Chapter 9
They walked down the mountain path in silence. The forest was alive with the sounds of chirping insects and hooting owls. The two moons made the path surprisingly bright.
Cora walked ahead, clutching the white fur to her chest like a shield. Caleb followed a few paces behind, his bare feet making no sound on the rocky path.
They reached the stream. The water was clear and fast-moving, glinting in the moonlight. Strange, luminescent plants grew along the banks, casting a soft blue glow.
Cora stopped at the water's edge. She turned around, her face flushed. "Turn around," she ordered. "And don't peek."
Caleb raised an eyebrow. "We are mates. Why would I-"
"Turn. Around."
He sighed, a sound that rumbled through his chest, but he obeyed. He turned his back to her, crossing his arms over his massive chest.
Cora listened for a moment, making sure he wasn't moving. The rustle of her clothes seemed incredibly loud in the quiet night.
She quickly stripped off her dirty, torn shirt and her shorts. The cool night air hit her bare skin, raising goosebumps.
Behind her, she heard Caleb's breathing change. It grew heavier, rougher. His sensitive ears were picking up every rustle of fabric, every whisper of skin against skin. He could probably hear her heartbeat.
She stepped into the water. It was cold, but refreshing. She waded in until the water reached her chest, the coolness washing away the grime and sweat.
She ducked under the surface, scrubbing at her hair and skin. When she surfaced, she felt a hundred times better.
She decided to swim to a flat rock in the middle of the stream to sit for a moment. She waded forward, her feet searching for the next stepping stone.
Her foot found a smooth, flat rock. She shifted her weight onto it.
It was covered in moss.
Her foot shot out from under her.
"Ahh!" she shrieked, throwing her arms out as she fell backward.
She hit the water hard, the current immediately pulling at her. She flailed, trying to find the bottom, but her foot slipped again. Water rushed into her nose and mouth. She choked, panic seizing her chest.
She couldn't swim. The current was too strong.
The sound of splashing was deafening.
A shadow loomed over her. Caleb hadn't even turned around; he had just launched himself into the water. He dove under the surface, his powerful arms cutting through the current.
A second later, a strong arm wrapped around her waist. He hauled her up, breaking the surface.
Cora coughed violently, spitting out water. She clung to him instinctively, her arms wrapping around his neck, her legs kicking feebly.
"You almost drowned," Caleb said, his voice tight with anger and fear. He held her tight against his chest, his heart pounding a frantic rhythm against her ear.
"I slipped," Cora gasped, her body trembling from the cold and the shock.
They were standing in the deeper part of the stream, the water up to Caleb's chest. Cora was pressed against him, her wet, naked body flush against his bare skin.
The thin, wet fabric of her underwear was the only barrier between them. And it was clinging to every curve.
Caleb went rigid.
His arms tightened around her, pulling her impossibly closer. Cora felt the change in him instantly. The concern in his eyes shifted, darkened. The pupils dilated until only a thin ring of blue remained.
His gaze dropped to her lips, then to the water droplets sliding down her neck and collarbone. His breathing grew ragged.
Cora suddenly became very aware of their position. Her bare legs were wrapped around his waist. Her chest was pressed against his. And...
Her eyes widened.
Something hard, incredibly hot, and very large was pressing against her inner thigh.
Her brain short-circuited. The heat rushed to her face so fast she felt dizzy. She was straddling a naked man who was very, very happy to see her.
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