Bryce sucked in cold air. He never realized that just a touch from Marissa could weaken him, and fill him with desire.
"Bryce, why don't you take me? We have both waited for this, don't be worried, I want you just as much as you want me," Marissa whispered.
Bryce let out heavy breaths. Slowly, he tucked Marissa's hair behind her ear, and helped her remove the blindfold.
"Your eyes have always been beautiful, you do not need to worry, I would look for the cure for your curse, and then people would be able to see the beauty in your eyes," Bryce vowed with his fingers sliding down her face.
Marissa clenched her fists when she heard his words. He was the first one who was passionate about finding a way to break the curse, and if he could do it, she wouldn't need the blindfold anymore.
"I believe you," she replied, trusting him completely and he bumped his forehead with hers.
They looked straight into each other's eyes, the atmosphere between them was thick, and heavy with unspoken desire.
Bryce leaned in, and captured her lips with his.
As their lips danced with each other, several thoughts filled Bryce.
What if he wasn't good enough for her? They had clearly marked each other, and his mark laid on her neck.
So why did he still feel he wasn't enough? What were these strange thoughts going on in his mind?
With these thoughts, he paused, startling Marissa.
"What's wrong?" Marissa asked him while panting.
"How about we stop? I don't want to hurt you," Bryce forced himself to speak.
'Are you okay?' Drex howled in his head.
'I am, I just don't want to hurt her, and I'm sure you don't want the same as well,' Bryce replied.
Drex remained quiet, because he agreed with Bryce, and there was nothing he could do. Even if he was in control, there was no way he would want to hurt her.
"You won't hurt me, I have said these several times, I am ready, and you won't hurt me," Marissa assured him, staring at him with hazy eyes.
Bryce stared at her, his dark eyes were on her, staring at her intently.
"If you say so," Bryce finally gave in.
He planted an intimate kiss on her forehead. His kisses slowly moved to her neck, causing Marissa to tilt it so he could gain more access.
Bryce stopped when he saw his mark which was beginning to take its shape on her neck, and his fangs elongated, grazing her neck slightly.
Marissa, on the other hand, let out a soft moan in response.
Before Marissa could understand what was going on, she felt the cool air brushed against her skin, and it wasn't until then that she noticed that she was naked.
She parted her lips in shock wondering when Bryce had removed her clothes.
"Don't tell anyone, but I have these powers which have accompanied me since I was a kid, I have the power to make things disappear," Bryce sensing her confusion, explained to her.
Marissa was astonished while blinking several times.
"That is such a good power," she commented genuinely.
"But isn't it unfair, I'm unclad, but you are still dressed," Marissa pointed out with pouted lips.
"That's easy," Bryce chuckled at her childishness, before snapping his fingers.
Right in front of Marissa, Bryce's clothes disappeared, and she parted her lips.
"Shall we get right into business?" Bryce smirked, and a blush appeared on Marissa's face.
As the two bodies danced against each other, it spelt the beginning of a new dawn.
The couple mated with each other, and their bodies moved in rhythm beneath the moonlight, sealing their bond until dawn arrived.
While spending time with each other, they had no idea that the enemies were plotting against them.
___________
The next morning, Bryce was the first person to wake up, and he couldn't contain the joy which filled him seeing Marissa sleeping peacefully beside him.
A smile appeared on his face when he spotted his mark on her neck. It had already fully taken shape, and a proud look was on his face.
The mark was a blood moon shape, which symbolised their pack, and it extended to her arm like a vine intertwining. Suddenly, the vine disappeared, as though it was never there, leaving just the mark on her neck.
Bryce gasped softly, finding it weird and unnatural that it extended to her arm. He knew it spelt something, and he made a mental note to find out why it was so.
Marissa stirred, and slowly her eyes opened.
The first person she laid her eyes on was Bryce, and her lips pulled up due to excitement.
"Good morning," she whispered while snuggling closer to him.
"I hope you aren't hurt," Bryce asked, with a worried tone.
"I am fine, just a little sore, but I'm sure I would heal," Marissa replied to him with a bright gaze in her eyes.
"I'm glad that you aren't hurt, but how about you have a hot water bath? It would help clear out the soreness you feel," Bryce suggested.
Seeing the marks left on her skin, he felt bad, and this was the reason he didn't want to go all the way last night. But she had constantly provoked him.
Marissa noticed that he was blaming himself, and she held his hand.
"I have no idea why you have such a look on your face, you didn't hurt me, we both consented to it," Marissa explained to him.
"But take a look at the marks on your skin, you have tender skin, and now, I am the cause of the bruises on them," Bryce blamed himself.
Marissa sighed, pondering on how she was to explain to him that she wasn't hurt at all.
"Take a look at your body," Marissa instructed when she noticed the scratches on his body.
He looked down, opened his mouths, but no words came out. He could only let out an exhale.
"See, I also made scratches on your body, should I say we are even now?" Marissa asked with a smile.
Bryce chuckled at her words while admiring her face. He had to admit, the Moon Goddess knew how to give people their desired mates.
Bryce found it fun to trace lazy circles on Marissa's shoulder, a strange chill passed through him. Drex stirred. He sat up at once, completely aware that something was wrong.
Suddenly, his eyes went unfocused, as though he was being communicated with. Well, Damien was communicating with him through the mindlink.
'Alpha, are you awake? I have something to report to you,' Damien's voice came in through his mind, distracting him.
'Hmm, go on, I'm listening,' Bryce replied, while still playing with Marissa's hair.
'Alpha, some guards were found dead at the border, the cause of their deaths remain unknown,' Damien informed, his voice sounding with urgency.