Meet me in the Emerald Forest

Chapter 22 Clementine

My head was still spinning after my kiss with Lukas. I wasn't a shy lover nor an inexperienced one. I knew what I wanted, I knew my own desires, and I went for them, which is why I was easily emboldened to ask Lukas to kiss me. But, I wasn't at all prepared for the effects his mouth would have on my body. Never in my life had I been so turned on by a man's kiss.

I had only said I love you to one man outside of my family, and that ended about as horribly as it can get. Call it PTSD or psychological trauma, but I was visibly shaken when he said those three stupid little words to me. Every other time a man had uttered those words, I had run for the hills, coming up with some lame excuse to end the relationship.

But, with Lukas, there was no fear or desire to run. There was only sadness and disappointment about not being able to say it back, and relief at his understanding.

"I want you to tell me about marking now." I said after we had started walking again.

I couldn't lie, the feeling of Lukas' arm around my waist, drawing slow circles on my hip bone, was enough to make me nearly lose my train of thought. Lukas sighed and I looked up at his face, seeing the worry leans creasing his forehead.

"I don't want to freak you out." He mumbled.

"If I haven't freaked out yet, I don't think I'm going to." I laughed nervously. Honestly, I was worried about what Lukas thought would freak me out if the whole werewolf and matebond thing wasn't it.

"Marking is a way for werewolves to claim each other. It's like a warning to other wolves that you're marked and claimed so back off. It also shows which pack you belong to and if you're ranked. Your mark will show that you belong to the Alpha of the Emerald Forest pack. Each mark is unique." Lukas explained in a tight voice.

"How does it work?" I asked, almost afraid of the answer. By Lukas' sigh, I had every right to be.

"It doesn't hurt, I promise, Clem, I would never do anything to hurt you." He assured me, looking at my face with a concerned expression. I just nodded and he continued, "Marking happens during the mating process and by me....biting you." He said through a tense jaw.

First off, I assumed I already knew what the mating process was and, secondly, how could a bit not hurt?

"B...biting?" I stammered.

Once again, Lukas forced us to a stop and positioned me in his arms so he could comfort me gently.

"I know it sounds odd and painful, but it's not. It'll drain you and make you feel exhausted afterwards but it will be pleasurable." He smiled at me while running his fingers through my ponytail.

His eyes told me that he wouldn't allow the experience to be anything but pleasurable and I shuttered at that thought.

"Don't be afraid, please." Lukas begged, assuming my reaction was from fear instead of lust.

"I'm not. I'm curious." A smile played on my lips. Slowly, Lukas began to relax and a mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Oh, I intend to make you very curious." He winked and nuzzled his face against my neck again before pressing his warm lips on my skin, "You'll be begging by the time I'm finished." He promised in a voice that was so quiet I wasn't sure I properly heard him.

"They're going to think we got lost." I mumbled, my voice shaking. Lukas chuckled and pulled away, we continued to walk.

"I don't really care." He replied smugly.

"Why does everyone call me Luna?" I asked another question that was bothering me. Lukas sighed again,

"Asking all the hard questions, I see." He laughed to himself.