Alpha's Hunt For Love

Chapter 9. The pack unites

John didn't let me walk back on my own. He lifted me into his arms as if I weighed nothing, carrying me through the quiet streets. My head rested against his chest, the steady thrum of his heartbeat grounding me when my thoughts threatened to spiral.

Our home was dark and silent when he pushed open the door. Without a word, he carried me to the bathroom, setting me down gently before running the bath. Steam curled around us as the tub filled, the scent of lavender oil rising in the air.

"Come," he murmured, tugging me softly into the water with him. His arms wrapped around me, strong and certain, anchoring me in the warmth.

But inside, I was anything but calm. My mind was at war with itself, replaying everything I knew of John's past. The rage that had once driven him to kill the council members. The fire in his eyes when the council dismissed us tonight. That same fury still lived in him—I had seen it, felt it—and part of me feared what it could lead him to do.

My body tensed before I could stop it. John's hold shifted instantly, his lips brushing against my temple. "What's wrong, love?" His voice was low, careful, as though he already knew I was carrying something heavy.

"I..." I hesitated, my throat tight. "I know your past, John. I've seen it in a vision - I know why you did what you did. And tonight, when the council dismissed us, I—" My words cracked. "I was afraid. Afraid you'd lose yourself to that rage again."

"Shhhhhh....."He pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, his gaze steady and unwavering. "Malia, look at me. That man—the one who gave into fury and blood—that man doesn't exist anymore. Not with you here." His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing away the tears I hadn't realized were falling. "You're my balance, you make me more than an Alpha—you make me a man worthy of being your mate."

My heart clenched. The bond between us thrummed like wildfire, pushing back the fear, replacing it with something deeper. Love. Trust. Faith.

I leaned into him, my lips finding his in a kiss that burned away the last of my doubt. He kissed me back with the same need, the same raw devotion, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us.

When he lifted me from the bath and carried me to our bed, I didn't resist. I let the moment take me, let him love me as fiercely as he led his pack. My hands tangled in his hair, my body answering his with instinct older than words.

And then, in the heat of the moment, instinct took over and before I realized it, my teeth sank into the curve of his shoulder. John froze, then let out a guttural growl that shook through both of us as the mate mark seared into place. The bond roared to life, stronger, deeper, unbreakable.

I gasped, pulling back, the weight of what I had done crashing over me. "John... I—I marked you."

He only smiled, golden eyes blazing with pride and love. "About damn time, love."

Tears blurred my vision as the truth settled in. My visions weren't lies—the big attack could come at any time. The council wouldn't help us. The future was uncertain. But in that moment, I realized I didn't want to hold back anymore. Not from John. Not from our bond.

So I didn't. I gave myself to him completely, over and over, until we didn't have any energy left to think about what was to come. We made love sealing not just our bond but the vow that no matter what came, we would face it together.

The sun warmed the house through the kitchen windows, chasing away the shadows of the night before. The table between us was set—roasted chicken, bread, fruit, and tea—but I felt like I couldn't eat after everything we had endured.

John sat across from me, his sleeves rolled up, golden eyes watching me with a mixture of worries and something far softer. He hadn't stopped looking at me since we completed the mating bond.