Knowing how nervous Rhae was, Raphael did his best to distract her from the moment he woke her up.
While she ranted about life at the orphanage to her best friend, he slipped under the covers to enjoy his own special breakfast.
"I LIED! I NEVER WANT TO LEAVE," she shouted as he began, a low, satisfied growl rumbling from his throat.
The vibrations made her moan just a little louder as she tightened the grip on his hair.
As she did, Raphael grabbed her thighs, sinking his fingers deep into her flesh.
He knew that it was harder than he had ever gripped her before, sure that it would leave prints where his fingers lay, but the sounds coming out of her made it all worth it.
Lust was taking over, and she didn't want to let him have all the fun, as she pushed on his head, forcing him back, letting him know to stop, her legs shaking.
"My turn!"
He didn't want to stop, but he was also curious about what she was trying to do.
Hesitantly, he loosened his grip on her thighs and moved himself to sit beside her.
Rhae leaned up, grabbed his shoulders, and tossed him back onto the bed.
Now that he was in position, she grabbed his shaft without a hint of hesitation, which was already hard, and standing at attention for her.
Sliding her hand up and down, she bent over, placing her lips just above the tip and slowly took him into her mouth, keeping her eyes on his the whole time, pressing her tongue with just enough pressure along the shaft that it formed a suction as she went down.
Rhae didn't stop until she took his whole length in, then she made sure her suction was tight before continuing up and down, adding her free hand to massage his scrotum.
He couldn't help but grab her by the hair as she kept going up and down at a steady pace; his hand started to assist her, letting out a moan of his own.
"Oh, baby. That feels so good!"
"MMMMMM," she let out when he was deep in her.
"Oh, Goddess."
He pulled her off instantly, without warning, grabbed her hips, and centered her.
"I can't do it. It feels too good, and I want to fuck you, NOW," he demanded, thrusting his cock into her in one swift, hard motion.
His wolf had taken over, and she liked it, maybe a bit too much, but so did he as he pounded into her, thrust after thrust without relenting.
As they both reached their peak, his fangs descended, jolting him back to reality, and he held firm in his resolve not to bite her.
She had no idea what it meant, and this wasn't the moment to bring it up.
He shook his head, managing to stop himself and retract his fangs before doing anything he might regret.
Phoenix was having a pleasant morning with Stella, but it couldn't compare to the experience Raphael had just enjoyed.
Meanwhile, a few floors above, Alexander woke up alone in bed.
After living with her for a short time and seeing her pull her disappearing acts several times, he should have known what she was like.
Ayla was a runner through and through, and nothing would ever change that.
How could he possibly expect her to be any different?
He wouldn't want her to, though, would he?
Alexander truly admired her fighting spirit.
The courage that always carried her through, no matter what she faced.
Honestly, why didn't he just handcuff himself to her so she wouldn't leave him behind again?
Aside from the fact that he never would have managed to get her cuffed twice, he had promised her he wouldn't.
She would've probably chewed through her own wrist to escape if he'd managed to cuff her again, or his knowing her, and he was quite fond of his hands.
He pressed his hands to his face, rubbing as though he could wipe away the thoughts and desperation clinging to him.
All he could do now was drag himself out of bed and rally the team to follow her and Julius.
Just then, he heard the toilet flush and the bathroom door swing open.
"Good morning. Any thoughts about tying me up again?" she asked, tilting her head.
His head hit the bed as he closed his eyes.
"You really get me," he chuckled.
"I told you I wouldn't run from you anymore, but I know it'll take time for you to trust that after what I did. I'm sorry."
He narrowed his eyes at her, fully aware of what she'd done while he was asleep.
"Ayla, I haven't tied you up, have I? Just thinking about it when I wake up, and you're not there, or wanting to, so I know you're safe while I sleep doesn't count," he said, raising a knowing eyebrow at her.
She smiled.
"You haven't tied me up, no, but you have handcuffed me. Or did you mean not again? Let's have breakfast before we go," she said, brushing off his comment.
She understood what he meant, but he liked her playful antics, and he was well aware of it.
