Page 47 of Shadowed Bond

A soft sigh escapes me as I grip the front of his T-shirt, the other cupping the back of his neck as I pull him closer. He lets out a low growl against my mouth, and the sound sends heat rushing through me. My core clenches, and I turn onto my side. Ares’ other hand comes to my waist, large, warm and firm as he runs his hand up and down my waist, our kisses becoming hungrier. There’s nothing left in my mind aside from how good this feels, how intoxicating he tastes, how desperately I want more.

We are so consumed by one another, our tongues fighting for dominance, that neither of us notices the door opening.

“Charlotte, are you…”

Ares pulls back sharply as we both turn to the door where my brother, Royce, is standing, stunned. Skyla stands beside him, but unlike him, she’s smirking as if she’s just stepped into the perfect moment.

Royce stares at Ares.

Ares stares back.

No one speaks.

Then Royce clears his throat and looks at me, and I see from the corner of my eye that Ares has settled into the chair again, leaning back as if to put space between us, but then he rests his arm on the bed almost as if staking his claim. I hate to admit that move makes my core tighten.

“I was worried. Ahren made out as if you were quite… sick. Clearly not sick enough.” Royce cocks a brow as he walks over to me and kisses my forehead.

I look up at him. “I’m doing better.”

“Of course you are…” Skyla says, smirking as she raises her eyebrow at Ares questioningly.

He simply grunts, and I look at him. Is he really not going to tell them? Just as I think he isn’t going to speak, he does.

“We’re mates,” he growls, making Royce’s eyes widen in surprise, and I know for a fact my cheeks have heated up.

“You’re mates?” Royce asks, as if unable to process it. “But surely you two have been around one another on other Blood Moons?”

“Na, I hate that shit. I avoid being around any woman during them; this happened because of that dumb mission, init.”

I turn and glare at him; he’s acting as if he hadn’t just been kissing me hard enough to make the monitor betray my pulse.

Goddess, give me strength.

“Shut up, Westwood, don’t make me regret forgiving you,” I say.

Ares looks at me. “I was only explaining why we’ve never met on previous Blood Moons, nothing more, Arden.”

“What kind of mates call each other by their surnames?” Skyla asks, snorting. “Or is that some kinda kink?”

“Sky? Really?” I say. “Your cousin is simply weird.”

“Your sister-in-law is weirder,” Ares counters, glowering at Skyla.

“And yet you both had your tongues down each other’s throats; can’t be that weird now, can you?” Skyla remarks, watching both of us glare at one another, and Royce pinches the bridge of his nose.

Royce’s gaze moves from me to Ares, and something protective and very brotherly crosses his face. “I’ve seen plenty of dynamics… This one – this one’s new. Are you two happy?” he asks, his eyes softening as he looks at me.

I open my mouth, then close it. Why should I say so first? I look at Ares, and he looks back, and I cock a brow; he shrugs.

“I guess so,” he growls. “Happy?” he says to me.

“Not really, no. You sound like I’m forcing you to say that,” I retort, then turn to Royce and Skyla. “Time will tell; I’m mated to someone who growls more than he talks.”

Skyla snickers. “Oh, you two are perfect for one another, but if he annoys you, just tell me; I’ll sort him out.”

“I’d like to see you fucking try,” Ares shoots back and then, to my surprise, he turns his palm upwards beside me, as if giving me the option to take it or not.

My heart thuds, and then I slowly place my hand in his, and his fingers instantly lace with mine, giving it a far gentler squeeze than one would think he’s capable of.