Jace stood in front the remnant members of the Blue Cave Pack.

I caught a glimpse of Mila in the crowd. Although she stood separately from almost everyone, Magnus stood close, almost like a protective shield. She had gotten rid of the blue and red bandana and her long tresses were piled into a high ponytail.

"That's more than what I expected." Kian said beside me.

I agreed.

I was surprised that Kian had come but as soon as I saw where his glare was aimed, I realised that my friend was watching Jace closely. I had an inkling that maybe Kian was still bothered that he had lost but more than that, he was unsettled by the fact that Jace was becoming a Pack member.

I had expected less than a quarter of the Blue Cave Pack to willingly join alliances with our Pack. Mila had been a welcome surprise too, considering she wasn't actually a part of their Pack, but it appeared as if Magnus had claimed her as one of his own.

There were probably just a little over sixty members that approached us.

Jude and Aella went to greet the mass first.

I felt Kian grow stiff beside me. I was tense too watching our friend meet her old Pack members.

From where we stood, we could hear Jude's words.

"I welcome you into my Pack however, there are two things that I'll require of each of you adults."

"What do you mean by conditions? We already met the ones you dealt us." Jace responded.

"Not quite." Jude replied.

"I don't understand."

"Yes, you have completed the actual conditions to take place in my Pack however, there is one big issue."

"Well, tell us."

"I demand an apology from each of you, for my mate, who has suffered at your hands."

Even from where I was standing, I could hear Jude's voice loud and clear.

"It is your choice. I'm making it clear right now that you will not be disrespecting Aella in any way. This is her Pack. I will not have her be uncomfortable in her own home. My mate has already gotten over the horrors you've placed on her but now the decision is up to you. Yes, you technically can enter my Pack as we agreed on that but that means she will be your Luna. Regardless of what any of you think, she will be your leader. That demands respect."

There was an uncomfortable silence among the throng of people.

A woman emerged from the crowd, smiling shyly at both the Alpha and Luna.

"I accept." She said.

Aella appeared in shock as the woman rushed to her, pulling her into her arms.

I heard Aella whisper the name Marcel with gratitude.

One by one, Pack members of the Blue Cave began to approach Aella nervously while Jude watched on silently.

The Pack watched in amazed silence as each member of the Blue Cave Pack approached their new Luna warily.

I couldn't help but keep Mila in my sight. She wasn't part of the Blue Cave Pack, but she looked the most uncomfortable among the people. From my knowledge, I knew she hadn't done anything to Aella or Allison. Somewhere between Jace and Ace's expulsion from the Recruits and now, Mila had aligned herself with the Pack.

I had questions, more than I had realised.

As if she could sense me, she glanced at me from across the field. Her blue eyes shuttered, closing off whatever it was she was feeling so she became perfectly unreadable.

Whatever she was hiding, I didn't know if I wanted to find out. The woman was drowning in secrets.

I watched her gaze flit over the crowd and land on something. I focused my attention to my right, spotting Jamison. He appeared broodier than usual as he narrowed his gaze on Mila. It wasn't uncharacteristic of Jamison to be standoffish, but it was definitely something noteworthy that he hadn't once removed his focus from Mila.

***

"You have to visit us soon." Tatiana said.

"I will." Alexei promised, smoothing a kiss on both of his sister's cheeks.

"You have to come with him." Sascha enveloped me into her long, skinny arms. I didn't have the heart to tell her that she was constricting my airways. When she released me, I stumbled back, landing against Alexei chest. His palms immediately shot out, gripping my hips. "Easy." The single word kissed my neck.

I couldn't help but smile up at him, "Thanks. I almost embarrassed myself in front of an audience."

"Never."

"Look at these lovebirds. Disgusting." Tatiana clucked her tongue, hiding her devilish smirk. I swore one day she would bring her mate to his knees, and she would absolutely adore every single moment of it.

"Come and visit whenever you can."

Tatiana smiled wide, "Of course." Her gaze flew up to Alexei with a spark. "This better be the last surprise you ever spring on us. I still can't believe you have a mate. Babushka is going to freak once she finds out."

"Tell Babushka I love her."

"She knows that."

"I'll call tonight in case you don't."

"Kotya, you have trust issues." Tatiana sighed. She turned to descend the flight of stairs, but she paused, hesitating. She peered over her shoulder, watching me with her brother's eyes. "Alexei doesn't invite random people to his house." She remarked.

I felt Alexei's hand spasm against me.

She continued to hold my gaze firmly, "When my brother has opened his home to you, you should also know that he has already opened his heart to you too."

"Tatiana." I blinked, speechless.

Alexei's hand trembled against my hip. I held on to it firmly, keeping my gaze on Tatiana.

"Treat my brother well Penelope. He's precious to us."

"I will." I replied, before my head could catch up and process the words I'd just let loose.

She nodded and started walking down the stairs. Sascha followed close behind, jumping from one wooden step, down the other.

When the two landed on the grass, they turned back, waving.

I could feel Alexei smile against the top of my head as we responded with a wave.

As soon as they were out of sight, Alexei pulled me into the house, closing the door before he flattened me against the hard surface.

