

“I must stay with Ronan until—”

“Nay,” Ronan grumbled from across the room. “Time is marching on and you’re still in your spiritual form. Return, little sister. I’ll speak to you again once I’m done with the healer.”

“Are you certain you wish for me to go?”

“Aye, too much time spent away from your true self isnae good for you. Do you no’ remember how Mother was toward the end?”

“I remember and you’re right.” The tightening in her chest was her true body’s warning to her, and that tightening would spike into fierce pain should she not take care and return. She filled a tumbler with water from the sink and handed it to Ronan, gave him a gentle hug as she made certain not to touch an open wound. “Be good while I’m gone, and do exactly as the healer says.”

“Aren’t I always good?” With a teasing smile, he sipped the water.

“No’ that I’ve ever seen.” Giggling, she twirled back to Alec and twined her arms around his neck, slid her fingers deep into his silky black hair and looking into his golden shifter eyes, got lost, her very heart and soul now held within his hands. “Without you I’d have no reason to live.”

“Then it’s time to live.”

“My thoughts exactly.” On her toes, she reached up to touch her lips to his but her true form pulled more strongly at her. Her heart skipped a beat, her breath coming harder. Her physical body would wait no longer.

“What’s wrong?” He gripped her arms.

“I must leave. There is no more time.” She dissolved her form, shimmered away through the starlit expanse of dark and breezed back to her body, her heart throbbing at having left her chosen one.

She gasped, flung her eyes open and dragged in a deep breath and rubbed her aching chest.

“Are you all right, my dear?” A woman in her mid-forties wearing a wine-colored woolen skirt and white blouse with a ruffled neckline, her dark wavy hair bobbing on her shoulders, leaned over her in the bed, two fingers pressed to her wrist. “Your pulse stopped then started then skittered right out of time. I’m Megan, Kirk’s mother and the chief’s wife. Alec requested I guard your body.”

“’I’m fine now that I’m back, and ’tis lovely to meet you Megan. When I’m gone too long from my body, it sends me a warning, one I must always heed if I’m to ensure I remain right here on this Earth. Thank you for watching over me while I was gone.”

“I shall always do so if you need the aid.”

“Annella!” The door banged open and Alec was there, his chest pumping out and almost popping the buttons on his steel-studded gray jacket. He rushed toward the bed, hauled her out from underneath the black fur cover and crushed her in his arms. “Don’t you ever leave me like that again.”

The door clicked shut, Megan having quietly left.

“I’m sorry. I didnae mean to worry you so.” She brushed her lips across his then snuggled her cheek against his chest and—was that chocolate on the pillow? Smiling, she snatched it up, broke off a piece and popped it in her mouth. Mmm, delicious. Her belly rumbled for more and she broke off another square, waved it in front of her mate’s nose. “Are you hungry?”

“I’m famished, but for far more than mere chocolate alone.” With his teeth, he nipped the square from between her fingers then he scooped her into his arms and strode with her into his bathroom, hit the light switch with his elbow and knocked the door shut with his hip.

Gently, he set her down on her feet on the white tiled floor in the center of the room, unstrapped her sword belt from her waist and her dagger from her wrist, placed her weapons on top of the black marble vanity and removed his own weapons and added them to the pile of armory.

Hands on the hem of her dusty red tunic, he lifted it over her head and tossed it into the corner wicker basket then gazed at her breasts, all full and pink-tipped and now bobbing free. “Beautiful. I want to eat you.”

“Make sure you take your time when you do.” She popped another square of chocolate into her mouth.

“Now we finally have all the time in the world, I shall.” He dipped his head and laved each beaded nipple, his tongue rasping over the tips and making them pinch even tighter. Exquisite. Her legs trembled and she dropped the chocolate bar, her chosen one the only treasure she wished to consume. She wanted each and every inch of him touching each and every inch of her, their bodies unclothed and not a breath of air separating them.

“You are far too overdressed, my mighty bear.”