A devilish smile spread across his face as he quickly jumped off the bed and landed on his feet.
"Oh, I definitely see something I want to eat."
Ayla tried to escape him, darting around the bed as if it were a barrier, like two wolves weaving through the forest; the chase had begun.
"We don't have time, Alexander; the others are probably already waiting for us."
She kept dodging him, racing around the bed, vaulting over it, sprinting out of the room, and into the living room, with him hot on her heels the entire time.
The thrill of being a wolf was always in the chase, and Ayla was giving him exactly that, igniting his excitement within him even more.
It turned out to be harder for him to catch her than he expected, as she slipped out of the room and started using the couch, the bar, and anything else she could find as new obstacles.
"Nonsense. I have a feeling they're just as busy, if not still asleep," he responded as he chased her.
As soon as he finished trying to distract her with his words, he vaulted over the couch and charged straight toward her at full speed.
With a swift, long reach, he caught her wrist, just like when they first met.
"You're mine now, just like you were always meant to be from the moment I first saw you."
She didn't like his possessiveness and wanted to push back, because she didn't belong to him.
"Oh, you think that, do you?"
He pushed her onto the couch and separated her legs, forcefully, "I know so."
He was simply reminding her of all the men who had chased after her for so long, each hoping to claim her like a prize in that moment.
Once he settled into position, he glanced up at her with a look of eager anticipation, eyes full of hunger.
Knowing the mission was looming, she chose not to resist.
Her wolf was hungry too, and she figured it wouldn't hurt to fuel up before they left.
"Now, I'm ready for my first breakfast."
Ayla arched an approving eyebrow as he leaned in to kiss her before he got to work, but she pulled her face to the side as he met her cheek.
Alexander was ravenous, too.
He slid down her body until his face was lined up with the meal he was craving, as his tongue began to move aggressively and went after exactly what he wanted.
He held nothing back in his effort, determined to show her exactly what he meant when he said she was his.
Ayla and her sweet nectar were exactly what he needed to pull him deeper and deeper into his longing to have her.
Licking and nibbling on her clit like it was his, making her heat rise as she got even wetter.
Knowing they didn't have much time, he was aggressive in giving her several orgasms before moving on to giving her what she really wanted.
His huge, girthy appendage.
It was a good thing they weren't coming back for at least a few days, because the couch was soaked underneath them from the pleasure she was enduring, and it wasn't about to get any better.
After they wrapped up their morning session, Ayla was riding a wave of pure euphoria, completely forgetting the minor incident that had happened before he had his way with her.
She wasn't sure what had happened to Alexander to make him act that way, but they both seemed to be in a better place for it.
Maybe it was him remembering she had left once before, her not being in the bed when he woke up, or hearing her say she had no intention of doing it again, but he was nothing short of amazing.
Fear was a hell of a motivator for a man when it came to pleasing a woman.
The pair headed to the kitchen together for a quick bite, knowing it was just about time to go, and they had to get moving.
One thing was clear: Alexander was nervous about letting Ayla take on the mission, but he knew there was no way to hold her back.
No matter what he tried, she was heading to Moonlight Shifters to save Julius.
He had a nagging feeling in his gut that just wouldn't go away, no matter how much he tried to ignore it; his instincts were screaming that he was missing something.
As they ate, he stood close behind her, like a shadow, his arm wrapped around her just below her chest, as though shielding her from the world.
Alexander thought he was ready for anything, but nothing could have prepared him for what was about to happen.
Ayla felt an unexpected calm, like the quiet right before a storm rolls in.
More than anything, she needed it, and somehow, he just knew as he stayed silent behind her.
After devouring fruit, bacon, sausage, ham, and a bagel each, it was time to join the others.
No, they didn't have time to cook the meat, but it was exactly what they wanted, and heading into a mission on an empty stomach seemed like a bad idea.
They weren't doing too badly on time.
Their nerves about the upcoming adventure had actually made them wake up earlier than necessary, so they were only just a little behind.
The sun hadn't risen yet, and the darkness still lingered, wrapping around them.
