"What's going on?" Kian approached me.

"We just came back from the Mountains."

Kian didn't immediately jump into questions. Rather, he nodded. I noted that my friend looked as if he hadn't slept in a week.

"We had an elixir that was supposed to reverse the effects of the poison from the poisoned wolves. Jamison was targeted but for some reason, after he took the elixir, he fainted."

"Shit." Kian took a seat beside me, "Where's that mate of yours?"

"He's still reporting to the Alpha."

As soon as I sped back into the Pack, Alexei took Jamison to the Healer's place. I followed but there were too many people at the Healer's place, I felt like I was in the way. I had taken one glance of Jamison splayed, before people shoved into the cottage.

I found a quiet corner in the Pack house, waiting for Aella who had been tied up with Jamison's current condition.

I'd been in the midst of praying to the Moon Goddess when I heard Kian's distinctive lazy stride.

"Need a hug?"

Before I could reply, his arms circled over my shoulders, bringing my cheek against his collarbone. "You don't need to give me a hug but thank you." I squeezed his frame before releasing him.

"You do realise I would only offer something like this to you or Aella. If anyone else asked for one, I would've told them to politely 'fuck off' and not insult me again."

"I know, hence my gratitude." I smiled, feeling my spirits lift.

Kian smiled.

"How are you really feeling Kian?" I asked my friend, hoping I wasn't stepping on minefields.

Kian sighed, fidgeting with the leather bands on his wrist. "I'm doing better. Promise. I've just been feeling sorry for myself. I feel as if I just failed everyone, losing the duel with Jace."

"No one is blaming you for anything Kian. No one." I held his hand, squeezing. "You're one of the best Enforcers I know. So what if you lost this duel. That doesn't speak of your competence as an Elite Enforcer. Everyone has stumbling blocks."

Kian studied my expression with a small, curious smile. "Since when did you become so wise Pen? I'm used to you making corny jokes and being inappropriate."

"Corny jokes? Never in my life have I been so offended Kian Montgomery." I pressed a hand against my chest for drama's sake.

Kian sighed, "I'm over the phase of feeling sorry myself. I've just been more focused on improving my combat skills. It's been keeping me distracted. Dad has been taking care of me, force feeding me and all. Old man won't leave me alone these days."

"That's good." I grinned.

Kian's gaze shifted somewhere over my shoulder. I followed his gaze, finding Alexei leaning against the doorframe.

"This is my cue to leave." Kian stood up but not without giving my hand a swift squeeze.

I watched as Kian walked over to Alexei, smirking.

"Do I get a hug too?" Alexei raised a brow with jest.

"I'm afraid you'd like it too much." Kian flashed his teeth before taking leave.

When the Enforcer was gone, Alexei took the spot Kian had left empty. Without missing a beat, he grabbed my waist, lifting me effortlessly until I was straddling his waist and the crown of my head fitted neatly beneath his firm chin.

An Alexei hug.

I slackened into his warmth, nuzzling my cheek against the nape of his neck. His hands slid down my shoulder blades, finding rest just above my butt. His fingers drummed a slow beat, the same tune his heart currently played in his chest.

"You alright?"

"I'm fine. How's Jamison holding up?"

"He's stable but it's like he's in a deep sleep. The elixir seemed to have worked but I guess his body needed to shut down for a bit to heal. We're just worried that if he's trapped in his sleep for too long, he might take a little longer to wake up. Jude is still there with Aella. Aella told me that she'll be a while with Jamison. I came here to deliver the message but to see you too. Looks like I came in time."

I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent. "I like this."

"Anytime you want this, I'm here." I heard him breathe in my hair.

"Even if you're busy?"

"Even if I'm busy Solnishko. I'll make time for you."

And there went my heart again.

For the first time in my life, I didn't know what to do with my feelings.

I placed my palm over his chest, twiddling with the buttons of his shirt.

"Let's go home." He whispered against my forehead.

I followed him, liking the way his fingers fit in mine as we left the Pack House quietly.

