Christmas with the Grumpy Alpha (Feuding Hearts Christmas)

21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Lena

I wake up in Tanner’s arms.

There is warmth, softness, and security everywhere, a feeling of being completely protected. His back is a sturdy wall against my body, shielding me from the world’s dangers.

As I come fully awake, I can't help but smile, silently thanking the universe for this undeserved gift that it gave me.

And then I see Tanner’s eyes.

Smiling like a fool, rubbing the cobwebs of sleep from my eyes, I twist around in his embrace to face him and freeze instantly.

My heart shatters into a thousand pieces. Tanner’s face is pale, being hounded by an army of shadows.

His eyes are eclipsed with dark circles.

Forget sleeping, it’s clear that he hasn’t even allowed himself a moment of rest the entire night.

Deep ruts of worry are creasing his forehead, and he’s looking down at me with such a potent mixture of guilt, remorse and concern, that I cannot help but feel my own expression darkening.

Yesterday’s memory returns like a vengeful ghost carrying its scythe of the past to strike me with again.

I remember what I heard between Derek and Tanner, word-for-word. I remember the savage looks on their faces. And suddenly, I don’t feel so happy anymore.

In fact, happiness is the last thing I can feel, considering the situation I’m in.

“Lena, please,” Tanner requests in a strained voice, seeing my crestfallen look. “Don’t do this to me. My heart breaks every time I see you reliving that moment.”

I turn my gaze fully to him, unable to stop it from turning accusing. It’s bizarre, how quickly your tenderness towards someone can turn into anger.

“Explain yourself, then.” I slowly push myself out from the warm cocoon of his body, creating distance between us. “What you said, is it true? Am I just a way to get your parent off your back?”

Tanner looks at me, aghast. “Of course not! How could you even think that?”

“Don’t just say that to make me feel better, Tanner,” I warn. “Be honest. Was it true or not?”

Tanner smiles grimly. “You said it yourself, Lena. It was true. Past tense. Now it’s not.” He crawls forward on the bed, upright on his knees, face fiercely determined.

“Don’t you see? I’ve chosen you Lena, I want us to be together!” His grim smile fills with light.

“Who the hell cares about fated mates and whatnot? You think some stupid superstitious lore would actually influence the most important decision of my life, choosing who to be with?”

I pause and say softly, “No.”

“Exactly! No!” Tanner exclaims. “It won’t! My decision to be with you is in no way determined by our fated mates’ bond. It is in no way a strategic move to further my pack’s interests. Lena,” his voice cracks as he grabs my hand and stands an inch away from my face.

“I have chosen you because I love you . Because you’re the most fucking amazing, courageous, feisty woman I’ve ever seen, and one hell of a sexy one at that, too.” He laughs in disbelief. “I mean, where else was I going to find someone like you?”

Before I can respond, a soft knock at the door interrupts us. Tanner’s mother steps in, her face calm but her gaze steady on Lena.

“Lena,” she says kindly, “may I have a moment to speak with you? Alone?”

Tanner stiffens immediately, his protective instincts kicking in as he stands to face his mother. “Is this necessary right now?” he asks, a hint of suspicion in his voice. “What do you need to talk about?”

His mother offers a reassuring smile, holding her hands up in peace. “Relax, Tanner. I don’t want to upset her. I just want to have a quick word.”

Tanner hesitates but eventually nods. “Fine. But don’t—”

“I won’t,” she says firmly. “I promise.”

Tanner throws a glance at Lena, his eyes searching for reassurance, before reluctantly stepping out of the room.

Once the door closes, Tanner’s mother moves closer to Lena, sitting beside her on the bed. She takes a deep breath, her expression softening.

“I wanted to talk to you because... I’ve never seen Tanner like this before,” she begins. “He’s always put being Alpha above everything. His role, the pack, his responsibilities—it’s who he is. But with you... he’s different.”

Lena looks at her, unsure of how to respond, so she listens.

“He loves you, Lena,” his mother continues. “And I can’t tell you how amazed I am to see the change in him. I’ve never seen him put anyone above his duty to the pack—until now. That tells me something. You’re his true match, and he knows it.”

Lena’s heart races, her chest tightening with emotion.

“I believe you’ll make him an even stronger Alpha,” she adds with a smile. “With a strong mate by his side, Tanner will become an even greater leader. I can’t wait to see what kind of Alpha he’ll be with you at his side.”

Lena swallows, touched by the words. “Thank you,” she whispers, her voice wavering.

Tanner’s mother gently squeezes her hand before standing up. “You don’t need to thank me. You’ve earned his heart, and I can see how much he values you. Just take the time to see it for yourself.”

As she exits the room, Tanner steps back in, his eyes immediately searching for Lena’s. He’s clearly concerned, his protective energy still humming in the air.

“Everything okay?” Tanner asks, stepping closer, concern etched on his face.

Lena looks up at him, her walls finally breaking down. “Yeah, Tanner... everything’s okay,” she says softly. “And so am I.”

Tears prick at my eyes as I lean into him, our closeness pushing away the last of my fears. For the first time, I feel like I can breathe.