“Then let me get rid of my clothes.” He shrugged his steel-studded gray jacket off, stripped his billowy white tunic over his head and sent both items sailing into the basket. His golden skin, broad shoulders, and chest packed with muscle made her fingertips tingle with the need to touch him.

Carefully, she walked around him, inspected a long cut on his shoulder and back, a few on his sides then coming back around in front, she touched a nick along his neck and frowned at the grazes slashing his chest. Red, each and every one of them, but also partially sealed over, the healing process having already begun. “You said making the Change increases your ability to heal. Shift again.”

“Are you certain? My bear might get a little pushy with you being half undressed and in the same room as him.”

“I can handle your bear.”

“Aye, that you can, and with sheer perfection.” Grinning, he kicked off his boots, shoved his black pants to the floor and stepped out of them. His cock rose sure and strong from the thatch of dark curls at the juncture of his groin, the head of his shaft plumping to a deep purple color. “Are you ready?”

“Almost.” She leaned in, licked across one cut on his chest then sucked his tight male nipple into her mouth. She moaned at the deliciousness of him.

“I can’t shift if you keep doing that, love.”

“I’m sorry, I’m getting greedy, and you’re still injured.”

“I’ve been injured far worse than this over the years, but I’ll make the Change and show you my injuries never last long.” He stepped back, shook his dark mane of hair that brushed his shoulders then in a lightning bright display, shifted and lumbered around her, his beast’s silky black pelt the same stunning color as the hair on his head. He brushed against her legs then pushed her back toward the shower until her back knocked into the glass door.

On his hind legs, he rose up, slammed his paws down either side of her head, the shower door rattling as he growled, all low and throaty, and just the way she loved.

“I dinnae believe I’ll ever tire of seeing you shift.” Her magnificent bear, so fierce and demanding, completely enthralled her. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he loomed over her, his hot breath pulsing from between his sharp teeth. “I would like to thank you for guarding me so well these past few days.”

His growl tapered away, turned into a hungry rumble as he swiped his tongue across her cheek then he pushed his chest toward her and she giggled and scratched his belly until one long purr vibrated from him.

“Do you feel better?”

A low moan as he stretched, pushed off the glass door and plopped down onto the tiled floor and flopped onto his back, paws extended and his belly on full display.

“Oooh, I finally get full submission.” She knelt, spread her hands over his belly and gave him a tummy rub until he closed his eyes, his purr so loud it made her sigh with delight. Such a magical moment, one she wanted to experience each and every day of her life. Just the two of them like this, both together and his big bossy bear showing her exactly how very docile he could be. “Will your cuts have healed sufficiently by now? I want my chosen one in the flesh, returned to me and showing me exactly how very well we come together as one.”

In a bright sizzle of lights, he made the Change and she gasped as he lay on the floor, the cuts scattered across his body now barely visible.

“That’s incredible.” She caressed his skin, smoothed one finger down the center of his wide chest and along the dusting of hair narrowing between his impressively defined abs. Along his trim waist, she swept her finger back and forth, his cock lengthening and thickening even further and her desire to touch more of him swarmed through her. Leaning over him, she swished her breasts across his chest, her nipples tightening at the decadent touch then with her lips a mere whisper from his, she murmured, “I wish for you to make me yours.”

“You’re already mine, fully and completely.” He wrapped his arms around her, rolled them both over and pressed her back into a plush white bathroom rug in the center of the room, his glorious body spread perfectly over hers.

She gripped his bulging biceps, roamed down his arms, over his sides and cupped his backside. “I cannae wait to hold your body deep inside mine.”

“I can’t wait to wed you and call you my wife.” He eased down her body then on his knees, knelt between her spread legs, bent and with his teeth, gnawed on the ties of her black rawhide breeches. His warm breath feathered across her skin and sent a bolt of heat straight to her core.

“And when shall we wed?” Mmm, his touch, so sinfully delicious, made her ravenous for more and she raked her nails over his scalp until he growled. He nabbed one knee-high leather boot, tugged it off then tossed the other aside as well before gripping her waistband and hauling her breeches down her legs. With his hands on her hips, he nipped her belly button and nuzzled her mound.

