Falk Clan Tales - Chapter 25: Chapter 25

“I can’t believe you did all this in three hours.” Sander’s exclamation rang throughout the whole of Castle Falk.
Several strangers wearing black shirts with the Present Tastes logo on the back looked at him with raised eyebrows. A few shrugged and simply continued to go about their work. Sander didn’t mind. He was still taking it all in.
Boughs of holly and mistletoe covered the doorway, wrapped with red velvet bows and dozens of twinkle lights. The entire place smelled like cinnamon and pine trees. His Dragon growled at the reminder of Noelle’s spicy fragrance.
His beast was not the only impatient one. Despite being taken aback by the holiday splendor she’d managed to create, Sander still longed for a glimpse of his little vixen. The time without her had dragged on almost unbearably. Where is she anyway?
He’d left his home earlier after trying several times to talk to her about the bomb he’d dropped. I’m leaving in the morning. What an idiot he’d been. He’d realized his mistake immediately, but Noelle had work to do and couldn’t spare him a moment.
At first, he huffed and followed her, expecting her to give in. When she showed no signs of relenting he found himself at a loss. He’d never experienced anything like it.
He was happy, frustrated, exalted, upset, forlorn and delighted all at once. He didn’t know what to make of the jumble of emotions, so he did the only thing he could think of. He called his big brother.
“Sander? This is a surprise.”
“I need your help, Callius.”
“Of course, what’s wrong? Is it a battle-”
“No, no battle, brother, calm yourself. I, I met a woman-”
“Ah, the lovely Ms. Gifford, I take it. Well, that’s wonderful man. What is the problem?”
“You know the problem, Cal. I’m maimed. No good for her. I had already accepted my solitude and impending death years ago, but now-”
“You love her, Alexsander.”
“But I do not deserve her. I do not want to feel like this.”
“You know, Sander, the one thing I have learned since I’ve found my mate is that what we want and what we need are sometimes two very different things. Have you asked yourself what it is that she wants?”
“She wants me.”
“Then why deny it. It is fate. Be happy, brother.”
After that brief and unsatisfying call, Sander left the castle. He’d run out on Noelle, and on his feelings. Leaving her alone with her team to perform their jobs while he tried to sort out the jumbled mess of emotions he’d been dealing with since the second he looked into her striking blue eyes.
She was the most perfect woman he’d ever seen. And he didn’t just mean the curve of her inner thigh as it led to heaven, the swell of her sumptuous breasts as they filled his mouth, or the spicy scent of ginger and cinnamon that seemed to ooze off her silky skin. Fuck. If he kept thinking like that he’d need to excuse find himself another cold shower.
It was more than her physical perfection that drew Sander to her. Noelle was the most giving and optimistic person he’d ever met. Like a ray of sunshine, her smile held promises for a future he’d never thought possible. She made him want. He craved her like a starving man craved food.
More than that, he wanted to make her happy, to see her pleasured until her limbs were useless, and her mind eased from worry. He wanted to keep her safe and protected, cherished and loved. Yes, loved. Fuck, when did that happen? When did Sander begin to think in those terms? It was more than this sad excuse for a Dragon had felt in a long time.
Shame washed over him again. He’d treated her too roughly. Had since the second he opened the door that morning, naked as the day he was born. He hadn’t been able to control a single instance of their time together to his utter embarrassment. She’d turned him into a horny teenager again.
You are a fool, Sander. She is too good for the likes of you. Nothing more than a carnal beast at first glance. Driven by desire, he had taken her precious innocence.
Not that she’d complained or anything, but still. He had no right to her. That privilege was for the one meant to be her husband. Someone whole, pure, worthy of her.
His Dragon reared back and loosed a deafening roar inside of him at the very thought of another man’s hands on his Noelle. Rip. Break. Kill. Mine. Es Meus.
Fuck. He was in trouble. Walking outside in the cold had done nothing to clear his head. But while he was out inspiration had hit him. Sander felt practically giddy with purpose.
He’d needed to do something for Noelle. After all, she’d given him so much of herself. So selfless and gracious. Pure and innocent. Her emotions were like a beacon leading him home.
Now that he was back inside of his home, he realized his paltry offering paled in comparison to the amazing job she’d done in his absence. She was no damsel or maiden waiting for a Dragon or Knight to save her. She was like nothing in any of the tales he’d read from his prison on the Isle of Pain.
Noelle was a woman, fully at home in the modern world. And yet, she was pure and honest, warm and caring, like every dream of a mate he’d ever had. Before Dragomir had maimed him. Before he’d thought his world was over.
Sander exhaled and took slow steps into the place his brother had made their home. Warm and inviting, Castle Falk had never felt that way to Sander before. She was the reason. His heart swelled with the realization.
Noelle had turned his castle into a home just by being there. She’d taken one Christmas party and created a certifiable winter wonderland in the middle of the castle.
Sander’s heart thudded inside of his chest. He felt a thrilling sort of pain right there, where his heart was beating so furiously. He recognized the fierce swell of pride as he looked around. He was proud, of Noelle, of her accomplishments. Proud, and something more.