The Alpha’s Forced Mate
Chapter 24

Veronica

This wasn’t the same ar0usal I’d felt before.

This was much different, much stronger. This was beyond the eagerness that had once encouraged me to k!ss Blake.

It was an undying need to melt together.

While his mouth clasped over mine, I clung to his shoulders, my body vibrating with an intense desire to welcome him. And not just one part of him, but all of him. I wanted every bit of his personality and temperament. The things that made him tick and the comforts he craved—those were all things I wanted to know.

I was willing to spend my entire life figuring him out.

And that all started right now.

His c0ck hardened on my slit, urging me to slide against him. M0ans broke from my l!ps between k!sses as my heartbeat quickened, heat flushing my form as I unwound just for him. As his slick mouth danced over my chin, I exposed my neck for him to take, my eyes rolling back when his tongue traced the fresh mark on my neck.

“Mine,” he whispered. He k!ssed the wound that had quickly become scar tissue. “You’re all mine, Veronica.”

“I’m all yours.”

A month ago, no one could have convinced me that I would ever say those words. They seemed so foreign, almost impossible to chew on. Yet they tumbled from my l!ps as if I’d been waiting a lifetime to say them. And not to just anyone. To Blake specifically.

Because I was his. And he was mine.

My stomach flipped when his hand slid between us. His fingers wove into my slit, sampling the mess that was growing by the second. Every inch of my body responded to his command as if it had been waiting for him the whole time. Winning that battle had simply been an interlude—this was the real victory.

Having Blake—winning his affection—was the real war.

And I had come out on top.

My eyelids weighed heavy, preventing me from fully looking at him. But I fought to observe his features, gasping for air as I traced the ridges that made up his face. A few beads of water lingered over his brow. I swiped them away with my thumb, noticing the expression of pure l**t seated in his eyes.

Those eyes appeared cold, but were far from it. All the warmth in the world couldn’t have possibly compared. This was a fated affection, the kind of cosmic connection that can withstand the death of the universe and continue into eternity. Even when everything was gone, he and I would remain.

Our love would never die.

He n!pped my lower l!p. A ravenous growl resonated in his chest as he positioned the head of his c0ck at my entrance. Shock waves spider-webbed through my body as I tilted my head back, exposing more of my throat for him to take.

His thrust ignited me. He held my h!ps steady and leaned back a few inches, gazing at the place where our bodies entwined. It was hypnotizing to watch his c0ck disappear into my slit, the repetitive plunge drawing all my attention. My n!pples hardened as my mouth dropped open, every part of me tingling with the distinct awareness of his love.

Curious thumbs rose to circle my n!pples. One thrust after another tore me open, sending a surge of energy with each movement. I raised my gaze to meet his, noticing the sharp intensity of the blue that threatened to swallow me whole. It didn’t matter to me if I disappeared. I knew I was safe with him. I knew I could trust him.

And that was what hit the hardest.

After years of running from my problems and throwing myself headlong into a program designed to destroy me, my greatest act of rebellion was accepting love. It wasn’t just any love. It was the kind of affection that could heal the years I had wasted away in isolation.

Even the love of my best friend couldn’t have done that.

It was horrifying and liberating to think of anyone while Blake took control over me. To see the look of commitment on his face as his c0ck dove into me—to know that he would never leave me—gave me the ability to recollect the entirety of my existence.

And then to throw it out the window.

Everything I thought I knew was about to die. In its place would be birthed a great foundation, one based on the union of two souls willing to forgive and move forward. And if that was what love was about, then I had a very long road ahead of me.

But with Blake by my side, I didn’t have to worry about it.

My head dropped back when his thumb swept my l!p. “Stop thinking.”

I whimpered as his fingers traveled over my throat.

“Can’t help it,” I claimed faintly. “Can’t—”

His thumb popped into my mouth. “Then I’ll make you stop.”

There was nowhere else for my eyes to roll. The room disappeared and I gave in to my body, rocking to the rhythm he retained with ease. Once again, I found myself struggling to know how to provide him with pleasure. It made me nervous to think he could tell.

