Alpha Tristan

"Tristan, tell me you're feeling what I'm feeling." I whispered into his shoulder, hugging him tighter. 

He sighed into my neck and hummed affirmatively. "I feel it, αγάπη. I don't want you to leave either." His voice was muffled, but I still heard him crystal clearly. Taking most of his weight off me, he lifted his head to gaze down at me. His lips brushed against his mark on my neck and I had to hold back a sigh. "Marking you is the best thing I've ever done. I love how responsive you are."

My face warmed in embarrassment and I tucked my head into his neck. He chuckled against my ear and squeezed my h.i.p.s tenderly. The joy bloomed in his c.h.e.s.t and I could feel it as if it was my own happiness. He was now an open book when it came to emotions because his mark ensured that I felt whatever he felt and vice versa. 

The feeling alone was enough to make me grin. "I can tell. I'm happy too—it feels right." Leaning back against the pillow, I stared up at him. "I want to go see it."

Nodding, Tristan lifted himself off me and held out his hand. Sliding my palm against his, he pulled me off the bed and lead the way towards the bathroom. Turning towards the mirror, I gasped as I saw the two puncture marks where my neck met my shoulder. It had a certain shine to it and when I pressed my fingertips to it, I felt his power surge through me. 

I shuddered. The mark symbolised our connection and not only could I feel his power within me, his scent mixed with mine. We were connected in a way we weren't before and that made me smile. Standing behind me, he wrapped an arm around my waist and rested his chin on my head. 

"It's beautiful isn't it?" he asked, bringing up his other hand to touch it. My knees weakened and I leaned heavily against him as my eyes closed. The best thing about the mark had to that when touched by the marker, the mate would feel whatever sensation they felt when being marked.

Most mates would mark each other when mating for the first time to heighten the emotion and really strengthen the bond between them. I, however, was content with the moment we had shared. 

It made me want to stick to him like glue. I knew that leaving him would be more painful now because of the attachment formed, but I didn't want to leave without making substantial progress with him and proving to him that I wasn't the same woman he had met all those weeks ago. 

It also meant that everybody would know that he was my mate. For the first time ever, pride filled me at the thought. It was only then I realised how lucky I had been to have him as my mate. He was kind, handsome and had a heart too pure for the dangers he had faced. 

Reaching back to cup his face, I tilted my head upwards slightly to bring his lips to mine. I kissed him slowly before smiling against his mouth. "It is beautiful.  So  beautiful."

"Whenever you feel lonely back in London, look at your neck." He lightly gripped the necklace he gifted me with and pointed to his mark. "And think of me."

Turning around, I wrapped my arms around his waist and hugged him tightly. Resting my head on his c.h.e.s.t, I closed my eyes. "I didn't get you anything to remind you of me."

His arms wrapped around my body and he pressed a soft kiss to my hairline. "You let me mark you, Kara. That's the best gift you could give me. It'll keep me going until you return."

Pulling back, I tried to keep my emotions in check as I spoke. "I'll try come back as quickly as possible, okay?" Looking up at him, I hesitantly asked my next question. "Tristan…if I convince my mum to come back with me, can she join the pack?"

In that moment, he seemed as if he would do anything for me. "Yes. If it means you're happy and never apart from me, then yes, Kara. My answer is yes."

Relief surged through me and I gently knocked my forehead onto his c.h.e.s.t. "Will she have to go through a fight too?" I asked, knowing that it would be a dealbreaker for my mother. She had her opinions about Tristan and his pack, and I wouldn't be able to influence them enough for her to join. She wouldn't want to.

"No." He answered simply, c.a.r.e.s.sing the back of my head. "This is a different circ.u.mstance—I  will overlook the customs of my pack for this."

Leaning back, I smiled softly and pressed my lips to his cheek. "Thank you."

We stood in an embrace for what felt like half an hour and when it was time for me to get going to the airport, I made sure I had my passport and everything I needed before making my way downstairs. Tristan stayed with me from the second we left the house to when we arrived at the airport. 

Greenland was covered in snow so there weren't the usual modes of transportation that I saw in a city like London, but the scenery on the way to the airport had been calming to look at. Blankets of pure white snow at times made me realise that despite being cold as hell, Greenland was beautiful. 

It was nothing like the stories and I felt the term 'Underworld' didn't do it justice.

It was crazy to think that I had stood in this exact airport a couple weeks ago, hating it all and wanting nothing more than to fly back to my home city. Now, it was like I didn't want to leave. 

Or more specifically, I didn't want to leave  him. 

When we walked into the airport, I could tell people could sense the shift in power from Tristan, werewolves and human alike. Wherever he went, his presence demanded attention and people gave it to him whether they could control it or not. The most amusing part of it all was the way members of his pack immediately picked up on his mark on my neck and subtly bowed their heads as I checked in and sorted my luggage. 

I gripped onto his hand for as long as possible, feeling the tears rush to the surface when I realised he couldn't go any further with me. Turning around, I stared up at him and felt the pain that seared through his c.h.e.s.t. In turn, the first tear fell as I cupped his face and pulled him into a kiss. 

Normally, I wasn't one for public displays of affection, but the mere thought of not being able to kiss him for however long made me throw all care out of the window. He wrapped his arms around my waist as he slowly kissed me back. 

"Don't cry, αγάπη." He whispered against my lips, reaching up to grab my face in his hands. " Please don't cry." Kissing me one more time, he pulled back and rested his forehead on mine. Sharp blue eyes stared into mine and he mustered up a smile. "You're coming back, okay? Just make sure your mother is well and when you get back, I promise we won't leave each other's sides."

The thought was comforting and I desperately pecked his lips thrice. "Why does it feel like my heart is being pulled out of my c.h.e.s.t?" I knew the answer to that question. The mark had strengthened our bond to the point that my longing for him was worse than before. 

Before, I could handle it. Before, it was a dull ache that would go away when I saw him. But now, it felt like I wouldn't know what to do without the routine we had fell into. The shared meals, the affection and the comforting sleep that would come at the end of the day. 

The one thing that was different from before was my feelings towards him. It was hard to miss what I thought I hated, but it was a whole other story when I learned the full truth and couldn't help but want to be with him. 

Tristan smiled at me and dropped his gaze to my neck that was covered by my shirt. "I guess the mark really is that powerful. You want me as much as I want you now."

I sighed softly and felt my shoulders fall in disappointment when my flight was called on the intercom. "Wish me luck." I whispered, tilting my head to kiss him again. 

He returned the kiss, stopping when I felt the urge to deepen it. "Good luck, αγάπη."

Reluctantly stepping back from his embrace, I gripped my small carry-on and gave him what I hoped to be a comforting smile. And whether I noticed it or not, I committed his face to memory before turning away and heading towards the correct gate. 

The one thing on my mind the entire time was his mark on my neck that reminded of our changed relationship. It was the pomegranate seed, and like Persephone, it ensured I would make my way back to Greenland—the Underworld.