Riley
I stare at William when he comes out of the shower. He is wearing nothing but a towel wrapped around his waist, which makes my eyes bulge out of their sockets.
Abs.
Huge bouncy pecs.
Water dripping down from his v-lines, and a shapely bubble butt hiding underneath that blue towel.
Holy, fucking shit. How long was it since we last had sex? I'm already salivating at the view. I know we can't finish the mating ritual—I fear what Willaim is, but crap.
I'm missing out here!
William whistles on a tune without meeting my eyes and walks to the mirror to comb his dark hair.
My eyes glue themselves to his broad shoulders. All those ropes of muscle make him breathtaking, and his skin is so damn smooth I'm itching to touch him.
I almost groan in agony. It feels like it's been forever since I last saw William naked, but that's not why I'm here.
William and I don't share a room, but I had to seek him out tonight.
Ever since Charles informed us the Crescent pack killed his daughter, I haven't been able to relax.
I can't sleep.
I can't think about anything else.
All I can see is Charles' haunted expression inside my head, and then I imagine his daughter being murdered, torn to shreds. Screams, blood—my imagination is scary.
The last hour was spent tossing and turning in my bed, thinking about that poor werewolf girl and the future of our city.
Simply breathing is such a challenging task when I'm so shaken.
I don't feel safe or protected. Humans are dying on the streets, werewolves not belonging to the Crescent pack are being slaughtered, and the TV is filled with news about killer wolves.
The world is turning into chaos.
Therefore, I sit on William's bed. I want to ask him if I can sleep with him tonight, but now I wonder if that's a good idea.
A second ago, I was scared about what our world was turning into, and now my pussy is throbbing.
I'm such a slut.
William hasn't noticed me yet due to his earbuds. It allows me to continue staring at him.
And yes, I've seen my beloved mate naked before, but we haven't been together in what feels like forever.
Suddenly, Willian inhales the air, and I count the seconds it takes him to turn on his heel. Surprise makes his eyes widen to the size of saucers when they land on mine.
"Riley?" William blinks. "What are you doing here?"
I nervously pull my blanket tighter around me. I'm only wearing my underwear underneath it.
"I... I came to ask you if I may sleep with you tonight," I blush when he gapes at me and avert my eyes. "I know we aren't mated or anything, but... I can't sleep."
"I see, so you thought you come here and take advantage now that you have the chance, huh?"
I lift my chin. "What—"
The smile on William's face says it all. He was only teasing me. Yet my cheeks are burning. I didn't expect him to go all playful on me, but at least I'm smiling now.
"It's not cool to joke around like that," I tell him, trying not to laugh when he winks at me. "I'm upset about all the crazy shit happening in our city and world right now..."
William sighs. "I know, I know... But there is nothing we can do about that shit right now, I'm afraid."
I lift my legs from the floor and hug them to me. William sits next to me, and the bed creaks underneath him. My heart flutters at having him so near me, and part of me wishes he would touch me.
My eyes shyly travel to William. "How are your cravings after we visited the fairy world?"
"Worse..." William admits. His expression is gloomy and ashamed. It strengthens my urge to touch him, but I refrain.
"Is it blood or flesh you're craving?"
"Both really, but..." William hesitantly peers at me. "Can I tell you something without you freaking out?"
I take a deep breath. "I will try."
William places his hand on my tighs. The touch is electric and makes the need to hug him almost overwhelming. Yet I sit still and just smile at him, waiting for him to speak.
"No matter what, I won't hurt you. I promise," William says and meets my eyes with a hesitant smile. "I know I said I didn't trust my fairy self, and yes, I know fairies are dangerous. Yet somehow, I don't think I would hurt you as a fairy either."
My lips curl into a full-fledged smile.
William is sweet and gentle, and while I fear fairies, I can't fight how I feel about him.
My fingers interlock with his, and I take a deep calming breath before finally speaking. "Tell me what you want to say."
"If it's your blood, I think I could settle with it. Don't ask me how I know. For some reason, I have this feeling in my gut telling me the blood of my mate can quench my bloodthirst."
"I see," I pull my lips into my mouth and stare at our feet. "I don't think I fear fairies that much until we saw that giant one in the magical realm. Before that, I wasn't one bit against mating with you, even if you were my teacher, but... Now I'm a bit hesitant."
"Yeah, but I didn't mention mating—"
"I'm not finished," I narrow my eyes at him, willing him to be quiet. It makes him bite back a smile.
"I swear you're so tiny, but while you look like a doll, you're scarily feisty... Fierce and brave."
I glare at him. "I'm not a doll, and don't call me tiny either!"
Humor lights up his face. "Even if you are?"
"William..." I warn. "Can we please focus on the topic?"
He chuckles. "Alright, go on..."
"Thank you," I suck in a deep breath, clutching his hand to my chest. "I want to finish the mating ritual with you tonight."
His eyes widen into the size of saucers. "Really? But... But you understand that I have no idea if that will—"
"And William?" I interrupt him.
I'm tired of tip-toeing around and avoiding each other and... For one minute, can we just stop thinking about consequences and just finish the goddamn mate-bond? Fate made us mates for a reason.
He blinks. "Yes?"
"Can you please shut up and just kiss me instead?"
Those eyes sparkle, and a second later, he is over me, pushing me down onto my back with a lustful smirk. "I thought you would never ask."