His grip on my chin tightened. As his thumb flattened my tongue, he adjusted my view, forcing me to look at him. “Nica…”

My eyebrows shot up.

“What else do you need to tell me?”

Gods, he was good. How could I ever hide anything from him again? We were bound to each other now—and we were about to solidify that connection with a ritual.

If it were the old me, I might have lied. But I didn’t want to make that a habit anymore. I wanted to be myself—without any shame.

He pulled his thumb from my mouth and slowed his pace.

“I…I was…” I l!cked my l!ps while struggling to focus. “I was a v!rgin.”

He hummed while nestling into my neck. His l!ps went directly for my mark. “That explains it.”

“Could you tell?”

“Yes, but I’m glad I get to be the only one.”

A balloon expanded in my gut, causing me to shudder stiffly. I clung to his shoulders as he steadily thrust into me, each dip sending me farther over the edge. Cool waves washed over my shoulders. B***d thrummed in my ears. Lava burst in my c0re.

Broken gasps signaled my eruption. Blake leaned back and clutched my h!ps, driving faster as I came undone. He held my gaze with a passionate commitment that snapped once he lodged himself to the hilt inside me.

Seconds later, the two of us were a heap on the ground. Ar0usal and semen soaked my th!ghs as I collapsed on top of him, struggling to breathe through the haze of my org*asm.

“Gods,” I gr0aned, “I think I’m still coming.”

He rubbed my back. “Just ride the wave, sweet rose.”

Another shudder ripped through me. Was this what it would always be like? “I love you.”

He sat up and cradled me in his arms. “Nica, you have no idea how much I love you.”

“Even after all that crap?”

He laughed. “Honestly, I think all that crap just made me love you even more.”

“Blake, that doesn’t even make sense!”

Though what he said was confusing, his laughter put me at ease. How could he possibly love me more because I tried to kill him?

I shook my head. “You’re such a weirdo.”

“But I’m your weirdo, right?”

“Yes,” I sighed while wrapping my arms around his shoulders. “You’re my weirdo. I’m not letting you go. Not for a second.”

“So, we’re going to the ritual looking like this?”

I blushed while peering down at our na*ked bodies. “I mean, it’s not unusual for wolves to be na*ked, but maybe…”

“Maybe?”

“Maybe we ought to put the robes back on.”

Blake chuckled while helping me up from the ground. I was cold without his arms around me. I didn’t want to be away from him for longer than a split second. As he helped me into a fresh robe, I shivered.

“Baby?” I whispered. “Do you think this is the right thing to do?”

“Cold feet?”

I bit my l!p and turned to the mirror, surprised by my calm expression. And why wouldn’t I be calm? I was standing right next to my mate.

So, why was I feeling any doubt?

“I’d be worried if you weren’t nervous,” he whispered. “We’re basically getting married in about…” He glanced at the wall where a clock sat above the doorway. “Oh, sh!t. She’s going to kill us.”

“What? Why?”

He yanked on his robe and grabbed my hand. “Because we’re late.”

---

Imelda held up a bowl of herbs. The moonless sky glittered with stars behind her as a cool breeze rolled across the balcony. She tilted her head and smiled as the breeze rustled some of the herbs in the bowl.

“We call to our ancestors to guide us during this joyous night,” Imelda spoke softly. “We ask that our paths are made clear as a result.”

Doubt crept back into my chest as she set the bowl on an altar. Two candles flanked on either side of the bowl, both hosting flickering flames. A jar of oil sat near the edge of the table and two rings made of what appeared to be gold. It reminded me of the toxin I had just faced earlier in the night.

I shuddered.

A warm hand met my palm and then fingers laced with mine one by one. That simple gesture alone was enough to chase away the rest of my concerns.

And when I turned, I found the glowing face of my mate.

“Hey,” he whispered, “you’re doing great.”

“Am I?” I glanced at the white frock I was wearing. “I feel silly in this thing.”

“It’s just for the ritual. You can change right after, okay?”