The weight of the past few days melts away as I allow myself to fully trust the man standing in front of me. Tanner watches me intently, his face softening with relief.

“Well,” I begin, my voice steadier now, “I had doubts, Tanner. I didn’t want to admit it, but I started been second-guessing everything. And when I heard what you said to Derek... it just confirmed what I was afraid of. That maybe you weren’t serious about us, that you’d walk away, and I’d end up hurt all over again.” I pause, taking a deep breath. “But now... I see I was wrong.”

Tanner’s eyes widen slightly, a flicker of guilt crossing his face, but before he can speak, I reach for his hand, squeezing it gently.

“You’ve explained yourself, and I believe you. I can see now that I don’t have anything to doubt anymore. You’re choosing me, and I need to stop holding back and choose you, too.”

Tanner’s grin grows wider as he leans in, pressing his forehead to mine. “Good. Because I’m not letting you go.”

I blink back the tears that are threatening to spill over. This is a moment of celebration, of healing.

A moment when the old Lena—the one full of doubts and fears—finally casts aside those sad pieces of herself and steps into a new life. A life with Tanner, the man who chose me.

“Well,” I swallow, smiling up at him, my whole being filled with warmth. “Now that you’ve said all that... I don’t have any more doubts. I was holding on to so much uncertainty, questioning everything between us. But hearing you say it, knowing how you feel...” I trail off, taking a breath. “It’s like everything finally makes sense.”

I squeeze his hand again, firmer this time. “I’m ready to move forward—with you. No more second-guessing.”

Unspoken, unbidden, we lean into each other and kiss. Tanner’s scratchy, unshaven face is a welcome relief from all that soft snow I was being tormented by yesterday.

It heightens my arousal, and my kisses turn ferocious, eager to taste more of his messy, ungroomed self.

My hands wrap around his head and run through his hair. My body presses against his, my breasts flattened by his chest.

He grabs me like a stuffed toy and picks me up, laying me down in the center of the bed.

One by one, all those blankets that dutifully fulfilled their role in nursing me back to health last night are pushed to the floor to make space for our unchained passion.

Tanner grabs both my arms and pins them against the soft mattress. He kisses me harder, with a great hunger, his quivering body pressing against mine.

“Uhh, wait,” I croak, drawing away from his lips. “My ankle. It was hurt pretty bad yesterday.”

Tanner grunts and kisses me again. He begins removing my nightgown. “You’re all healed now, I checked. It was just a minor injury which I tended to, and your rapid healing abilities took over. Don’t worry.”

“Wow,” I murmur breathlessly in between kisses.

“Aren’t you just the perfect caregiver, huh?”

“Only for you,” he pants, sliding my pajamas from my shaking legs and falling atop me again.

I groan with pleasure under the weight of his mighty form, feeling that familiar current of power beginning to surge through me again.

My fingers fumble with Tanner’s t-shirt, taking a good minute to pull it from his muscled frame.

Before I can waste that same amount of time with his pants, he takes them off himself, growling in anticipation as our naked forms meet.

The feeling is as electric as it has always been, exactly like last time, and yet completely different in its own way.

His lips on mine, hot and demanding. I can't get enough, kissing him back with everything I have.

My hands roam his broad back, feeling every contour of his strong body. I pull him closer, needing to feel all of him pressed against me. His hands are everywhere, sending sparks of desire through me with each touch.

I let out a soft moan as his mouth trails kisses down my neck, his hands moving lower. My breath quickens as he whispers how much he wants me, his words sending shivers down my spine.

"I love you," I manage to whisper, pulling him closer, "forever."

Tanner freezes, his eyes searching mine.

For a moment, he's still, his body poised over mine. Then, slowly, he leans in and captures my lips in a gentle kiss. It's unlike anything I've felt before—tender, loving, and full of emotion.

He pulls back slightly, his eyes never leaving mine.

"I love you, too, Lena. Forever and always."

Our lips meet again, and the passion builds once more.

My hands tangle in his hair, pulling him closer as our kisses become more desperate. I can feel the heat building between us, an intense, all-consuming fire that threatens to burn us both alive.

Tanner's hands move to my hips, his touch gentle yet commanding. He pulls me closer, our bodies fitting together perfectly as if they were made to be this way.

He buries his face in my neck, his breath hot against my skin as he moves with fierce, primal passion. "Lena," he growls, his voice filled with raw emotion. "I need you."

"I'm here," I whisper, my body arching to meet his. "Always, just take what you want."

Tanner’s kisses will always leave me so breathless and yet so taut with arousal that I would rather suffocate under his mouth than breathe normally without it.

Every inch of my being yearns for him, wanting to draw his very soul into my core. My inner wolf is howling with joy, even more excited than me as she celebrates this union.

Tanner slowly pushes into me, filling me with his impressive girth. A moan escapes my lips as he stretches me, pleasure building inside of me.

My inner wolf stirs, recognizing what's happening.

This is our mate , she growls in satisfaction. Tanner is the one meant to be ours .

