Page 65 of Urban Gladiator

His mouth finally released my shoulder. Then he lifted his head. It transformed from a wolf into a man’s face.

“Ember. You’re alive.” Relief filled his gaze that had never been so vibrant a blue.

“Thanks to you.”

“I had to claim you. It was the only way—”

I cut him off with my lips. With a groan, he surrounded me. And I knew at that moment, no matter what came, we would weather it together.

His hips flexed, reminding me he was hard and filling me. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I rocked my hips, urging him to move. But I didn’t have to tell him twice. He took over, thrusting hard and deep, just the way I liked.

But with the newfound bond, the desire between us climbed higher than ever before. Until we were clinging to one another, the headboard thumping against the wall as we mated. We climaxed together. Blinding red light threaded around our joined bodies, the invisible thread that had always been there, pulling us toward each other, now bound us together for all eternity.

And when our passion waned, we clung, not ready to break the spell of our joining.

“Did I hurt you?” Rowan lifted his head, his blue gaze fierce as he studied me.

Shaking my head, I smiled and cupped his cheek. “No. You saved me.”

He pressed a kiss against my palm with guilt in his eyes. “I’m sorry. Claiming you was the only way to save you. My father drugged us both, and I tried to get there sooner.”

“I’m not. I’m glad you claimed me. We are meant to be together.”

His breath shuddered out with a hearty sigh. “You’re sure? Because now that we’re mated, I won’t let you leave Avalon. Your place is here by my side, as my queen.”

“Yes. There’s no place I’d rather be.”

“I love you, Ember. And I’m going to do everything in my power to make you happy. You will want for nothing. You will—”

I stopped him. “I love you too. And we’ll make each other happy. Granted, we might fight from time to time.”

He smiled warmly. “I like a challenge. But I’m more than up to the task.”

Rowan shifted and rolled off me, pulling me with him so I was cuddled against his side. “I almost lost you today.”

With my chin on his chest, I murmured, “We almost lost each other.”

“Are you sure you’re all right with staying in Avalon? If it’s not what you want, I could appoint another wolf as king. It’s my right to do so, and we could leave together. It won’t be easy, but it’s doable.”

“You would do that? For me?” Of all the things I thought he would say, I never imagined he would choose me over his duties. And it just made me love him even more.

“Of course I would. What part of I love you aren’t you understanding? My place is at your side. Everything else in my life is just window dressing. If that means we leave Avalon together, we leave. I will want to remain in the mountains so my wolf can run free when I need it. But you need to understand, I thought I lost you. The uncertainty and fear I felt were beyond anything I’d ever felt for anyone. And it made me realize that Avalon and all its inhabitants mean nothing to me without you.”

“I’m so sorry I thought you betrayed me, even for a moment.”

He stroked my cheek with his knuckle. “I understand why you did. But know I would cut off my arm before hurting you.”

“What happens next?”

“Once my coronation happens, we will set a date for our wedding. There will be fallout from some of the clans, but my pack will patrol Avalon more in the days and weeks ahead. And once we’re wed, you will be coronated as queen. Then we will rule Avalon together. There are a lot of changes I want to enact.”

“I’ll help with those too.” I jolted. “I need to reinforce the barrier. There are things I need—”

“Easy, love. You can do that. Tomorrow. For the rest of today, you’re mine.”

Love for him overflowed from every facet of my being. I hadn’t known I could love someone this much. “And you’re mine.”

“Forever and always, love. We should take a bath and get us both cleaned up.”

I glanced at my body with the dried blood on it. “I don’t mind the blood if you don’t. We can take a bath later.”

“I love the way you think.” His smile damn near stopped my heart.

And then he kissed me, mending my heart and soul as I held him close. We were from two different worlds and the balance of polar opposites. But with our combined knowledge, we would help change our world for the better. And we would need it for the trials that lay before us.

When I volunteered, I thought my life was over, never realizing that my life would finally begin. Because I found my purpose and my person. I knew the bond between us would only grow stronger in the years ahead.

Rowan was my love, my mate, and my king. And this witch had finally surrendered.