Chapter 81

Phoenix

There's a blur of fur, claws, and teeth as the rogues attack us. They came out of fucking nowhere, their eyes wild with bloodlust. They must've seen Selene and wanted her for themselves, but no one will ever touch my mate again.

She's mine.

My wolf growls, furious that these assholes interrupted our reunion. That moment with Selene was ripped away too soon, and I'm now I'm going to make them pay for it. The need to protect her surges through me like a tidal wave, and I crouch in a defensive stance.

These rogues are just obstacles, and my wolf will take them out easily, especially with Loki and Jamie's help.

One leaps towards me, his teeth aimed for my throat, but I'm faster. I catch him midair, my jaws clamping down on his neck, tearing through skin and muscle. His blood fills my mouth, and I feel his body go limp. Another charges from my right, but he doesn't even make it to me before Loki tears him apart.

My wolf's fury courses through me. I can feel his savage need to destroy anyone who dares to touch our mate. I can feel her through the bond—she's weak. Too weak to defend herself. Zack starved her, kept her from sleeping, from healing. The more I sense her exhaustion, the hotter my anger burns. She needs me to take her home, to take care of her and help her heal, but here I am dealing with these worthless excuses for wolves.

A growl rumbles through my chest as I rip through the rogues with a pure, unrelenting force. I tear one's throat out, throwing another against a tree so hard, I hear his bones crack on impact. I don't even need to think—my wolf is in charge right now. These bastards can't match my speed or strength, and by the way some of them are retreating, they realize how much they fucked up.

I hear Loki and Jamie fighting behind me, their wolves snarling and snapping, but I can't afford to look their way. I need to trust that they can keep Selene safe. My focus is on the rogues and feeling Selene through our bond.

Whatever ones that are lurking in the trees will be dealt with my Luke. I just need to hold them off until then.

The battle is over within a few minutes. When wolves die, they shift back into humans so bodies now litter the ground, torn and broken. My blood is soaked in blood, but I'm sure everyone else's is too. I breathe hard, adrenaline still pumping through my veins. But as I look around, I realize that there's no one else to fight. No more threats to my mate.

For now, at least.

Uncle Luke comes into view, shifting back into his human form as he surveys the carnage around us. His eyes flicker from one dead rogue to the next before landing on me.

"Damn Nix, you made quite a mess, didn't you?" he says, a hint of amusement in his voice.

I shift back, ignoring the blood and dirt that covers my skin. "They started it," I say with a shrug. "I just ended it."

Before I can say anything else, Selene rushes towards me. Her small, naked frame collides with mine, and she buries her face in my neck, inhaling my scent.

"Phoenix, you're okay," she whispers, her voice muffled against my skin, and I can feel her trembling in my arms.

I chuckle, though it comes out rough. "I think that should be my line, little wolf."

It feels so fucking good to hold her like this. I feel whole again—like me again. I tighten my grip on her, pulling her closer. I don't give a shit that we're naked or that we're surrounded by others. All I care about is her—feeling her warmth against me, knowing she's safe again.

My cock grows hard against her belly, though sex is the last thing on my mind. But instead of pulling away, she grinds against it, her pussy wet and ready. I can feel her lust through our bond, fueling my own. Fuck. She wants me to fuck her right here.

Luke must sense the tension between us because he clears his throat. "Selene, can you tell us where Zack was hiding you? I need to confirm that your abductors are deceased."

Her head snaps up, and she points behind her, her voice quiet but clear. "Keep going that way, and you'll eventually run into the cabin. It's a piece of shit."

Luke nods, giving me a look that says he'll handle the rest. "Okay, we'll meet you kids there."

The second they're gone, I can't wait anymore. I need her. I scoop her up, her legs wrapping around my waist instinctively as I pin her against a tree. My heart is thudding against my ribcage, and my wolf is still on edge, growling, pushing for more. For her.

"Are you sure you want this right now?" I rasp as I stare into her eyes, asking for consent.

She nods, her eyes soft but filled with the same raw need I feel. "Please, Phoenix. I need to feel you inside of me. Make me whole again."

I don't need to be told twice. I slam into her, allowing all of my emotions to drive me—anger, relief, love, desperation. I can't hold back. Not after everything that has happened. Not after almost losing her.

Her nails dig into my shoulders, drawing blood, but it just reminds me how alive she is. She moans and pants along with me, and I can feel her heartbeat against my chest, thumping in sync with mine.

"I missed you so much," she moans.

"I know," I growl, thrusting harder, my hands gripping her hips like she's the only thing keeping me tethered to my sanity. "I missed you too."

But it's more than that. A part of me was missing when she was gone, and now I feel whole again. I kiss her hard, letting out all of that emotion pour out in every touch, every movement.

"You're my fated mate, little wolf," I murmur against her lips between kisses. I need her to know, to understand just how fucking much she means to me.

She gasps, pulling away enough to look at me. "Are you sure?" she whispers, her voice tinged with disbelief.

"Yeah," I breathe, my forehead resting against hers. "That's how I was able to find you. My wolf could sense yours, even if she was suppressed. That can only happen with true mates."

Tears well in her eyes, and for a moment, I think I've said the wrong thing. But then she says, "Fuck, Phoenix. You're my second-chance mate. I can't believe it."

I nod, my chest swelling with so much emotion, it feels like it might burst. "Yes, baby."

She smiles through the tears, her hands cupping my face as she looks into my eyes. "I'm so glad it was you. I wouldn't have wanted it to be anyone else."

I kiss her again, more gently this time, but the intensity is still there. "I fucking love you, Selene, and I'm never going to let anyone hurt you again. I promise."

"I love you too, Phoenix," she whispers before clenching around me, silently begging me to fuck her into oblivion and show her just how true my words are.