Rise of the Dark Alpha

~ SASHA ~

Zev pushed through the water of the bathing pools towards her, the moonlight shining on his wet skin so he looked like a marble statue—a Greek God, but alive. He grinned wickedly and dove for her when he got close. Giggling, Sasha tried to swim out of his reach, but he caught her ankle in one strong fist and pulled her back through the water effortlessly.

She was still laughing, but it became breathless when he pulled her upright, his hands splayed on her bare stomach and pinning her back to his chest. Her entire skin tingled with the combination of his touch, and the warmth of the water rippling around them.

Zev went still, his chin next to her ear, his breathing heavier than usual. They stood waist deep in the water and Sasha wanted to weep with the incredible feeling of having him over her and around her again, that perfect fit that she'd missed for so many years as he stood at her back.

"Sash…" he said, but trailed off.

She didn't respond, but looked down, her breath going shallow as one of his hands began sliding up her stomach. She watched her own nipple harden, anticipating his touch.

Her breath whooshed out and Zev groaned when he palmed her breast, dragging his thumb over that rivet-hard peak.

"Zev," she whispered.

He growled and dropped his head to kiss her neck as he slid the other hand up too, taking the weight of her breasts in his palms, squeezing gently, murmuring her name against her wet skin.

Sasha shivered and dropped her head back against his shoulder.

"Fuck, Sash—"

"Are you sure we can't—?"

"—this is killing me—"

"—I mean, are you certain?"

"—but it's just one more day and…"

Zev cursed as she turned in his arms and grabbed his face, pulling him down into a deep kiss, pressing herself into him—against his very obvious arousal.

His fingers clawed, dragging up her back, and he shuddered. Sasha's heart thundered in her ears and desperation spiraled through her stomach, sending fizzing, jagged currents of electricity from between her thighs, out to announce to the rest of her body that Zev was there, finally there, and touching her!

Still nervous that she really didn't know what she was doing, while they kissed, she let one hand slide down his chest, those hard abs, and down, to take him in her hand and stroke once—

With a grunt, Zev threw himself backwards into the water, sinking away from her and sweeping his arms in long strokes to pull him deeper into the bathing pool, shaking his head and grimacing.

"We have to stop," he growled. "No, Sash, I'm serious."

She'd taken a step towards him, but when he warned her, his eyes glinting in the darkness, and his tone so serious, she pulled up short.

She stood in water that wasn't even up to her ribcage, bare as a baby… and she didn't care.

This was Zev. She was safe here. None of the other Chimera would come at this time, apparently, because they'd assume there was no one here to groom them.

Sasha hadn't wanted to know exactly what kind of grooming went on here. All she cared about was that they were here together, alone and she wanted him. Desperately.

"One more day, Sash. I swear on all that's holy, tomorrow… tomorrow is going to be… amazing."

He'd dropped his chin, only his shoulders and arms shining at the top of the water as he gave long strokes through the water to keep himself in place. But his eyes… his eyes glowed in the darkness, fixed on hers and heated with promise. She hadn't seen him look so much like a wolf since he'd fought the others and her nerve jangled with warning—her human instincts warning her that something dangerous was close. But her heart…

Her heart sang.

"Tomorrow," she said, nodding, then folded her arms against the cold air. "Tomorrow."

Zev groaned and laid back in the water, his eyes screwed tightly shut. "Can you please not… do that."

"Do what?" She looked down.

"Push your breasts together like that. It's like… It's like you're offering them." He cursed again, and Sasha laughed, but it was shaky.

"Come on, Zev," she said quietly, turning for the bank. "I think we better get out of here before we give in."

"Because getting in bed together is going to be so much easier," he muttered, but she could hear the water rippling as he followed her.

They dried quickly, not looking at each other, and Sasha put on the warm robe he'd offered her before they left the house.

He took her hand and threw both towels over one of his broad shoulders, before leading her back to the house.

He helped her up the ladder, then they went inside.

Sasha, her skin still hot from the hot water and the arousal, felt deeply relaxed because they were alone, but there was tension at the base of her spine because… because she yearned.

She walked straight to the lantern, but Zev stepped up behind her and grabbed her arm to stop her. "Why don't we just… lay in the dark?" he said gruffly. "I think too many visuals might be counter-productive right now. If you need help seeing, I can lead you to the bathroom or whatever."

Sasha sighed, but agreed, gladly accepting another of his long t-shirts and throwing it over her head, twisting her hair that was still wet into a pile on top of her head.

Then they fell into the bed together.

Laying in the crook of his arm, she thought she wouldn't be able to think of anything except having him.. But as he stroked up and down the forearm she had resting on his chest, she sighed, the last of the day's tension leaching out of her and her eyes fluttered closed and she fell asleep to thoughts of how precious this moment was.