Chapter 45: Fierce
Trishelle
Trishelle’s eyes widened at the sudden assault on her lips. This wasn’t a request; it was a complete takeover. She tried to open her mouth in protest, but the movement only granted Bradley’s tongue entry - a hot, possessive sweep that claimed every inch of her. He left no room for refusal, and soon a groan escaped from deep in Trishelle’s chest, a sound of pure surrender. The world tilted on its axis as she found herself kissing him back just as fiercely, her hands tangling in his hair to pull him closer. Every nerve ending in her body seemed to come alive at once.
The experience felt heavenly to Trishelle. She counted it as her first real kiss, and what a kiss it was - nothing like the fumbling, unwanted touches she’d endured before. This was different. This was choice. Without breaking the bruising contact, Bradley bent his knees and scooped her up as if she weighed nothing. Trishelle’s legs automatically wrapped around his torso as he pressed her into the hard wood of the door. The solid surface at her back contrasted sharply with the heat of his body against her front. She buried her hands in his thick hair, gasping as he abandoned her now swollen lips for the sensitive spot on her neck. When he found it - that place where her pulse hammered frantically against her skin - there was no hesitation. He marked her, at least temporarily, and she felt claimed in a way that should have terrified her but instead made her feel cherished.
Bradley
Bradley found the juncture of her neck and shoulder, the perfect place for his mark, and began biting and sucking with deliberate intent. He knew she was feeling it by the sexy, breathless sounds escaping her throat - little whimpers and gasps that drove his wolf wild. In a short while, the sweet scent of her arousal filled the room, a thick, intoxicating cloud that made his head spin. He could feel the heat of her core burning through his shirt, branding him. Spinning around, he kissed her again - a deep, punishing kiss that stole the breath from both their lungs - as he carried her back to the bed. He laid her down gently, a stark contrast to the ferocity of his kiss, and leaned over her. His wolf was howling with triumph, but Bradley forced himself to pause. He raised his head and looked down at his mate, his chest heaving, taking in the sight of her flushed cheeks and kiss-swollen lips.
Trishelle
Trishelle opened her eyes and looked at the man hovering over her. He still wanted her. Despite everything - despite her past, despite the pup growing inside her that wasn’t his - he wanted her. How could she be so lucky? The thought made her throat tight with emotion. Turning her head, she bared her neck, showing him she would allow him to mark her as his. It was a complete surrender, a trust she never thought she’d be capable of giving anyone. Her heart thundered in her chest as she waited, vulnerable and exposed in a way that had nothing to do with physical nakedness.
Bradley
Bradley’s wolf wanted nothing more than to claim this little omega, to make her his in every way possible. The primal need thrummed through every cell in his body. With a growl of approval, he leaned down and licked the spot she offered, sending a new wave of pleasure rippling through her body. She arched beneath him, and he felt her shiver. Licking his lips at the delightful prey before him, he was about to sink his teeth into her neck and make the bond permanent when the door burst open.
"Alpha, stop unless you want to kill the pup and your mate," Lorenzo’s voice yelled through the haze of primal desire.
The words were like a bucket of ice water dumped over his head. Bradley froze, his canines aching to be buried in her flesh, his wolf snarling in fury at the interruption. Every instinct screamed at him to ignore the intruder and complete the bond. He forced himself back, every muscle in his body screaming in protest, his wolf clawing at his mind to finish what they’d started.
An hour later, Bradley and Trishelle sat in Lorenzo’s office as he flipped through some ancient-looking books, their leather covers cracked and worn with age. The atmosphere had shifted dramatically from the heated passion of before to tense uncertainty. Trishelle sat rigidly in her chair, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, while Bradley’s jaw remained clenched.
"Ahh... I found it," Lorenzo exclaimed, turning a thick, yellowed page. He adjusted his reading glasses and took his seat behind his large oak desk, the old chair creaking under his weight. "Firstly, Alpha, I would like to thank you for not allowing your wolf to decapitate me earlier."
Bradley’s wolf huffed indignantly, still annoyed at being denied his mate, so Bradley had to mentally shush him. He was still on edge, the need to claim Trishelle a thrumming, painful ache under his skin that refused to fade.
Clearing his throat, Bradley asked the question burning in both their minds, "Why did you stop us from creating the mating bond?"
Trishelle wanted to know as well. The fear that had been temporarily banished by Bradley’s touch had come roaring back with a vengeance. She unconsciously placed a protective hand over her flat stomach. It might still be the early stages of her pregnancy, but she could already feel herself becoming fiercely protective of the life growing inside her. This pup was hers, and she would do anything to keep it safe.
