Fit to be Tied [Moonie] [M]

[Zane]

Altira check over her saddle bags once again. Everything was in it's place, just as it had been the last seven time she checked over her saddle bags. The group would be leaving soon, likely within the hour. Six armed guards, two mages, and a knight. Oh and two hand maids. It was a bit much if you asked her. Including her, that was twelve people, it would be impossible for the travel to be discrete. Two weeks of travel, two weeks of adjusting, then a wedding to a stranger. She wasn't looking forward to it.

"How far do you think we could get before they catch us, Rap?" Her horse looked at her, his eyes seemed to display some dejectedness, 'as if I could be caught.' the eyes said. Rapscallion nuzzled against her, sniffing for apple. She pat the side of his head, "Sorry bud, haven't got any for you." Typically, she would ride in a carriage, but her lord husband lived two weeks away by horseback, In Adela of all places! So she chose to ride her beloved horse, one great trek to her new life would be made with a friend.

"You look about ready for the gallows." Came a somewhat jovial voice behind her. Startled, she turned to see two of her brothers, David and Neil. How all of her brothers could move so silently was beyond her. Se looked at the two of them through narrows eyes.

"That is about how I feel, if I'm honest." Her eyes narrowed further "What, now exchange of coin this time?"

Neil shrugged, "Serious matters are not for better. We actually came to wish you the best, and to give you a few bridal gif-"

"You are going to be there, Gods blood. I can't be married in the sight not a single familiar face!" She started, panic rising in her chest. Why wouldn't her family be coming?!

David held up a hand to calm her, "We are all going to be there, Amaya isn't certain she can be, with how close she is, but I know for a fact that she is making Dimitri go in her stead. Even Ceri and her husband will be there." Ceri was the oldest sister, she'd been wed while Altira was still very young. She didn't come around often. "But, as I was saying, we wanted to give you your Bridal gifts, that way you can have them when you go meet your lord husband for the first time."

Neil held up a case of some sort, opening the two clasps and revealing a crossbow. But not just any crossbow. "This is from Amaya, Juniper, and Myself." It was made of some crystal structure, colored a light shade of purple, very similar to the shade of her eyes. Altira lifted it from the case, it was surprisingly light. small enough to be accurately aimed and held by one hand, it even braced itself against her forearm. "Go ahead and cock it." Nodding, though a bit speechless, she reached out to take the singular bolt from the case, it was also made of crystal. Niel pulled away from her. "Just cock it, nix the bolt and pull back on the priming arm."

Altira gave him a queer look, but obliged, pulling back on the priming arm until the string notched itself into the armed position. and to her amazement, the bolt was sitting in the track. She glanced over and saw the empty slot in the case were the bolt had been. "Wha- how?!"

"That is a question better answered by Amaya, but as far as I know, pulling back the priming arm activates a bit of magic that summons the bolt to the track. It's far beyond me. However, Juniper grew the crystals that made it, some sort of amethyst quartz, and I designed it and applied a hex so it can't be broken or used by anyone other than you or your blood. And, best part is, with a little tweaking, it can be hidden in a pocket or drawer or even this little carrying case." He held up a cylindrical case, about a foot in length and not even 6 inches in diameter. He quickly showed her how to store it in the travel case. The Case even had a clip for her riding belt of her saddle latch. Neil had thought of everything.

David cleared his throat and held up another case. It was long and thin. Inside were two swords, long and single edged. There were falchion, the official weapon of House Zamt'ris. "You know." Altira said, "With my family giving me weapons, I almost suspect that my husband may be of poor moral character." She lifted the swords from their slots in the case and tested the balance. It was phenomenal, better than her own swords! These swords were an extension of her arm, better fit and any before it.

While she examined the swords, he explained. "They are forged from star stones. I bought them from University on Arca. Actual stones fallen from the heavens. Michael forged the metal in them himself, and Martin enchanted them as so they can't be used against you. And they are terribly strong swords, I tested them against my own swords."

David unsheathed on of his swords, or what was left of it, about six inches up the blade, it was cleanly cut. "Sheared though folded steel, and not a nick on them. Those swords are a fine thing, and they will fit in your current scabbards." He tossed aside his broken blade and pulled the swords from her scabbards, which rested at her belt. Altira took the opportunity to replace them with her new swords before throwing her arms around her brother's necks.

"I love you both, so much."
------

That was a week and a half ago, they were now in the final stint of the journey. Another few days traveling through this damned forest and they would arrive a lord poncington's estate. That wasn't actually his name, but Altira didn't care. The going was actually much slower over the last two days. The knight's horse had broken an ankle and fallen on him. The poor man had broken his leg in the happening. The Grizzled old man was starting to show the effects of bone break fever but that didn't stop them. He took one of her maids horses, and the two maids doubled up. Still, the old knight set the pace and kept things going, accepting only the menstruation of one of the mages.

It happened as they were looking for a place to make camp for the night. Arrows tore form the trees and claimed the lives of four of the guards and one of the mages before they could even be shocked that they were dead. The two maids screamed while the knight shouted. "Off with you! Run Milady!" And run she did. She spurred into rapscallion and the horse took off, sprinting like it were all he was meant for. The other mage went after her as well but was quickly cut down by another arrow.

As Altira started to lose the ability to ear the carnage behind her, three horsemen burst from the trees. Altira steered Rapscallion around them and pushed onwards, working the crossbow from its travel case, she drove the horse with her knees and primed the bow. Rapscallion was fast, staying ahead of the three other rides and even gaining some distance. After there was about 100 feet between them, she turned in the saddle and loosed the bolt at the closest bandit. It collided with him and the man was dead before he hit the ground. "Keep it up Rapscallion!" she yelled, priming the bow again as they rounded a turn trail.

