Selene
Not again!
Suddenly I’m staring at the floor, bent over my mate’s lap and flailing my arms to protect my, now bare, behind.
How did he do that so fast? Luna bemoans at the same time I think, I’ve got to stop wearing dresses – it makes my body far too easy for him to access.
My hands are immediately trapped behind my back, while my furiously kicking legs quickly become caged by Bastien’s powerful thighs. Unlike last time, I don’t weakly squeal or beg for explanations. No, this time I kick up as much of a fuss as I can, absolutely furious to find myself back in this situation.
I can’t believe Bastien is doing this to me again. It seems like the incident in the cafe opened an entire can of worms. Is this how he’s going to respond every time I do something of which he disapproves?
I suppose I shouldn’t have provoked him, but I can’t bring myself to regret it either. I know in my heart that I’m right about this.
Still, it isn’t fair. After all, it’s not like I’m strong enough to escape him. I don’t have any choice but to simply endure my mate’s punishment… or do I? I’m much more powerful than I knew even a week ago, maybe defending myself from mortal peril isn’t my only skill. Maybe this is the exception to the rule about not seeing Bastien as a credible threat – because this is certainly credible, and I certainly want it to stop.
Reaching deep down into my soul, into that deep well of power I managed to find at the bottom of the pool, I strain to take hold of my newfound strength. I can feel it. I can feel the currents of electricity dancing at my fingertips- but I can’t seem to wrap my hands around it or bring it forward.
Fire courses over my bottom, radiating from Bastien’s massive palm and spreading across my punished skin in a crimson flush. He spreads his swats evenly over my cheeks and upper thighs, seeming to know exactly when one patch of flesh starts to feel relief, then stealing it away before I can feel comforted.
Again I strive to take hold of my power, to bring it to the surface and project it towards my mate. Again I fail, fruitlessly grasping for the unnamed force only to have it slip through my fingers at the last moment.
Suddenly Bastien’s rumbling laugh is vibrating against my side, “I know what you’re doing, baby.” He purrs, gently massaging my aching behind and making me whimper pitifully. Tears are streaming down my face, but Goddess help me, my sex is also swollen and throbbing with need.
“Would you like to know why it’s not working?” My mate continues, sounding far too smug as his fingers dip between my legs, dragging an embarrassed moan from my lips when they meet the pooling wetness at their center.
Suddenly I’m surging upward, Bastien tipping me back onto his lap and holding me still with a possessive paw on the back of my neck. I wince when my backside meets his leg, sniffling as he arranges me in his arms.
“It’s because you know this is right.” He growls, petting my thighs as he skewers me with his gaze. “You need this. You’ve been testing your limits ever since we came home, and you certainly hit them today, little wolf.” His lips descend to my neck, where he lovingly nibbles his mark, “you could repel me if you wanted. But you don’t want to, do you Selene?”
“That’s ridiculous.” I argue weakly, shifting my weight to try to find a comfortable position and finding none.
“Is it?” Bastien asks, arching a brow, “We both know this isn’t like the other times. When I pretended to attack you, your power stayed completely closed off didn’t it? But that’s not the case now.” He claims with more confidence than should be allowed. “You can reach it, you just can’t bring yourself to use it.”
“And how do you know that?” I grumble, swiping at my cheeks indignantly.
“The stronger our connection grows, the less we can hide from one another.” He declares, his silver eyes glinting hungrily. “I can feel your intentions, your desires – and I can feel when your power is welling. I felt a surge at the banquet, but I didn’t know what it was. It wasn’t until this afternoon that I understood,when you escaped the pool I felt a burst of pure light.” He shares, “like you were glowing through the bond.”
“And now?” I gulp.
A wide grin splits Bastien’s cheeks, “you’re pulsing like a little strobe light. Delving into the power, but not using it.” His nimble fingers slip between my legs again, rubbing my sensitive clit and coming away glistening with moisture. “And then there’s this.” He reminds me, sliding his fingers into his mouth and licking off all my honey.
“That doesn’t mean anything,” I insist, flushing scarlet.
“Don’t worry, sweetheart.” He teases, massaging my nape. “You’re going to have plenty of time to keep trying. The next thing I know I’m upside down again, a surprised cry on my lips as Bastien’s gravelly voice sounds from somewhere above me. “Because I am nowhere near being finished with you.”
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On Tuesday I wake up with a throbbing behind and a sour stomach. I make it to the bathroom just in time, retching miserably and wishing my mate was there to comfort me.
Bastien got up first thing this morning to spend some time with Lila before starting his work day, so the house is completely empty. When my stomach is finally empty I drag my sore body into the kitchen with a groan, putting on a kettle of tea and wondering if using my powers would always make me feel so wretched, or if this was just the after effects of almost drowning to death.
Thankfully by the time Bastien and Lila return I almost feel human again. The last thing I need is to end up bedridden today. Not only did I promise Lila to show her where I grew up – a prospect which I’m sure did nothing to help my stomach, but tomorrow is a lunar eclipse, which means the entire city is in a frenzy throwing together a lavish moon festival.
“Mommy!” Lila collides with my legs, hugging my knees while I laugh and stroke her hair. “Daddy push me on da swings for hours!”
“He did!” I exclaim, grinning as Bastien enters the kitchen. My husband crosses the room and wraps me in a hug, planting a deep kiss on my lips.
“Good morning, my love.” He greets me, sliding his hand down my spine to squeeze my tender bottom and chuckling when I whine and squirm against him.
“What do you two have planned for today?” He asks when we part, still smirking while I glare up at him mutinously.
Pausing to get Lila settled at the table with a plate of sliced fruit, I avert my gaze before answering. “I’m going to take Lila bean to see where I grew up.” I share, trying to keep my voice neutral.
I can’t see Bastien’s face, but I can feel his sudden tension as if it’s my own. “You’re taking her to Garrick’s?”
“It was my childhood home before my mother died.” I explain evenly, “not all my memories of it are bad. And it’s not as if there’s any danger to be had now.”
“I’m not concerned about danger.” Bastien answers simply, studying me carefully. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
“Lila has asked me about ten times since we arrived.” I whisper, transferring the cutting board to the sink. “I promised her.”
“Why don’t you wait until I can go with you?” He suggests, sliding his arms around my waist from behind. “Just in case.”
“It’ll be fine.” I assure him, wishing I could feel as confident as I sound.
Bastien huffs a disgruntled sigh, his warm breath fluttering my hair. “I don’t like this.”
Turning to face him, I catch his angular jaw between my hands. “We’ll be fine.” I repeat, gazing into his silver eyes.
“And you’ll call me if you start to feel even a little bit uneasy?” He presses, looking anxious.
“Of course.” I vow. “But it won’t be necessary.”
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A few hours later, I’m eating my words, wishing I’d caved to Bastien’s pressure and allowed my mate to join us.
We barely made it past noon before the day took a turn for the worse, and to my immense surprise, it’s not even my PTSD causing the problem. It’s not ghosts of my past, nightmares or bad memories. No – it’s a very real, very present threat.
With the world spinning around me and fear pulsing in my veins, I scramble for my cell phone, staring at my beautiful pup with a rush of guilt. This was such a foolish idea. I should have known better.
The shrill dial tone rings for only half a second. “Baby, is everything okay?” Bastien answers immediately.
“No,” I breathe nervously. “Bastien, I think we’re being followed.”
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