Lost in my thoughts, I was surprised when Alexei suddenly scooped me into his arms as we ascended the stairs to his house. He let us in, but he didn't put me down at the entrance like I expected him to. In all honestly, I didn't want to let him go. I kept my arms locked around his neck as he meandered through the hallway, finding the door to his bedroom.

"Can I use your shower?" I asked.

Alexei nodded, gently guiding me to my feet.

"Towels are already inside. You can change into this robe." He handed me a soft, blue robe.

"Thank you." I closed the door behind me.

By the time I was finished, my cheeks were slightly pink from the hot water I used. I wanted to make sure that all the dirt was washed off of me from the mountain. There were a few cuts here and there on my body, but I no longer felt the sting of it. I quickly dried myself and donned the robe Alexei loaned to me. It felt like a soft cuddle against my bare skin. I dabbed my hair with another dry towel until no droplets fell from the ends.

I stared at my reflection in the mirror. I looked tired but there was something in my expression that surprised me.

I looked like I was at peace.

No longer wild.

Just plain Penelope.

The Penelope I yearned for, for so long.

And I appreciated it.

I left the bathroom, walking right into Alexei who looked like he just finished his own shower. He grabbed my arms to steady me. A slightly damp towel draped over one of his shoulders, a naked shoulder to be precise. He was completely shirtless, bare for my gaze. He had put on a pair of loose pyjama pants that did amazing things for my imagination. "You smell like me." Alexei scented the air, taking in my scent into his lungs.

I swatted his hand that made a grab for me, moving into the direction of the kitchen. "Want some hot chocolate?" I asked.

Alexei followed behind me, rubbing his hair with his towel. "Yes. Please." Alexei took a seat at the island while I warmed the water in the kettle. I could feel his gaze on me trekking me across the room as I searched the pantry for the sugar and can of hot chocolate powder.

"Want some marshmallows?" I asked.

I found Alexei sitting in front of the fireplace, poking the metal stick against the splintered wood in the heath. I noted he hadn't switched on the lights, leaving the flames to illuminate the room. He had sprawled a blanket in front of the place and taken all the couch cushions and arranged them artfully along the circumference of the blanket. There was a thick blanket draped across his thighs.

When he heard me enter the room, he returned the fire poker into its place. I took the spot beside him, handing him his mug of hot chocolate. He crooned his thanks, accepting the warm concoction. The heat of the fire warmed my cheeks as I took a long sip of my hot chocolate. The sugary treat tasted amazing.

"This looks cosy." I offered him a smile.

Alexei took another long drink from his mug, then placed the empty ceramic at the edge of the blanket laid out on the floor. "My family used to read books in front of the fireplace before bedtime. My sisters loved it. It meant they could cuddle up and avoid sleeping too early. I only liked it because I could play with the fire."

I laughed into my mug. "I'm not surprised."

"I didn't mind the stories. Papa was always good at making them up on the spot. Mama used to say he was fluent in bullshit."

I snorted, then felt the hot chocolate I had just sipped, trickle from my nostrils.

Alexei laughed, taking my mug from my grip.

I wiped my nose, mortified.

Alexei kept laughing- the insensitive prick.

Once I was sure there was no brown liquid coming down my nose, I faced Alexei with a frown. "Now, that was embarrassing."

Alexei affectionately wiped my chin, chuckling under his breath.

I bit my lip, but he pressed the pad of his finger to them. "I thought it was cute."

I glared at him, "Cute? I literally had chocolate come down my nose."

"And I thought it was cute." He grinned, palming the back of my neck, and pulled me close. His lips stole my breath as he kissed me until I could think and smell nothing but Alexei. I didn't resist when he tugged me closer, until I was over him, straddling his hips. His hands travelled to my ass, cupping my cheeks as I sucked his tongue.

I stole his moan, trapping it between my lips as he moved me against the bulge between his thighs. He tasted sweet and he was mine. My wolf shuddered. I felt dizzy by the time I released his lips, but Alexei had other plans. I felt his lips pepper across my collarbone in butterfly kisses. I caught his gaze. His glittered with something hot and fierce. I felt completely claimed and desired.

I took off my robe, throwing it away. Alexei's gaze darkened. "Take these off." I nipped his chin, wrestling with the waistband of his pants. Alexei chuckled but tugged them off swiftly, discarding it over my discarded robe.

