Mature content warning
Luca's POV
Rian strips off his ceremonial pants, and I finally see all of him.
He's beautiful. Powerful. Intimidating.
"Second thoughts?" he asks, noticing my expression.
"No. Just... nervous."
"I'll be gentle. I promise." He joins me on the bed, covering my body with his. "If anything hurts too much, tell me. We go at your pace."
"Okay."
He kisses me deeply while his hand slides lower, preparing me. One finger, slow and careful.
"Breathe," he murmurs. "Relax for me."
I try. The sensation is strange—not painful, just foreign. But Rian is patient, working me slowly until the discomfort fades into something else.
"More?" he asks.
"Yes."
Two fingers now. Stretching, finding that spot inside me that makes me gasp.
"There," he says, satisfied. "That's what I wanted to see."
He works me thoroughly, adding a third finger, scissoring gently until I'm panting, pushing back against his hand.
"Please," I finally beg. "Rian, I'm ready. Please—"
"You sure?"
"Yes."
He positions himself, the head of his cock pressing against me. "Look at me, Luca. I want to see your eyes."
I meet his gaze—golden, intense, full of love.
He pushes in slowly. The stretch burns, too much, overwhelming.
"Breathe," he says, holding completely still. "Let your body adjust."
I breathe through the pain. Gradually, it fades into pressure, fullness.
"Okay," I finally gasp. "You can move."
"Tell me if it's too much."
He starts slow—shallow thrusts, letting me get used to the sensation. Each movement hits that spot inside me, and pleasure starts building.
"Good?" he asks, voice strained.
"Yes. God, yes."
His pace increases gradually. Deeper. Harder. The bed rocks beneath us.
I wrap my legs around his waist, pulling him closer. "More. I need more."
Something in him unleashes. He grips my hips, angling my body, and drives deep.
I cry out—pleasure so intense it borders on pain.
"That's it," he growls. "Take all of me. You're doing so good, baby."
The bond flares between us—our pleasure feeding back and forth, amplifying. I feel what he feels—the tight heat of my body, the overwhelming sensation of finally being inside me, the love and possession and need.
"Rian—I'm close—"
"Not yet. Hold on." His hand wraps around my erection, stroking in time with his thrusts. "I want us to come together. Bond completely."
"I can't—it's too much—"
"Yes you can." He leans down, kissing me deeply. "Come with me, Luca. Complete our bond."
He thrusts harder, faster, hitting that perfect spot every time. His hand works my cock expertly.
The pleasure builds impossibly higher. I'm going to shatter.
"Now," he commands. "Come for me. Now."
I do.
Orgasm crashes through me—violent, overwhelming, endless. I scream his name, vision whiting out.
Rian follows immediately, grinding deep, spilling inside me with a roar.
The bond snaps into place—fully complete, permanently sealed.
Magic explodes through us. I feel his soul intertwine with mine, becoming one being in two bodies.
Mine, his consciousness echoes through the bond.
Yours, I respond instinctively.
We collapse together, both shaking, the bond humming contentedly between us.
"Holy shit," I gasp.
Rian laughs breathlessly. "Yeah. That's one way to put it."
We lie tangled together, still connected. He's not pulling out, keeping us joined.
"How do you feel?" he asks, brushing hair from my sweaty forehead.
"Different. Complete. Like part of me was missing and now it's found."
"That's the bond." He kisses me softly. "We're one now, Luca. Truly one."
"I can feel you. In my head. Your emotions."
"And I feel yours." His smile is tender. "I feel your contentment. Your peace. And underneath—" His eyes search mine. "—affection. Maybe even love?"
My cheeks heat. "Maybe."
"I'll take maybe." He finally withdraws, and we both groan at the loss. "Come here."
He rearranges us so I'm lying on his chest, his arms wrapped around me. Safe. Protected. Home.
"No regrets?" he asks quietly.
I think about it honestly. The kidnapping, the forced bond, the loss of freedom—all terrible. But lying here, feeling the bond hum between us, feeling his genuine love and devotion...
"Ask me tomorrow," I finally say.
"Fair enough." He kisses the top of my head. "Sleep, my mate. We have forever to figure this out."
I drift off in his arms, the bond singing lullabies between our souls.
Forever, I think.
Maybe that's not so scary after all.