Maya

Nate fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixated on my neck, his hands clenched in a display of restraint before he released his fists and grasped my jaw, tilting my face to meet his intense gaze. His darkened eyes betrayed the primal instincts of his wolf, yet strangely, I felt no fear, despite the memories of past traumas threatening to surface—I could hear my own cries from the night Maximus and Leonardo forcefully marked me, I could hear myself begging, see the hatred in their eyes and felt all of it as if they were new, yet none of it, literally none of it, not even a fucking fragment of it, seemed to affect me now. All that mattered was the man standing before me, Nathaniel. The man who made me forget the pain of my past simply by being here with me.

“I'm going to ask you one last time, Maya…” he whispered, his breath grazing against mine, his lips dangerously close. “Are you sure that you want this? There's no turning back once I mark you. You will be mine, forever. There will be no changing of mind and place for doubts.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Make me yours…” I exhaled, and the next thing I knew, Nate slid his hand around my waist, pulling me closer until I landed on his lap.

My knees pressed into the bed, straddling his lap as he grasped the back of my neck, tilting my head for better access. His lips brushed against the left side of my neck.

I shivered as I felt sparks run all over my body. He wasn’t my fated mate yet with him I felt sparks so profound that I’d never felt—he made me feel butterflies and so much more.

Today stood in stark contrast to how I had been marked before—he sought my consent, he was gentle, and he made sure that any doubts or reservations within me were addressed before I gave him my assurance. 

He kissed my neck, trailing downward, igniting my desires, leaving me yearning for him, craving his touch. I was aching for his touch—just one touch and I was going to melt right there and he’d be the only one to pick me up and make me whole again.

“I'm going to ensure you forget every single moment those monsters laid their hands on you. I am going to fix you, mend everything they broke and I will make sure you never ever need to remember those monsters ever again—I will make sure it’s a smile that you wear all the time and I’d never let your tears fall,” he murmured as he gently unzipped my dress, pulling it over my head and tossing it aside. My breathing grew heavy as he looked at me, leaving me in nothing but my underwear. For a fleeting moment, insecurities crept into my mind one by one.

But all of it faded away as Nate's fingers traced a path over my thighs, moving to my hips before he whispered, “You are so fucking stunning, Maya.”

I blushed at his compliment, holding my breath as his hands moved to my bra. With a swift motion, he unhooked it and discarded it to the floor.

His fingers glided over my breast with a featherlight touch, sending shivers down my spine and causing warmth to pool between my legs—I had never felt such desperation before, yet every moment felt like an eternity, as if time had paused when all I wanted was to move forward, toward him. I burned for him, completely and utterly. I wanted him, all of him.

He leaned in, kissing my breasts tenderly, cupping them in his hands, before his nose traced a path along my cleavage as he inhaled deeply, taking in my scent as if he was trying to get drugged by it alone.

“You are the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, Maya” he whispered, his thumb brushing over my nipple, sending waves of electricity coursing through my body. I was lost in him, unsure of how to react or what to say.

This was new to me…the gentle caresses, the soft whispers and loving gaze—all of it was new and I actually loved it even though it made me nervous.

“Can I touch you here?” he asked, his gaze shifting to the scars on my belly before meeting mine—the cigarette marks from the day Maximus and Leonardo unleashed their worst upon me, before even making it to college. That memory remained etched in my mind, the sensation of burning skin, the acrid smell, the terrifying sound—each detail haunting me relentlessly. I could never forget that day. Ever. 

And maybe, I could never forget them as well. They’d forever remain in my mind like a dark ###Chapter.  

“Yes…” My voice barely rose above a whisper, my agreement rooted in the sincerity in Nate’s eyes and the trust I placed in him. “You can.”

His fingers trailed over my scars with the utmost gentleness, and I closed my eyes, half expecting the touch to trigger painful memories, but they didn't…

It was just his touch, igniting sparks in every cell of my being. I felt a sense of peace, more profound than I had ever felt while gazing at those scars. It was as though he was healing me with just his touch.

Summoning the courage to open my eyes, they met his.

“I wish I could erase these marks from your skin, Maya…” He whispered, his voice filled with longing. “You don’t know how badly I wish I could rid your skin of these marks.”

“It’s okay…” I managed to say as I cupped his face with one hand. “It doesn’t matter anymore. They're a part of me now, and I've learned to accept them. I can’t erase my past, can I? It was part of my journey to you, and it always will be. But what’s important is that I have you, and no one can take that away from me…” I pressed my forehead against his. “I love you, Nate. I love you so much that you can’t imagine. You are the second meaning of life to me.”

He flashed me the softest of smiles before gently kissing my lips. “Can I touch you?” he asked.

My throat felt dry at his question, but I knew I was safe with him. I wasn’t afraid to be exposed to him, and his touch made me feel whole—there was a magic in his touch that nothing else possessed.

“Yes, you can,” I said with a soft smile.

His hand slid into my panties, touching my bare skin. I closed my eyes, biting my bottom lip to stifle the sound that threatened to escape.

“Don’t hold back, baby,” he whispered as his fingers brushed over my clit, moving up and down gently. “I want to hear those beautiful sounds.”

I nodded, swallowing as he quickened his movements, his fingers working magic as he massaged me, effortlessly drawing me closer to the edge. His touch was smooth, and I was too sensitive, touched there with love, care, and gentleness for the first time in years.

“Oh god…” A soft moan escaped my lips as Nate pushed his fingers in, joining another finger, slow and gentle yet deep and intense.

Nate sucked my nipple into his mouth, rolling his tongue around it, coaxing me with his touch. I gasped for breath, my moans escaping one after the other as he continued. His touch was too much for me. I had never experienced such pleasure—it had always been pain, but today it was pure bliss.

“Nate…” I gasped for air, my thighs trembling as the release approached. I shivered, wanting to pull away from the intensity, but he didn’t let me.

“Let it go, Maya…” he whispered into my ear, vigorously rubbing my clit.

I moaned loudly, gripping onto his shoulders as the orgasm ripped through me, my heart pounding, sweat glistening on my forehead. It was incredible how quickly I unraveled in his hands.

He brought his hand to his mouth, surprising me as he licked my juices off his fingers. “You taste amazing, baby.”

My cheeks burned a deeper shade at his words, and he chuckled, noticing. He leaned in, kissing my lips. “Now that I have you all warmed up,” he grinned, pushing me to the bed as he hovered over me. “Let me finally do it…”

It took a moment to realize he meant the marking.

I watched as he opened his shirt, revealing his beautifully sculpted muscles. Nate was indeed an angel at heart, but his looks were godlike—he was one of the most handsome men I had ever seen, the best among them.

“I love you…” I whispered as he leaned in, helping me push my hair to the side.

“I love you too, Maya, and tonight I am making you forever mine,” he said before pressing his lips to my neck, his canines puncturing my skin the next moment, diving into my flesh.