68.
The night air swirled around me, spilling my hair over my shoulder. The night held so much that human ears couldn't discern. Jacob took a deep breath. His scent pressed around me. He was my mate, my comfort. Somehow, standing this close was like a piece of me finally snapped in. Me... Who was I really? Was that girl from before really me? Or the calming powers wrapped around my shoulders like a blanket, the real one. A power that could move mountains, shatter bones, and spill blood without a second thought. But I was not scared. Fear had drained away from me from the moment of my awakening. I felt lighter, free from the mindless buzzing of common human thoughts. I strained my ears and listened to Jacob's eager heartbeats. He slipped a wary glance my way and reached his hand. I took it without hesitation and brought it to my lips. His eyes widened a fraction, his lips parted to let out a trembling breath.
"My mate, my king," I said with a teasing grin. Even though he was a grown man now, heat rushed to his cheeks. I let my lips linger over his skin. He was supposed to be my alpha, but whatever pulsed within my veins knew I could make him bend to my will with a flick of my fingers. I laced my fingers with his and pulled him towards the cabin. Our new home. Our den. My kingdom.
We walked in silence as voices and chants from the insects greeted me. Jacob was growing more nervous as we neared the cabin. His hand shook when he unlocked the door. I stopped him with my hand covering his. He looked up surprised. My hand brushed over his broad chest and trailed up to his neck. His breath hissed. I cupped his square unshaven jaw. Jacob leaned into my touch with his eyes closed. His power pulsed with each rapid heartbeat. A low rumble escaped his lips.
"I've been waiting for so long. So damn long that now, I'm scared of touching you." His long black lashes flickered open and his brown eyes burned into mine. Fire and steel in the bottom. "Are you real?" I blinked at the sudden question. How should I answer him? I didn't know. But my powers wrapped around him and he relaxed, leaning his forehead against mine. Our breath mingled with each other. He smelled of earth, wolf, and pack.
"Love me without restraint," I said, my voice a mere whisper. A delicious growl slipped from his lips. The air became charged with anticipation.
"You know what you're asking for Renesme?" His voice dropped to a very low tone as his own power danced around mine. When our eyes met, I noticed his wolf gazing back at me. Yes, come and greet me.
"Yes, Jacob. I know what I'm asking for." He didn't let me finish my sentence and his lips crashed over mine. Our magic exploded into sparks around us. My hands snaked over his shoulders and my fingers sunk in his hair and tugged a little. I swallowed his growl, kissing him as hard as he was kissing me. He flung the door open with an elbow and we tumbled inside.
"Let me show you your throne, my queen," he smiled against my heated lips.