“The first moment we can.” He blew a soft breath across her mound, his teasing touch drifting over her entrance. “You’re so beautiful, every single inch of you. I need to taste you and it can’t wait any longer, but if I go too fast right now, tell me to slow down.” He spread her legs even wider. “Both me and my other half are roaring for more of you.”

“I have no need to be anywhere else but right here with you. Take all the time you need, fast or slow. It matters not to me.”

“I love it when you get all agreeable.” Pure need laced his tone as he rubbed his cheeks against the insides of her thighs, his nose bumping her nub. He breathed deep, slid one finger along her seam then pushed inside her and touched a spot that had her arching into him.

“I can be this agreeable whenever you wish.” Her breath came harder and she gripped the rug underneath her. “Give me more.”

“More you shall have.” Licking her most private place, he plunged a second finger inside her and caressed her, so wickedly, so deliciously, his rhythm making her rise toward a peak she only wished to fly from. Every flick of his tongue and stroke of his fingers built her desire higher and higher, until it rose to such a swift and thunderous level she could no longer hold on to.

She rocked, her breasts thrust high and her need for him consuming her. “Alec.” She cried out his name. “I cannae hold on any longer. Come inside me.”

“Are you certain?”

“Very.”

“I love how very much you need me.” He flipped her over onto her belly, lifted her onto her knees and crawled in over top of her. Completely covering her body with his, he teased her with the caress of his skin across hers.

“I will always need you, to the depths of my soul.” Over her shoulder, she smiled back at him, her hair sliding over her side and swishing onto the floor. “Take me.”

“I intend to take you over and over until this night has passed and a new day dawns.” Folds opened with his fingers, he gazed at her, stroked along her slit and scraped his teeth back and forth along her neck. “Are you ready?”

“Aye, mark me so well that there will be none who could ever say I am no’ yours.”

“Good answer.” With her hips clasped in his hands, he pushed his cock between her legs and before she could draw her next breath, he plunged deep inside her with one fast and sure stroke, his mind tunneling deep inside hers and locking around tight. He shared his fierce pleasure and she shared her own.

More. She still needed more.

“I’ve got you.” He sank his teeth into her neck and a wild surge of pleasure barreled through her. Her inner muscles contracted and as he thrust, she urged him deeper, pushed her backside back into his groin and met each and every one of his hard and fast moves. His possession was everything she needed and desired, their bodies joined so completely together as he sent her soaring to the stars.

Such indescribable pleasure roared through her. She’d been gifted with such a wonderful mate and an incredibly deep soul bond that sent her heart lifting high. “I love you, Alec, your fierce bear and your complete and utter devotion and possession. I will always want you, only you.”

“As I love you. You’re my match in every way, my every hope and dream. We’ll stand at each other’s sides for the rest of our lives.” He plunged balls-deep inside her, his seed shooting to her core and caressing her with its warmth. “This day, I give you all of me.”

“As I do with you.” Flying over the edge, she soared and joined him in heaven amongst the brilliance of the stars, her body clamping tightly around his and their souls now forever entwined. Aye, she was his for all time, just as he was hers and together, they’d journey to where their souls would always remain united, until the end of time.

* * * *

Such pleasure ricocheted through Alec’s body as Annella pulsed around his cock. His hunger for her increased even though he’d just come. Aye, he needed her with a thirst his bear would never relinquish and he only hoped his mate was prepared for the depth his hunger would rage this night. He stroked deep inside her, her breathy little moans making him stiffen and go excruciatingly hard all over again. Grazing her neck with his teeth, he scraped over the mark he’d made then soothed it with a lick or two before he pulled out of her. Not for long though. He turned her over onto her back on the white rug, pushed her inner thighs wider with his knees and thrust his cock back through her lower folds and into the heart of her welcoming heat.

She stirred, her eyelids fluttering open. “You’re insatiable.”