[Zero]

It had been a very normal day. Raff would even go so far as to call it average, or possibly even boring. He'd spent his time at the local tavern, scamming the same types of drunks, flashing his flirtatious smiles at the same types of bar wenches. Of course he made sure never to take too much, that would draw unwelcome attention, but his coin purse had a pleasant weight to it and made a satisfactory jingle when he shook it.

Home had filled him with the familiar smells that had brought feelings of love and safety all through his childhood and continued into his early adulthood. Some might have criticized him for remaining at his mother's house, but others, namely some of the women that he gave particularly mischievous smiles, liked to tell him how sweet he was for taking care of his aging mother. Ha, his mother was healthy as a horse, age be damned. No, he stayed simply because he had no reason to leave yet. All of his sisters had remained until they mated, and so would he.

Of course anytime he thought of his sisters, their mates, and their little children sent pangs of jealousy through him. A few years ago he might have thought a little differently. His wolf had been younger, more foolish, and wilder; eager to enjoy his life and stand on some pomp pedestal of over-eager masculinity and pursuit of females.

In the last year that had all changed.

Oh he hadn't stopped flirting the skirts off of the less prudish women, but it was less and less satisfying. His wolf was maturing, making him ever more alluring to weak-willed women that couldn't quite place their finger on what was so irresistible about Seth "Riff-Raff" Wayland. He was quite certain that any one of them would have given themselves over to him entirely should he have given the slightest indication that he wanted it.

Not one of them was his mate. They weren't even mate material. It was frustrating, all the waiting. His mother and sisters chastised him to be patient. After all, he was only just now reaching the right age, feeling the desire to find his mate and settle with her. Raff didn't want to be patient. He wanted her now.

With that in mind he left home the moment the sky even hinted at beginning to darken. Clothes were left behind, because the moment he hit the trees a thick pelt provided all the modesty a wolf could possibly need. Raff's paws hit the ground running, hoping that a long, swift run would ease the growing tension. It was more than just the usual impatience he'd felt of late. Today his wolf, his mind, was downright restless. Exhaustion or maybe even a hunt would settle him.

Normally he would have stayed away from the roads. Even if most people wouldn't travel at night, it was still early enough and risky enough that his good sense warned him to stay away. Normally. For some reason he kept finding himself drawn to the roads. He smelled humans. They smelled unpleasant. Bandits, Raff was almost certain. Mostly he would hunt animals, but he wasn't opposed to hunting wicked men.

Especially when cleaner scents mingled with the dirty ones, Raff wasn't the only one hunting this evening, it seemed. He could feel sorry for whoever the bastards had caught.

In a single moment everything changed. One second he was ready to track down and eliminate some human garbage, the next all the air had been knocked from his lungs. Raff stumbled and crashed to the ground, rolling and sliding from the force of the impact; except there wasn't a physical impact at all.

No, this wasn't physical. Not entirely. His nose had caught the faintest whiff of a scent, but not just any scent. No, no, no not just any scent at all. This scent was indescribable. It filled and clogged his nose, making it nearly impossible to smell anything else at all in that breath-taking, heart-stopping moment. This was like the gods taking everything delicious and wholesome and desirable and assaulting his mind with it.

All thought or reason left him. Raff wasn't entirely in control of his own body anymore. Without his awareness, his body had shifted. The wolf would have been faster, but for whatever reason his mind must have unconsciously decided that they hybrid was what he needed as he regained his feet and began his pursuit.

His mate was near. He could scent her. Now his nose could pick up other scents as well. His mind could process, at least on some level, that there were bandits. Bandits close to his mate. His mate was in danger. Nothing else mattered. Someone was threatening his mate.

The forest was just a blurr. Later he might be amazed how he had managed not to run straight into a tree considering how poorly he could focus on his vision when his nose was so very overwhelmed. Almost instinctually he wove between, around, under, over, or through any obstacle that stood between him and his mate Nothing could come between him and his mate. Not now, not ever. Getting to the female that scent belonged, protecting her, claiming her. It was all he could think about.

He wasn't even aware when he hit the road. The bandit's horses realized he was there first, catching the scent of such a dangerous predator. One bandit had already fallen, there were two more still chasing his mate. A few great strides and he was able to yank the first from the back of his horse, claws rending through flesh mercilessly as he ripped through armor and muscle with impunity. The second man was thrown from his screaming and terrified horse.

The horses fled unharmed and unnoticed. Raff dropped the first man and pounced upon the second as he attempted to recover from his fall and escape. His teeth sank into the back of the bandit's neck, severing arteries and crushing vertebrae in his fury. Raff threw his head back and half howled, half roared his victory. Given the degree of his rage it was amazing the men weren't reduced to a steaming pile of entrails and unidentifiable strips of meat.

The temptation was there, but it fell aside in the need to find and claim his mate. What a sight he would undoubtedly be. His mate would see how large and powerful he was, would see how the blood of his vanquished enemies dripped from his fangs and claws, and she would be duly impressed by his prowess. Oh yes, he would be most impressive to his mate, she would see how good and strong of a mate he would be. How well he would be able to protect her and their pups.

Turning from his kills, Raff could smell and hear his mate, she was still fleeing. She must not realize that the bandits were dead and could no longer threaten her.  No, she would have heard his triumphant call. Perhaps then she wished for him to prove himself further by forcing him to catch her. What a little minx his mate was!

There was a bend in the road; it would come back around partially. Feeling exuberant the beast cut through the trees, more than eager to meet his mate's challenge.

[Zane]

Altira heard the startled cry of a horse, as well as the scream of one of the men behind her cut short. Gods be praised, the knight was catching up to her pursuers. The color was starting to return as she finally felt safe again. But the sense of security of short lived as howling split the air. As the howl, she realized, shuddering at the volume and magnitude of the roar that could only come from so few animals. Dragons? No, too far from the mountains. It had to be a werewolf.

