12 Mating (2) (R-18)

Bliss enveloped me as I felt his fangs in my neck. He pounded harder into me, keeping his grip on me. I shuddered as another climax rose in me, and I clung to him desparately. He groaned and trembled, crying out and stilling as he released inside me.

He let go of my neck, and collapsed on top of me on the bed, shifting his weight to the side. We both panted heavily catching our breath.

I felt warm, tingly and electricity shocked me where he bit. I felt hyperaware and sensitive to his presence. I could feel the wonder and exhaustion and bliss coursing through him. I placed my hand on my neck and another in my hair, sitting up and gasping. I trembled in fear. What were these emotions, what are these sensations? He bit me! He marked me. Mating? No. No. Never. I can't be tied down; I won't be caged again. I shook my head. It wasn't entirely his fault, I stared guiltily at the teeth marks I had left in his shoulder. I placed my head in my hands and tears filled my eyes. I began to hyperventilate. I rocked back and forth and hugged my knees.

"Kali! Oh god, did I hurt you? I'm so sorry, I was bit, then the demon took over." Rhys gathered me into his arms and placed my head on his shoulder, stroking my hair soothingly. I felt myself leaning into him, which made me shake with more fear. I scrambled away from him to the other side of the bed, holding the sheet around me to cover myself. Rhys' jaw ticked and he looked a little hurt by my withdrawal. I sighed and ran a hand through my hair.

"I'm alright. We need to go through exactly what just happened." I stated, trying to regain some semblance of control in this situation. He bit his inner cheek and nodded curtly.

"Serious conversation time!" I crossed my arms, a deep chuckle came from him, sitting up to face me. He rested his chin on his hand and raised a brow.

"So, what just happened, exactly?" I started slowly, wanting to make sure I grasped the situation fully. Rhys began to look stressed and placed his fingers on his temples.

"We exchanged blood, which is a step in the mating process. The mating call was strong, likely triggered by you giving me blood. We exchanged blood and sealed our marks. Think of the mark like a mark of intent. It shows we have begun the process." He trailed a finger down the side of my neck, over the bite mark there. I shivered as he grazed it.

"Was that what this was for you? An uncontrollable answer to the call?" I bit my lip and tried not to let my vulnerability show. I don't know if I could handle it again, but the idea of it being something he'd been forced into didn't sit well with me. He narrowed his eyes slightly and trailed his fingers across my collarbone, up my neck, and across my cheek.

"No," He finally whispered. "I have felt the call toward you for a long time, but I was instructed not to interfere in your life before you were ready. And I had a duty that was more important." He leaned forward and pulled me close; he burrowed his face into my neck, inhaling my scent deeply and pressing his lips to my mark. I trembled and placed my hands on his arms.

"How long?" I said quietly, holding still, but not pushing him away.

"The day I saw you when you turned eighteen, it was as if the world shifted. I was enraptured, and I'd already loved you as a person and as your guardian. You'd been forced into this olive-green dress you despised by your adoptive mother, you had bows in your hair. The call rattled from my chest, where I watched in the forest. The demon took over for weeks, pacing and snapping to take you." He finished; his voice thick with emotion. I stared in awe of the inflection in his voice. The power of those memories. I remembered that day, feeling the wind blow around my too exposed skin, the dress I'd been forced to wear made me feel like a china doll on display. I'd been fixated on the forest, felt something watching from the woods. Occasionally, throughout my childhood I'd catch glimpses of bright crimson eyes in the bushes.

"Why did you wait?" I leaned into him and tilted my head back to stare at him. He looked deep in thought, caught up in the memories.

"You were so young. So innocent. You'd been through so much pain and heartbreak and torture, I didn't want to take your free will too. Your father was specific, I was to guard from the shadows." He sighed and rested his forehead against mine. I looked up at him through my lashes, he stared back into my eyes.

"And now?" I whispered; his face close to mine. He licked his lips and his eyes were half-lidded. He pulled me closer, so I straddled his lap, his hand went to cup my cheek. The blanket fell off his body, so I was pressed firmly against his naked flesh.

"I'm not as strong as I thought I was, or just more selfish. The moment you gave me your blood was the most alive I've felt in centuries. It felt as though I was finally shown a light in the darkness. A meteor shower in the night sky. I don't think I can be alone in the dark again." He pressed his cheek against mine, nuzzling. My breathe came quickly, I trembled at his words. This was all so much, so fast.

"I don't know how to love. I don't think I'm capable of it. We don't even know each other." I said truthfully, placing my hands on his chest. Feeling the beat of his heart. It pounded in sync with my own. This magnetism drew me to him.

"I've known you for a long time, you are more than capable and worthy. Don't focus on love right now, just let yourself feel." His lips trailed down my neck, and his fingers traced along my wet lips.

"Let me love you, Kalaratri." The plea, not a command, tickled my ear, the telltale demonic voice layered. I sighed and leaned into his touch. His glowing eyes focused on me in a piercing stare of demon and man. I swallowed in thought.

If only I knew then how everything would play out.