His skin felt hot beneath my fingertips. I traced the lines of his abdominal muscles. I enjoyed watching the way his muscles tensed over each, fleeting touch. I explored the contours of his shoulders and his sides. Alexei hadn't eased his hands away from my ass. In fact, he had begun to massage it, using little effort to make me drenched. My fingers played lower and lower until I gripped his cock.

Alexei's chest shuddered.

I licked my lips.

Alexei rolled his hips, "I don't think I'll last long if you use your mouth on me Solnishko."

I pouted which earned a rough chuckle against my breast. Alexei suddenly pulled himself into a perch, sliding his hands into my hair. He held his forehead against mine, breathing in my scent, while I drew in his.

He whispered something against my cheeks. Again, I could only comprehend 'Solnishko' but I also picked up a word that sounded like 'nebesa'. I wanted to ask him to translate what he was saying but the rough declarations against my heated skin felt like lovely covenants.

"I hope you're saying only good things." I said.

Alexei chuckled, "Only beautiful things for my Solnishko." He assured me.

"Good." I nipped his lips, lifting my hips. Alexei guided me down his cock. The moment he slid all the way into the hilt, I watched his golden, brown eyes shimmer and flare. His lips parted.

Alexei watched as I worked his cock. I didn't dare look away, not even when his gaze seared me naked.

I was drenched and his cock was thick and filling me in the most perfect of ways.

We fit so well together.

"I'll never get tired of this view." Alexei's voice slid across my neck. "Never get sick of how wet this pussy gets for me."

I squeezed said pussy.

Alexei hissed out a curse, slapping my ass. I squeaked, taken off guard by the contact. Alexei offered a smirk, holding me tight on his cock. "Don't think I didn't feel how tight you just got."

"Anything you do to me makes me wet." I admitted.

"In that case-"Alexei switched positions, so that I was on my front, with my ass in the air. Before I could speak, his cock was in me again and his fingers were at my clit, strumming it with expertise. Alexei whispered a whole bunch of filthy promises into my air, that had me biting my lips and slamming back against him to take his hard thrusts.

One of his hands remained pinching and swirling along my clit, while his other hand possessed my breast, squeezing and twisting my nipple.

Alexei knew exactly what to do to make me come.

And I did, when he thrusted deep.

I screamed his name.

Alexei kept his fingers moving along my clit, prolonging my orgasm until I was nothing my a limp pile of limbs.

Alexei tapped my clit three times, drawing a moan from my lips as I shifted. Alexei pulled out but sat, guiding me until I took his hard cock again. His lips sucked on my nipples as I slowly worked my pussy along his cock, whispering his name like a mantra. I knew he was close because his breaths were falling shorter.

Just when I thought Alexei would come, he paused all movement. His hands framed my face, silently demanding me to hold his gaze. "Keep those pretty eyes on me Solnishko. I want to see the moment you come on my cock."

I bit my lip, nodding. "Fuck me Alexei."

This seemed to activate something inside him. He gripped my breast and ass, thrusting up into me in a furious pace. I kept his gaze, feeling the moment his muscles tensed and rippled. I felt his come a second later, warming me up. My name ripped from his lips as another spurt of his come erupted. I came to his second orgasm, feeling my pussy tighten with release. Alexei cursed and cursed as I clutched on him.

When the last echoes of our orgasm left, Alexei took my mouth with fervour. I sank into his touch, breathing in the scent of jasmine and sandalwood while I tasted nothing but sweetness from his lips.

When I drew away, Alexei flicked my sensitive nipple, sucking it into his mouth once more.

I bit my lip, moaning. "I think you've taken all my orgasms for today."

Alexei chuckled against my breast, "Not even close Solnishko."

My pussy clenched.

Alexei smirked, scenting my desire. His cock was still hard. "You won't be walking right tomorrow." I promised him against his lips. Alexei chuckled, "I look forward to it."

There was something in his gaze that sparkled passionately. I had a feeling; it was the same emotion reflected on mine but neither of us said anything as Alexei took me again and again until the fire in the grate diminished into nothing but embers.