The Noble urged Rapscallion faster, as she did so, her finely tuned 6th sense alerted her to something in the wood, fast approaching. Years of playing tag on horseback with Michael and Martin had finally been useful for something! She tugged on Rap's reigns and the horse turned sharply, without sacrificing much speed, and sped into the forest, away from whatever was approaching. Altira lowered herself in the saddle, framing her body against the speeding horse. She vaguely became aware that the crossbow was no longer in her hand, but the case was once again to the weight she had quickly become accustomed to. When had she put it away?

She shook her head and went to focus on more pressing matters, such as trying to sense where this beast was. She shifted her gaze to the right and left, nothing. Raising herself slightly in the saddle, she turned her head to try and focus her hearing on the area behind her like David had taught her. But the think it, when you are going at a breakneck pace through a dense forest, taking your eyes off the area just in front of you can be very dangerous. And today wasn't exactly a lucky day for her.

A branch she didn't see caught her in the top of the chest, slamming against her riding leather and forcing the wind out of her, and her out of the saddle. She landed flat on her back, which again, force what little air she sucked in while falling out of her, while her head bounced against a not so soft clod of dirt. Rapscallion ran on, so focused on the primal something chasing them, that he almost didn't register that his suddenly lighter load meant that his rider had been spilled.

Altira was seeing stars, and trying to get some air into her burning lungs. She blow to her head had driven out the notion that she needed to be running, to be getting away. The danger of the werewolf suddenly forgotten, she knew her head hurt, and that's all that mattered. Her hand went to the back of her head, and thankfully, it didn't come back bloody. Rolling off her back, she went to her hands and knees trying to get her lungs to stop aching, trying to remember was she had been doing before she was desaddled.

[Zero]

What horse alive could truly outrun a determined werewolf? Perhaps if Raff were in his wolf form his mate's mount wouldn't have been able to keep ahead of him for so long, but even in this form he was steadily gaining ground. There was also the fact that he was simply having a lot of fun just chasing his mate. It was a great game to him, and a game that he was going to win.

At least it was fun until ahead of him the tantalizing object of his desire was stuck down from her still fleeing horse. The game was definitely over. Raff was momentarily distracted from the idea of winning. His mate had been hurt.

The beast skidded to a halt, breath escaping in hot, heavy pants as his burning blue eyes watched his mate's every move with care. From the moment he'd seen her begin to fall, Raff's chest had been tight with anxiety, but that melted as she got to her hands and knees. Obviously his mate was not hurt too badly. He could not even see or scent her blood. That was good. Assured that no grievous harm had befallen her, his mind once again was consumed with the drive to claim what was his.

Slowly he circled her in a wide circle, remaining shadowed in the dark. She was perfect. Not that he could truly assess her properly at this distance and with her clothed as she was, but it did not matter. She was his mate, therefore she must be perfect.

Well, mostly perfect.

His nose crinkled at the scent of her coat, lined as it was in soft wolf fur. Raff hoped his mate had not been a wolf hunter. That would have been bad. Of course even if she had, it would not matter. His mate would never hunt wolves now that she was his. Aside from that, the very idea of another wolf's scent on her was maddening, even faint and dead.

Raff had only taken a few moments to admire his beloved female. A more thorough admiration of her could come later. He couldn't stand waiting anymore.

The attack was swift, her weapons the target. The crossbow case and both sheathes would fall to the ground even as claws shredded the offensive coat and discarded it with no small amount of disdain. Despite her clothing being torn to ribbons, those wicked-looking claws never once touched her skin more heavily than a feather being brushed against her might as he pinned her to the forest floor with just enough weight to hold her.

Raff's muzzle was next to her ear, softly growling before he managed to ground out a single guttural, throaty word in his haze. "Mine."

[Zane]

Altira wondered if she had offended some god or deity in a past life. First, being forced to marry a man she had even met, then chased by bandits, and desaddled in a less than pleasant way, and now, to top it all off, this. Strangely, it wasn't fear that flashed through her body when her jacket was ripped from her body. It was anger. Rip a woman's clothes off in the middle of a forest, how rogue! She twisted to strike the the beast with her arm but found as she unlocked her elbows to get a good strike, her arms buckled and she was forced to an even more submissive position.

She realized then, just how in over her head she was. The werewolf was going to kill her. The thought sent a shiver down her spine. Oddly, she still wasn't afraid. If anything, she was more at ease than she had been since learning of her betrothal. She was going to die tonight. It would very likely hurt, but hopefully not for long. She wouldn't have to marry the rich tit of some barony in a land she had never known, she wouldn't have to let her stranger husband force himself on her, and she wouldn't have to pretend to enjoy it. And as strange as it was, Altira, though half naked in the middle of a god forsaken forest, while being dominated by a possible feral beast, was calm. At least, now she could someday tell her brothers that despite everything, she wasn't afraid when she died.

After nothing happened for an incredibly long fifteen seconds. She found herself curious. Yes, pinned by a powerful beast, in the middle of a forest, and her being unable to move, she was greatly curious. What did it want? Why hadn't it already killed her? Why shred her riding close? She wasn't cold per say, the leather was lined with wolf fur on the inside, it had been quite warm. The werewolf was also quite warm, and his fur was soft. If the moment hadn't been so tense, she might have laughed from the irony. Adjusting her gaze what little she could, what she saw made her cheeks go white then refill with color in a great blush. This beast was excited.

[Zero]

There was surprisingly little resistance from his mate. Raff had expected, even anticipated, a fight. Instead the petite woman beneath him grew remarkably calm. He brought his muzzled around, sniffing along her hair, the back of her neck, and down her back as he crawled slowly backwards off of her. He did not smell or sense fear, and her lack of struggle indicated to him, at least, acceptance of his verbal claim.

It thrilled him.

One of his large clawed hands kept a firm hold on his mate's hip, while the other carefully bared the rest of her body, almost like unwrapping a present. Yes, quite like that, as his mate was a gift from Luna.

