The Wolf’s Pregnant Rejected Mate (Bluebell Valley Wolves #2)

Epilogue - Tess

Tess gasped and put a hand to her belly. “Oooh!”

Ryder, who had just dipped his fingers into the small water bowl between them, looked up sharply. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.” She rubbed her ribs and shook a finger at her belly. “Little Miss here decided now was a good time to practice her ninja kicks. I’m fine; let’s continue.”

If Tess had her way, she would have this baby tomorrow. As it was, her due date was still a week away. She was very ready not to be pregnant anymore, ready to finally have a baby in her arms. She and Ryder had decided that they wanted to have their mating ceremony before the baby came. With the pack still being so busy with everything demon-related, they had been putting off the ceremony until now.

Hayden, Mica, and Echo were the only ones present. Though some members of the pack expected their Beta to have a massive celebration, Ryder and Tess wanted something small and intimate.

Ryder cupped his hand into the water bowl and let her drink from it. “The first of my vows, to provide you sustenance,” he said, quoting the traditional words.

Tess nipped at his finger lightly, grinning when he blushed. Then she scooped up a bit of water and let it empty into Ryder’s mouth. “The first of my vows is to return your sustenance.”

Ryder picked up a scarlet ribbon. “The second of my vows, to protect you with my body.”

“The second of my vows, to give from my body.” Tess pointed at her stomach. “Which, I might add, I’m already doing.”

Ryder tied the ribbon around her wrist. “I bind myself to you, dear Tess.”

“I bind myself to you, my beloved Ryder.”

He beamed at her, his smile making her go weak at the knees. She couldn’t believe they were finally here. It had been a long road to admitting their true feelings, but it was worth every step. Now, they were true mates, and nobody could argue that they hadn’t made the commitment to one another.

Mica and Echo kissed both their cheeks, and Hayden shook their hands.

“Enjoy your honeymoon,” he said with a wink. “It’s the only time off you’ll have for a while.”

Tess gave Mica and Echo both another tight hug. Part of her mourned the fact that her parents weren’t here. That relationship would never recover—not that they wanted it to. They had gone back to pretending like she didn’t exist. Her grief was for the possibilities that never would come. Even if they wanted to be here, she wasn’t sure she’d ever forgive them. But she had Mica and Echo. She had a family, even if it wasn’t by blood.

Hayden, Mica, and Echo left the house then, leaving Tess and Ryder alone in their new home. It still smelled faintly of construction. It had been built to their specifications. Tess couldn’t wait to see how things developed here in the years to come.

“So. You want to go upstairs and have a nap?” Ryder asked as he slid his arms around her from behind. He carefully cupped her belly in his hands and lifted it, holding the weight of it for her.

Tess groaned as she leaned back against him. “Actually, I was thinking we could have sex. The oxytocin is supposed to be good at kick-starting labor.”

Ryder chuckled in her ear and nipped lightly at her neck. It sent zings of pleasure straight through her. Gently, he lowered her belly again and took her hand. They made their way to the bedroom and, once there, quickly stripped off their clothes. Tess marveled at how comfortable she’d gotten being naked with Ryder—and then marveled at the sheer beauty of him. She traced her hands over the contours of his sculpted muscles, the blood flow increasing throughout her body.

“You are so beautiful,” Ryder murmured. He kissed her slowly, their tongues tangling.

“You’re not too bad yourself,” Tess murmured back into his mouth.

Ryder pulled her to the bed, where he sat on the edge. He was already starting to harden and kissed up Tess’s body as he slid a hand between her legs. Tess squeezed her thighs together, making it more difficult for him. His eyes sparkled as he continued, finding her clit with his fingers. Tess’s head fell back, groaning.

“No, not yet,” she said, her hands resting lightly on his shoulders. She didn’t really mean it. It felt so good when he touched her! “I finish too quickly these days.”

“Thank you, pregnancy hormones,” Ryder chuckled. His hand remained where it was, just touching her clit. He didn’t move his fingers. “Isn’t the goal for you to finish? That’s what released the oxytocin, isn’t it?”

He winked at her.

“I like it when we finish together,” Tess said. “So let me…”

She trailed her hands down his body, bending slightly to take him in her hand. As she pulled away, Ryder’s hand came free. She practically whimpered from the loss, and he’d barely been touching her! She really was super sensitive these days. Still, she had something that she enjoyed just as much.

Namely, watching his eyes roll into the back of his head.

Tess knelt between his legs, licking and kissing him. She paused at his hip and moved back up, rubbing her breasts against him.

Ryder grabbed a pillow and passed it to her. “Put this under your stomach.”

