CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER SEVEN

MARKING HIM AS MINE

Sophie Winterfed laughed heartily at Mrs. Munroe's very high praises. "That's some praise coming from you," she smiled, holding her drinks up in salutation. The lot was gathered in the Munroe's estate having dinner to celebrate Carrie Munroe's emergence into the wolf community. And Mrs. Munroe had just commented on her glowing skin and lovely dress. She sighed satisfactorily. That was the aim anyway. She glowed for a living. Her skin was her selling point. Well, that and her pretty face. Blushing, she smiled at everyone at the table.

The birthday party was to celebrate the young Munroe. Carrie had just turned, and as custom demanded, her party was thrown. It was made to look like her birthday party. In essence, it was, which is why a few of her human friends were gathered. They had no idea what this really meant though. Just some ignorant fools partying, Sophie snickered as she adjusted her pearls. It had shifted sideways when she bent to get more wine. She watched Carrie's friends at the other table. Only one of them was a wolf like her. The others had no idea what was going on here. A few adult humans were present too. The humans didn't know that the actual celebration was a rite. A passage of some sort to welcome her fully amongst them. Now, she was a full-fledged member.

The families had been invited to this dinner some couple of weeks back. Like others, the invitation had been sent to the Winterfed too. Despite her issues with Lucian, the family was still good friends. Not that both families had any knowledge of their fights. She was a big girl. She would never go crying to daddy. Well, maybe she did that sometimes. In her defense, it was her father who was always putting his nose in her affairs. Thus forcing her to tell him her plight. But most times, she knew just how well to handle her situation-ships.

Knowing Lucian, she had doubts he would sit his family down and be spooning them stories of his love life. The two families had been friends since she could remember it. They've had a series of businesses done, partying, and many more. Their children's relationship wound only strengthens the bond. It could never break it though. Sipping her wine now, Sophie looked around for her man. He was late again. She wondered what his excuse would be this time. Last time, it had been work. What would it be this time?

Sophie found herself seated with her parents on the other end of the table. The Munroe sat on the head. Lucian's mother and her husband spoke in whispers. Their daughter; Carrie sat stiffly. Sophie smiled at her obvious discomfort. She was a shy type, that one. The teenager hated this much attention on her. She counted to ten, knowing Carrie would soon excuse herself and run out to meet her friends were in the other table. She had kept glancing at that table all evening.

"Mom, Dad," Carrie said, standing, "I'll be at the other table with my friends." She said and ran off before anyone could protest.

"Didn't take that long." Sophie smiled. She picked up her phone, wanting to call Lucian. Why was he late to his sister's party anyway? She dialed his line. It rang but he wouldn't pick. That didn't surprise her. He had been ignoring her calls for a while now.

"Did he say he wouldn't be here?"

Sophie looked up at her mother. "What?" she asked. She had been so deep in thought that she didn't know she was being asked something.

"Where's Lucian?" repeated Sophie's mother, Mrs. Winterfed, "Did he say he wouldn't come?" she asked her daughter. Beside her, Mr. Winterfed shifted in his chair, uncomfortably. He could feel his wife's deliberate ploy at making Sophie angry. This wasn't the place nor time. He stepped on her toes, warning her. Mrs. Winterfed didn't flinch; neither did she give her husband the graciousness of her look. Their daughter was way past marriage age, and she wasn't going to condone the unneeded drama this was. She wanted to know for sure if Sophie had a man in her life or not. From the way her eyes darted everywhere, she wasn't. Better to let Lucian's parents know starting now, she would begin to accepting proposals from male wolves. She might even send some herself.

Sophie hated to be put in a tight spot like this. She gritted her teeth in response as she knew the others seated at the table awaited her response. Most of the werewolves with sharp hearings. "Mom," she began with a forced smile, "He will be here soon." Knowing what her mother wanted, she sighed in irritation. She could have just asked if she was still with Lucian. What's with the drama? She snickered while averting her eyes from a few stares her mother had aroused.