I wrap my legs around his hips, pulling him deeper. Our bodies move together in perfect harmony, each thrust bringing us closer together. The world outside fades away until there's nothing left but the two of us and the passion that consumes us.

As Tanner fills me repeatedly, I feel a completeness I've never known before. It's like all the missing pieces of myself have been found and put into place, leaving no gaps or holes.

I'm whole, complete with Tanner inside of me.

His hands roam my body reverently, touching every curve and dip with wonder. "So beautiful," he pants against my neck. "I can't believe you're mine."

I tilt my head back with a moan as he hits that spot deep inside of me that drives me wild. My nails dig into his back as the pleasure builds to new heights.

"Tanner!" I cry out his name as waves crash over me from both within and without our entangled bodies.

He continues thrusting hard and fast now.

With just a few more strokes I climax explosively under him.

But even that isn't enough for him it seems as he keeps going, refusing to let up even an ounce of energy or intent. Sweat glistens off our bodies while our hearts race.

"Oh god, Lena," Tanner groans harshly right next to my ear before sinking his teeth into the lobe and giving it a tug.

A shudder runs through my body at his touch.

"I-I'm...coming again!" I gasp in disbelief only for those words to turn true when another orgasm rolls over me not seconds later.

This has never happened to me before.

I moan at the loss, my body already missing the fullness of him inside me. I look down and watch as he moves to position himself between my legs once more.

This time though, he doesn't enter me again right away. Instead, he pushes my thighs apart and leans in close, his breath hot against my pussy.

"Tanner," I breathe his name like a prayer, my voice barely audible.

He looks up at me with lust-darkened eyes and gives me a small smile before leaning in closer. His tongue snakes out, running along my slit from bottom to top before delving inside me.

I cry out at the sensation, my back arching off the bed as pleasure shoots through me. My hands come down to tangle in his hair, holding him in place as he begins to pleasure with fervor.

His tongue is everywhere - licking, sucking, thrusting inside of me. He's relentless in his pursuit of making me come again. And it doesn't take long for him to succeed.

Within minutes I'm coming undone beneath him, my body shaking with the force of my orgasm. Tanner doesn't let up though, continuing to lick and suck until I'm gasping for air.

Finally, he pulls back after one last kiss pressed against my clit. I'm still trying to catch my breath when he speaks up next to my ear.

"On your hands and knees baby."

I nod eagerly and roll over onto my stomach before pushing myself up onto all fours. Tanner settles behind me, running his hard cock along the crack of my ass teasingly before notching himself at my entrance.

"Tell me you want this Lena," he demands gruffly.

I push back against him wanting more than anything for him to fill me again. "Please Tanner," I beg shamelessly, reaching one hand back to pull on his hip encouragingly. "Fuck me!"

He surges forward, then covers most of my body with his own larger frame from behind, gripping my hips, bruising tight.

"I love you Lena so much," He whispers against the shell of my ear before giving it a nip.

"Then show it."

A low moan escapes my lips as I feel Tanner's cock slide into my swollen pussy. He fills me so perfectly, stretching me in the most delicious way.

My body arches, pushing back against him, craving more of that delicious friction.

Tanner's hands grip my hips tightly as he begins to move, pulling nearly all the way out before slamming back in. The force of his thrusts rocks my entire body, jolting me forward with each snap of his hips.

"Yes," I breathe out, loving how he's taking me so thoroughly from behind. His balls slap against my clit with every deep stroke, sending sparks of pleasure shooting through my core.

One hand leaves my hip and tangles in my hair, pulling my head back as Tanner leans over me. I can feel his chest pressed against my back, his breath hot on my neck as he continues to pound into me relentlessly.

"Damn, Lena," he growls out, "you feel so good wrapped around my cock."

I clench around him instinctively at his words and earn a sharp smack to one ass cheek for it.

Tanner sets a brutal pace now, fucking into me with wild abandon. Our bodies slap together lewdly with each powerful thrust.

My orgasm builds rapidly from the intense stimulation both inside and out. I can feel myself tightening around his length as my orgasm grows closer.

Suddenly, Tanner pulls out completely before standing, then squatting behind me and putting himself back inside with one swift stroke. He starts moving again immediately, and I cry out at the new angle, allowing him to hit even deeper.

"Oh, fuck yes!" Tanner groans above me when he finds that perfect spot inside of me.

I'm panting harshly now, gasping for breath between moans and whimpers that fill the room, along with the obscene sound of skin slapping against skin.

"Come for me, baby," Tanner commands gruffly, pumping harder into my fluttering walls, which are starting to squeeze him like a vice, now signaling their impending release.

"I-I'm..." My words cut off abruptly as white-hot ecstasy floods through every nerve ending, leaving nothing but sensation.

Tanner surges forward once more, burying himself deep one last time, right as we both cum together.

Our cries of completion intertwine in blissful harmony while aftershocks roll through us both.

I feel teeth sink into my shoulder, not painful yet not gently either, leaving an unmistakable mark there proclaiming what this is - Tanner claiming what's his.