Warmth pooled through her. Even when she was teasing him like this, he still looked out for her. She obeyed the command, then moved her kisses to his thigh. Slowly, she worked her way up. When she got to the crease where the thigh met the hip, she paused… and switched to the other side.

“Tess,” Ryder groaned. His hands bunched into the bedding beneath him.

“Yes, Ryder?” she innocently asked, looking at him through her lashes. “Is something wrong?”

His eyes were dark with lust as he shook his head. The primal hunger in his eyes sent a shiver right to her core. Never breaking eye contact, she took him into her mouth. Ryder’s breath hitched. His hands tightened further. Tess loved the way his jaw tightened. The way his hips rocked slightly, he was fighting himself, trying to hold back and let her have control.

Oh, and she did have control. She knew exactly how to make him gasp. How to make him groan. The way she could get him to arch his back, his eyes rolling to the back of his head. She took him as deep as she could, and he did all four at once. Tess chuckled at him as she moved her lips and tongue in just the right ways. He grew harder, filling her mouth with his size.

“Tess,” he growled. “You’re amazing.”

Tess grinned. She kept working him until he was gasping and shaking. Then, just when she knew he was about to finish, she pulled back. She licked her lips and smiled up at him.

“Want more?” she purred.

Ryder’s eyes were hungry and intense. “I want to be inside of you.”

His words made her core tighten. “I love it when you say that.”

She made to take him in her mouth again, but he stopped her.

“My turn,” he said, pulling her to her feet. He laid her on her side, kissing down her body as he did. He tucked the pillow under her belly again and spooned her, grinding himself into her ass. Tess shivered at the contact.

“I love your turn,” she said breathlessly.

Ryder kissed her shoulder and pulled her knee up, giving him access to her. His hand found her quickly. Two fingers plunged into her while his thumb circled her clit. It was already sensitive and hard. His attention made her gasp as her core tightened.

“Fuck, Tess,” Ryder growled, his voice laced with pleasure. “You’re already wet.”

Tess nodded, groaning as she pushed back against him. “I’m ready for you.”

“Not yet.” He chuckled. “I told you, it was my turn.”

“Ryder, please,” Tess begged, squirming beneath his hand. His fingers were relentless, sliding over her clit as she started to shake. “Ryder! I need you inside of me. Now!”

“Oh, my love.” His breath was hot in her ear as he pressed himself into her entrance. “You are so demanding.”

Tess rocked her hips back, arching her back to give him better access to her. He pushed inside, his hard length filling her perfectly. Ryder groaned a deep sound that reverberated through her body. The sound alone was nearly enough to tip her over the edge. With a whimper, she thrust her hips back, wanting him deeper.

One of his hands stayed on her thigh as he moved with careful precision. His motions were so slow that it drove Tess crazy. She growled, considering turning over so she could ride him. His fingers started to play with her clit again. The combined movements left her panting and mewling. Ryder panted hotly in her ear.

Even with her preparation, Tess still finished first. Ryder made sure of it. As she rode out the shockwaves, he kissed her deeply. She felt him finish, following her into the high. They lay tangled in each other’s arms, panting as they came down from their pleasure. Tess snuggled into Ryder’s warmth, enjoying the sensation of their skin pressing against one another.

Tess stretched her arms and laughed. “You know, I think I’m starting to get the hang of this. Practice makes perfect, after all.”

Ryder kissed her shoulder. “I have a confession to make. I probably should have told you before.”

“What sort of confession?” Tess asked with a giggle. She couldn’t imagine what would be important to say now.

She turned in his arms so they were facing each other. Ryder’s grin was sheepish as he stroked her hair from her face. “The cabin was my first time, too.”

“What?” Tess gaped at him. “I thought you had experience. You were away for so long…”

Ryder shrugged. “I had experience with making out. Nothing more, except my own hand.”

“Oh.” Tess processed his words for a moment. “I never would have guessed. You seemed to know exactly what to do… why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was worried you’d find it unattractive,” he admitted, his cheeks flushing red.

Tess cupped his face. “I couldn’t care less about what you did or didn’t do before we were together. I love you, Ryder. And nothing is going to change that for me.”

“I love you, too. I love you forever and ever,” he murmured.

They kissed again. Tess looped her leg over his hip. Heat swept through her as her core clenched.

Ryder laughed. “Are you ready for round two already?”

“Yup. But I can wait if you need more time.”

Ryder’s eyes twinkled as he slid a hand between her legs. “I have other ways to get you that oxytocin, my darling.”

Tess laughed, then groaned. Her head fell back as Ryder started to work her again. Goddess, but she was in love with this man. What a lucky woman she was to have him in her life.

*****

THE END