"I just want to run something by him," Mrs. Winterfed insisted, ignoring her daughter's cynical look. "He's a talented man in the technological world. And I have this proposal…."

Hitting the table angrily, Sophie glared at her mother, "Stop whining, mom," she warned. Her voice was dangerously low. Even though she knew this had nothing to do with technology. But for their sakes, she pretended it was. She quickly smiled at everyone and leaned closer to her mother, "I won't go into technology if that's what this is about."

From their end, Mr. and Mrs. Munroe exchanged looks. If they suspected something more to the bickering on the other end of the table, they said nothing. The couple only smiled as they watched on. Mrs. Munroe leaned over to her husband. "Did anything happen between Sophie and Lucian?" she asked. Knowing Mrs. Winterfed for being dramatic. Perhaps this was what she was trying to say? Even though they have been friends for years, she knew when Winterfed was on to something. And this was definitely not about technology.

"I think we will find out soon enough," replied Mr. Munroe, sipping his wine.

Throwing her handkerchief on the table, Sophie's mother glared, "Please, who cares what you do?" she moved her seat back, "If you will excuse me."

"Oh, I'm here now," Lucian said, hugging the older woman. He turned to his girlfriend and bestowed her a sad smile.

Sophie smirked and looked away. It was so like him to make a triumphant entry. However, her wolf smiled at his presence. At least he was here now. That meant she could move ahead to the next phase of her plan. "Hey," she greeted.

Ignoring her, Mrs. Winterfed hugged Lucian and stood to whisper something in his ear. The two chuckled as the older woman excused herself. Lucian walked across the table to greet his parents. Afterward, he took time greeting everyone at the table. Then he went over to his sister. "Kiddo," he said, hugging her. Deliberately, he ruffled her hair and she pulled back instantly.

"Stop it," Carrie said, slapping his hand away. "You came late." she accused.

"Will this make up for it?" Lucian said, bringing out a wrapped gift from his pocket.

"Is it the latest edition that you promised?" asked an excited Carrie as she shook the container. She turned to her friends excitedly. They all stared at the duo. Most of the girls had eyes on her brother, though. Rolling her eyes, she turned back to Lucian. "Thank you." She hugged him tightly.

"Anything for you, kiddo." He teased.

"I'm a wolf now," she whispered, "And she's browner," she confessed, still whispering so none of her human friends could hear them.

"Your fur?"

Carrie nodded.

"Show me later, all right?"

She nodded again as he walked away. "Your brother is so cool," said her friends, and they started giggling, asking questions about Lucian. Smirking, Carrie ignored them. She and Mateo exchanged knowing looks. They had no idea what her wolf brother was capable of.

Moreover, they were too young for him. Behind them was his girlfriend, probably sending fire and brimstones their way with her eyes. Carrie didn't dare look that way. On second thought, she turned around just in case.

Sophie, from her end, watched the table keenly. When Carrie turned around, she waved. No smile. But the instant Lucian left the table. She excused herself too. "What do you want?" Lucian asked, sensing her presence as she followed him inside.

"You," she told him. "I want you."

He didn't stop to look at her. He only got into the room and started to undress. She followed him inside too. "I don't want the drama, Sophie," he said to her. His trousers and shirt were removed in one effortless move. His round neck was also removed, leaving his brief.

"No drama," she agreed, looking at his naked body. She would do anything, say anything to have that. It had been so long. She moaned as she walked over to him. Touching his body, she kissed his hard nipple. Then twirling it around her mouth, she bit it gently. Lucian grunted, feeling the bite down in his groin. His low groan made her smile. She knew her way around his body.

Pulling her to himself, Lucian started to undress her too. In seconds, her clothes were beside his. She stood in her naked glory, and he looked her up then down. Her body was as beautiful as he could remember. Lifting her up, he kissed her boobs as he walked them to the bed. She was moaning loudly, and he didn't care that others were downstairs and might hear if they listened. He threw her in bed and covered her body with his immediately, kissing her.