“Which is something that’ll never change. I want your bite. Have you enough energy to oblige?” He longed for her mark of claim and always would, intended to shower her with his own brand before he took her to his bed and lavished even more attention on her. Head dipped to hers, he swept his tongue inside her mouth and kissed her, until her breath became as ragged as his and their joint desire flared to a staggering height.

“Harder.” Deep panting from his chosen one. “I want it harder, Alec.”

So did he, only her full breasts captured his attention and he had no desire to neglect them a moment more. He rolled his tongue around one exquisite nipple, sucked the treasure deep inside his mouth and groaned as his need for her escalated to an excruciating level. No holding back. He surged into her below as he lavished her breasts, nipping, licking, kissing and devouring them. Hell. She tasted so delicious, and her pure womanly scent rose and swirled all around him. ’Twas pure torture, but in the most divine way. He’d need another taste of her down there, and soon if he was going to survive this day.

Half insane with need, he razzed his teeth over the sensitive flesh on the other side of her neck. “When I bite you, I want you to bite me in return. That’s an order.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Thank you.” He slid his palm around the back of her head and drew her mouth to his neck, and as she stretched and offered her neck more fully to him, he suctioned his mouth over her flesh and drew it deep between his lips.

Licking and sucking her neck, he trailed one hand down her belly and over the golden curls covering her entrance. He caressed her clit and she reached down and palmed his balls, her soft touch making his bear roar for dominance and buck into her. He growled and bit down and she thrashed underneath him and bit him in return, her channel clamping fiercely tight around his cock and squeezing with sheer perfection. Over and over, he came, in one long hot rush that sent his essence streaming thick and full straight to her womb and she bathed him in her sensual heat, her body clenching so perfectly around him and together, their minds deeply entrenched within each other’s, they flew to the heavens then soared far beyond.

“Oh goodness.” She went limp underneath him and he slowed his rocking as he gently brought them both back down.

“Are you all right?”

Dreamily, she sighed. “I dinnae know where you begin and I end.”

“Which is as it should be.” He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her, moved his mouth slowly over hers and cherished her lips. The shower. He needed to at least get her into the shower then he’d take her to his bed. The hot water would refresh her, ease any discomfort he’d caused by taking her on the floor and before his bear reared up and made even more demands, he pulled out of her, scooped her up and opened the shower door. Lever flicked on, he stuck his hand under the water and once it had warmed to the perfect temperature, he swept her inside with him and closed the door.

Hot water pummeled his back and he lowered the pressure, turned her into the spray and smiled as she soaked in the steamy heat that swirled all around them.

“This is wonderful.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, fingers gliding through his hair and her nails scraping over his scalp.

“I love it when you do that. Your possessive touch makes my bear roll around for more.”

“He’s a greedy beast.” With her long golden tresses tumbling to her waist, she stroked down his back.

“He always will be.” He grasped her pert bottom, locked his gaze with hers and almost drowned in her beautiful blue eyes with their sparks of gold glittering bright at the edges. “Can you handle it?”

“I shall likely be just as greedy.”

“Show me.” He ached to be deep inside her again, the flare of need burning at the base of his spine and making his cock go rock hard once more.

“As you wish, but just know that I want it hard and fast again, with you filling me up.” She pushed him against the glass side, lifted one knee and rose onto the very tips of her toes. “Lift me over you.”

He lifted her up then brought her back down right over his cock, hard and fast and exactly as she’d commanded, the hot shower water sluicing down their bodies and her smooth skin rubbing slickly against his. Ravenous, he captured her mouth with his and kissed her, shared his hunger and soaked up the burning desire she held for him in return. Such an all-consuming need filled him and as she crushed her breasts against his chest and sucked on his neck, his cock throbbed and he pumped into her.

He got lost within her mind, her bite and body, her heart and soul all his and he savored the fierce peak of pleasure which sent them both hurtling to the stars. No more being alone. He’d found his chosen one, a woman who matched him in every single way, from her beautiful, fiery spirit to her ability to battle right alongside him. His heart expanded, drew her in and folded itself around her.

Love, peace, and promise.

She’d gifted him with it all, and never had he ever been more grateful.

She was his, always his.