A tremble of excitement went through Raff as with both hands he gripped his beautiful mate's hips and forced her back to her knees. Without warning he pressed his slightly cold and wet nose against her womanhood, inhaling deeply. Rough paws moved to her thighs, spreading her legs wider for him as his tongue snaked out to get his first taste of his mate, lapping lightly at the velvety slit with his long, broad tongue in a single stroke.

Deep, low growling erupted from his chest, causing his entire body to vibrate with the intensity of it. His mate tastes divine, and she was pure. No other male had ever touched her. Raff could barely contain his frenzied lust. His mate would only ever carry his scent. No other male had ever tried to contaminate her womb with his inferior seed.

His very human mate.

On a subconscious level that had registered with his mind from the moment he had first scented her, but now her humanity was staring him in the face. Quite literally. Raff adjusted his grip on his mate's thighs, hoping not to hold her too tightly. Humans were not as sturdy as werewolves, but he had no care at all that his mate was human. Luna did not make mistakes. If his mate was human then it was because Luna wished it so.

Sadly she was not as excited for him as he was for her. That would be fixed. He could not properly claim his mate if she was not physically ready for him. Impatience really was a battle for him, and so he wasted no further time.

Raff began tasting his mate with abandon. First running his tongue along the outside of her slit, then dipping between her moistening lips to caress and tease and coax her to respond to him. Broad strokes that caressed her from clit to her inviting opening were a prelude to his tongue dipping eagerly into her velvet folds, tasting her deeper as inevitably her feminine juices began coating his tongue.

His pleased growls filled the air around them as he lost all sense of time and his impatience to mount his mate abated slightly in his pure delight at simply pleasuring her. The beast had no intention of stopping until she was either screaming or sobbing in ecstasy. Only then would his mate be ready for him.

[Zane]

I really wish he would just get on with it. Kill me, eat me. I don't care. Just stop making me wait. Still she was justifying what was going on. The wolf was obviously excited from the run, Rapscallion used to be that way, especially around springtime! The werewolf was just ripping off her clothes to better access the juicy parts of her flesh. Makes the eating easier. She shivered again as the beast ripped off the rest of her clothing. She couldn't tell if it was because she was cold, or because she was now in the stark nude before a massive beast that could kill her with one swipe. Stop toying with me like a damn cat and get it over with!

And got to it, he did.

She gasped as she felt his nose go press against her bare sex. She knew exactly what he wanted now, "Nooonononononon, stopstoHAAAP!" Her voice curled upwards as his tongue began to assault her, her protests were reduced to moans as her body started to rebel against her mind. How was he doing this to her? Why? While her mind tried to process all of these thoughts and stimuli, her body furthered its rebellion by pushing back against him, her toes curled as wave after wave of pleasure assaulted her mind.

Her internal conflict was quickly coming to boil over. Her rational mind was quickly losing ground to something primal, something deep within her herself, it scared her in the best of ways. He's an animal, for gods sake! But it feels amazing! He's going to kill me! Then why not die fulfilled? Still convinced that she would die at the hand of the werewolf, she realized that her growing lust had the truth of it. As her mind stopped fighting, her body was wracked with rapture.

It was a phenomenal feeling, like every part of her body, every nerve, was alive with fire that didn't burn and ice that didn't freeze. She cried out, her body shook, and her jaw clenched, stifling the cry into a very lewd moan.

As the feeling began to subside, she felt empty. She needed that feeling again. But her reason had been robbed of her by the experience, all she could do was whimper as the high further slipped from her body.

[Zero]

Part of Raff could pleasure her forever. Especially when his mate's initial protests devolved into the most provocative moans and whimpers he could possibly imagine. He thought he might lose it completely when she actually pushed back onto his muzzle, practically begging for more. The beast was happy to oblige her, his growls of pleasure only increasing in pitch the closer his mate came to coming undone.

It was immensely satisfying to feel the intense orgasm rock through his mate's body. His tongue refused to stop, lapping up the juices until he could feel her release subsiding.

As much as the beast had enjoyed bringing pleasure to his mate, his own needs were pressing upon him viciously. Never before had Raff ached so strongly with need. He licked his muzzled as he finally drew his head away from his mate's still quivering womanhood. The beast knew she would feel as if her pleasure was still incomplete. After all, his mate must feel at least part of his desperate need. Surely his mate must want him to make his claim.

His mate was so small in comparison to him, but somehow he managed to situate himself behind her. Honestly he was driven almost purely by instinct at this point and he had to actually force himself to stop, lest he simply climb atop her and rut her mercilessly.

Each breath was a low growl as he took care to position himself for an easy and smooth entry. One hand griped his mate's hip securely as the other guided the tip of his impressive wolfhood to her well prepared entrance. Raff expected an initial panic and hesitation, so his grip on her hip tightened to prevent his mate from accidentally wiggling herself out of the position he wanted her.

The initial penetration was surprisingly gentle for a beast and not an easy feat for Raff. A low, feral growl groaned out of him as his second hand moved to lightly stroke his mate's hip in a gesture that was meant to be both soothing and reassuring.

Inch by inch he slowly, patiently but determinedly, opened his mate to him, gently forcing her womanhood to accept the very nearly too large intrusion. What seemed an agonizing eternity for Raff later, he could feel himself lightly bumping the back of his mate's channel.  For several long moments he merely held himself there, relishing the feel of her warm folds surrounding him, growling lowly and breathing heavily as he gave his mate time to adjust to his size.

Finally he began to move again, at first his thrusts were almost tender, but they steadily increased in both speed and power. Raff was amazed that he'd been able to exercise such a degree of restraint for as long as he had. Now he could hardly keep himself from driving into his mate with reckless abandon.

When the frenzy began to careen towards the breaking point, a clawed hand moved the hair from the left side of his mate's neck as he shifted his position, his thrusts were driving deep and short as his tongue began bathing the side of her neck and shoulder. His mate would be able to feel a growing bulge grinding against her opening insistently.

