The Claiming by Cooper Book 3
Layan’s Return by Cooper (Jara & Mason)
Chapter 30
Katerina
I wake to the scent of chocolate peanut butter fudge. My mouth begins to water and my stomach grumbles. I know I should get up but I’m so comfortable and warm.
I lay there a moment more before reality returns and I try to leap out of bed.
Strong arms hold me where I am.
“Where do you think you’re going, my little mate? I caught you, you’ re mine.”
I turn and look at Luke, my mate, over my shoulder. His warm brown eyes, like melted chocolate, are watching me. I bite my lower lip. This s*e*xy man is mine, or he will be when I sink my canines into his marking spot.
I roll over, running my hand over his arm. His bare, very muscular arm. I feel something stirring in my gut.
“How long have we been asleep?” I ask him:
“Considering the run you gave me? Not long enough.”
I can’t help but laugh. I’m pretty proud of myself for outsmarting a group of fifty men, three of whom were Alphas.
He leans forward, kissing my nose. “So, you wanted it to be me, huh?” He asks.
“I did.” I shrug. “I feel comfortable with you. Safe, happy.”
“Good. You are safe and I want you to be comfortable around me, always. And your happiness is now my second greatest concern.”
I frown. “What’s your first greatest concern?”
“Feeding you. I have no intention of suffering the wrath of the Lunas because I didn’t feed one of their own when I claimed her.”
Now I laugh out loud. “Are you afraid of a few Lunas, Alpha?”
“Hell yeah I’m afraid of them. They are a force to be reckoned with and now you’re one of them. And Luke. I’m yours now, Katerina. Call me Luke. Please.” He says, caressing my face.
“What if I like calling you Alpha?” I ask, looking up at him through, my lashes.
A low rumbling growl vibrates in his chest. “I like it when you call me Alpha. It means something different when you say it now.”
I look at his marking spot, my finger grazing over it, making him shiver. I look up at him and smile.
“No distracting me. You need food, you need a shower and if, after that, you are ready to sink your teeth into me, then I will willingly give you access.”
I look up at him sharply. “You’ll expose your throat to me?”
He narrows his eyes at me. “You’re my mate, my Luna. There is nothing I won’t do for you. I wouldn’t expect you to submit to me, if I wasn’t willing to submit to you.” This is unexpected.
“Mind you, that will only happen when we’re alone. We have a large pack, one that I’ve only taken over in the last year. I don’t want to have to fight everyone in my pack because they see me submitting to you all the damn time.”
I smile, excited to test this out, see if he really means it.
“Will you submit to me now?” I ask, watching him carefully.
Without taking his eyes off of me, he slowly lifts his head, giving me full access to this throat.
I feel tears prick my eyes at the thoughtfulness and love this man is already showing me.
Slowly, I lean forward, rubbing my nose up and down his throat, before taking my tongue and licking my way from the where his neck connects to his chest all the way to his chin.
The rumbling growl begins again. “You’re making it very difficult for me to ensure that you are taken care of before we complete our mate bond, Katerina.”
Now it’s my turn to shiver. My name on his lips sounds s*e*xy as hell.
“Come on. If you’re not hungry, we at least need to get you showered. It’s been a week, we both need to get clean.
He stands and even though I’m used to nudity, it’s common in the packs with all the shifting we do, Luke’s body looks like it was carved from stone. He is solid muscle, pure masculine energy and confidence. My mouth begins watering again.
“Katerina.” He growls and as I watch, his member begins standing at attention. “I’m hungry, Alpha. But not for food.” I begin crawling over to him, watching as his d*ic*k twitches in response.
When I get there, I look up at Luke whose eyes are nearly black with lust before I lean forward and swipe my tongue over the tip. His body jerks and before I know it, he has me over his shoulder, smacking my a*s*s hard and carrying me to the bathroom.
“You will be the death of me.” He says, before setting me on my feet and turning me around to look in the mirror. When I do, I see what a mess I really am. But then I realize that’s not what he wants to show me.
He pulls my hair aside and there, in plain view, is his mark on my neck. I reach up, my fingers grazing over the mark that claims me as his. A smile spreads across my face as I look up and see the pride and possessiveness in his eyes.
Then, I look at his neck, bare of my mark and my smile falters.
“You really want to mark me, don’t you?” He says, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “You are mine. I want everyone to know that. I want you wearing my mark, just as I’m wearing yours.”
He turns me around to face him, wrapping his hands around my waist and lifting me easily onto the counter. He comes to stand between my legs, running his hands over my bare thighs. Suddenly, I feel shy. It was different in bed, where we were warm and cozy together. Here under the harsh lights of the bathroom, I feel stripped bare to him.
“None of that.” He says caressing my cheek again. I lean my face into his hand, feeling the warmth and the gentleness that is so unexpected from a man who is obviously so strong.
He tilts my chin up so I’m looking at him. “Make me yours, my Luna.” He says, leaning in to me and giving me his neck.
I feel my canines extend, my mouth watering to taste him. I start to sink my teeth into him like a viper, so anxious to make him mine. But then I stop. He made it gentle, special for me. I want to do the same for him.
So, instead, I lick the spot where I will mark him, reveling as his body shivers in response. My hands move up the sides of his body, exploring the hard edges of his form, feeling the strong muscle under smooth skin. I suck on his marking spot, feeling his arms come around me, holding me to him.
“Mark me.” It’s a quiet plea, and one I have every intention of answering.
Slowly, gently, I sink my teeth into his neck. I didn’t expect the roar of pleasure from him, his body shaking with pleasure. He grips me tightly and we hold onto each other as I milk my venom into his system, mixing our scents together. When I finally pull back smiling smugly as I look at my mark, proudly displayed on his neck. He looks at it in the mirror, his ingers grazing over it before looking back down at me.
You will most definitely be the death of me.” He says.
Then we will both die happy.” I say, before he has me up and is carrying me to the shower.