I blinked up at him in surprise as he took both my wrists hostage, placing them over my head. "What are you doing?" I asked, wary of the abrupt darkening of his gaze.

"Your heart is beating fast." He transferred my right wrist to his left hand, holding it prisoner with my other hand. I froze as his fingers brushed the curve of my cheek, landing on the delicate outline of my collarbone. His finger drew a hot line across it as it dipped further, finding the v of my shirt between my breasts. As soon as it reached the furthest point of the v, highlighting my exposed skin, his finger paused.

Our gazes clashed.

"I don't have a hand over your heart, but I can hear it clearly." He said.

I glanced down at his frozen hand.

"If I place my hand over your heart, I would be able to hear each beat."

"Do it." I urged.

He retracted his hand. A few seconds later, his warm palm spread a little over the left side of my chest. My breath stuttered.

As seconds ticked by, I was completely enraptured by the look on his face.

He looked more than pleased, to the point, I couldn't help but chuckle. His concentration broke at the sound. He offered a confused look. "Why are you laughing?"

"I just can't believe that you're here, with me. I think I've seen almost every expression on your face except for this one."

"What do I look like?"

"Something I would describe as boyish wonder?"

"And how about now?" His hand shifted as his thumb swept over the exact spot where my nipple was. Alexei did not drop his gaze, instead, he roped mine in as his tongue dipped out, running along his teeth.

I bit down on my bottom lip, feeling the flare of heat surge from between the apex of my thighs to the tips of my nipples. My eyelids grew heavy as Alexei dipped his head, pressing his velvet lips against my earlobe, "What do you see Solnishko?"

"Desire." My eyes snapped open just as his tongue swept into my mouth.

His hands were gone from mine, only to reappear behind my thighs. He pulled me up, pushing my back against the door. My thighs clamped down on the lower end of his ribs. My ankles crossed just above the curve of his ass. My fingers found his hair as he devoured my mouth, sucking on my tongue, then lips, then tongue again as if trying to steal my taste to savour.

I gripped the edge of his shirt, willingly it over his head. Alexei released my tender lips, ripping the shirt off in a haste.

"Your pants too." I gasped, wrestling his belt off. Alexei worked quickly with a growl, tugging the leather from the loops, and tossing it across the hallway. It landed with a clank. His lips pulled mine, but I gripped his pants, working it down his hips. Alexei released my lips with an impatient growl, gently nudging my hands away as he shoved the denim to his knees.

I felt the velvet tip of his cock at the seat of my shorts, rubbing against me.

"Alexei, my clothes are still on." I rushed to strip off my shirt, but it got tangled on my head, so all I could see was the dark blue fabric of my tee blocking my vision.

"Cute bra." Alexei rasped.

I wiggled, trying to dispose of the shirt but I felt Alexei's hot breath skim along the crest of my breast.

I was wearing a bright pink, lace bra with thin straps. One wrong tug and it could snap. I could sense Alexei taking his fill. I shivered when his nose bumped my right, sensitive nipple. I squirmed, "Alexei, help me take this off-"

His finger hooked the delicate lace, yanking it down. The cool air brushed my naked skin, just as his mouth took my nipple.

I gasped in surprise, throwing my head back. "Alexei!"

"I could play with these tits forever." He brushed his stubbled cheek between my breasts as he cupped them, pinching my nipples with just the right amount of pressure my body preened under his erotic ministrations. "Can I play with these whenever I want?"

He licked a hot path between my tits, dragging his tongue back down to play with my erect nipples. I thrashed against his tongue, "You're going to regret teasing me."

My moans were stifled against the fabric of my shirt as Alexei twirled two circles on my left nipple before sucking it deep into his mouth.

I screamed his name, squirming beneath his tongue.

When he began placing innocent, soft pecks along the tops of my breasts, my breath evened out.

Alexei finally helped me pull my shirt off the rest of the way. When I could see him, he wore the biggest smirk. "I assume you enjoyed my tongue?"

I glared, breathless. "You devil."

Alexei laughed, slowly releasing me until my toes touched the floor. As soon as he took one step away, I cast him a secretive smirk. One of a seductive nature, you could say. I softened my glare into a look of sultriness. Keeping my gaze locked on him, I unhooked my bra, letting it slide to my feet.

I heard his gulp.

His eyes darted to my fingers that were unfastening the buttons of my shorts. I wiggled out of the tight material, exposing a matching pink thong. Holding his gaze, I turned, meeting his ravenous eyes over my shoulder. "Help me take this off?" I motioned to the string of material.

Alexei nodded silently, moving closer until he was crouching behind me. His fingers danced along the bare skin of my hips before gripping the material, leisurely working it over my hips.

I bit my lip as I watched Alexei nudge my feet away from the thong. He took the scrap of material and carefully placed it at his side, in a neat pile. His hands slid around my ankles, slowly making their way up to my thighs. It was slightly ticklish as he dragged his lips along the back of my thighs, drawing closer and closer to the secret spot between my thighs.

Just as I felt his lips graze my pulsing pussy, I touched my foot against his chest, gently nudging him away.

