The walk back to the pack house was quiet. It seemed like even the night wildlife could feel the tension and unease because there wasn't even crickets chirping. The party had died out, and everyone had found their way home. The field filled with empty tables and no people just added to the eerie feeling.

My dad had veered off toward the house he shared with my mom so it was just Talia and I now. I was holding her hand tighter than I realized as she wiggled her fingers to loosen my grip.

"I'm sorry, did I hurt you?" I asked, taking my hand from hers and opening the pack house door for her.

"No, Ren, you didn't hurt me, but I was starting to lose feeling in my fingers. It's okay, I can feel your emotions through the bond, I know you're worried."

She was exactly what I needed right now. My mate. I'm glad I found her tonight of all nights, even though all it did was drag her into this mess. If I didn't have her, I don't know how I'd feel right now. She's keeping me grounded. But being bonded to a witch and mated with Talia... I'm scared she won't want me now.

"Cameron, our link is wide open, and you're practically projecting your thoughts at me. You can't honestly believe I'd want to leave you because of this."

I looked at her sheepishly as we climbed the stairs and headed to my room. Our room now.

"How can you be so calm about it? I'm your mate, but I am forcefully bonded to another. A witch, at that. Aren't you upset, disgusted?" I opened the door and we walked in, closing it behind us. She went to the closet, grabbing one of my shirts before coming back out and stripping her shoes and her dress off, replacing it with my shirt. She looked good in my clothes.

"I'm not exactly thrilled about the forced bond, but it's not your fault. It's not anyone's fault except the people who did this to you." She said, coming up to me and cradling my face in her hands. "You are my mate. Mine. Do you understand me? I have wished for you for years, and a little hiccup in our relationship isn't going to be enough to scare me away." I shook my head and chuckled humorlessly.

"I wouldn't call this a little hiccup, but I appreciate what you're trying to do." I said, placing my hands over hers on my face. "You are the best thing to ever happen to me, you know that? I don't know what I'd be doing right now without you."

"I know, I'm pretty great, aren't I?" she asked, a cheesy grin on her face. Goddess, she's perfect. I leaned in and pecked her lips, not wanting to push her for more, in case she wasn't being honest about still wanting me. Not that I think she'd lie, but I just don't understand how she wasn't just a little put off by me.

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As I leaned back, she wrapped her hands around the back of my head and pulled my lips back to hers, kissing me harder this time. I grabbed her waist, pulling her body flush with mine as I kissed her back. I felt her flood our bond with emotion. Love, appreciation, desire. She broke the kiss, resting her forehead against mine, her eyes still closed.

"I think we could both use a little... distraction. Some stress relief. What do you think?" She asked. My nostrils flared as I smell her arousal.

"I think that sounds like a great idea." I replied, picking her up and carrying her to the bed.

*******

Placing her on the edge, I quickly stripped down to my boxers. I reached down and grabbed the hem of my shirt she was wearing and pulled it up over her head. I wrapped my arm around her waist and pulled her up the bed with me as I crawled up to the pillows. Laying her down, I wasted no time placing kisses all over her neck, paying special attention to my mark.

I could hear her softly moaning as I made my way down to her breasts. Taking one nipple in my mouth and teasing it with my tongue, I rolled the other one between my fingers. Her fingers pulled at my hair when I switched sides. She was arching her back off the bed, and I let my hand travel down her stomach, teasing her clit over the fabric of her underwear. She was so wet.

"Cameron..." She moaned, and I growled as I ripped her underwear off. I leaned back and flipped her over onto her stomach, taking my boxers off and throwing them on the floor. I leaned back over her, placing my body flush with hers. I teased her entrance with the tip of my cock and she pushed herself backwards, trying to get me inside. "Cameron, please," She begged.

"Spread your legs for me, baby. I'll give you what you want."

She did, and I wasted no time sheathing myself to the hilt in one thrust. I groaned at the feeling of her tight, wet heat surrounding me, tingles from our bond heightening the pleasure. I paused to let her adjust before pulling back and thrusting into her again and again. She pushed back against me, using her hands to force me back.

I leaned back and pulled her up onto her hands and knees in front of me. Slamming into her over and over, I reveled in the sounds she was making. I reached forward and wrapped my hand around her neck, pulling her up so her back was against my front. Her right hand was on the back of my thigh, her left hand on the back of my head, pulling my face to her neck.

"I'm close, Cameron. Mark me again." She said, causing my grip to tighten on her hips. I felt my canines descending and I scraped them along her neck before sinking them in, remarking her. I felt her walls tighten around me and it only took two more thrusts before I was spilling my seed inside her.

I retracted my teeth and licked the wound closed as I pulled out of her. We collapsed onto the bed and I pulled the blanket up over us. I curled myself around her back and slipped my arm under her head, holding her tight. I felt her smiling against my arm.

"Best. Distraction. Ever." She said. I chuckled before kissing the back of her head. "I love you, Ren."

"And I love you, baby." I replied, before slipping into a peaceful sleep.