Falling for My Shifter Enemy (Wild & Forbidden Mates #4)

Chapter 10

Chloé

The meeting room churns with tension, a sea of shocked faces and hostile whispers surrounding us. But all I can focus on is the warmth of Theo's hands cupping my face, the raw vulnerability in his eyes as he stands before me. His submission—an Alpha on his knees—has torn through centuries of tradition like lightning through darkness. Beneath my skin, my wolf stirs with newfound confidence, finally feeling seen and valued despite my inability to shift.

The air crackles with competing energies as both packs struggle to process what they've witnessed.

"Maybe," Ryan's steady voice cuts through the tension, drawing all eyes to where he stands at the head of the long conference table, "this is exactly what both our packs need. A bridge instead of a barrier." He looks between Theo and me, his expression thoughtful. "We've been enemies for so long, we forgot we were once family. Perhaps it's time to remember that."

The words hang in the air, weighted with possibility. I feel Theo's fingers tighten slightly against my skin, a subtle acknowledgment of the olive branch Ryan has just extended. It's more than just acceptance of our bond—it's an invitation to heal wounds that have festered between our packs for years.

The moment of hope is fragile, like morning frost that could melt away with the smallest breath of warmth.

Derek's steady voice cuts through the room like a blade through silk. "I agree. We have bigger problems than internal divides," he says, his tone carrying the weight of years of battlefield command. As he addresses both packs, his presence seems to fill the room, calm and immovable as a mountain. "The hunters are still a threat, and we can't afford to be at each other's throats."

When his steel-gray eyes meet mine, I see something I've rarely experienced from dominant wolves—respect, pure and unqualified. "Theo's made his choice, and I stand by it. I'll handle any dissent within our ranks. What we need now is unity."

Relief floods through me at his words, mixing with gratitude that brings tears to my eyes. Having Derek's support feels like gaining a shield against the storm I know is coming. Through our bond, I feel Theo's own surge of appreciation toward his Beta, along with a fierce wave of protectiveness that wraps around me like a warm blanket.

"Let me take you home," Theo whispers, his voice rough with emotion as his thumb traces my cheekbone. The word 'home' sends a shiver through me—not the Whispering Pines pack house where I've lived my whole life, but his territory, his space, where he wants me to belong.

I can only nod, overwhelmed by the intensity blazing in his amber eyes. As he leads me from the room, his hand steady at the small of my back, I feel the weight of what's just happened settling over me. We've changed everything—there's no going back now.

???

The elevator ride to his flat is silent but charged with electricity. Every breath feels weighted with anticipation, the mate bond humming between us like a live wire. I watch our reflection in the polished doors—the powerful Alpha and the wolf who can't shift—and for the first time, I don't see weakness in the contrast. I see balance.

When the doors open, he guides me not to the guest room where I stayed before, but down the hallway to his bedroom. My heart thunders against my ribs as we step inside. Moonlight spills through floor-to-ceiling windows, painting everything in liquid silver. The massive bed dominates the space, dark sheets a stark contrast to the pale light. My wolf stirs restlessly, recognizing the significance of this moment—this is where we'll seal our bond, where we'll make our choice permanent.

The click of the door closing behind us sounds final, definitive. Theo turns to me, and the vulnerability in his expression steals my breath. Gone is the hardened Alpha, the leader who must always be in control. In his place stands a man who's choosing to let down every wall he's built.

"No more walls, Chloé," he says, his voice husky as his fingers trace my cheek. "No more holding back." The mate bond pulses with his words, carrying echoes of past pain and future promises.

I step closer, placing my hands against his chest, feeling his heart race beneath my palms. Years of feeling inadequate, of being told I wasn't enough, begin to melt away under the heat of his gaze. "I'm not afraid," I whisper, and I mean it. After a lifetime of feeling weak, I finally understand that true strength isn't about physical power or the ability to shift. It's about having the courage to be vulnerable, to love without reservation.

"You should be," he growls softly, but there's tenderness beneath the sound. His hands slide down to my waist, pulling me closer. "I'm going to claim you, mark you as mine. Once I do, there's no going back. The packs, the hunters, everything that's coming—we face it together."

Heat floods my cheeks, but I hold his gaze. "I don't want to go back," I tell him, my voice steady despite the trembling in my limbs. "I want to move forward—with you."

