Dream mate

Chapter 5 - First shift

The pair stayed silent in each other's arms for a long time before either of them broke the stillness wrapping around them. It charged the air with anticipation over what was to come and prickled at their skin.

“Do you think there’s a chance our bond will form when I shift?” Hana asked in a quiet voice, already knowing the answer but she dared to hope she was wrong.

The news of its absence had spread through the pack that afternoon, following her through the party. Many wolves gave her their condolences and tried to lift her spirits with tales of mysterious bonds being formed or broken in the past, but she doubted their stories. Still, she couldn’t deny the sparkle of hope they caused to bloom in her chest. It was hard to believe that so many wolves thought her and Sam were fated mates and yet it didn’t come to fruition. The pack hadn’t given up on the pair, continuing to root for their relationship whether it was as fated or chosen mates. Some of them insisted on calling her their Luna and Hana felt something feel right about the title.

“No, it doesn’t work like that.” Sam answered firmly.

She nodded in agreement, casting her eyes down, but forged on with a sigh. “Do you have any advice?”

The Alpha softened at that and gave her a reassuring smile. “Just make sure you keep breathing, nice and slow, and focus on what you will be gifted with by going through this. It can be hard to focus on the benefit or the outcome but, trust me, it will be worth it in the end.” He took a step back from her and started unbuttoning his shirt. “Don’t worry, I bet it will be a whole lot easier that what you are imaging.” His shirt slipped open and Hana couldn't help but let her eyes linger on his exposed chest. He fingered the button on his jeans, and she forced her gaze away, but not before catching Sam's smirk. “When you’re ready, call your wolf forward. It’s more instinctual than you realise.”

With that the Alpha stepped out of his remaining clothes and shifted. His wolf was big, towering over Hana, and his fur was a rusty brown. It felt soft as he nuzzled against her cheek. Hana had seen his wolf a couple of times before and often felt a pang of jealous that she wasn’t old enough to receive hers yet. That was no longer the case. Taking some long, slow breaths, Hana thought over Sam’s instructions again, feeling a sense of calm wash over her as he stayed by her side. Being around another wolf, especially a loved one, quickened the process of awakening a new wolf. It is hypothesised that the wolves are drawn to each other, but she suspected it simply calmed down the first-time shifter. She could attest to that at least.

The full moon beat down on her and Hana took a long moment staring at its beauty. She gathered herself in that hesitation. She knew this was going to hurt but she also knew there would be a taste of freedom on the other side. She trusted Sam, thankful he was at her side, and knew she could do this.

Hana closed her eyes and reached within herself. She had to call her wolf forward, but she wasn’t sure what that really meant. It felt so alien to try and bring out a part of herself that had lain dormant for eighteen years and furrowed her brow as she concentrated further. She tried to imagine herself in her wolf form standing beside Sam and quickly the image of a pure white wolf came to her mind. It was beautiful and looked strong and Hana felt a stirring in her chest like the swell of emotion that arises when seeing a loved one after too long a part.

Before she could be surprised by the ease of her recognition, a flash of pain darted through her arm, accompanied by a sharp crack. Clenching her jaw, Hana focused on keeping the picture steady in her mind. Another snap of pain sounded, then another, but she pushed away the pain, her concentration dulling the noises around her. Suddenly, a cold wet sensation pushed against her cheek and she snapped her eyes open to see she was face to face with Sam.

Hana frowned at him, wondering why he had interrupted her shift just when she was starting, but the goofy grin on his face made her stop. She quickly noticed there was no more pain throughout her body and that she no longer felt cold. She peered either side of Sam and, where the moon had been casting a shimmery hue before, it now lit up the world around her, almost as bright as the sun. She zeroed her gaze on a bush rustling in the distance and felt a need surge through her body. Before she could act on it the wet nose was back, drawing her attention again.

Sam’s grin had only grown and Hana felt his amusement through his gaze. He dropped his eyes to the floor and she copied, seeing two brilliant white paws standing firm beneath her. Tentatively, she gave them a wiggle, feeling a rush of happiness when they responded, and she felt the crumble of dirt beneath them. Hana jumped, startled, and twisted to look behind her, seeing a large bushy tail pointed to the sky. A light wag made it swish from side to side, its moving increasing as her tongue lolled out from between her teeth. She was a wolf. A wolf! She couldn’t believe it had been so quick and easy, but she had done it. She had completed the first shift.

A concentration of power built in her chest and Hana didn’t resist as her head tilted to the moon and booming howl carried through her muzzle and into the night air. Sam grinned and added his own howl before the call of their pack members responded in kind. It gave her such a sense of unity that her heart felt full and washed away any bad feeling that had sat heavy on her that day. She cut off her howl and before Sam did the same, she nipped at his shoulder before darting into the woods. The Alpha grumbled but in less than a second he was chasing after her, nipping at her hind legs and playfully nudging into her rump.

The thrill of being in the woods, in her wolf form and by Sam’s side was incredible. Hana soaked in every moment like a thirsty woman lapping at a drop of water and let herself relax and mess around with the Alpha for hours. She enjoyed every second and wished it never had to end. However, when Sam shifted back into his human form, she recognised the glint of mischief in his eyes and followed his lead. The change back into her human form felt easy and natural, but Hana could only spare a moment of relief to think about it before warm arms encompassed her and ravenous lips were on her.

Sam lifted her from the floor, and she snapped her legs around his waist with a yelp that quickly melted into a moan. Hana felt the rough bark of a tree push against her back as the Alpha anchored her in place with his hips. He kissed her with a maddening frenzy that stole her breath and made her head dizzy, and she could already feel his stirring hardness pressing against her arse. He leaned harder into her to free his hands and they quickly explored over her body. He glided over her curves with greed and tortured sweet gasps and groans from her each time he teased around her hardened buds. Before long she was panting and clinging to him, her surprise for the sudden desire stirring in the Alpha heightening every sensation he caused in her body.