Alexei moved back, rising from his heels. His palms framed my naked body against the door, his chest pressed against my back. "You teasing me Solnishko with your wet pussy?"

My attention lingered on his pink lips. There were slightly swollen. A result of sucking my nipples too long.

I gave him a long, come-hither look that would've made him hard in an instant if he wasn't already. I could feel his arousal against my ass. "Take me on your couch Alexei."

"Fuck. Me." Alexei cussed, completely tangled in my spell.

I slid around him, moving to the lounge.

I felt him move behind me in long strides, but he didn't try to reach out to me. His gaze was like a hot mark at the back of my head.

Finding his couch, I climbed onto it on my knees, grasping the top of it. I slid my gaze behind me, watching Alexei enter the room. His chest heaved out a long breath. "You joining me?"

"You'd have to amputate my limbs to stop me." He surged towards me. I rested my cheek against my hands, watching Alexei's solemn approach.

I couldn't help but ogle how hard his cock was, pointing right at me.

As soon as he got behind me, I turned, laying on my back and lifting my legs, pointing my toes to the ceiling. Alexei's knees buckled as he landed right between my thighs. His hands grabbed the back of my knees, placing one leg on each of his broad shoulders.

I don't get a chance to speak because Alexei's head fell between my thighs. His tongue stroked a wet line down my pussy, licking up the wetness that had already gathered there.

I gasped, immediately gripping his hair. "Alexei."

His mouth was relentless. He just kept sucking, licking, and biting my clit to the point I saw stars. I focused on the wet sounds of his mouth against me, and the desperation in him as he sucked my clit hard into his mouth, that his cheeks hollowed out. "I don't want to come too fast- Alexei!" I squealed as his hands gripped my ass, pulling me up so his tongue could wedge deeper into my slick hole.

I was going to come.

I could feel it spreading along my body.

My pussy was aching, and Alexei wasn't giving me any breathing space.

I gripped his hair tightly, closing my eyes as I felt myself reach the point of no return. Alexei's name spilled from my lips in little whimpers as he released my clit with a wet smack of his lips. His fingers stirred my slick folds until I stopped trembling in his arms.

When I could finally open my eyes, Alexei was grinning down at me. "Ready for my cock?"

I yanked on his hair, pulling him down so I could get his lips.

I could taste my essence on him, but I was more addicted to the way his tongue flicked over mine, coercing me into a slow tango of his velvet lips. I felt his cock notch at my entrance, sliding back and forth over my clit. "Stop teasing me."

"Your wish is my command." He whispered just as his hips pushed forward and he entered me in one long slide.

My muscles tensed.

Alexei shuddered, holding still over me as his hips met mine. "I'll never get tired of how perfect you feel around me. So perfect. So fucking wet for me." He sucked on his index and middle finger, bringing it to my slit. Once he began rubbing it, I had already surrendered my soul.

"Don't be gentle. I want it hard. I want to feel you long after this."

"Then you'll have it." He confirmed, locking his arms around my knees. He shifted until his cock was planted deep inside of me that my ass cheeks kissed his pelvis before he began thrusting his hips, hard.

I bit my lip, gripping the top of the couch tightly. "You feel so good in my pussy." I whispered.

"Hold on tight." Alexei warned before he picked up speed.

His hips hammered fast and hard, the sound of our skin slapping could probably be heard from the front entry.

It was a mix of pleasure and pain as I watched Alexei fuck me. There was a sheen of sweat over his chest and face. I watched as a sweat drop slid down his jaw, falling to his chest before disappearing down the slope of his sculpted abs.

I honestly didn't know how much longer I could go.

I felt my peak coming.

I know Alexei's close. His jaw stiffened from concentration. He was making sure I was getting the proper fucking I asked for. For a second, he thrusted his cock up inside me, holding still as he trembled fiercely. "Fuck, I'm close Solnishko." He rasped, closing his eyes briefly.

When he opened his eyes, I knew he couldn't hold off much longer.

I couldn't either.

I changed my grip to his biceps, feeling the muscle there. "Make me come."

"With. fucking. pleasure." Each word was punctuated with a deep stroke of his beautiful cock.

I didn't dare close my eyes as I tightened my muscles on his dick. I knew the moment he reached his peak. His hips thrusted into me hard, holding, as his body trembled hard. I could see that his knuckles were taut as his fingers crushed my ass cheeks in his hold, pulling me close.

Even though I was fine not getting another orgasm, Alexei drew his fingers over my clit, pinching and swiping it until I came on his cock one last time. He groaned, feeling my inner muscles flutter against his hardness.

"You've taken the rest." He rasped out, closing his eyes.

"The what?" I asked.

"The last pieces that needed to go."

I didn't understand what he was saying but I still held onto him as he slowly withdrew his cock. I glanced down, flushed. "We made a mess."

"We'll shower then clean this up." He said, distracted. His fingers danced along my pussy, sliding through our mixed juices. Meeting my eyes, he took his soaked fingers, brushing it against his lips. His tongue swept it up as his gaze sparkled. "Delicious."

I laughed, although my throat sounded hoarse from all the moaning I'd been doing. I hadn't exactly whispered his name.