Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
His father spoke again. “I hereby declare in the presence of these witnesses, following the norms of our pack, which have stood for centuries, that this couple is now mated.”
Leah held her breath while her parents touched her shoulders before all four older adults exited the room.
The door closed with a resounding snick that made her flinch. She didn’t dare move. The room was spinning. Elias still had a hand on her head. For a moment, time stood still as she wondered what was expected of her now.
That moment was short, however. Elias squatted in front of her as he let his hand slide down to her shoulder, steadied her with his other palm on her opposite shoulder, and dropped to his knees.
It was unexpected, and her breath hitched as she kept her gaze lowered.
“Look at me, Little one.”
His voice… It penetrated deep, seeping into her soul, making her shiver. The only other words he’d spoken so far had been “I do,” and those had been spoken softly.
Leah held her breath as she lifted her gaze, slowly taking in the size of him, the broad width of his chest, the thickness of his biceps, and finally his face.
Her eyes went wide. He was the most gorgeous man she’d ever seen. He took her breath away. Dark brown hair, brown eyes, tanned skin. His jawline was square and firm. He looked imposing, as she’d known he would.
He slowly smiled. “Are you as stunned as I am?”
She swallowed and nodded.
He blew out a breath, seemingly relieved as his shoulders relaxed, and he slid his hands up to cup her face and stroke her cheeks with his thumbs.
She couldn’t look away, and he didn’t seem to require it. She simply stared. This was not how she’d expected to feel in this moment, tongue-tied and lustful.
His gaze lowered from her eyes to her lips, hovering there as his brows furrowed. “Totally blindsided,” he muttered. “I want to kiss you.” He shook his head. “No, I want to flatten you to the nearest wall, press my body against yours, and devour you.”
She gasped. She wanted that, too. She trembled with need. The suggestion caused her brain to swim and her private parts to clench.
Elias drew in a deep breath and groaned. “Shit. It’s powerful.” He rose to his feet abruptly, hauling her up with him. He was much taller than her, taller than the average male in the valley. Super human.
She felt tiny in front of him, and then she wondered how in the world they were going to consummate this union without him breaking her in some way.
“We have to get out of here, Leah.”
She nodded. She was in agreement on that issue.
He pulled a vial from his pocket and held it up. “I’m going to put a drop of this potion on your tongue. It will knock you out so you can sleep while I carry you up the mountain to our home.”
She bit her lip. No one had mentioned that part. Fear mixed with her arousal.
“You’ll be safe. I promise. You’ll wake up in a few hours in our home.”
She nodded. It was all she could do.
Elias lifted the dropper from the vial and held it up. “Open your mouth for me, Little one,” he encouraged.
She did as she was told even though a part of her wanted to defy him, argue, demand to know what was in the potion. The devil on her shoulder tapped his foot and furrowed his brows, shouting at her to jerk out of his grip and take a step back before she lost herself.
The angel on her other shoulder insisted she trust this man, who was now her mate, and obey him.
She took the angel’s advice, parted her lips, and tipped her head back.
Chapter Seven
Elias had been pacing his living room with his mate in his arms for over half an hour. Leah had not stirred a single time yet. He was both grateful for the time to think and frustrated from wanting to see her eyes.
Damn.
She was stunning. Fiery red hair and brown eyes. Freckles covered her cheeks, making him want to know how many freckles were on the rest of her body. He wanted to lick them and catalogue each and every one.
He was out of his mind. Everything was happening exactly as he’d been informed. It was unnerving, and he wasn’t looking forward to hearing “I told you so.”
He considered taking her into the nursery, lowering her to the changing table, and removing her clothes. He couldn’t do that to her, though. She would eventually wake up in a panic. It wouldn’t be fair. He wouldn’t violate her that way, not even to look at her.
And what the hell was he thinking anyway? He hadn’t intended to… Fuck, he hadn’t intended to feel one-tenth what he was feeling for this precious mate of his.