The first thing Nova noticed upon waking was the smell: musty, damp, and laced with smoke and traces of pine. It hit her nose before she even opened her eyes. The second was the pounding in her head and the deep ache in her body. She felt the pull of her wounds knitting together, each movement a fresh sting. The claws across her shoulder and the gouge in her side throbbed, the pain a fresh reminder of her recent brawl. She thought back on everything. What kind of rotten luck did she have? First the boar, then the mountain lion. Someone or something had it out for her.
The fire crackled nearby, its warmth pressing against her fur. Her ears flicked at the subtle pops of burning wood, scanning for anything beyond the ordinary. She inhaled deeply and drew in the scent of charred embers which permeated the air around her. Her eyes snapped open. She was inside. Wooden walls boxed her in, rough planks letting slivers of moonlight cut across the dirt floor. What is this place? It was too small to be a cabin, and there was no furniture, just dirt floor. She gazed around studying her surroundings. Deteriorating wooden boxes, some old tools, a few old tires…this had to be some kind of old storage shed.
She shifted and pain flared along her side, a tight pull against her fur. She glanced down, catching the faint outline of cloth strips wrapped around her ribs, holding a thick, herbal-smelling salve against her wounds. Her shoulder bore the same treatment, the deep claw marks covered in careful wrappings. Her muscles tensed. Someone had brought her here. Growling, she retreated, against the nearest wall, her claws digging into the dirt, golden eyes darting across the room to the door. The fire flickered, casting restless shadows across the walls. Nothing moved. No sounds beyond the steady crackle of flames and the rapid beat of her heart.
A sinking feeling hit her. The room she was in might be empty, but she definitely wasn’t alone. She realized that the smell of smoke and pine wasn’t coming from the fire. It pulled at something deep inside her, whispering for her to come closer. It felt like it was calling her, luring her toward it. She also knew that she was going to let it, and she hated herself for it.
Outside. A shift in the wind carried the faintest shuffle of movement beyond the cabin walls. Nova hesitated, she could stay put, remain hidden, wait…but whatever it was already knew that she was in here, and it was waiting for her out there. She slipped toward the door, nudging it open just enough to slip through. Cool night air rushed over her, crisp and clean, a stark contrast to the stale warmth inside.
And then she saw him.
A wolf sat among the trees, massive and still. His dark fur rippled in the moonlight, amber eyes gleaming as they locked onto hers. He was waiting for this moment. The air around him felt charged, humming with an energy that prickled along her skin, and when their eyes locked she felt something strange fall into place inside her, and she froze. The world stopped, and she felt a stirring inside her, a strong and clear presence that she hadn’t noticed before, and a voice, soft and insistent, echoed in Nova's mind. Mate.
The word felt like it resonated through her entire body, like an anvil being struck. The world melted away and they stood, gaze locked, alone in their existence. Nothing existed beyond the space between them, which was crackling with unspoken need. They moved in tandem, their bodies no longer their own, closing the distance. He brushed his muzzle against hers in a slow lingering motion, his warmth seeping into her. The simple act sent a shudder through her, an understanding settling there in her chest. This was not just a show of affection; it was a claiming.
Run!, her wolf whispered.
A growl rumbled in her chest before she turned, bolting into the forest. The ground barely touched her paws as she weaved through the trees, the scent of damp earth and moss filling her senses. She could feel him behind her, his presence a dark promise. Her black fur swallowed the light, flickering like smouldering embers as she ran, and the red flecks in her eyes shown in the night.
She pushed herself faster, feeling the presence inside her growing stronger, reveling in the chase, the previous uncertainty and fear falling away, followed by the sheer exhilaration. Nova leapt over a fallen log, briefly twisting in midair to risk a glimpse behind her. He was close on her heels. The presence inside her delighted in the thrill of it, urging her to go even faster, to tease her pursuer, and make him work for his prize.
He was impossible to outrun. She had known from the start. He was large, and powerful, his presence dominating and dark. There was a fierceness in his eyes that captivated her, and despite her lithe, more agile body, she was no match for him. His powerful form collided with her, his jaws grabbing the scruff of her neck, and knocking her to the ground. They tumbled, rolling across the soft forest floor, his weight pressing into her as he pinned her beneath him.
A deep growl rumbled in his chest, a declaration. He clamped down at the curve of her neck, the pressure firm and unrelenting. She should have fought harder, should have resisted. But the second his fangs pressed down, something inside her shattered. A jolt of heat spread through her, sinking deep inside, like a stamp on her heart, branding her soul. His claim was absolute, possessive, and undeniable. Mine, the word echoed in her mind. She let out a defiant growl, snarling at him. Then, as if her body were acting on its own, she twisted around and sunk her fangs into the thick muscular column of his neck without hesitation. The moment her teeth broke skin, his blood flowing into her, she felt his body tense, his claws digging into the earth beside her. The connection tightened, and then snapped, as if a missing piece had been waiting to be put into place. And mine, She heard. His grip on her tightened, and she returned it in like, imposing their wills upon each other, vying for dominance. Their blood flowed, their bodies burned, but neither would give in, and reveling in each other's strength, they released.
