Stella

 

They spent the next several days basking in the solitude of their home. Stella had officially moved all of her things into Rick’s house. Her house was on the market. They spent the nights and mornings tangled up in each other. Stella knew eventually the honeymoon would be over. Arriell and Rachel’s handler would seek their revenge.

Until then, Stella planned on living her new life with Rick to the fullest. Part of that meant finalizing their mate bond. Rick seemed hesitant, and Stella knew it was his underlying fear that he would need to sacrifice himself. He felt responsible for everything that was happening.

“Rick, you will not be sacrificing yourself to anybody for any reason. Trust me, we can win this. We’re stronger once we perform the mate bond ceremony.”

“We can’t know what’s to come, Stella. I won’t risk taking you from this earth or risking anybody else’s lives because of my own selfish desire to live.”

“Do you think I wouldn’t follow? Do you really think for one second that if you left this earth that I wouldn’t leave soon after? I can’t be here without you.”

“You have Emma, she may have cubs. You can’t leave the pack without a healer. You’re too valuable.”

“I love Emma, and I would never want to intentionally hurt her, but she would understand.”

“You’re a stubborn woman,” he said as a smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

“I’m yours, though.”

“Yes, that you are. You’re mine, mate.”

“Is that a yes?” she asked, holding her breath.

He nodded and swooped her up, planting her firmly on their kitchen table. He captured her mouth in a devouring kiss that made Stella’s body shake with desire. He started to raise her shirt when someone cleared their throat.

“Gross, Mom. It’s the middle of the day,” Emma laughed, tossing her purse on the kitchen island.

The rest of the gang filed in after her. Stella slid off of the table and straightened her shirt. Her face was red with embarrassment, but Rick looked completely lax about being busted. She elbowed him in the side, making him grunt out a laugh.

“What?” he mouthed.

She shrugged, not really sure what she had expected.

“Things have been pretty quiet,” Austin said.

“They won’t always be,” Stella offered.

She knew the shifters were impatient by nature. Especially when there was a fight looming ahead. They’d rather get it over with. Rachel’s handler worked with dark magic, which meant he was patient and methodical. He was taking his time to plan and plot. What he wouldn’t have in brute strength he would try to make up for with planning and preparation.

“Austin, since you’re here, and the rest of you, Rick and I would like to complete the mate bond ceremony,” Stella said, changing the subject.

“Now?” Kate gasped.

“Yes, is there something wrong with that?”

“You’re not ready. We need to plan. At least get you a nice dress,” Emma said.

Stella rolled her eyes at the young girls.

“Girls, I’m too old to be worried about dresses and things.”

“Whatever, Mom. At least let’s go out and get a dress, maybe some flowers,” Emma said, looking to Rick for backup.

Rick looked over at Stella and shrugged his shoulders. He wasn’t going to be of any help. With a sigh she gestured for the girls to lead the way. Emma squealed in delight.

“When I get back,” Stella said to Rick.

“When you return,” he reiterated.

The girls chatted in the car on their way to the thrift store where Emma had found her dress. Stella felt silly getting excited, but their attitudes were contagious. Once they were in the store, Stella hated to admit they had been right. She was glad she was taking the time to find a dress. With all of the chaos, it seemed right to slow down and savor her and Rick’s ceremony. They had fought for this moment. Following through with it was her idea of winning.

“What about this one, Mom?” Emma cooed over a light blue, chiffon summer dress.

Stella shook her head. Blue seemed too young and innocent. What she and Rick had was far from innocent. She wanted a dress that spoke to their passion and their determination to be together. Three stores and countless dresses later she found what she had been looking for. The dress was deep red and skin tight. Stella was no spring chicken, but her figure was still worthy of the slinky material. She had a pair of black heels that would go with it perfectly and help her be closer to Rick’s height.

Emma rolled her eyes at first, stating her mom looked more like a cocktail waitress. Stella laughed and ignored the comment. She could imagine the way Rick’s eyes would pool with desire when he saw her in the dress. Stella’s heart pounded in her chest at the thought, and her womanhood stirred in anticipation.

By the time they had made it back to her and Rick’s house, the guys had set up an arch. Stella was even more impressed that they had hung flowers across the top of it, and Rick had changed his clothes. She ran upstairs and hastily freshened herself up, then slid the dress on. Stella blushed when she decided to go sans panties. After sliding on her heels she sped back downstairs. Everybody was already outside, waiting for her.

She took a deep breath and then walked outside. Everybody turned towards her, but she only had eyes for Rick. His eyes devoured her. They openly stripped her down in front of everyone, and Stella wished they had thought to be alone for their ceremony. As a healer, she could perform the ceremony herself.

Finally, taking her place next to Rick, she lost herself in his eyes, and took a deep shaky breath. Desire was pulsating off of him. Stella had to focus to keep her legs underneath her. Austin started to speak; as alpha it was his right to perform their ceremony. It didn’t seem to last that long to Stella. She wanted to kick everyone out as soon as it was completed, but while they had been outside, caterers had been setting up food inside.

Their pack mates’ thoughtfulness touched her, even if she was just ready to be alone with Rick. The way he was still looking down at her told her he felt the same.

“I hope you’re not too attached to that dress.” His deep voice grazed over her ear, sending chills down her body.

“It does hold some sentimental value to me now. Why?”

“Because I’m going to rip it from your delicious body as soon as we run everybody out of here,” he growled.

“I can just take it off.”

“That takes too much time. Patience has never been my strong suit.” He grabbed her arm and led her to the back of the house to his home office.

He shut the door and immediately spun her around and shoved her up against it. His body molded over hers. She welcomed his lips on hers as they ignited in a passion-fueled kiss. He lifted one of her legs up and then slid his hand up to cup her ass.

“Fuck, you don’t have any panties on, do you?” he breathed.

Not sure she could speak, she simply nodded. Rick lifted her up and took her over to his couch and laid her down. He spread her legs wide and sat back, admiring his view. She squirmed under his dark gaze. Then he leaned down and pulled her clit into his mouth, causing her to scream his name.

His arms snaked up her sides and freed her breasts so he could tease her nipples. His mouth continued to work her over. Sucking, teasing, and licking her until she couldn’t contain a single thought. Her body tightened, and then she soared through her release, shaking in his arms.

Rick pulled her up and sat her on his lap. Stella finally came back down from her orgasm high, and relaxed in his arms.

“I love you, Rick.”

“I love you, too, Stella.”