Raff knew he had to wait until the right moment, and when he felt the first contractions of his mate's orgasm he ground his hips mercilessly forward, forcing his knot to seat itself inside the petite female beneath him. At the same time he struck, teeth sinking savagely into her supple flesh at the juncture of her neck and shoulder. Her blood coating his tongue, forging the mating bond and marking her as his.

A moment later Raff was throwing his head back and howling victoriously as his wolfhood erupted deep inside, the tip snugly buried against the barrier to his mate's womb. Never had he felt such a euphoric level of satisfaction as his seed filled his mate and was held inside by his swollen knot. He would have collapsed on top of her had he not planted his hands against the ground on either side of her, holding himself up without fear of her escaping now that they were firmly tied together by their joined sexes.

[Zane]

As her first orgasm was ebbing off completely, Altira closed her eyes and allowed the echoes of pleasure dance across her nerves. She missed the feeling but in it's absence, she felt both drained and alert. She could have very easily gone to sleep in that moment, but her heightened senses made her hyperaware of the fur sliding up her back. Somewhere in her mind, she recognized that the werewolf was mounting her. Her body could only respond to the tentative touch of the beasts hand on her hip, the teasing brush of his fur on her back, the shivers racing up and down her spine while her arms and legs rippled with goose-flesh. Only when she felt something prodding at her very sensitive folds did her mind finally put everything together.

Despite the best efforts of her suddenly frenzied mind, her entire lower body rebelled, not moving in the slightest as the werewolf entered her. One arm reached forward and clawed at the dirt. There was an attempt to try an pull away from the beast, but it was ill fated at best. Her body was severely lacking on physical strength after the rapturous experience of her first orgasm. Instead, her fingers dug into the grass and dirt, clenching the basic flora into her hand as she was further impaled on him.

What surprised that small part of her brain that was lost to lust the most was just how gentle this beast was. The experience was not at all similar than what she had witness the stable dogs doing from time to time while growing up. This was almost calm, intimate? She could feel his hand on her hip, rubbing.

Soft. Slow. Calm.

This wasn't some feral beast that she and her siblings used to horror stories about in. That last part of her mind that refused to submit unknotted itself.

What followed was pleasure beyond description. The feeling of being made love to by something so primal was exhillarating and empowering. The waves of emotion and pleasure that beset her entirely was beyond what she knew how to tell. The feeling of the werewolf in her, over her, around her, It was far to much for her, and it was a miracle she held on for as long as she did.

Or was it? There came sultry fire spreading from within while the frigid ice danced along her skin. But she felt like the ice on the surface of a lake, trying to hold up something just barely beyond her ability to withstand. That's not to say that she felt cracked, or broken. She felt that she was being held together by the force of all her pieces being forced together. She was perched on the brink of another orgasm, but there was something missing! It was maddening! She began to push back against him with what strength she could muster.

When he did finally knot her, her world bottomed out from under her. The pleasure that assaulted her entire being was magnitudes beyond the first. She was aware of the fact the werewolf was clamped down on her, the pain from it only added to the tempest of stimuli that besieged her mind. And like a candle in a hurricane, the gale of pain and torrential pour of pleasure was too much for her. Her body slumped and she was caressed by blackness, lost behind the doors of sleep.

[Zero]

Raff grunted as he felt his mate slump beneath him. Her entire body was now a weight attached to his wolfhood, and her collapse had that weight tugging on him uncomfortably. There were little shocks of pleasure as well, he was still pulsing and throbbing inside her body. That would subside in a few minutes as the last of his seed was deposited.

One arm wrapped about his mate's limp torso, supporting her gently as he slowly rolled them both to lay on their right sides. His other arm wormed its way under her head, supporting her in a more comfortable position and letting his fur and body heat keep her warm in their exposed position.

He moved her hair away from the wound he'd made and gently bathed the area with his tongue again, cleaning the punctures and helping to stop any remaining bleeding. His tongue also swiped any traces of blood from her skin. Raff felt a deep, tingling sense of pride in the mark he'd left. It would scar nicely. The only regret was that he had needed to bring pain to his mate to complete the mating ritual.

She would forgive him, he was sure of it.

It was actually a small blessing for him that his mate seemed to have fallen unconscious. He had obviously exhausted her, and she needed to rest. More importantly, it meant she was calm and he did not have to try to soothe or explain himself to a hysterical human mate while they lay tied and trapped together in a very vulnerable position.

Although he knew that he would have much explaining to do later. For now he felt quite exhausted himself. He wondered if she would believe that the experience had worn him out almost as much as it had her. Either way, they were stuck like this for a while, so he curled his arms protectively around his slumbering beauty and nuzzled his face against her hair before dozing lightly.

Sometime close to an hour later, the sensation of him slowly sliding out of his mate as his knot shrank, and the subsequent flood of his escaping seed, woke Raff. Slowly and carefully he uncurled himself from around his mate's prone form, rising stiffly from the ground.

They were exposed out in the forest like this. It made his wolf on edge. His mate needed to be somewhere safe, warm, and comfortable. His mate needed a den.

Turning to look down at his mate, he admired the sight of her. The beast had been far too caught up in his frenzy before to truly examine the female that Luna had destined for him. His initial assessment had been right. She was perfect. Her body was fit, lithe, the body of a woman that was active and took care of herself. Why had he ever liked women that were round and plush? Or whose hair was not the perfect shade of deep brown that reminded him of polished mahogany?

Huffing slightly, Raff forced himself to focus on the problem at hand, which was moving his mate to his mother's home. She needed, and deserved, her own den, but for now that would have to wait and his room would have to do.

There was more to worry about before he could simply carry her away. He was very proud of his excess, but he doubted his mate would find the viscous liquid smeared across her thighs appealing. Raff found her shredded clothing and gently wiped it away, cleaning her as best he could without water. When she woke up he would make sure to provide her with a hot bath if she so desired.  Not that he liked the idea of her cleaning away his scent, but he also knew couldn't force her to go about sticky and reeking of sex.

