Chapter 587: Just The Two Of Them
Alaric Storm was wide awake, his piercing gaze locked on Violet with an intensity that might have felt unsettling to anyone else. But between mates, that look was completely normal, and if one dared to peer deeper into those stormy blue eyes, they would see the fierce, unshakable devotion burning brightly.
He just couldn’t help it. To be honest, it still felt like a dream to him.
Although the prophecy had always said all four of them would one day be mated to Violet, doubt still crept in like a thief. Not to mention those ugly, jealous moments that gnawed at him whenever he saw the mating runes etched on Griffin and Roman’s skin. Proof that they were bonded to their girl in a way he hadn’t been yet.
To be fair, Alaric had always thought Asher would be next, and that he, Alaric, would probably be the last. Not that his love for Violet burned any less — he was crazy for her — but Asher? Asher would walk through hell and back, over and over again, for their girl. That man had fallen in love with Violet long before they’d even met.
And yet, ironically, it was clear now that Asher would be the last to claim his bond.
For the longest time, Alaric had wondered what activated the Matebond. What moved the Moon Goddess enough to intervene? Now, lying there with Violet’s scent all over him, he finally understood.
The Matebond didn’t just fall at random. It came in moments of dire trial, when their love for her was tested, when they had to prove they were worthy of her.
For Griffin, he’d had to unleash the wild alter ego he usually kept caged, break free from a suppressor bond, and rescue her from the rogues.
For Roman, it had been standing toe-to-toe with Alpha Henry — who was terrifyingly stronger — and protecting Violet from her twisted father-in-law — in Roman’s words.
As for him?
He had faced his mother. And Alaric knew better than anyone, that was no small feat. He had been willing to end her life if that was what it took to protect Violet and keep her by his side.
It hit him then that each one of them had to sacrifice something to be with the Goddess’ daughter.
And that realization carried a darkness with it. It could only mean that this peace they were enjoying now was fleeting. For Asher’s bond to fall, Violet would have to face danger again.
Alaric’s chest tightened at the thought, but he forced it away. Until that day came, he was going to savor every moment. He would love, worship and remind her, over and over, that she was his.
Unable to help himself, Alaric reached out and slowly traced the mating rune on the side of her belly. Through their bond, he felt the exact moment the sharp thrilling
sensation hit her. Violet shivered, her breath catching as her body responded instinctively. His eyes darkened with intrigue as her nipples pebbled, tightening under his gaze.
A slow, dangerous smile curved Alaric’s lips.
He let a faint crackle of lightning dance across his fingertip, then dragged it along the rune’s long vertical line, branching off to one of the diagonal marks at the top left before gliding back to the second.
The reaction was instant. Violet’s back arched off the bed, a throaty, unrestrained moan spilling past her lips as her eyes fluttered open. The pleasure surged through her like a raw rush of power, the kind that blurred the line between pain and ecstasy. Alaric knew exactly how that felt — like a hit of the most addictive drug, his own personal brand of heroine.
"Good morning, my beautiful mate," Alaric murmured, his voice thick with possessiveness and pride.
Violet lay sprawled beneath him, her purplish-black hair fanning out across the sheets, a rare softness lingering on her face from sleep. With her completely naked in his bed, her skin glowing from their night together, she was sin incarnate — and she was his.
"If this is the way you intend to wake me up everyday, then I might become lazy at this rate, mate," Violet replied, satisfaction in her tone.
"Oh, that’s exactly the point," Alaric said with a sly tone, "You don’t need to lift a finger, just let me do the work."
And to punctuate his point, Alaric gently slid between her legs and lifted her hips, positioning her exactly where he wanted.
Violet’s breath caught in her throat, her body trembling in anticipation. That was exactly what Alaric desired — she was his queen, and was to be served properly.
Slowly, deliberately, he pushed into her.
Violet’s head fell back against the pillow, a broken moan spilling from her lips. The sensation was overwhelming, bliss surging through her veins until she could barely breathe.
Alaric groaned, the sound raw and guttural, as her wet heat welcomed him perfectly, like a glove made only for him. Goddess above... This was heaven. This was his home. He could lose himself inside her forever and never tire.
Holding her gaze with his blue eyes, he began to move, slow and deep at first, drawing her into a steady, intoxicating rhythm that was equal parts possession and worship.
"God, Alaric..." Violet gasped, her voice breaking as pleasure raked through her in crashing torrents, dragging her toward the edge of madness.
Alaric gripped her waist tightly, his fingers digging into her skin, but it still wasn’t enough for Violet. She wanted more.
With a moan of frustration, she wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him closer than they had ever been. The intimate connection sent a shiver through both of them.
"Yes," Alaric growled, his voice thick with hunger, "take your pleasure, my queen."
He increased the pace, his thrusts deeper, more insistent — but still restrained. Not as fast or as rough as he wanted. First, he needed Violet’s pleasure to be complete, to wring every gasp and cry from her before surrendering to his own.
Violet squealed and mewled beneath him, her fingers tangling in her hair as the pleasure dragged her under. Alaric was hitting spots inside her that made her see stars, her entire body trembling with ecstasy.
She began to grind against him, wild and unrestrained, chasing the mounting tension building inside her like a storm ready to break.
"Alaric..." she gasped, her voice breaking. She was close — so close.
"Yes, love," he urged, his tone a dark, reverent command. "Go on... take what you want."
Violet threw her head back, gasping for breath as tingles spread across her skin like fire.
Then she dragged Alaric down, smashing her lips against his. Her moans turned into incoherent murmurs against his mouth, lost in a world of pleasure that swallowed her whole.
Alaric felt her clench hard around him, and it took every ounce of control not to come right then and there. A moment later, Violet screamed his name, holding him tightly as she bucked beneath him.
He rode out her orgasm with her, moving slowly to ease her down from the peak. When at last the storm passed, Violet collapsed back against the bed, thoroughly spent and utterly satisfied.
But that was where Alaric’s pleasure began.
With a guttural growl, he pulled out of Violet in one swift motion and flipped her over. Violet squealed, caught off guard, her body twisting beneath his powerful hands until she was lying flat on her stomach.
"Alaric—" her breathless protest turned into a strangled moan as, without a moment’s hesitation, he drove into her with one rough, claiming thrust.
Violet clutched the sheets so tightly her knuckles turned white. The air was punched out of her lungs, her scream echoing through the room as the overwhelming sensation consumed her.
Alaric didn’t slow down. He pounded into her, hard and brutal, giving in completely to the primal hunger he’d been holding back. His rhythm was relentless, each thrust rocking her forward as the bed groaned beneath them.
Violet broke into desperate pleas. Her body burned, her core tightening with unbearable tension.
Then Alaric’s strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist, lifting her hips and dragging her back to meet his every thrust. The position forced him deeper, until there was nothing left but wild, reckless rutting, his groans of absolute bliss blending with her screams of ecstasy.
"Alaric!" she sobbed, her voice shattering as pleasure detonated inside her. Her walls clamped around him like a vice, her orgasm crashing through her with blinding intensity.
But Alaric wasn’t done. Even as she trembled violently beneath him, he kept moving, claiming her over and over, pushing her past the edge again and again. Violet’s body quaked, overwhelmed by pleasure so intense it was almost pain.
He roared his own release, emptying completely inside of her before collapsing over her body. Thoroughly spent and breathless, Alaric buried his face against her neck, holding her close.
Nothing else mattered but the two of them together.