His eyes darken at my words, and the mate bond surges between us, hot and urgent. When he kisses me, it's different from before—no hesitation, no holding back. I melt into his embrace, my body molding against his hard planes and angles. His hands slide down to my hips, gripping me possessively as he deepens the kiss. I can taste his desperation, his need, and it sends a thrill of power through me—I'm the one making this Alpha lose control.

He walks me backwards until my knees hit the edge of the bed, and then he's lowering me onto the mattress, his body covering mine. I arch into him, craving more contact, more of his heat. He settles between my thighs, and I can feel his hardness pressing against me through our clothes.

"Tell me what you want," he growls against my lips, his voice rough with desire. "Tell me how you need me."

I shudder at his words, my mind a haze of lust. "I want you," I manage to gasp out. "I need you inside me. I need to feel you claim me."

He groans at my words, his hips rocking against mine. "Fuck, Chloé," he rasps. "You have no idea what you do to me."

His hands slide under my shirt, calloused palms skimming over my sensitive skin. I moan as his fingers find my breasts, teasing my nipples through the thin lace of my bra. Every touch sends electricity crackling through my veins, stoking the fire building in my core.

I tug at his shirt impatiently, desperate to feel his skin against mine. He obliges, sitting back just long enough to yank it over his head before descending on me again. His chest is a work of art—all sculpted muscle and smooth skin, with a dusting of hair trailing down to the waistband of his jeans.

I run my hands over his shoulders, reveling in the power coiled beneath my fingertips. He's so strong, so dominant, and yet here he is, trembling with need for me. The thought sends a rush of wetness between my thighs.

Theo seems to scent my arousal, his nostrils flaring as he inhales deeply. "You smell so fucking good," he groans, nuzzling into my neck. "I can't wait to taste you."

He kisses a trail of fire down my throat, his teeth grazing my pulse point. I tilt my head back, giving him better access as my fingers tangle in his hair. He laves the sensitive skin with his tongue before sucking hard, leaving a mark.

I cry out at the sharp sting of pleasure, my hips bucking up against his. He chuckles darkly, the sound vibrating against my skin. "I'm going to make you scream my name," he promises, his eyes glittering with wicked intent.

He sits back on his heels, his hands going to the button of my jeans. I lift my hips eagerly as he tugs them down my legs, taking my panties with them. The cool air against my heated flesh makes me shiver, my bare skin prickling with goosebumps.

Theo's gaze rakes over me hungrily, his eyes darkening with lust. "God, you're beautiful," he breathes. "I want to devour every inch of you."

He leans down, nuzzling my inner thigh. I shudder as his breath ghosts over my most sensitive area, my core clenching with anticipation. When his tongue finally makes contact, I nearly sob with relief.

He licks a slow, deliberate stripe up my slit, savoring my taste with a low groan. "Fuck, you're perfect," he murmurs against my flesh. "I could feast on you for hours."

I whimper as he circles my clit with the tip of his tongue, the pleasure building with each pass. My hands fist in the sheets as he increases the pressure, sucking the sensitive bud into his mouth.

"Oh god, Theo," I gasp, my hips rocking against his face. "Don't stop, please don't stop."

He chuckles, the vibrations sending shockwaves through me. Two fingers delve into my soaked entrance, curling against that spot that makes me see stars. I nearly scream as he pumps them in and out, his tongue never leaving my clit.

The tension coils tighter and tighter in my core, winding me tighter than a bowstring. I'm so close, teetering on the edge of oblivion. Theo must sense it, because he doubles his efforts, fucking me harder with his fingers while flicking my clit with his tongue.

"That's it, baby," he croons, his voice muffled against my flesh. "Let go for me. I've got you."

And with a final, hard suck on my clit, I shatter. White-hot ecstasy crashes over me, my inner walls clamping down on Theo's fingers as I cry out his name. Wave after wave of pleasure washes through me, leaving me limp and boneless in the aftermath.

Theo gentles his touch, easing me down from my high with soft laps of his tongue. When I finally come back to myself, he's kneeling between my thighs, his chest heaving and his eyes blazing with lust.

"You're mine now," he growls, his voice rough with possession. "Forever."

He reaches for his belt, undoing it with deft fingers. I watch, transfixed, as he shoves his jeans and boxers down his hips, freeing his hard, thick length. It juts out proudly from a nest of dark curls, the tip already weeping with precum.

