Our Other mate

Chapter12

**Merrick's POV**

After hours of intense pleasure, the three of us finally settled into a peaceful, contented silence, our bodies still humming with the aftershocks of our passion. The room was thick with the mingling scents of our lovemaking. As we snuggled close, I inhaled their familiar fragrances—Ella's sweet lavender and Phillip's musky cedar—each one comforting in its own way. Phillip reached across Ella, his hand resting possessively on my hip, pulling us both close, anchoring us in a tangle of limbs and warmth. I could feel his heartbeat through the thin fabric of the sheet, steady and reassuring.

In that moment, as I lay between them, I felt a sense of completeness that I had never known before. The realization that they were both mine, that we belonged to each other in a way that transcended the physical, was overwhelming. My heart swelled with love and gratitude, and I silently vowed to protect them with everything I had. Listening to their soft, even breathing, I chuckled quietly to myself. They were already slipping into sleep, their bodies completely relaxed after the night we had shared.

I rolled over carefully, not wanting to disturb their peaceful slumber, and watched them for a while. Ella's delicate features were relaxed, her lips slightly parted as she slept soundly, while Phillip's face was softened in sleep, his usual stoic expression replaced by something more tender. The sight of them like this made me smile, but the low rumble of hunger in my stomach reminded me that we had skipped dinner. I needed to eat, but I didn't want to wake them.

Moving with as much stealth as I could muster, I slid out of bed, grabbing a pair of pajama pants from the floor. The cool fabric felt good against my heated skin as I pulled them on, and I made my way quietly out of the bedroom. The manor was eerily quiet, the only sound the soft creak of floorboards beneath my feet as I padded down the dimly lit hallway. It was still early in the morning, and the house was bathed in the cool, pale light of the moon.

When I reached the kitchen, my stomach was growling with a vengeance. The fridge hummed softly as I opened it, and I was met with the comforting sight of a neatly wrapped sandwich, courtesy of Mrs. Green. She always seemed to know when I'd need something, and my mouth watered as I unwrapped the sandwich, taking a big bite. The flavors burst on my tongue, rich and satisfying, and I quickly finished the rest, feeling my hunger begin to fade.

With my stomach finally content, I wandered over to the small breakfast nook on the east side of the kitchen. The window offered a perfect view of the gardens, now bathed in the silvery light of the full moon. The sight was mesmerizing, and I felt a deep pull from my lycan, urging me to go outside and run under the moonlight. I couldn't resist the call, not after everything that had happened tonight.

Stepping out onto the patio, the crisp night air greeted me, carrying the scent of flowers and the distant salt of the sea. I inhaled deeply, feeling my lycan stir with excitement. The need to shift was overwhelming, and with a laugh, I let go, allowing the transformation to take over. My bones stretched and realigned, fur sprouting from my skin as I shifted into my lycan form. The power coursing through me was intoxicating, and without a second thought, I took off running, my paws pounding against the earth.

I ran through the gardens, the trees and flowers blurring past me as I raced towards the cliffs. The moon hung high above, a brilliant orb in the sky, and I howled in sheer joy, the sound echoing through the night. My lycan reveled in the freedom, the cool wind whipping through our fur as we dashed through the woods. There was no hesitation, no second thoughts—just pure, unadulterated joy.

When we reached the cliffs, we paused, staring out over the ocean, the waves crashing against the rocks far below. The sight was breathtaking, and I felt a sense of peace wash over me. We had found our mates, and for the first time in a long time, I felt truly happy. My lycan sat back on his haunches, gazing up at the moon with a sense of reverence. But as we sat there, content and at peace, a strange scent suddenly caught our attention—lavender and vanilla, but with an undertone that was unfamiliar.