Chapter 170 – Sinclair's Departure

The next morning, Ella and I lingered in bed as long as possible. I woke early, but my mate was nestled so sweetly in my arms that I couldn't bear to disturb her—not even for a repeat of last night's intimacy.

After our fight, I was ready to take Ella to bed then and there. However, before I could touch her, she looked up with those big golden eyes and said, "I thought we were going to run?"

I purred knowingly, sensing her wolf's restlessness despite her attempt to circumvent my plans. "So, someone's wolf wants to play before I rut you senseless, hmm?"

"Well," she responded slyly, tangling her arms around my neck, "if you want to give me stability, following through on your promises would be very important, don't you think?"

I laughed, throwing my head back. "You do remember the second part of my promise, don't you?" I teased.

All mischief, Ella batted her lashes. "Something about not being able to walk until you come home to me?"

"That's right," I confirmed, running my hand down her back and over her luscious behind. "But after tonight's antics, I think we need to add: 'not sitting for a week' either."

My brazen mate rolled her eyes, even as her pulse quickened and the scent of her arousal mingled with her intoxicating fragrance. "Dominic, you're obsessed! You just spanked me yesterday."

"Because you were naughty yesterday—and don't act like you don't love it as much as I do," I warned, lowering my lips to her neck and nibbling. I knew the sweet human was still grappling with this side of her sexuality, but I wasn't going to show her any mercy. "I can smell your excitement, little mate. Besides, I wasn't talking about spanking this time. You really pushed your luck today, so I'm going to have to get more creative."

Ella blinked in surprise, or tried to. Her head lolled as I laved the soft spot behind her ear, and she struggled to keep up. When I moved to the other ear, her mind was obviously working to solve the puzzle. Her feverish lust eventually transmitted her confusion through our bond. Deciding to help, I trailed a finger down between the globes of her bottom, tapping her back entrance through her bathing suit.

A shiver wracked her body as curiosity, exhilaration, and trepidation combined. It was a delicious combination. "I've never done that before," Ella murmured, alight with nervous excitement.

"I figured as much," I replied, delighted. It might have been irrational—every first with my mate had been incredible—but I always took smug pleasure in introducing Ella to new things. Especially those that made her blush—the things her human upbringing taught her to be embarrassed about but that she couldn't help but enjoy. "And even if you had, I doubt your abominable ex could have prepared you for me."

My words had the intended effect. Ella's eyes widened as she considered our size difference. "Will it hurt?" she asked shyly, leaning into me for comfort.

"In the beginning, it will feel strange and forbidden. But it's like taking my mark," I explained with a grin, closing my teeth on that spot again. "If your mate knows what he's doing, it can feel better than you'd ever imagined."

"Then why is it a punishment?" Ella asked suspiciously.

"Because it will take some discomfort before you enjoy yourself, and because it puts you in a vulnerable position, little mate. You have to trust me implicitly, and there's no better way to make you feel thoroughly claimed—because there's no part of you that's off-limits to me. No part I haven't possessed."

Ella shivered again. I didn't mention how much I'd enjoy watching her blush and squirm. And, Goddess, did I.

After a long run by the lake, I spent a long time preparing Ella, bringing her to the edge of orgasm three times as I stretched and toyed with her. Only then did I finally use my cock, gently rocking into her with encouragement and praise as she grappled with the intrusion.

Her shyness and inexperience were evident once I touched her there. She was crimson-faced and making the cutest sounds of reluctant pleasure and embarrassment well before we reached the main event. When I was finally inside her and began telling her how wonderful she felt—using the dirty words that scandalized and delighted her—she came apart in my arms.

That was nothing compared to the rapture she found when I stimulated her clitoris and sank my fingers into her. She cried out in ecstasy and slumped against me, trusting me to support her as she reached a heightened plane of erotic bliss. I lost control, spilling my seed into her as I brought her over the edge again and again.

I'm sure Ella thought we were done, but I'm a man of my word. I kept my mate up all night, exhausting her and testing my own endurance. Luckily, our ravenous appetites were spurred on by the knowledge that this was our last joining for a few weeks, so we came together repeatedly.

This morning, looking at my sleeping mate, overflowing with love and admiration as I caressed her pregnant belly, I hoped I'd done enough to satisfy and reassure her. I'd been watching her when she stretched and moaned sleepily, making me rethink whether this morning should be reserved for innocent cuddles. My wolf's attention shifted from Rafe, quieting his proclamations of love for the baby, to focus on our mate.

When Ella's lashes parted and her gaze focused on me, her brow furrowed too quickly. "I don't want you to go," she whispered, sounding vulnerable.

"I don't want to go either," I confessed, hoping my reluctance would comfort her. "But I'll be back before you know it, baby."

Her hand moved to her navel, meeting mine above our son's kicking feet. "I'll be entering my third trimester by the time you're back. I'll be as round as a beach ball."

I grumbled regretfully, "I hate that I have to miss a single day of this miracle. I always thought I'd be there every step of the way if I ever became a father."

Ella stroked my jaw. "You'll be there for all the moments that count. This is the easiest time—I'm not constantly sick, and I'm not too big to be active. I'll just be sleeping a lot and making lots of odd snacks."

"But who will feed them to you?" I teased, touching her lip with my thumb.

"Well, you're leaving me with lots of big, strong guards," Ella replied cheekily. "I suppose I could ask one of them."

"Over my dead body," I growled, kissing her. She whimpered, sliding her hands into my hair. When we parted, I struggled to control my wolf. "Goddess, I miss you already, and I haven't even left."

Ella smiled sadly. "I know you're going because it's the right thing for the pack. And I'm going to do everything to make you proud." She knew my plans with Gabriel and had taken them to heart.

"You already do make me proud," I said honestly. "And with any luck, we might know where you come from by the time I get back."

"I doubt that," Ella frowned. Though honored by her responsibilities, she was less thrilled with digging into her past—afraid of what she might learn. "But if you believe it's important, I'll do my best."

"I do," I confirmed, grazing my knuckles over her cheek. "The more time passes, the more I think we met by design… and I doubt the Goddess, or whoever orchestrated this, did so simply to make us happy. Your past might be related to the war, the revolution. We need to find out who you are, trouble."

Ella nodded. "Then we will. Just come back to me, Dominic. Promise you'll come back to me."

"I promise," I said, kissing her deeply. "Whatever happens."