The Bond

Phoenix POV:

Noah and I retreated to the back patio. It was peaceful here. The sound of birds singing filled the silence as we sat down on the porch swing.

I knew that Raph wasn't pleased with Noah and me going outside to speak alone, but this wasn't about him. He may be my mate, but Noah was my best friend. He got me through everything and deserved better than being dumped out of the blue with no explanation.

"I'm so sorry, Noah. I'm not sure how to explain what's going on, and I know you deserve to understand."

It was silent for a while. I was too nervous to look at him.

"Shh, it's okay, Phoe. I know that you can't help it. He's your fated mate," he said as if his revelation was supposed to comfort me.

My blood was starting to rise in temperature at all the assumptions I was beginning to create in my mind.

I didn't even know what a fated mate was until today; how dare he?

Has he always known this?

Did he string me along, knowing I was destined for someone else anyway?

That would mean he knew I was a werewolf!

Just before I could ask him how the hell he knew and why he didn't tell me, he handed me an envelope. 

I pulled the letter out, looking up at him momentarily before my eyes moved back toward the paper I was unfolding.

I read it over and over in disbelief.

A rush of emotions ran through my blood, sadness, anger, betrayal, and confusion. I feel the tears pricking at the edge of my eyes as I try to digest everything that's happened along with this letter.

At some point, tears had begun to fall down my cheeks, staining the letter I was holding in my shaky hands.

For the first time, the need to know my biological parents felt like small glass shards stabbing my heart over and over.

How could everyone keep this from me?

My vision began to get blurry and dizzy as my breathing intensified.

I don't know how much time had passed when I suddenly felt the electricity of Raph's touch on my arms, bringing me somewhat back into reality.

Noah's arm was around my shoulder; I'm not sure when it got there. He was saying something I couldn't understand when Raph's face became clearer in my vision. I could see his lips moving, but my thoughts had trapped me. 

Raph suddenly scooped me up into his arms.

Swirls of colors whooshed around me as he took me inside, and the feeling in my fingers tingled into numbness.

I could faintly see him removing his shirt before I felt the cool breeze against my own stomach as he lifted my shirt above my head.

"Close your eyes," he whispered in my ear as he slid under my blankets with me. I shut my eyes just before I could feel the warmth of his chest and stomach against my bare skin.

Crackling sensations transferred from his skin to mine. I could feel my breathing slowing down, and I could now recognize the softness of my bed.

He whispered sweet nothings into my ear as his fingertips traced my back in patterns until I no longer felt like I was suffocating. 

I began to relax; my fingers flowed with blood again, and my breathing was steady. I look up at Raph, who is still holding our half-naked bodies together. My black lace bra is the only thing separating our chests.

The look in his eyes went from concern to lust in 5 seconds, and I knew he could smell my sudden arousal by the way he was biting his lip and staring at my own.

Just like that, we are in a trance. Our eyes connected as if we might shatter like glass with any sudden movement. 

Aside from the cheek and forehead kisses with Noah, that's about as far as I ever went. I feared exposing any of my "abilities".

I had no idea if physical touch would trigger any of the other odd things I had experienced. Strong emotions seemed to trigger my previous revelations, and to be honest, I was terrified that anyone would find out about the things I could do.

I trusted Noah, but my secret was just too big not to hide at all costs, in addition to the worry I had that I may accidentally hurt him.

Oh, Goddess, I know it wasn't the right time or place for what happened next, but my body couldn't deny that I wanted it badly. It was like a hunger that grew from every bone, muscle, and tendon in my body, racing through my blood. It was a craving I could not curb, and he was the only thing that could cure the insatiable feeling that was pouring out of me. 

The more my body calmed, the more his bare skin created a warm pool of satisfaction in my core, and by the look in his eyes, he was more than pleased by his ability to do this to me.

I barely blinked before I felt his lips pressing against mine in desperation, need, and hunger.

I didn't hesitate to return the favor as my hand slid over and down his back, pulling him closer to me. Our bodies molded perfectly together.

He drew his face back slightly, looking at me for a moment. Dissatisfied with the loss of touch, I let out a desperate moan. Instantly, his lips were back on mine, moving together like a well-oiled machine that our lives depended on.

My lips parted, moaning against his from the sensation of his hand sliding up my side, the feeling of his callouses tugging at my skin with each movement. My hands explored every inch of his torso. Within minutes, the boundary of the lace that constricted us was lying somewhere on the floor. 

The sensation of his warm hand cupping my breast sent a wave of pleasure through my whole body. His lips peppered kisses along my jawline. I tilted my head, giving him access to my neck, and the moment his soft lips pressed against my neck, my entire soul felt like it left my body momentarily.

I pressed my thighs together for some sort of relief as the wetness and throbbing between them became weak and aching for attention. His movements were precise and measured, it felt like he had mapped my entire body, calculated every touch and sensation he planned to give me, and I was reveling in his masterplan.

I was completely lost in his touch—his lips and the warmth of his hands, the way that my hands tingled with every touch. I felt safe and adventurous simultaneously, an overwhelming feeling that I had long awaited. 

My hands gripped tightly onto the hair on the back of his head as I pulled his lips back to my own for another breathtaking kiss. Tingles spread from my lips and down my body as he reciprocated my every advance with equal fervor.

He pinned my hands above my hand in what felt like a flash, with no notice, taking the air from my lungs. The look in his eyes told me he enjoyed the sight and the helplessness he bestowed on me at that moment, sending shivers of pleasure through me.

His fingertips traced the outline of my body with his other hand before teasing the waistband of my pants. As his hand started to slide down my pants, I knew the Goddess must hate me because the loud knock on the door caused my half-naked body to fly out of bed so fast that I tripped and knocked my head on the side table.