Luca had helped me cook, and had cheered me up as we chatted. His company was always so carefree and easygoing. He wanted to know about the camp, and I loved sharing all the things I had done. He sounded so interested, and it felt nice to chill out and chat as we cooked. Time passed so quickly without me even noticing.Daxton had come to join us part way through, the three of us laughing and joking, as I served up food. My brother found it somewhat hilarious that my Dad’s plan to get me to come home and cook had work. The crazy thing was, my Dad was more than capable of cooking. He was just getting lazy.Soon, we were all sitting around the table eating the chili, and Dad came to join us. “Thanks princess.” He winked, as he began shoveling the food into his mouth.“Didn’t really give me a choice, did you Dad?” I teased, and he feigned shock, while Luca and Daxton grinned. My Dad knew he had been caught out.“Aww come on, what if it was because I had missed you so terribly while you ha
My head felt like it was spinning. Had I heard her right? Aria had said she was going to kiss me, that in itself was mind-blowing... and then she mentioned about kissing her mate? Did that make me her mate? No, surely not...I didn’t have time to even try to process my swirling thoughts before her lips were upon mine, and my whole body felt like it wanted to explode with excitement… desire… feelings I cannot even begin to explain, as the feel of her soft lips caressed mine and the taste of her blueberry lip gloss tingled at my senses.Her kisses were gentle at first, her lips finding mine over and over again, as her hand gently ran through my hair. I kissed her back, with a hunger that surprised even me. I had been thinking of this moment for so long and couldn't quite believe it was here... I was kissing Aria! Her tongue teased at mine, causing butterflies to erupt in my belly and sending my whole body into meltdown. As much as I
Having to go to Landon’s room was not my idea of a good time, I knew that much. There were so many more things I could be doing. Talking to my mate was one. But, everything Landon had said was right. If I wanted a chance to speak to my fated mate, then I had to stay here until tomorrow at the earliest. Turning up at her door demanding to talk at this hour would require an explanation I was not prepared to give the Alpha just yet. But, I needed to speak to her. I knew that. And in order for that to happen, I needed Landon to help me. The thing was, he didn’t seem to be seeing this from my point of view…“Are you able to be a little quieter?” Landon’s voice sounded as irritated as I felt. I simply wanted to smack the fool right now. Everything he said or did seemed to irritate me. Neither one of us wanted to be here. “I don’t want us to disturb anybody.”I was sure I wasn't walking that loudly, and it was just him be
I awoke with a serious crick in my neck. The sofa was most definitely not designed for sleeping on. And not to mention the fact that Kai had been pacing the room in the early hours, only added to the difficulty of sleeping. I knew he was struggling. Even I could sense that in him and we weren’t particularly close. I may not like the guy, but I felt bad for him. He clearly wanted his mate, as you should, but I knew there was next to no chance of that.The Alpha here was not one to mess with. And he now saw Bella as his. He had got into a fit of rage over his fated mate catching up with a few college friends for coffee, including a few guys, from what I understood. The argument got out of control and he lashed out. I don’t think for a moment he meant to kill her, but falling the way she had down the stairs had broken her neck, I believed, and she had died almost instantly. I hadn’t been here when it happened, I had been on one of my many visits back to see my
Unfortunately, I had to crash at Aunty T’s, sleeping on her tiny little sofa. Or it sure as hell felt tiny to me. I would rather have taken the room in the packhouse that Alpha Grayson had offered me, but Mum was adamant we stayed with her Aunty. Don’t get me wrong, I loved my Aunty, but I did not love her lumpy sofa and neither did my back…“Oh, Finn… sunshine…” Aunty T’s voice was bright and cheerful from the kitchen, and as I forced open my eyes, the strong smell of coffee hit my nose. Along with the smell of cooking. “Breakfast is ready.” she called, sounding far too bright and breezy for a morning.I felt almost guilty now for saying I hadn't wanted to stay with her. I mean, how could I think badly of her after she has made me food? I chuckled, throwing back the crocheted blanket that had been covering me, as I plodded my way into the kitchen. “Morning Aunty T.” I greeted her, bending down