Alexander and Ayla stepped out of the elevator, pleasantly surprised to find that the two couples who had ridden up with them were still in their apartment.
They weren't thrilled that the others hadn't left, but relieved it wasn't them who were late.
"KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK!"
Alexander shouted in, hoping to avoid seeing anything unpleasant.
"Morning! Daylight is on the way, love birds!"
Raphael yelled out, "COMING, COMING" as the door flew open.
A strip of bacon hung from his mouth, a wide smile shining behind it.
Ayla let out a small giggle at the sight, unable to stop herself.
Such a teddy bear and such a sweet man for someone who was thought to be a fighter.
She wondered if she'd messed up by pulling him into all of this.
Raphael came across as a pretty sweet guy, too, in his own way, beneath all the sarcasm and jokes.
The three other team members trailed closely behind him, each sporting the same cheerful grin.
Alexander just couldn't resist.
"Looks like we're all starting the day off right!"
Phoenix only grinned a bit bigger, whereas Raphael blushed slightly and responded.
"A little sleep and some full bellies. What more can we ask for?" he looked at Rhae and blushed slightly harder.
Ayla playfully hit Alexander's shoulder for calling her and the others out.
"Alex!"
He held her by the hips and drew her closer to him.
With her back nestled snugly against his chest and his arms wrapped firmly around her, he leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"I love that you use my nickname now!"
Ayla shook her head with a roll of her eyes and slipped herself free.
Stella decided to help him out.
"Yes, enjoying a good breakfast is always a great way to kick off the day."
Alexander burst out laughing as he glanced at Ayla.
She could only cover her face with her hands as they stepped into the elevator.
Alexander was in high spirits, doing everything he could to spread the good vibes to everyone around him.
"Mornings. I just love them!"
If anything, they were in great spirits as they set out on a shaky mission.
None of them had any real idea of what to expect.
More than that, there was so much they didn't know, and they were basically heading into the trip completely blind.
Ayla trusted her intuition and gut to guide them, and that gave her hope that everything would work out for the best in the end, but they'd have to get to the end first.
All that was left was to make it to the woods without anything out of the ordinary happening.
As soon as they reached the first floor, the first event, unexpected yet somehow anticipated, took place.
When the elevator doors slid open, they were met with the sight of Dominic's apartment, and there, propped against the door, stood the grumpy old wolf himself.
He wasn't about to let Phoenix and Raphael leave without making sure they knew he was there for them, praying to the Goddess on their behalf, and waiting for their safe return.
"I know you boys have always relied on me for guidance, but I get that it's time for you to take charge. So, go find my son. I spent eighteen years chasing after him, and I'm not waiting that long again, so you'd better get moving. Did you leave everything behind? You three realize you've got nowhere to keep your phones, right?"
They nodded.
Dominic said nothing more to Ayla, but his words carried a hint of threat.
He was laying out a timeline, but they had no idea what it meant.
How much time did they have before Daddy Dominic came chasing after them?
With that, they all hugged the eldest member of their newly formed pack, Ayla lingering at the back.
She was the last to step up and say her goodbyes to the force of a man.
Her head hung low as she stepped forward.
"I'll do everything I can to bring him home as soon as possible. I know it's my..."
Dominic gently lifted her chin to meet his gaze. "Stop blaming yourself. It's not your fault he's gone. You're the one who will save us all, I believe that. If I didn't, I wouldn't be following your lead. But that doesn't mean you have forever. I'll give you a head start, and then I'll come after you and Julius myself."
There were no more clues; he was laying it out plainly for her.
Ayla nodded her head, "Understood. I plan to return before you have to come help us!"
With their farewells said, the pack of wolves headed into the dark woods to search for Julius and bring him back home.
Once they were far enough into the woods, their clothes came off, fur rippled to life, as they all sprang into the air, transforming mid-leap, giving their coats a shake as they touched down.
The six wolves took off, racing toward the pack they believed would help them and where they hoped to find their friend.
Moonlight shifters pack.
The only questions now are what they might encounter along the way, and what it would be like when, and if, they arrived.