Un•A•Were

39| Mating

Amanda's POV:

I watch Bryan shift mid-air into his wolf. It's honestly the first time I've seen his wolf. We haven't reached the point of shifting in front of one another. He didn't want me to feel uncomfortable or frightened, so he was taking this slow for my sake.

But, today, he shifted in anger and to be honest, I am shaken to my core. The power and anger rolling off of him as he said "He will NEVER get his hands on you!" instilled a new level of fear. I didn't realize I had slumped to the floor, shaking, tears streaming down my face until I felt everyone engulfing me in a major group hug.

Rain clouds roll in and a downpour begins crashing down on the earth. I can hear the group spilling their love and support into me. Whispering words of encouragement. My body stops shaking and my nerves calm down. I collect myself as the storm outside slows to a drizzle. I look at Whitney.

"Please help me to my room." Without any hesitation, Whitney and Claudia flank my sides and support my weight as we ascend the stairs. They lay me down and cover me with blankets, quietly leaving me to my thoughts. With tears sliding down my face, I let sleep take me.

                                                                    ***********************

I feel the bed dipping and his familiar scent of ocean breeze mixed with cedar fills my nose. His arms wrap around my body and pull me close. I sigh as my eyes flutter open. I reach my arm outside of the blanket and find his hand, intertwining our fingers.

"I know I scared you. It wasn't supposed to happen this way. I won't apologize because you deserve so much more than an apology." he whispers in my ear, his warm breath against my neck. "Words cannot express how deeply I love you. I will protect you with every fiber of my being. I just—I just lost it—I felt your fear of me. The storm, our link, your face said it all." I remain quiet and still, listening to his explanation. "Baby, please turn around and look at me."

At his request, I roll over facing him, his words still swirling in my mind. I have already forgiven him. I am just caught off guard as there is still a lot about this new world I don't understand, but I'm not about to let one mistake ruin what we have. I remain silent as my eyes slowly take in his form and up to his face. It's then I notice the tears, the regret, the fear in his eyes. I reach up and cup his face. I pull him down until our lips meet. I kiss him softly at first, but with so many emotions inside of us, our kiss deepens and the passion explodes. I wrap my arms around his neck and feel his hands explore around my waist underneath my shirt.

He needs me, he needs contact with my skin. I need him, too. I feel our bond intensifying with each passing day. As much as he is trying to take things slow with me, I am more than ready to give myself over to him. I break the kiss and lean my forehead against his. We are both breathing heavily, no words, just raw emotions. I lean my face back so I could look into his steel grey eyes. I need to see into him. He stares at me, his confusion evident. I haven't spoken. I know he is waiting for me to say something.

"Make love to me, Bryan." I say softly. His eyes widen and his breath hitches.

"Wha—what did you say?" as if my words are lost on him. I pull in to kiss him again. Our tongues immediately battling for dominance. I rub my hand down his chest to the hem of his shirt and then, rub back up his chest, the skin to skin contact setting us on fire. His one hand lowers and squeezes my butt while the other travels north and rubs my chest. I moan, causing Bryan to roll me on my back.

He stops to look into my eyes again. "Baby, are you sure?" I nod and give him a sheepish smile. After stripping ourselves of our clothes, he begins to kiss my body, only increasing my need of him. He kisses his way back to my neck and nibbles on my ear as his hands travel back down my body to my now wet core. He teases me with light touches and whispers sweet nothings in my ear until I feel his fingers enter me. I moan with pleasure as Bryan will be my first and my last. His touch is so gentle my heart and body yearn for more.