Imelda came into view and playfully whacked Blake on the head with a bundle of herbs. “Listen to your ancestors, champ!”

I stifled a giggle. Imelda pierced Blake with a look of both love and annoyance as she held the bundle of herbs over a flame. An explosion of mint and rose met my nostrils.

And then my chest flared up. I swelled with the greatest bliss I had ever felt, shoulders spreading back so far that I thought I would be tugged into the sky by my chest alone. My eyes tilted skyward to observe the gorgeous canopy above.

Smoke swirled in my nostrils.

Imelda circled us and whispered, “May this union provide peace.”

She repeated this twice over, pausing in front of us and lifting our joined hands. Oil met my neck where my scar sat. Once the oil was applied, she encouraged me to look at her. She held up our hands for me to see and held up the rings. This was it. My life would forever be entwined with Blake’s.

As soon as she slid the rings over our fingers, a wild wind whipped over the balcony and snuffed out the candles. Herbs scattered in every direction. A sense of calm washed over me as the breeze died down, carrying with it the delicious scent of powdered roses and patchouli.

A new scent took its place. It was a robust and intoxicating smell that made me think of plants poking through the frigid layer of winter that remained before the spring. And when I turned to Blake, I could see he sensed it too.

And it made him happy.

Hands still joined, we crashed into each other, eager to share a k!ss after everything we had been through. Applause exploded from the room behind us, inspiring tears to spring to my eyes. Blake wrapped his arms around my wa!st and hoisted me into the air.

“We’re going to be a family!” he shouted over the roar of applause. “I’m going to be a father!”

Laughter burst from me as he spun me around. The stars revolved above as light flashed in my eyes. Energy radiated in every direction possible, reminding me of the many paths that lay ahead of us.

There was no telling which way the wind would blow. Not even the most talented witch could have given us a blueprint to the trials in our future. But those things didn’t matter to me because they didn’t yet exist. None of them were in my realm of control. So, there was no need to worry about them.

As soon as Blake set me down, I wobbled from dizziness. But I never lost my smile or my spark. I never lost my laughter. With his hand in mine, we wandered into the ballroom where his entire pack waited to meet us. Jermaine and Tanner stood aside, both of them appearing like they were trying not to cry. Shelly hung from Imelda like she was about to hit the ground at any moment, tears staining her cheeks while she smiled through her sobs.

It was a strange and encouraging sight. Weeks ago, I wouldn’t have guessed that my life would have taken this turn. But as Blake led me around the room and introduced me to each of his pack members, I exploded with pride and joy. Every hand I shook soothed me that much more as I felt the acceptance of his pack.

Every corner of the room billowed with excitement. A buffet of food was set up on the other side of the room with enough meat to feed an entire city. The delicious aromas enticed me, reminding me that I had barely eaten much at all.

Blake rested his hand over my stomach. “Come on. You’re eating for two now. You should have a plate before anyone else.”

“But what about—?”

He shushed me. “Mate first. Everyone else will fall in line.”

I bowed my head respectfully. “I’m not used to being treated like this.”

“I know, sweet rose. That’s why I want to treat you like this.”

Tears appeared so fast that I didn’t have time to hold them back. “I almost feel like I don’t deserve it.”

“You do deserve it. Because you saved me.”

“But I almost didn’t—”

He placed one finger over my l!ps. We were already next to the buffet table where someone was fixing me a plate. No one was listening, but I could sense that everyone was watching what I was doing. As his mate, I needed to make sure I behaved appropriately—and that meant deferring to his control.

Which didn’t take much effort on my part.

I nodded. “Alright, fine.”

He smirked. “Don’t worry. I’ll drive the brat right out of you.”

“I get the feeling you like the brat.”

He winked. “I guess we’ll both find out later.”

One plate of food and a glass of water later, I felt like a brand new person. And why wouldn’t I? I had just mated with the love of my life in front of his pack. Nothing else was required of me. Even though I suddenly held a high position, I felt like I didn’t have to perform. I just had to be myself.

And that was all I had ever wanted.