The clothing was ruined anyway, so he discarded it when he was done.

Next he gathered up all of his mate's belongings that were not ruined, including her weapons. Securing all he found around his waist, Raff then moved to lift his mate from the ground with great care and tenderness. She was carried cradled against his chest bridal-style as he navigated his way home.

His mother was brimming with excitement when she opened the front door for him, but his mother also understood the nature of the beast. Once she had thrown open his bedroom door, she quickly got out of his way. Her curiosity would just have to wait and she made sure not to look too closely at the woman her son held possessively in his arms, least she draw annoyed growls from the overprotective wolf.

Raff settled his mate gently on his bed, pulling the covers from under her and tucking her in, but it wasn't enough. With a great degree of agitation, the beast paced in and out of his room as he retrieved spare pillows and blankets, swamping his sleeping mate until his beast finally felt she had adequate nesting material.

Bandages and an ointment were left by the door, he gratefully brought them to the bedside and tended to the wound his mating bite had caused. There would be bruising and scaring, but he would not let it become infected. He gently rubbed the cream on her hips and thighs where his rough hands had held her. There was likely to be a little bruising there as well. A pang of guilt washed over him.

Finally he put her things neatly in the corner farthest from her and stalked out of the room, quietly closing the door behind him. Now that his mate was finally safe and comfortable, the beast could relax. Raff shifted from the hybrid back to his human self as he entered the small wash room. His mother had already brought some water and soap for him. He noted that the water was lukewarm at best, and cleaned up quickly.

Returning to his room, Raff quickly pulled on a shirt and pants before sinking into the only chair in the room and watching his mate, or really the mound of blankets his mate was under, intently. He would have loved to have crawled under those blankets and curled up around her, but his mate might not appreciate waking up to a stranger so intimately cuddled against her. More than anything he didn't want to frighten her more than he probably already had. What he wanted was less important than what she needed, and right now what she probably needed was space to wake up and process what he had done to her.

[Zane]

Altira first became aware of the warmth around her, it was excessive but she didn't mind. As more of her body woke up, she became rather grateful for the heat. She was sore. It felt like the ache of an overworked muscle, but it was centralized in her everywhere. Also, she had a headache. And a really dry throat.

Most of the events of the last night were still veiled in the haze of sleep, what she could remember was very dreamlike. Shame, it was a good dream. With urgency, and pleasure. Yes, it was a great dream.

She next became aware that her dry throat was causing her considerable thirst, she needed some water, or coffee. Coffee was definitely the preferable of the two. Maybe one of her maids had taken the initiative and put some to brew. She didn't get her hopes, she couldn't smell anything under all these blankets. She needed to get up.

While sitting up, she became aware of many more things. For one, holy gods was she sore! Had she decided to forgo riding rapscallion and spent all of yesterday running? That didn't seem like her. For two, she became aware of her nudity. That was most definitely not like her. She would never be in such a state of undress while on the road, too many things could happen, like bandits, wild animals, heavy storms... Bandits? Her headache flared as she tried to follow that train of thought. She noticed that her shoulder was heavily bandaged, the dull ache of multiple puncture wounds underneath. Finally, she noticed the man sitting in the corner of the room, watching her. His hair the same shade of red as a werewolf she thought she met in a dream.

She gave a very short, very quick exhale that could have almost have been a puff of amusement. Her brain was trying to process alot of information at once, it caused her head to hurt more. "I.." Her throat was dry and sore, she wanted water, hell, it didn't have to my water, something to wet her lips, sooth her cracked throat. "I guess it wasn't a dream after all."

[Zero]

Warm. Comfortable. Safe.

The words were like a mantra echoing over and over again through Raff's mind. His mate was warm, comfortable, and safe. Why couldn't he stay relaxed? The longer he sat in the chair staring at the unmoving burrow of blankets, the more tension returned.

What was worse was he knew he was being ridiculous. His mate had been through quite a lot. She was probably exhausted and sore. Rest was good for her. It didn't help soothe him. Anxiety was still eating at him. Running into his mate might have been his greatest desire, but the timing felt a tiny bit off. Not to mention his beast hadn't exactly handled it gracefully.

If his mate had been a werewolf it wouldn't have been an issue, but she wasn't a werewolf. His mate was human. Would she resist or reject him?

Just the thought of being rejected by his mate caused Raff's chest to tighten painfully. She couldn't reject him. Luna would not give him a mate that would not love him. The Moon Goddess was not as cruel as that! That wasn't much comfort. Perhaps she could not be mistaken in who his mate should be, but that did not mean that Luna would not test him with a difficult mate. As long as she did not try to leave him he thought he could handle a few trials and obstacles.

At last the mound of blankets began to stir, causing his heart to seize slightly in panic. How was he going to explain everything to his mate? Would she be able to grasp just how important the mate bond was? Would she even care?

Raff held his breath, waiting for something, anything. She sat up and his eyes drank in her disheveled appearance, relishing the sight of her despite his tension and anxiety. Her eyes were a gorgeous color, not entire blue or purple, but some strange shade between. His heart jumped as those eyes finally settled on him.

There was panic, but he did not think it was all from him. For the longest moment he was afraid to even breathe. Would she scream or attempt to flee if he so much as blinked?

Her voice finally rasped out, sounding dry and cracked. Raff actually flinched, as if the statement was an accusation. Maybe it was. His expression and voice was full of turmoil; guilt, anxiety, fear, concern. "No, it wasn't a dream."

Suddenly he couldn't bear to sit still a moment longer. His mate was obviously thirsty. He needed to get her something to drink. She needed to eat. That she was not comfortable was unacceptable to any part of him, animal or man. His nervousness flooded out as he stood up quickly and spoke rapidly, practically tripping over both his words and his feet. "Don't move, I'll bring you some water. Are you hungry? Do you want something specific? Just...just don't move!"