Sophie sighed when she found his dick. It was hard and hot. She started pumping it hurriedly, waiting to have his first bout of seeds. He tore his mouth away from hers and started with her boobs again. Sighing in contentment, she felt him growing bigger in her arms. He was as turned on as she was. Before she could get him pouring out on her, he lifted both her legs. Then he gently placed them on either side of his shoulder. And he plunged into her, hard.

Lucian went on pounding into her, demanding her all. She moaned and writhed beneath him. Knowing she could take him, he didn't stop nor slow down. He continued to thrust into her, long and hard. Changing position, she grabbed her body and turned her away from him. She went on all fours for him. He slides into her from behind, pumping her hard. Their moans rented the air.

They both screamed out their relief simultaneously. Then he rolled off her. Both of them laid down contented. Their wolves lay sated. Seconds later, she climbed on him again. Looking down on his dick, she found him still hard. Taking him in her mouth, she started to suck him off. He arched as her tongue went in circles around his tips. He was instantly hard again, and she straddled him. Without waiting for her to settle down on him properly, he held her waist and pushed deep into her.

Sophie threw back her head in pure ecstasy and took him in. He buried himself deeply but didn't move again. She wished he would. She loved how much she felt pleasured whenever he moved against her while she straddled him. Her wolf came out to play too, howling joyfully. When he let go of her hips, she started moving against his dick, pleasuring herself while riding him. It was a long slow drive. Her eyes watched him taking his pleasures from her. Then the need for release overtook her, and she increased the pace. Pushing down on his chest, she went at him hard and fast. And soon, they were both moaning and groaning in pleasure. One more thrust, and she had them both shaking. She clenched around him as he kept thrusting upwards, seeking his release too. And he did, loud and long.

She started to fall on him, exhausted. But the next instant, Sophie was gunning for his neck.

Lucian pushed her off. "What the fvck?" he yelled. He stood immediately, appalled at being used. "I said no drama," he snarled, feeling stupid.

"I just want you to be mine," Sophie confessed, angry that her plan had been ruined. If he wouldn't be mated with her, couldn't he mark her? Or better yet, while wouldn't he let her mark him and seal the deal?

"By marking me? Doesn't that require my consent?" he started pacing the room. How stupid of him to think she would drop everything. He had started having issues with Sophie since she suggested they be mated. The idea sounded preposterous to him. "I told you, we cannot be mated. And this? Marking me… where did you even come up with that insane motion?"

"When you wouldn't touch me."

"We just had…sex," he said, wondering what it was she could possibly want more from him. "I cannot do this."

"Can't or won't?" she asked.

Lucian shook his head, "My mate died. I owe her that much to stay unmated…."

"For life?" she cut into his sentence midway. "Wolves live long. Are you going to stay without a mate forever?"

He shrugged, "You knew this from the beginning. I'm not changing my mind."

"Then mark me," she offered, baring her naked neck.

He looked away, uninterested. "No," he said, walking into the bathroom. He turned on the shower, wondering why he couldn't. He knew Sophie wasn't wrong in wanting to be marked. They have been together for years. He enjoyed sex with her. But that was it. His heart belonged to another. His mate. And Sophie wasn't that. She could never be his mate. How would his mate feel if he was mated to another so soon? And why can't you? Asked his wolf, irritated. And that was the problem. He didn't know why. And now, she wants to be marked.

Marking was another way of claiming a wolf. If he allowed that, he was Sophie's as well as she was his. It was a deep connection and commitment. Something he just wasn't ready for. How could she not see that? Mating, marking. They were all the same. If he marked her, she was off the table from any wolf. So was his. Although he could have others, humans and even wolves. But he didn't want that. Aside from the commitment, there was the intrusion of privacy marking allowed too. Sophie would be able to see into his mind. And you'll see hers, his wolf interjected again. "I can't," he told his wolf off as the water splashed on him. "We can't," he added, feeling betrayed by his wolf. Shouldn't he be the one opposing this? More than anything, the wolf was the one who suffered most from the connection. However, there was a pleasure to it too. The sex, for one, would be deeply sweet. He sighed, seeing now why his wolf wanted the mark.