Chapter 69: Chapter 69 I Need You
Leo
Steam billowed from the bathroom as I adjusted the shower temperature, creating a warm mist that filled the marble-tiled space. Victoria stood in the center of the room, looking small and vulnerable despite the incredible power she’d demonstrated today. The dichotomy fascinated me—how someone so delicate could harbor such ancient, formidable strength.
"Come here," I said softly, reaching for her.
She moved toward me without hesitation, a trust in her eyes that made my chest tighten. I gently peeled away her clothes, revealing inch by inch the body I’d come to worship. Every curve, every freckle was familiar to me now, yet I never tired of looking at her. As I removed her shirt, I noticed the faint green glow beneath her skin—a telltale sign of her Forest heritage awakening.
"The plants," I murmured, running a finger along the glowing veins on her wrist. "What was it like? Connecting with them?"
Victoria leaned into my touch, her exhaustion evident in the droop of her shoulders. "It was... overwhelming. Beautiful. Like suddenly discovering you understand a language you’ve heard all your life but never comprehended."
I helped her into the massive shower, the hot water immediately bringing color back to her pale cheeks. "Tell me more," I urged, genuinely curious about this ability that had saved us precious days of searching.
"The plants don’t think like we do," she explained, eyes closing as water cascaded over her face. "They don’t have concepts of time or individuality the way animals do. They exist as part of a vast network, constantly sharing information through their roots and chemical signals."
I picked up a bottle of her favorite jasmine shampoo, working it into her damp hair. "And you can tap into this network?"
"Yes. It’s like... slipping into a river of consciousness. I can follow the current to specific locations, ask questions in a way they understand." She sighed as my fingers massaged her scalp. "But it’s exhausting. Like trying to hold a conversation in a foreign language while swimming upstream."
I rinsed the shampoo from her hair, watching the suds swirl away. My mate was more extraordinary than I’d ever imagined. The Alpha in me swelled with pride, but another part—the man who had fought his way through blood and betrayal to his position—felt a flicker of unease.
"Marcus wants this power," I stated flatly. "The binding ritual he’s planning—it’s to access your Forest abilities."
Victoria turned to face me, her brown eyes troubled. "Yes. The ancient texts mention fairiesbeing bound to powerful Alphas, forced to use their abilities for the pack’s benefit."
"Like weapons," I growled, anger surging at the thought.
"Or tools," she said softly. "Living, breathing resources to be exploited."
I cupped her face in my hands, forcing her to meet my gaze. "That will never happen to you. Do you understand? I would burn down every forest in this territory before I let Marcus or anyone else use you like that."
A small smile curved her lips. "That would be counterproductive, considering my connection to plants."
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her dry humor. "You know what I mean, little wolf. I protect what’s mine."
"I’m not worried about myself," she admitted, her smile fading. "I’m worried about my brother. About Aurora. About what Marcus might do to them if we don’t reach them in time."
"We will," I promised, though we both knew such guarantees were dangerous in our world. "And when this is over, I want to learn more about your Forest heritage. Your mother’s people—there must be others like you out there."
Her eyes widened. "You’d... you’d help me find them?"
"Of course," I said, surprised she would question it. "They’re your family, Victoria. And family is everything in our world."
Tears welled in her eyes. "Even though they’re not werewolves? Even though connections to them might be seen as... politically problematic for an Alpha of your standing?"
I pulled her against me, feeling her heart beat against my chest. "Do you really think I give a damn about political appearances at this point? You are my mate, Victoria. Your people are my people now."
She buried her face against my chest, her body trembling slightly. I held her, letting the hot water sluice over us both, washing away the tension of the day. After several minutes, I felt her relax against me.
"The bath," I murmured against her hair. "Let’s move there. The heat will help your muscles recover."
Victoria nodded, allowing me to guide her from the shower to the large soaking tub I’d filled earlier. She slipped into the steaming water with a grateful sigh, her eyes fluttering closed as the heat enveloped her.
I took a moment to appreciate the view—her wet hair slicked back from her face, water droplets clinging to her long eyelashes, the gentle swell of her breasts just visible above the waterline. My body responded instantly, a familiar hunger awakening despite the day’s exhaustion.
"Are you just going to stand there staring, or are you joining me?" she asked without opening her eyes, a small smirk playing on her lips.
"Bossy little thing," I teased, stepping into the tub and settling behind her. I pulled her back against my chest, her soft curves fitting perfectly against my harder planes. "Better?"
"Mmm," she hummed, nestling against me. "Much."
I reached for the bath sponge and soap, working up a rich lather. "Let me," I offered, beginning to wash her shoulders with slow, deliberate strokes.
Victoria leaned into my touch, a soft moan escaping her as I worked the tension from her muscles. "That feels amazing."
"Good," I murmured, moving the sponge down her arms, then back up to trace the elegant line of her collarbones. "You pushed yourself too hard today."
"I had to," she defended weakly. "Every minute Enzo and Aurora remain with Marcus—"
"I know," I interrupted gently. "But you’re no good to them—or to me—if you burn yourself out." I moved the sponge lower, circling her breasts teasingly. "We need you at full strength, Victoria."
Her breath hitched as I deliberately brushed the sponge across her nipples. "And this is how you help me recover my strength?"
I chuckled, discarding the sponge to cup her breasts with my bare hands. "This is how I help you relax," I corrected, thumbs circling her nipples until they hardened into tight peaks. "Any objections?"
"None whatsoever," she breathed, arching into my touch.
My wolf growled approvingly as I explored her body, hands sliding down her stomach to the apex of her thighs. She parted her legs without prompting, giving me better access to the heart of her.
"Look at you," I murmured against her ear, fingers finding her already slick and ready. "So responsive to my touch."
Victoria’s head fell back against my shoulder, her body trembling as I stroked her. "Only you," she whispered. "It’s only ever been you."
Those words triggered something primal in me—a possessive hunger that threatened to consume us both. I turned her in the water until she straddled my lap, her breasts at perfect mouth level.
"Mine," I growled, capturing one perfect nipple between my lips.
She gasped, hands gripping my shoulders as I suckled her, my fingers never ceasing their exploration between her thighs. "Leo," she moaned, hips rocking against my hand.
I switched to her other breast, teasing the sensitive peak with my tongue while my free hand gripped her hip, guiding her movements. "That’s it, little wolf. Let me feel how much you want me."
Victoria’s eyes met mine, pupils dilated with desire. "I always want you," she admitted, a vulnerability in her voice that made my chest ache. "Sometimes I think I’ll die from wanting you."
I captured her mouth in a fierce kiss, swallowing her next moan as I slipped two fingers inside her. She was so tight, so perfect around my fingers—I could only imagine how she would feel around my cock, which throbbed painfully beneath her.
As if reading my thoughts, Victoria reached between us to grasp my length. "I need you," she whispered against my lips. "Now."