In a moment he would vanish out of the door, leaving it ajar as he hurried to retrieve what he thought his mate might need or want. The tantalizing scents of breakfast would waif through the door. His mother had set out a tray in anticipation of her son's bumbling need to care for his new mate. Raff brought it back to the room, becoming somewhat bashful as he set it on the edge of the bed.

There was a plate of scrambled eggs, hash browns, sausage, and toast. Also were small serving dishes with butter, jam, sugar, and cream. A steaming cup of coffee was available as well as a glass of orange juice.

"Mother apparently thought this was better than water." Raff mumbled sheepishly.

[Zane]

Altira watched him stammer over his words and leave the room. She wouldn't be going anywhere, not that her sore body could make it far before he came back. Turning her head to examine the bandaging. It was incredibly well done. Tight to apply pressure but not so much that it restricted movement. She could also smell the earth undertones of herbs. Medicine?

She smiled at the smell of coffee, which entered the room before the red headed young man. She added just a bit of cream to the dark liquid before stirring thoroughly before taking a long sip from the quite hot coffee. Her throat felt much better because of it. "Thank you, this is very generous of you and your mother." She turned to the food, it smelled marvelous, so much more rich an odor than most of the food made at Manor Zamt'ris.

That's when she realized just how hungry she was. She wasted no time digging into the food, screw propriety. First thing gone were the eggs, closely followed by the sausage and hash browns. Next went the toast, which she buttered, and the orange juice. Within a few minutes, she was back to nursing the coffee, trying not to think about how quickly she had wolfed down the food. "Thank you, that was very good."

[Zero]

Almost immediately after setting down the breakfast, Raff anxiously backed off. Instead of returning to his chair, however, he scooted back on the floor, sitting on his knees and watching his mate with no small amount of anticipation as she fixed her coffee and sipped at it. He made a note of the small amount of cream and lack of any other addition. He was thirsty for knowledge about his mate, even something as small as how she liked her coffee.

Seeing her smile filled Raff with such an unexpected level and intensity of pleasure and happiness. It was beginning to truly sink in on more than a lust level. He had found his mate. Not just the perfect female for his desires, not just the future mother of his pups, but the woman he would spend the rest of his life wholly, helplessly in love with and devoted to.

Already he had been feeling the burning drive to make her happy, by any means necessary; that overwhelming, all-consuming need to keep her safe and comfortable. Raff's adrenaline and instincts had mostly been employed so far. Now his mind was truly beginning to catch up.

It felt both amazing and insanely humbling.

"You're welcome." He didn't know what else to even say as he watched his mate devour her breakfast like a woman starved. Raff wasn't sure he had even trusted himself to say more! All those feelings were welling up in his chest and threatening to burst out. No, it was best he remain silent before he began blabbering incoherently about the mate bond and how very important she was to him. He didn't want to frighten or overwhelm her.

Vivid blue eyes admired her, a look of genuine pleasure and satisfaction came over him as she complimented the meal. His mother was a good cook, but more importantly to him, he had done well in caring for his mate's needs. At least for a moment. His voice came out almost a low hum. "I'm so happy you enjoyed it."

More silence as he simply continued to run his eyes over what of her he could see. Admittedly not much. He shifted his position slightly, awkwardly. He had no idea how to start the conversation he knew they needed to have.

[Zane]

Altira looked out at the young man over the rim of her coffee mug. She had more or less remembered every detail of the last night. She felt conflicted. Her rational mind told her that she should be livid, or traumatized, or depressed beyond reason, or all of that at once! She had been raped by this... this thing! Another part of her was very vocal in it's claim, he wasn't a mindless beast, he was obviously remorseful, he had given her very good food and drink. A kidnapping rapist wouldn't do that, would they?

Another part of her wanted to talk to him, it was a very quiet voice in her inner conflict. Perhaps because it was so quiet is why she gave that voice the most notice. Talk to him!

"So, you're a werewolf." It wasn't a question. "And last night we..." Her voice trail off. She said 'we'. She had enjoyed the act after letting go to her inhibitions. She felt the echo of a shiver run up her spine as she called into more vivid detail her memories of the last several hours. "How long have I been asleep?"

[Zero]

All things considered, Raff thought his mate was surprisingly calm as they simply observed each other in silence for several long moments. He wished he knew what was going through her mind. Was it possible that she hadn't yet put all the pieces together?

Raff didn't have much reaction when his mate stated quite matter-of-factly that he was a werewolf. It was true and denying it would be pointless. He wanted her to know what he was. She needed to know what he was. It was the second thing she said that made him lower his gaze guiltily. No part of him was truly sorry for claiming his mate, but he certainly didn't think it had been the best way to go about doing it. His lack of self-restraint had driven him to action before gaining his mate's trust.

For that he was sorry.

"You've been asleep for several hours. The sun is almost up." He managed to drag his blue eyes back up to study her beautiful face. It was hard to focus on something other than just wanting to stare, to touch, to love. "I am so sorry if I hurt you last night. I swear hurting you was never my intent. I couldn't stop myself."

At least she didn't seem afraid of him. She was taking this all very well. Telling the truth and explain himself as best he could was all that could be done. Hopefully by the end she would not hate him. "I never want to hurt you, but I am not sorry for what I did. There's quite a lot I need to tell you, and you've probably got a lot of questions. Maybe we should start simple. My name is Seth Wayland, but everyone calls me Raff."

[Zane]

"My name is Altira. Altira Zamt'ris. And you are right, I have multitudes of questions." She drained the mug of coffee, happy for the warmth and energy the dark liquid provided. "But I think hearing what you have to say will answer many of them. But I have to ask.." She showed him her empty mug and gave him something of a smile, "Is there anymore coffee?"

Perhaps the smile was for him, but really it was for herself, the room had seemed to grow too tense. Her head still hurt, and she wondered if that was because of the fall she took, or if it was because she... was she becoming a werewolf? She was suddenly very aware of the bandaging on her shoulder, he had bitten her, she remembered. She took a deep breath, If she was in the process of changing, there wasn't much she could do. The only known cure for lycanthropy was a complex alchemical concoction, and it had to be taken within a few hours of being bitten.

