The Alpha's Bride-Chapter 866: Solitude (K&A) (2)

Keith was happy while inspecting the food Zina left for them. Soup, steak, sauteed mushrooms, mashed potatoes, creamy spinach sauce, and homemade dinner rolls. Everything was neatly wrapped and covered, and some things were left in the oven on warm. Zina's attention to detail showed because there were two slices of raspberry cheesecake in the fridge. She thought of everything.

Even if Zina didn't bring food, they wouldn't starve as the pantry was stocked, and there was food in the fridge, but still… it was good to have a warm meal without the hassle of preparing it. This was their solitude, and every minute counted.

Keith returned to the bedroom with a large tray filled with food, and he found the bed empty.

Where did Arya go? He was not gone for more than a few minutes.

Water running from the bathroom told him Arya had started the shower.

Keith stared at the closed door of the bathroom while imagining Arya standing there, under the hot water, the hazy glass of the shower enclosure obscuring the view of her naked body…

'Crack-snap-crack…'

Keith was startled from his fantasy when he realized that his grip was breaking the tray he was holding.

He swiftly moved to the low coffee table, happy that the lids were tightly securing contents from spilling all over. The last thing on his mind was cleaning the carpet. No one cleans the carpet naked, with a raging hard-on, and a perfectly naked mate under the shower... only a few steps away.

Keith ran his hand through his hair and breathed into his palm to check his breath, and then he strode into the bathroom. His erection was sticking forward, showing him which way to go.

Arya was scrubbing herself with urgency.

Keith said he would get food, and Arya assumed she had at least a few minutes to tidy up.

Normally, Arya wouldn't care about some sweat and gunk. She was a warrior, and hygiene was not a top priority. But now she was with her mate, and she couldn't bear the thought of him thinking she was fine with being smelly and filthy.

Too many things happened in the last few days, and Arya was still adjusting to the fact that she nearly died, found her mate, left the Spring Leaf pack, and now she was here… with a male who entered her life and immediately got access no other man had. It's not that Arya didn't like it, but she never truly belonged anywhere.

Arya was the perfect girl, the smartest student, the best soldier, always standing at the top because she feared that if she were lacking, they would discard her.

The only person she looked up to was Alpha Cristian, and the fact that these feelings exploded for another man was… unexpected. She will need some time to adjust to the change.

Goosebumps ran over her skin when she remembered Keith's hungry gaze directed her way, locking her in place and making her heart flutter. Keith was like a predator, ready to devour his prey, and in a way… he did devour her. Many times.

Arya's hair stood on the ends when she felt a presence behind her.

In one swift move, she lowered her center of gravity and turned when…

"Woah!" Keith exclaimed when he caught her elbow. If he didn't react in time, that would hit him in the solar plexus. Dangerous.

"Sorry," Arya said while pulling her hand away. "You surprised me."

"Good reflexes," Keith praised her. "Do you always greet people with elbows?"

"I was thinking something and…"

"It's OK," Keith interrupted her explanation. "Sorry for sneaking on you. I didn't think it would freak you out. I won't do it again."

Arya bit her lower lip guiltily. She acted on an impulse, a habit. No one dared to come so close to her, especially not in the shower when she was naked and vulnerable.

Like nothing out of the place happened, Keith reached for the shower gel and squeezed some on his hand.

"Turn around, let me wash your back," Keith instructed, and when she did, he asked, "I guess growing up as a warrior in the Spring Leaf pack was not easy."

Arya released a long breath. His palms on her back felt good. "It was OK." It's not like she had anything to compare it with. 𝒇𝑟e𝙚𝑤𝙚𝐛𝗻𝐨ν𝚎𝘭.c𝐨m

Keith's hands slid around her waist, and he pressed on her abdomen to pull her on him until her back was stuck to his chest.

"It was not OK," he spoke into her hair. "I can't imagine how you grew up without a family, but I promise I will be your family going forward."

"I'm not sure I know what that means," Arya admitted.

"It means you will never be alone, and there will always be a chance I will sneak on you while you shower."

Arya stifled a laugh. "You will need to improve your sneaking if you want to succeed." fre𝑒𝘸𝚎𝚋n૦ѵℯl.c𝒐𝘮

"I guess general Arya gave me my first assignment. Lieutenant Keith is at your service, ma'am," he said gleefully.

"What happened with," she lowered her voice, "I won't do it again?"

Keith chuckled. "The last directive overrules the previous one. Expect me sneaking unless you command me otherwise."

"You make it sound like I can tell you what to do."

"But, you can. Only you can. No matter what I do, I will ensure you are OK with it. I hope you know that much."

It was a strange thing to say, but Arya could feel his sincerity. Keith wanted to please, to make her happy.

Arya craned her neck to look at him. "Don't you think it's strange how comfortable I am with you? We just met, and I barely know you yet…" She was not sure how to finish that, and she hoped that he could feel her emotions.

Keith smiled as immense belonging washed over him.

"I feel the same," Keith said, and then he leaned to claim her lips with his.

Keith's arms were around Arya's waist, his chest pressed on her back, hot water fell on them, and she could feel his erection poking her bottom. She wanted Keith's hands to move all over her, and when they didn't, she decided to take the initiative.

Without breaking the kiss, Arya turned to face Keith, and her arms sneaked around his neck.

"We should eat first," Keith said between kisses. He remembered how her stomach rumbled.

"That can wait," Arya responded breathily.

Keith's cock lurched in response, and the last shred of reluctance vanished when she dug her nails into his back.

Keith pushed her to lean on the wall and then lifted her right leg as far as it went. Keith was pleasantly surprised that Arya could make a full split effortlessly.

Her leg rested on his shoulder, and he rocked his hips against her, allowing her to feel his length pressing between her folds and teasing her clit.

"Do you feel this?" His hot breath splashed on her ear. "This is how badly I want you. Your pussy is mine. Every inch of you is mine and mine only."

He grasped her chin roughly and stared into her eyes with an intensity that turned her on. "Say that you are mine, Arya."

Keith needed to hear Arya say that or he would lose his mind. The idea of anyone else claiming Arya was driving him mad.