Chapter 42
That singular sentence set up a series of reactions, and the air became charged, everyone suddenly becoming energized. The ladies were on their feet, running towards the door.
Partner or no partner, they were just happy to see their packmates back.
Ariel took the lead, racing to the door and throwing it wide open. She saw Kane first; actually, he was the only one she could see, and she was racing towards him as fast as her legs could carry her.
“Kane!” She screamed as she got near him, and she jumped onto him, hugging him tight. “You are here; you are alive.”
“Yes, baby, I am back.” Kane said, his voice a little tight with emotion. Ariel had mistakenly dug into one of the numerous injuries he had sustained during the hunt, but he couldn’t mind; she was just excited to see him, and so was he.
As she heard his voice, Ariel couldn’t stop the onslaught of tears that came to her eyes. “I have missed you so much.” She sobbed into his shoulder.
“I have missed you too, baby.” Kane said, leaning closer so his nose could meet her neck and sniffing her scent, letting it fill his nose.
The last few days have been hell without her, and he was just glad he was back.
“Come on, baby, let us go inside.” Kane said, trying to ease her hold on him, but she shook her head, refusing to part ways with him.
“No, I am not letting you go.”
“Come on, baby, I am all bloody, and I need to change.” The sight of blood should have scared Ariel away, but her love for her mate was stronger than her hemophobia, and she held him even closer.
Kane released a sigh, and he looked around him, everyone in one sort of embrace or another. ‘Freshen up and rest; we will be having a party to celebrate our victory.’ Kane said in the mindlink, and there were replies of ‘yes, alpha,’ before he closed the link, focusing on his mate.
“Let’s go to our room.” Kane tried again, but Ariel refused to bulge, so he had to carry her all the way to their room. “Alright, baby, you need to release me so I can wash the blood off my clothes.”
Ariel reluctantly left his embrace and allowed him to go to the bathroom, while she sat on the edge of the bed, waiting anxiously for his return.
She was on her feet as she heard the water go off, and she was in front of the bathroom door, ready to receive him as he came out.
“Kane.”
“Ariel.” His face lit up in a smile as he saw his mate, and she swooned, unable to stop the smile from her face.
Now that he had washed the blood off his body, she could see lingering scars scattered all over his body, like drawings. “What happened to you? You have injuries all over.” She queried him, concern leaking in her voice as she took a closer look at him.
“It was tougher than we had expected, but luckily we didn’t lose anyone.” Kane sighed, moving to the wardrobe to grab a pair of shorts and wear them.
“I am happy to hear that.”
“Come here.” Kane motioned to her, and Ariel wasted no time running towards him. “I have missed you.” Kane whispered into her hair, hugging her tightly.
“Me too, baby; I have missed you so much.” Ariel whispered, looking at him through her lashes. Their lips drew closer, as if magnetized by an irresistible force, and they met in a sweet fusion.
It was soft but intense, with his lips caressing hers and lighting a flame in her heart. Her hands encircled his neck, and his wrapped around her waist, drawing her closer.
“Mmm.” A soft moan escaped from Ariel as he squeezed her ass, kneading the flesh in his hands. She shifted even closer as he grounded his crotch on her, and her eyes rolled in bliss.
“Fuck!” Kane cursed as he left her lips, and not so long later they heard a knock on the door.
“Alpha.” The female voice called, and Ariel was rolling her eyes, angry at the disruption.
“It is Denise; she would want to check my injuries. Should I let her in?”
Ariel glanced at his sides, where the reddish skin stuck out like a sore thumb. She had noticed how he flinched whenever she put pressure on him, and that was the only reason she agreed. “Sure, I think you need her.”
“You may come in, Denise.” The door opened, and Denise came in, clutching her first aid box like her life depended on it.NôvelDrama.Org holds © this.
“I would like to check your wounds, Alpha. Please lie on your back.” Kane did as she said, and Ariel was nearby, watching the whole process like a mother hen.
She watched as Denise crushed some herbs, rubbing the juices into his wounds, and she cleaned up all of his cuts.
“This should help the wounds heal faster. Thankfully, you didn’t sustain many injuries or any life-threatening ones, and everything should be gone tomorrow. Meanwhile, take a lot of fluids and avoid straining yourself for some time.”
“Yes nurse.” Kane smiled, giving her a salute, and he sat as she went out. “Come here.” Ariel wasted no time, and she went into his embrace, cuddling herself to his side.
They laid on the bed, engaging in small talks, until they both dozed off in each other’s arms. It was one of the best sleeps they had had yet.
But as usual, an alpha can never know true rest because a pounding on the door was waking them up. “Your presence is needed downstairs, Alpha; the party has started.”
“Party,” Ariel stirred in her sleep, the noise waking her up.
“Yeah, we always have a party after a successful hunt. Come on, you would like it.”
“I see, is there a dress code, or is this okay?” Ariel glanced at her shorts, not sure if they were appropriate enough.
“Anything is fine; they will be too drunk to notice it anyway.”
Ariel glanced at her shorts again, deciding to trust his judgment, and she stood up, racing to the bathroom to splash water on her face.
She ran a brush through her hair and applied her lipgloss. The least she could do was look presentable.
“Are you ready?” Kane asked, and Ariel nodded her head, running to take his hands and allowing him to lead her downstairs.
The common room was already vibrating from the music, and Ariel bobbed her hair to the familiar rhythm. They opened the doors that led outside and were greeted with loud cheers.
Someone had handed a glass to them, and only a little sniff of the strong alcohol stench told Ariel that this was more than she could handle.
The men parted ways with them until they got to the middle of the gathering, and a hush fell on the crowd as they saw their alpha standing, and they all watched on, waiting to hear him speak.
Kane cleared his throat to gain their attention, but he didn’t need to, as they were already enthralled by him and waiting for him to speak.
“We have gathered today to honor your bravery, your strength, and your unwavering dedication to the growth of this pack. You have all fought bravely, and I have never been more proud of leading this pack. Now we make a toast.” Kane raised his glass. “To victory!”
“To victory!” The men roared, raising their glass of beer, and as it came back, they were emptying it in their mouths.
A roar went through the crowd as the music got louder, and everyone jumped and danced to the rhythm. The alpha and his mate weren’t left out either.
Maybe it was the drink or the music that was blasting through the speakers, but there was an undeniable sexual tension between the couples, and it was affecting the pack.
Ariel ground her ass on his crotch, loving the feel of his hard-on on her. She was aware that they were in an open space and anyone could see her, yet there was something sinful and erotic about knowing that she was getting wet down there with all these people around her.
“What do you say we take this upstairs?” Kane breathed in her ears, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and Ariel smiled, her lid half closed in lust.
“Yes daddy.”