Turning in the bed, her hand reached out and touched his pillow. It was still warm, but he was gone.
Alice sat up, letting the sheets fall, exposing her naked breasts to the cold morning air.
“Axel?” she called out.
The bedroom door opened, and a robe-clad Axel stepped inside with a cup in each hand. He closed the door behind him and turned to her. A raised eyebrow and then a grin appeared on his face.
“Well, good morning,” he said.
Alice looked down at her breasts, then sat up straight and leaned back on her elbows against the pillows, giving him an even better view.
“Good morning,” she purred.
Axel's smile widened, and he bit his lower lip. He set the cups beside the bed and quickly removed his robe as he leaped onto the bed, drawing a squeal of laughter from Alice.
Once their morning exercise was done, they lay together in bed. Alice curled into Axel's side, her fingertips lightly drawing invisible circles on his chest as he sipped his cold coffee.
They had spent most of the night reacquainting themselves until they were exhausted. But the conversation from before still lingered in their minds.
“Axel:”
“Alice:”
They called to each other simultaneously.
With a soft chuckle, Axel told Alice to go first.
She took a deep breath and turned to lay her chin on his chest and face him.
“I am yours, Axel,” she stated.
Her words were welcome, but her tone left a pit in his stomach.
Axel furrowed his brow and set his coffee aside, sitting up a little more. Alice moved to rest on her elbows.
“Ok,” he said, swallowing nervously.
“I have no intention of being separated from you ever again,” she added, noticing the concern in his eyes.
Axel let out a relieved breath.
“But,” she continued, “I cannot be a Luna to Winter.”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtAxel sat up and opened his mouth to speak, but Alice quickly continued her words.
“The Luna is much more than just a title or the mate of the Alpha. She is someone that guides the packs towards the will of the Goddess. I have no connection to the Goddess and cannot perform that role.”
“Alice:”
“I am happy to just be quietly near you,” Alice interrupted. She licked her lips and looked away before continuing. “So, if you need to find someone else as your wife, to be your official Luna…. To have your children, I will:”
Axel let out a low growl as he moved forward, grabbing her shoulders and turning her onto the bed with him on top of her.
Alice gasped as she looked up at him. The ends of his long hair teased her with a feather-light touch against her chest.
He leaned forward and captured her mouth in a demanding and passionate kiss. Alice was suddenly overwhelmed by the desire he pushed through their bond, the excitement, the pleasure of their bodies pressed against each other.
Axel pulled away from her lips and moved down her throat. His tongue danced along her flesh, drawing gasps and soft moans from her.
Alice cried out in surprise and delight as Axel's fingers suddenly pressed into her wet folds. He moved against her with precision and skill, he had only just begun, and she was already almost at her breaking point.
Axel brought his mouth to her ear.
“You are mine,” he whispered. His hot breath sent an electric pulse that reached down into her core.
“Yes…” Alice whispered through her panting.
His hand increased its movements. Alice wrapped her arms around his neck, holding to him as she gasped for breath and pressed herself against his hand. Axel pushed her to the cliff's edge until she was free, falling through the rolling waves of pleasure only he could give her.
Axel let out soft, shuddering breaths against Alice's ear.
“Who am I to you?” he asked quietly.
Alice furrowed her brows as her mind came back into focus. She let go of his neck and lowered her head to the pillow to look up at him. His face was hidden by his long hair. She reached up, brushing aside his golden locks to the man that stared back at her.
His eyes filled with longing and affection.
Alice sat up, moving to her knees to be at eye level with him. She reached out and took his face in her hands.
“To me, you are everything,” she whispered.
“Then why would you give me away so freely?” he asked.
Alice swallowed.
“I… wasn't….”
“You will happily stay quiet by my side?” he said. “While I marry and bed another woman?”
Alice looked away, but Axel grabbed her chin to face him again.
“Do you wish to see me with another woman?” he asked. “Would you sit in that chair and watch as we make a child together?”
Alice clenched her jaw and pulled away from his hand. She looked down at her knees.
“I would prefer not to be in the room,” she said quietly.
Axel growled.
“Look at me, Alice,” he said, telling her he was angry.
She lifted her eyes to meet his.
“I will never let any other man touch you,” he growled. “Even the thought of their eyes lingering on you for too long fills me with a rage like nothing I have ever experienced before.”
Alice swallowed as she listened.
“You are mine, and mine alone,” he growled.
She nodded without hesitation.
Axel reached out, running his fingertips over her jaw and into her hair. He leaned forward and brushed his lips to hers. A soft, gentle kiss. He pulled back just slightly.
“Who am I to you?” he whispered against her lips.
Alice pulled away from him, and Axel straightened his back but didn't move.
Alice stood up on her knees and moved closer to him. Then placing an arm on his shoulder, she moved her leg to straddle him.
Axel naturally moved his hands to rest on her hips.
Alice slipped her other hand between them, grabbing hold of his thick shaft and rubbing it gently.
Axel let out a soft grunt, his breathing increasing with each stroke of her hand.
“You are mine,” Alice whispered as she moved him to line up with her.
“Yes,” Axel whispered through thick breaths as she moved him along her hot entrance.
Alice looked into his eyes as she lowered herself onto him, each letting out a soft moan. Axel squeezed her hips as her tightness seemed to suck him in.
Alice licked her lips.
“Mine alone,” she whispered.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmAxel nodded. Alice wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in to kiss him. Soft and gentle, she poured her love into the kiss. Hoping he understood her intention.
Alice had no desire to see him with another woman. She just didn't think her feelings would matter in this situation.
Axel was the Alpha of Winter, and he took his responsibility seriously. But he did not owe his people his happiness. He would lead them, but he would never give up or replace Alice.
They pulled away from their kiss, looking into each other's eyes with all the love and affection that flowed between them.
Alice ground her hips down on him, squeezing her muscles around him. Axel let out a soft grunt at the welcome sensation. He held tight to her hips as he thrust himself upwards over and over.
They clung to each other as though their lives depended on it. Neither willing to let go.
***
They sat across from each other at the table. Alice was eating a plate of sliced fruit while Axel finished off a bowl of cereal.
Axel lifted his eyes to her, and she popped a black grape into her mouth, smiling as she bit it.
“Is it sweet?” he asked.
“Very,” she smiled.
Axel nodded, moving the last of the cereal in his bowl. He chewed on the inside of his lip, thinking for a moment before he spoke.
“Winter already has a Luna,” he said without looking up.
Alice lifted her gaze to him.
“My mother isn't going anywhere,” he said. “A Luna doesn't have to be the mate of the Alpha.”
Alice swallowed, listening to him.
“Even if she does leave for some reason, plenty of other packs have done fine with only an Alpha,” he continued.
“That's true,” Alice replied quietly.
“As far as the line of succession,” Axel said. “We don't know if we will ever have a pup of our own. So, if you would feel more comfortable knowing that I have an heir… I can talk with Bell and Galen. See how they would feel about the possibility of Ren being named as a potential heir.”
Axel looked up at her. Alice swallowed and nodded.
“I'm not saying that if we have one of our own, he or she won't be considered,” Axel stated. “Only that, there are options.”
Alice chewed her lip and smiled, giving him another nod. Axel reached his hand out to her, which she took it immediately.
“I don't need an official Luna. I just need you,” he said gently. “So, please, never again suggest that I look at anyone but you.”
“Okay,” Alice whispered.
A small smile spread on her face, and a warmth grew in her heart. Pushing back at the cold darkness she had always been trapped inside of.