Dark Heart

3.

The Alpha returned to his room right when the moon started to peak out from the trees. He brought in a plate of food, knowing Ophelia must be hungry. He found her awake, sitting at the windowsill, her head propped on her hand. She was still dressed in his shirt which was bunched up in the chair. He licked his lips at the sight.

She was so beautiful and radiant. His own little star in this dark place. He placed the food down on the table, next to a tea tray. He opened the pot and found it to be completely full, no steam wafting out. The tea was a murky brown, as if someone poured milk into it.

"Come, you must eat, little mate," Elias said.

The plate was overflowing with vegetables and different kinds of meats. He wasn't sure what she liked.

"I'm not hungry," Ophelia said, not bothering to look at him. Her voice sounded empty and hoarse, as if she had been crying.

The action angered Elias who stomped over to her and pulled her to look at him. Silent tears trailed down her cheeks, a puddle forming on the windowsill. She looked like an angel, so beautiful and breakable. "You've been crying for three days. Surely you have no tears left," he said, wiping her cheeks.

"It's exhausting," Ophelia admitted. She gasped when Elias licked her cheeks, the feeling strange and new to them both.

"You don't need to mourn anymore. I am your home now," he said, staring into her emerald eyes.

Elias couldn't stop the desire rising in him. The need to take what was his. To mark what was his. He started kissing her face, small pecks that he peppered on her cheeks and chin.

He kissed her neck, long and hard as he pulled her closer to him to feel what exactly she did to him. She moaned and tilted her head to give more access. He smiled against her skin, loving to watch her unravel.

She was like a flower, unfolding right before him.

He quickly unbuttoned his shirt on her, groaning at the sight of her black lace set. Her eyes were closed, brows furrowed as he slowly started kissing his way down.

A nip at her heart.

A brush of lips on her stomach.

A bite on her hip that made her hiss.

He wanted her begging. To know that she was just as affected as him. She sighed out a garbled moan when he moved to the apex of her thighs.

Her eyes suddenly shot open, focused but also vulnerable. "Will you claim me?" she asked. She was shaking, but he wasn't fully sure if it was from desire.

Elias moved between her rhythmically, making her eyes flutter shut. "Is that what you want?"

"Please don't," she whispered.

"And if I do?" he growled, not liking her answer. She didn't speak and looked away, knowing she couldn't stop him. He kissed her deeply, snarling at the taste of her. She whimpered against him but kissed him back, letting him take control. "I won't mark you, tonight, little mate. But know that you are mine," he said against her lips.

She nodded her head in thanks and gave him a timid kiss. Elias lifted her, forcing her to wrap her legs around him. He walked to the bed determinedly, kissing her neck making her lean back.

She laid back on the bed, neck tilted to the side, her body throbbing. "It will hurt, won't it?" she said softly.

He saw a tear slip onto the bed.