Chapter 5 The Alpha King

(Hilda)

Without a word, my rescuer opens his arms, and I collapse into them. The moment his arms wrap around me, the dam inside me breaks. I sob into his chest, my body shaking with the force of my anguish. He holds me tightly, his hand gently stroking my hair, whispering soothing words that I can’t quite hear over the roar of my emotions. 

I tilt my head up, my eyes meeting his. There is a moment of hesitation, a flicker of uncertainty, and then I press my lips to his. The kiss is gentle at first, tentative, as if we are both testing the waters. But the need, the desperation, quickly overtakes us. I kiss him harder, my hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer. 

He responds in kind, his lips moving against mine with an intensity that leaves me breathless. His hands roam my back, tracing the curve of my spine, igniting a fire within me. I moan into his mouth, the sound swallowed by his kiss. Every touch, every caress, felt like a promise, a reassurance that I am not alone, that I am wanted. 

I don’t know what came over me. Maybe it is the mate bond, that unbreakable connection that draws us together. Maybe it is the sheer exhaustion, both physical and emotional, that leaves me vulnerable and raw. Or maybe it is the overwhelming sadness, the sense of loss that gnaws at my heart. 

Whatever it is, I find myself seeking comfort in his arms, in the warmth of his body, in the softness of his lips. 

We stumble backwards, our lips never parting, until my back hits the bed. He presses against me, his body firm and solid, a grounding force. I wrap my legs around his waist, needing to feel every inch of him. His hands grip my thighs, lifting me higher, aligning our bodies in a way that makes me gasp. 

I bite his lip, a frantic, desperate gesture. He groans, the sound reverberating through me, stoking the flames of my desire. I need him, need this, need to lose myself in him. He seems to understand, his hands sliding under my shirt, his fingers trailing fire across my skin. I shiver at the sensation, my body arching into his touch. 

We break apart only long enough to tear at each other’s clothes, our movements frantic and uncoordinated. There is no time for finesse, no time for caution. We are a tangle of limbs and breathless moans, our need for each other eclipsing everything else. When we are finally free of the barriers between us, he presses against me, his skin hot and smooth against mine. 

I can feel his arousal, hard and insistent against my thigh. I reach between us, wrapping my hand around him. His eyes darken with desire, and he thrusts into my hand, his movements desperate and needy. I guide him to my entrance, my own need a burning ache. 

He enters me in one swift motion, and I cry out, the sensation a mix of pain and pleasure. He pauses, giving me a moment to adjust, his eyes searching mine for any sign of discomfort. But all I feel is a deep, burning need. I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer. 

He begins to thrust, slow and steady at first, then faster, harder, as our desperation takes over. Each movement drives us higher, the friction, the connection, pushing us towards the edge. I cling to him, my nails digging into his back, my breath ragged. 

Our bodies move together, a perfect, primal rhythm. I can feel the tension building, a coiled spring ready to snap. His lips find mine again, and we kiss with a fierce intensity, our tongues tangling, our breaths mingling. 

The climax hits us both like a tidal wave, crashing over us, sweeping us away. I cry out, my body convulsing with the force of my release. He follows moments later, a guttural moan escaping his lips as he spills into me. We cling to each other, riding the waves of pleasure, our bodies trembling, our hearts pounding in unison. 

As the aftershocks fade, we collapse on the bed, our breaths slowly evening out. He holds me closer, his hand gently stroking my hair, his lips pressing soft kisses to my forehead. I feel a sense of peace, of belonging, that I haven’t felt in so long. 

Maybe it is the mate bond, maybe it is the sorrow, or maybe it is simply the need for comfort. Whatever it is, in his arms, I found a solace that I thought I had lost forever. And I drift off to sleep, cradled in his embrace. 

As the dawn begins to break, the first rays of sunlight filter through the canopy, reality slowly creeps back into my consciousness. The warmth of his body against mine, the steady rise and fall of his chest, it all brings a sense of a comfort I haven’t felt in so long. 

But along with the comfort comes a flood of thoughts and doubts. The events of the past days crash over me, and I remember why I am here, lost in the forest, seeking solace in the arms of a stranger. 

Panic grips me, and I remove myself from his embrace as gently and quietly as I can. My heart pounds as I stand, looking down at him. I didn’t even know his name. 

I take a tentative step backward, then another, and turn to run. But before I can take more than a few steps, a strong hand grabs my wrist, pulling me back. I gasp, twisting around to face him. 

“Where do you think you’re going?” His voice is calm, but there is an underlying firmness that makes it clear he isn’t going to let me go so easily. 

“Let me go,” I say, my voice trembling. “I need to leave.” 

“It’s not going to be that easy,” he says, his grip tightening slightly. “You can’t just run away.” 

“Why not?” I snap, frustration and fear bubbling to the surface. “Why do you care? Who are you to stop me?” 

He releases my wrist but takes a step closer, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch. 

“I’m the Alpha King Arlo,” he says, his voice steady and commanding. “And you are my mate. Do you hear me? You, are mine. You are to live here, as my mate, for the rest of your life. You will never see Soren again.”