"Well, Alpha, Luna," Lorenzo began, his tone grave as he looked between them. "Based on my reading of older materials, some that have been speculated upon, I remembered reading about Alphas who had mates pregnant with another Alpha’s child. In cases where they tried to mark her, there is always death for one or both - mother and child." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. "Since this rarely happens, not much is known about it. Many Alphas reject those mates outright, and there have even been a few rumors that the pup was aborted so the marking could take place. I simply wanted to avoid anything that could go wrong." He paused, flipping a few more pages with deliberate care. "And... in some cases, because they were bonded, the Alpha grows weak or even dies, leaving his pack in disarray. The bond itself becomes toxic."
Bradley
Bradley leaned back in his chair, rubbing his chin, the doctor’s words sinking in like stones dropped into deep water. If what Lorenzo said was true, he had almost cost himself his Luna and his pup. The realization made his stomach turn. His wolf whimpered and retreated, hiding his face under a metaphorical paw, ashamed at how close they’d come to disaster. That was never his intention. He would never bring harm to either of them - the thought alone was unbearable. He looked at Trishelle and saw she had grown pale, all the color draining from her face as her hand rubbed her stomach in slow, anxious circles. He knew her well enough by now to know that she was going down a rabbit hole of fear and doubt, probably blaming herself.
Grabbing her hand, he gently rubbed circles on the back of it with his thumb, watching some of the color return to her face. The simple touch seemed to ground her, pull her back from whatever dark thoughts were consuming her. Bringing her hand to his lips, he kissed it softly, his eyes never leaving hers. "Don’t worry, my Luna. We will figure this out. I promise you." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument. He meant every word.
Trishelle
After discussing it some more, going over the limited information Lorenzo had found, Trishelle mumbled to herself, more thinking aloud than anything, "I wonder if Aunt Seers knows anything about this?"
The two men stopped mid-stream and turned shocked faces toward her, as if she’d just solved an impossible puzzle.
"Of course," Lorenzo said, face-palming himself hard enough to leave a mark. "Why didn’t I think of that? That is actually the best thing to do - seek information from the council. They have access to records that even I don’t."
Bradley smiled, a genuine, relieved smile that transformed his entire face. He couldn’t stop himself from leaning over and planting a deep, grateful kiss on Trishelle’s lips, pouring all his relief and pride into it. His wolf perked up immediately and began boasting about how smart his mate was, preening like a peacock. "Let’s go and ask her, shall we?"
The trio made their way toward the main pack building, their footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. They found Councilwoman Seers in the common area, sipping tea while playing pool against some of the warriors. It was a bit hectic as there were also some pups running around, their laughter filling the air, while teenagers were playing video games at the entertainment center, their competitive shouts adding to the cheerful chaos. Trishelle took in the quiet chaos and smiled, her heart warming at the scene. Since she was so shy and afraid that they would wear out their welcome, she had been staying in her room or spending time with Bradley, Sammy, Alexa, or Aunt Seers. She found it so interesting to see the pack in its natural state, to witness the easy camaraderie and sense of family. The pups wanted Bradley to play catch, their faces lighting up when they spotted him. The teens challenged him to a race, confident in their youthful speed. The warriors asked him to join in on the current betting pool taking place between Councilwoman Seers and one of the top warriors, their voices good-natured and teasing.
Bradley linked his aunt through their mind-to-mind connection, the familiar mental pathway opening easily. *Aunt Seers, we need to talk to you. It’s important.*
She nodded without looking up from her shot, her focus unwavering as she sank the eight ball to win the game. The warriors groaned good-naturedly. *Of course, Bradley. Give me an hour. I promised the pups I would tell them a story of my younger days.*
Bradley agreed and relayed the message to the others, his voice low. Lorenzo said he would go back to his office for more research, determined to find something they might have missed.
Bradley leaned down, his lips brushing Trishelle’s ear in a way that made her shiver. "Well, my Luna," he whispered, his voice a low, teasing rumble that sent heat pooling in her belly, "ever played Need for Speed?"
Trishelle
Trishelle’s cheeks flushed at Bradley’s whispered question. The husky promise in his voice sent a shiver down her spine that had nothing to do with fear and everything to do with the way he made her feel - wanted, desired, cherished. "Need for Speed?" she repeated, her voice barely a squeak. She cleared her throat, embarrassed by how breathless she sounded. "I... I’ve watched people play. I’m not very good. Actually, I’m terrible at video games."
A wicked grin spread across Bradley’s face, his eyes dancing with mischief. "Perfect. It’s more fun that way." He took her hand, his grip firm and warm, and led her toward the bank of glowing screens in the entertainment center. The noise of the common area faded into a dull roar as they approached the section where several teenagers were hunched over controllers, the sounds of screeching tires and crashing metal filling the air. Their concentration was absolute, their fingers flying over the buttons.