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His tongue flicked over her wound, sealing it off and soothing the lingering sting. Without thinking, she mirrored the action, her instincts still in control. A final surge of magic flared between them, crackling like a live current under her skin. Her body convulsed, bones twisting, reshaping, until suddenly, she was human again. Her breath was heavy and her skin prickled as the remnants of the shift faded. She felt strange and untethered, aware that she had lost herself just moments ago. The primal hunger, the thrill of the chase, the raw dominance of the bond still pulsed beneath her skin.
And then, she looked up.
He radiated an edge of danger, the kind that sent a shiver down her spine. Something about him felt untamed and unpredictable. His amber eyes locked onto hers, they were hardened and sharp. Dark chestnut hair was pushed back messily, and a thick beard framed his face, giving him a disheveled, almost feral look. Shadows and moonlight played over his features, betraying something ruggedly handsome beneath the wildness.
He looked like he had been forged in fire and tempered by pain. Faint scars criss crossed his arms and chest, speaking of battles fought and endured. Each mark a testament to life lived on the edge. On his right forearm, a tattoo of a knife wrapped in a coiled snake stood stark against his skin, the ink dark and striking. It seemed almost alive, an emblem of danger and precision, and on his left shoulder were what looked like intricate runes that she didn’t recognize.
Nova found herself entranced as they sat tangled together, her legs straddling his waist, hands braced against his chest. Their breath mingled, warm and uneven, still quick from the chase. She could feel the rapid beat of his heart beneath her fingertips, matching the wild cadence of her own, the tension in his muscles rippling beneath her touch. His hands skimmed up her thighs, his touch rough and heated. Every nerve in her body lit up in response, and she leaned down, capturing his lips in a desperate kiss. It was…wild, consuming, as if she could drown in him
He gripped her hips, pulling her against him with a growl of desire. He was all heat and strength beneath her, his touch branding her. She gasped as his lips left hers, trailing down her throat, his teeth scraping against the sensitive skin. Her head fell back, a moan slipping past her lips as he tasted her, tracing the mark he’d given. The sensation set her on fire, his tongue following in its wake, sealing the mark. His hands slid beneath her, gripping her as he rolled them effortlessly, pinning her beneath him. He hovered over her, eyes dark with hunger and reverence.
. “You are mine,” he murmured, his voice raw and guttural, leaving no question.
“Yes," she breathed. There was no hesitation, no doubt. Only this. Only them. He was her everything, her beginning, her end. The rest of the world faded away. His lips crashed against hers again, his body pressing into her, leaving her trembling. Her fingers dug into his skin as she pulled him closer, needing, wanting, a desperation so immediate, so absolute, it consumed her.
He took his time tracing every curve and dip, his mouth following the path of his fingers, relishing her, savoring every response to his touch, desire and tension violently building. She writhed beneath him, her body awakening in ways she’d never imagined. It was as if he had ignited a fire within her, that only he could stoke.
The tension between them snapped like wire drawn too tight, and suddenly what little restraint they’d been holding onto vanished. Her fingers tangled in his hair, dragging him back to her lips, demanding his attention, and kissing him with a fervor that sent her senses reeling. He responded with a growl as her legs wrapped around him, pulling him into her, and nipped at her lower lip, causing her to gasp in surprise before moaning softly against his mouth. He pulled away, leaving Nova breathless and wanting. “Please,” she whispered hoarsely, her voice thick with desire.
She had succumbed to this newfound passion within her. It blinded all reason, leaving her flushed and lost in a haze of heat and need. Nova arched her back instinctively, begging for more as she felt herself growing wetter beneath him. He groaned in approval, his hips thrusting forward against her core in an almost unintentional gesture of dominance. He couldn’t help but take pleasure in seeing how much he affected this beautiful creature lying beneath him. She screamed out as he roughly claimed her, each thrust sending shockwaves of pain and pleasure coursing throughout her entire body. Nova clung to him, her nails digging into his back, her body shaking, before throwing her head back with a sharp cry. He felt her walls clenching around his cock, and roared out in pleasure as he released into her, filling her completely. As the final waves of pleasure crashed over them, he gathered her in his arms and held her close. Nova buried her face against his chest, her breathing uneven, her heart still stammering. The night had bore witness to their bond. It was now written in the stars.
He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his voice a whisper against her hair. “You are mine.” She sighed, her fingers tracing the lines of his back. When she spoke, it was a whisper, soft but certain. ‘And you, mine.” It didn’t matter that she didn’t know his name, or that nothing else made sense, because for the first time in her life, she knew, without a doubt, she was exactly where she belonged.