While Raff was getting her coffee, she flattened out the pile of covers. It was a bit curious, were all these blankets here when she was brought in? Or had they been piled on top of her? Was it a really cold night or something? It was really a staggering amount of blankets. Once they were mostly evenly distributed, she pulled herself into a sitting position, her legs crossed under the blanket. That's when she was first able to smell herself. It was an aroma of rich musk and clean sweat and something else she couldn't place. It reminded her of her nakedness as she pulled one of the blankets around her shoulders. Managing to get it in place as Raff came back in. "Here, sit on the end of the bed, you looked right uncomfortable on the floor."

[Zero]

Altira was a beautiful name. Raff thought it suited his mate quite nicely. He felt his heart skipping and jumping once again as she smiled. In a second he was on his feet when she showed him the empty mug. Taking it and gathering up the tray, he disappeared with both. It made him feel happy that there was something he could do for his mate.

The kitchen is about the time he realized just how pleased he felt simply fetching more coffee for the gorgeous woman in his bed. Raff gave a rather disgruntled look to his mother as he filled the cup carefully, stirring in the small amount of cream his mate had previously.

His mother only smiled knowingly at him.

Raff almost stopped to ask his mother how long he was going to act like a love sick puppy groveling for love and approval from his mate. It was like he was high on her. His mate was like a sweet, sweet drug. Worse yet, one taste and he'd become an addict. Between his anxious desire to return to Altira and fear of the answer, he thought better of asking questions and made his way back to his room.

He couldn't help but smile as he handed Altira her coffee. She had rearranged the blankets while he was gone, smoothing them out to suit her. That pleased him more than it probably should have. As he settled onto the end of the bed he hoped he had given her enough.

"I almost don't know where to start. I guess maybe I should tell you about us. Werewolves, I mean. I have no idea how much you know – or think you know. We have three forms, you've met two of mine, I can also change into a large wolf. Not as big as your horse, but still pretty big." Raff paused to rub the back of his head, trying to think of everything she might possibly want or need to know about his kind. "The moon doesn't affect my shifting. I can shift anytime I like, no full moon required or anything like that. We do follow the Moon Goddess, Luna. We are very strong, our senses are heightened, and we heal very quickly, but silver and wolfsbane are toxic."

Here Raff paused and scrubbed his face tiredly. He had stayed up to watch his mate all night, too anxious even here to sleep and leave her unguarded. It was also the most important part of the werewolf information. "Werewolves believe that Luna predetermines a mate for each of us. We have no control over who our mate is or when we find them. When a werewolf scents his mate, he loses rational control of his mind and is driven by instinct. He will hunt her down, mount her, tie to her with his knot at the apex of their pleasure, and deliver a mating bite at her climax. Here," Raff touched his neck and shoulder in the place where he had bitten Altira several hours before, "And this cements the mating bond. Altogether it is the mating ritual."

Raff looked a little embarrassed as he shifted nervously on the end of the bed. "As I said before he doesn't have control of who his mate is. Luna decides it. The emotions involved with mating are very powerful, extremely intense, and instantaneous. The moment a werewolf scents his mate all he wants out of life from that moment on is to love his mate, protect his mate, and care for his mate's every need."

And to have as many pups as he possibly could with his mate, but that slippery discussion could wait for another time.

Looking directly at her, it wouldn't be hard for her to see the way he was looking at her. Raff couldn't help the adoration and anxiety. He felt truly powerless sitting before her as he cleared his throat. "Last night I found my mate."

[Zane]

Other than the occasional sip of the coffee, she didn't react to what he said. She did find it a bit curious that he had mixed in cream for her. It was good, not too much, not too little, just enough to counteract the bitterness of black coffee. It was how she liked it.

His last sentence brought a bit of blush to her cheeks, but she didn't acknowledge it, instead, she asked her first question. "This need to love and provide for, does it ever lessen or subside?" She found herself intrigued by Raff. The way he looked at her was... intoxicating. She liked the way he looked at her. Not that she would admit it right then. Nor would she admit to the fact that she felt oddly at ease around him. All things considered, she should hate him. He had chased her, robbed her of her purity, and had taken her to an unknown location against her will. But she didn't feel any of that, she felt.. well she didn't really know how she felt, but it wasn't negativity. Least of all towards Raff.

She had come to Adela to be wed to a man she had never met, against her will. Oddly, this was the same situation. Almost. It was common knowledge that most Adelian Lords had a wench or three that warmed his office or one of his beds while his wife was otherwise engaged with duties, such as bearing children or taking care of said children. She wondered if werewolves were promiscuous. She wondered how she would feel if they were, or if they weren't.

[Zero]

"No, it doesn't. I will get better at controlling and managing it, but it will never go away, and I wouldn't want it to." Raff would have to get used to it, but that didn't feel like a bad thing, necessarily. He had wanted to find his mate. Badly. He'd been told what to expect when he found her but he hadn't realized just how strong the mating pull really was. It wasn't something that could be explained, it had to be felt. Now he understood his sister's mates better.

"Altira, I know humans don't have mates. They don't form relationships quite like we do. Which is why I know you might find this hard to believe, but I love you. I loved you the moment I scented you. You have no idea how enraged I became when I realized you were in danger last night. Just the thought of something happening to you makes my heart ache." Indeed, a pained expression crossed his handsome features.

"After I killed those bandits I could think of nothing but finding you so that I could make my claim and protect you. It wasn't right for me to claim you the way I did. You're human, not a werewolf. I wish I could have controlled myself enough to help you understand first. I just couldn't lose you, and I'm not sorry that you're my mate, because Luna has blessed me. You're perfect."  Raff had never felt more vulnerable in his entire life than he did now.