"Alright, you lot," Bradley announced, his voice taking on the easy command of an Alpha. The teens straightened up instantly, their eyes wide with respect and a hint of surprise. "Clear out. The Luna and I need this station."
They didn’t need to be told twice. Within seconds, the couches were clear, and one of the older teens was holding out a pair of controllers to Bradley with a respectful nod and a knowing grin. "Alpha, Luna. Good luck - she’s gonna need it."
Bradley took them and handed one to Trishelle, his fingers brushing against hers. "Come on. Let’s see what you’ve got."
They settled onto the worn leather couch, the material soft and comfortable from years of use. Trishelle felt a strange mix of nervousness and excitement bubbling in her chest. She was doing something normal, something fun, with her Alpha. It felt like a dream, surreal and wonderful. For a moment, she could almost forget about the complications waiting for them, about the uncertainty of their future.
He selected a sleek, black sports car for himself and a vibrant red one for her, the color bright and cheerful on the screen. "Red suits you," he murmured, and she felt her cheeks heat again.
The race started with a roar of engines, and Trishelle’s car immediately swerved wildly, crashing into a wall on the first turn with a spectacular explosion of pixels. She giggled, a light, happy sound she hadn’t realized she was capable of making. The sound surprised even her.
Bradley laughed with her, a rich, warm sound that rumbled through his chest. "Okay, okay. Easy on the gas, Trishelle. You’re not trying to break the sound barrier." His eyes crinkled at the corners, genuine amusement softening his usually intense features.
He leaned closer, his arm brushing against hers, and placed his hand over hers on the controller. The contact sent electricity racing through her veins. "Here," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear, making her hyperaware of every point where their bodies touched. "Just gently. Feel the car. Anticipate the turn."
His touch was electric, overwhelming in the best possible way. She could barely focus on the game, her entire body attuned to the solid presence of him beside her. He guided her through the next few turns, his hands covering hers, his deep voice a low murmur of instruction. For a moment, she forgot about the race, about the doctor’s warning, about the pup inside her, about everything that made their situation complicated. There was only the feeling of his hands, the sound of his voice, and the overwhelming sense of safety she felt in his presence. This was what it meant to be cherished, she realized. This was what she’d been missing her entire life.
Bradley
Bradley watched her as she played, a smile playing on his lips that he couldn’t have suppressed if he tried. Seeing the wonder and joy on her face was worth more than any victory, more valuable than any treasure. He loved the way her nose scrunched in concentration, the way she bit her bottom lip when she tried to pass another car, the way her eyes lit up when she actually made it around a corner without crashing. She was terrible at the game, constantly spinning out or driving into barriers with spectacular crashes, but she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. His wolf was practically purring with contentment, basking in her happiness.
He was so lost in watching her that he didn’t notice his own car veering off course until it smashed into an oncoming truck with a deafening crash. The screen flashed with the words: YOU LOSE.
Trishelle burst out laughing, a full, unrestrained sound that made his heart clench painfully in his chest. "You crashed!" she gasped, pointing at the screen with delight, her eyes sparkling with mirth. "The Alpha crashed! The big, bad Alpha lost to a truck!"
He couldn’t help but laugh with her, the sound genuine and carefree. "I was distracted," he said, his voice dropping as he set the controller aside and turned to face her fully. The playful atmosphere in the room shifted subtly, the air growing thick with unspoken desire. "By a very dangerous driver."
He reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, his fingers lingering against the soft skin of her cheek. Her skin was warm and impossibly soft beneath his touch. "You’re beautiful when you laugh, Trishelle. I want to hear that sound every day for the rest of our lives."
Her laughter died in her throat, replaced by a soft intake of breath. Her eyes, wide and dark, met his, and he could see his own desire reflected back at him. He saw the fear and uncertainty there, the shadows of her past that still haunted her, but he also saw the same desire that was burning him alive from the inside out. He saw hope.
"Bradley," she whispered, his name a prayer on her lips, reverent and wanting.
He closed the remaining distance between them, his gaze dropping to her mouth. He was going to kiss her. He needed to taste her, to feel her, to remind them both that they were alive and they had a future, no matter how uncertain. They would face whatever came together.
Just as his lips were about to claim hers, a soft, clear voice cut through the haze of his desire like a knife through butter.
"My, my. Isn’t this cozy?"
They both jerked back as if they’d been shocked, Bradley’s wolf snarling in frustration at yet another interruption. Councilwoman Seers stood there, her arms crossed over her chest, a knowing glint in her sharp eyes that said she knew exactly what she’d interrupted. The hour was up.
"I believe you were looking for me," she said, her tone deceptively mild, though amusement danced in her eyes. "I hope I’m not interrupting anything... important."