I lick my lips at the sight, my core clenching with renewed desire. Theo's eyes follow the movement, his pupils blown wide with need. "I'm going to fuck you now," he rasps, his voice strained with the effort of holding back. "I'm going to claim you as my mate."

"Yes," I breathe, spreading my legs wider in invitation. "Please, Theo. Make me yours."

He settles between my thighs, the head of his cock nudging against my entrance. I tense, bracing myself for the intrusion, but he pauses, his forehead resting against mine.

"Are you sure about this?" he asks, his voice soft despite the urgency thrumming through him. "Once we do this, there's no going back. You'll be mine, fully and completely."

"I've never been more sure of anything in my life," I tell him, cupping his face in my hands. "I'm yours, Theo. Completely and utterly yours."

Something shifts in his expression at my words, a softening around the edges that makes my heart ache. "I love you, Chloé," he murmurs, the declaration surprising us both. "I never thought I'd say those words to anyone, but I can't hold them back anymore. I love you."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes at the raw vulnerability in his voice. "I love you too," I whisper back, sealing my words with a soft kiss. "Now please, make me yours."

And with a final, fierce kiss, he surges forward, sheathing himself inside me with one smooth thrust. I gasp at the sudden fullness, my walls stretching to accommodate his size. He groans, his eyes squeezing shut as he fights the urge to move.

"Are you okay?" he asks, his voice strained. "I don't want to hurt you."

"You're not," I assure him, rocking my hips against his. "You feel perfect. Now please, move."

He needs no further encouragement. Drawing back, he thrusts into me again, setting a deep, driving rhythm that has me seeing stars. Each snap of his hips sends sparks shooting up my spine, the pleasure building with each pass.

"That's it, baby," he growls, his hand snaking between us to circle my clit. "Take what you need. I'll give you everything."

I cling to him as he pounds into me, the headboard slamming against the wall with each thrust. The obscene sound mingles with our moans and panting breaths, creating a symphony of lust.

I can feel the mate bond pulsing between us, growing stronger with each passing second. Theo must feel it too, because he captures my mouth in a searing kiss, swallowing my cries as he drives into me harder, faster.

"Are you close?" he pants against my lips, his hips stuttering. "Tell me you're close, Chloé."

"So close," I manage to gasp out, my nails raking down his back. "Just a little more, Theo. Please."

He redoubles his efforts, his fingers flying over my clit as he pistons into me. The tension in my core winds tighter and tighter, until finally, it snaps.

I come with a scream, my inner walls clamping down on Theo's cock like a vice. He follows me over the edge with a roar, his hips jerking erratically as he spills himself deep inside me.

In the midst of my climax, I feel his teeth at my throat, sharp and insistent. I tilt my head back, giving him better access, and with a final, savage thrust, he bites down.

Pain blossoms where his teeth pierce my skin, but it's drowned out by the rush of pleasure as the mate bond snaps into place. I can feel Theo's love and devotion washing over me, along with his strength and power. Tears stream down my face as the full force of the connection settles over me.

Theo laps at the bite, soothing the sting with his tongue. "Mine," he growls possessively, his eyes blazing with satisfaction. "You're mine now, forever."

"Yours," I agree breathlessly.

We lie there in the aftermath, our bodies slick with sweat, our hearts beating in unison. The mate bond pulses between us, a tangible reminder of the vows we've just exchanged without words. I am his, and he is mine, and nothing in this world can tear us apart.

As our breathing slowly returns to normal, Theo lifts his head, his eyes searching mine. There's a vulnerability in his gaze that I've never seen before, a raw honesty that takes my breath away.

"I love you, Chloé," he murmurs, brushing a stray lock of hair away from my face. "I think I have from the moment I first saw you."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes as I reach up to cup his cheek. "I love you too, Theo. More than I ever thought possible."

He rolls onto his back, taking me with him so that I'm lying on top of him, my head resting against his chest. His arms wrap around me, holding me close, and I can hear the steady beat of his heart beneath my ear. It's a sound I'll never tire of, a reminder that I'm no longer alone.

We stay like that for a long time, neither of us willing to break the spell that surrounds us. The world outside can wait. For now, it's just the two of us, bound together by love and loyalty and a connection that transcends everything we've ever known.