“I can’t wait any longer.” He growled and reached his hand down to run his fingers through her centre. Hana could feel her arousal building between her things, her p***y already aching to be filled by him. “f**k Hana, your sweet little p***y is all ready for me.” The next thing she felt was the tip of his c**k parting her folds and dipping into her entrance. “Is this okay?” Hana nodded, every word she knew flying from her thoughts, chased away by her need for him.

She gasped as Sam placed a hand on her waist and pulled her down onto his shaft. The Alpha groaned, holding them in that blissful moment of connection before he began to move. Snapping his hips at a brutal pace, Hana could do little more than hold on to him as he f****d her. She rocked with his movements, each thrust filling her completely and setting off a trail of delicious sparks over her skin that wound her core tighter. Sam drove hard into her, and she hissed as the bark scraped her back, but she refused to ask him to stop. The overwhelming ache of need being satisfied by him, far outweighed the small scratches of pain behind her.

Suddenly, Sam wrapped his arms around her as he walked away from the tree and set her down on the floor. Her mind was a hazy mess and she whined as his d**k slid free of her core, pressing against him for more.

“Get on your knees, baby.” A smirk rolled around the words, but Hana salivated at the gruff growl barely hiding his desire.

She complied and sunk to the floor, drawing eye level with his c**k, glistening with her juices. She licked her lips but, before she could act, he moved away and settled behind her. A large hand pressed into her back, coaxing her to bend and bare herself to him. Her p***y quivered as her arse tilted into the air and a chill brushed against her heated s*x. Each breath felt laboured, and a violent blush crept over her skin, as she waited for Sam to touch her again. Her legs trembled with anticipation, feeling the ghost of his presence behind her, teasing her with his restraint.

Sam leaned over her flicking his tongue at the base of her spine before trailing directly up to the nape of her neck. Her back arched as he tasted her, tilting her hips to rub her core against his c**k drawing a needy mewl from her. An eruption of tingles followed the wet path he left along her spine, shivering over her skin as his face drew alongside hers. The Alpha pressed a soft kiss to her cheek and in one quick movement, thrust inside her again. The new angle made her gasp as his c**k rubbed against her inner sweet spot, driving deeper inside her. She cried out for him, feeling his hot breath pant over her ear as his body covered her and consumed her. His scent, his attention, his c**k, his love, it overwhelmed her, pushing her to an edge of pleasure she was almost scared to fall off.

A hand tucked beneath her body, following the length of her abdomen to the patch of hair above her s*x. Rough fingers teased her clit with delicate touches that always made her preen for him. She was close to release and rolled her hips, grounding down on his fingers and clenching around his c**k, feeling his groan vibrate against her skin. Sam pounded into her faster now, burying his face into her neck, filling her ears with tight grunts that fuelled her pleasure. His lips danced across her skin, nipping at the flesh and leaving small marks on her, but not the mark her body was screaming at her to succumb to. At the edge of her orgasm, he hesitated over the spot when she knew he could claim her. Canines pressed against her skin, but she resisted the urges within her to bare her neck to him.

His teeth scratched over her, but quickly retracted before lips locked around the area and sucked hard. Curses slipped from her lips as her orgasm hit, electricity racing through her body setting each nerve on fire. The strength left her body as her mind tumbled into bliss, but fortunately Sam’s hand caught her, holding her in place as he continued to drive into her, prolonging her orgasm. Fingers dug into her hips as his movements began to stutter and the Alpha roared as he came, hard and fast, deep in her p***y.

Sam fell back, pulling Hana with him, and leaned heavily against the tree behind him. She was pressed against his chest, feeling her body move with the harsh rise and falls of his breath. A thin sheen of sweat coated the pair, but she quickly felt goosebumps rise on her skin as the chilled air wrapped around them once again. She shivered and the Alpha wrapped his arms around her, locking her in a layer of warmth that made her sigh.

“Be my Luna.”

Hana stiffened, unprepared for the words whispered behind her. It took her a moment to speak around her haggard breaths and she was grateful for the extra second of thought. “We’re not mates.”

“I don’t care.”

“How can you not care that we’re not mates?” His words made her jolt and Hana abruptly pushed through his arms. She stood with a frown and tried to ignore the pang of hurt echoing in her chest. She folded her arms over her breasts, blushing as she suddenly felt so very out of place being bared to him and wished her clothes were closer.

“Because I love you no matter what.” Sam spoke firm, without a drop of doubt in his tone, making her eyes grow round. He also stood and closed any gap she had created between them in a single step, looking down at her with determination lacing his expression. “I’ve been thinking about it all day and I decided I don’t care what the Moon Goddess has planned. There’s no one out there who is more perfect for me than you. I want you to be my chosen mate.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb skirting over her skin as he looked deep into her eyes. “Just say yes.”

Hana felt her heart clench. She saw nothing but love in his gaze and hearing him say those words meant the world to her. Every dream she had for their future, that she believed in yesterday, came springing back. Her by his side, as his Luna with many pups running around their little home. The picture-perfect family that had the full support of their pack and every reason to smile.

The yes sat in her throat eager to fall from her tongue but something stopped it. Hana imagined every way she could accept and crash into his arms. The pack would celebrate their news come the morning and they could become official as early as next week, but again, something stopped her. She wasn’t his. He wasn’t hers. There was no denying their feelings but could someone else come along and take him away from her? Or steal her place at his side?

She bit her lip, tears springing in her eyes as she took a step back. The hurt that filled Sam’s expression as his hand slipped from her cheek stabbed into her like a knife, exceedingly more painful than her first shift had been.

“I’m sorry, Sam. I can’t.”