My Mum was busy at an appointment having flowers finalized for the funeral, with Aunt Indie. Dad had said he would stay at the house with me and Grandma, so at least I had him here to help, because I found it difficult to know what to say to her. It had never been like that with Grandma before, but she wasn't herself right now. She seemed to be in almost a trance, bless her. Staring off into the distance more often than not, and when she was talking it was so often about memories of Grandpa.Dad reassured me this was normal and just because her and her wolf were struggling with the loss of their mate. It was hard for someone to lose their mate, especially when they had been together so long. But I hated seeing my Grandma like this. She was usually so strong. So confident. Right now she was nothing but a shell of her former self.Having sat in an awkward silence for what felt like an eternity in the lounge, I wandered through to the kitchen. “You want a cup of tea
I had already had to endure the pleasure of Kai’s company over breakfast, and the sheer happiness that exuded from him as he realized that his mate would not be coming down to the dining hall for breakfast. He looked at me like it was my fault. Snapped at me like it was something I had control over. I had just about tolerated all I could with him today, and it wasn't even halfway through the morning yet.I still had to endure the journey home with him, which could be absolute carnage if the meeting with his mate did not go as Kai hoped. But, I tried not to think of that.And, thankfully, my cousin, Jack had been dropping into the dining hall to grab some food like he always did before he headed to training, so I quickly pulled him to one side and asked him to mindlink the upcoming Luna discreetly, saying I needed advice as the next Alpha of River Ash. Thankfully, she thought nothing of it, and from what Jack said, she sounded quite proud of the fact I had come to
I walked through the trees, rushing quickly to get further into the forest and away from my Dad and Grandma. I did not want to risk them hearing this call. Especially after what had just been said. My phone was in my hand, with Landon on loudspeaker. And his words felt like they had wounded me. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. How could I have been so foolish as to think he had changed his mind? I kept allowing myself to build my hopes up, only for him to bring them crashing down again.“What the fuck is that meant to mean?” I snapped. I was sick of his weird way of twisting his words, so I didn’t quite know what he meant. Why could he not just want me? I was meant to be with him. That is what the moon goddess had decided, wasn’t it? Why could things not just go right for a change? Was it not bad enough I had to lose my Grandpa, without this on top of it?“Cleo, I think you are amazing. Incredibly beautiful. The sweetest girl I know&
The formal part of the ceremony was over, and it had been great. I was now officially the Beta of my pack. Beta of Midnight Forest Pack. Damn, that sounded good... but, ceremony complete or not, my duties were evidently far from finished for the day. Uncle Knox had told Kai, Finn and I that it would be best for us to circulate as many of the attending guests would be wanting to meet the new leadership team, and that meant us all taking the time to chat and get to know the leaders of the other packs across the country. It was going to be a long, long day...I had already began over recent years, to begin to learn names of packs and their Alphas, Betas etc, but I did not realize just how draining having to make irrelevant conversation with somebody you don’t even know could be. Thankfully, my Dad was by my side, clearly a seasoned expert in this role, and I was taking his lead. But other than a short break to grab a beer earlier, I think I was beginning to falter. It was
The celebrations were just beginning. Our family and friend group beginning to dissipate from the area in which we had been seated, and the many guests who had arrived to attend the ceremony were making their way over in this direction, no doubt to speak to Uncle Knox, and of course, the man of the hour, the new Alpha of our pack, my cousin, Kai. I was so glad I was not him. So much pressure being in charge of a pack, though he was most definitely built for that. The mind and body for it, much like his Dad.I, however, was more like my own Dad. The mind and body of a warrior. A warrior who was now ready to party! I looked to my brother, Rocky, whose eyes were already wandering across the busy training field, likely looking for the next she-wolf he could work his charms upon, as chairs were being cleared to the edges into small groups to make way for a dancefloor area, in preparation for the celebration.“Beer?” I suggested and Rocky grinned.“O
With Camilla’s hand within mine we sat alongside my family and friends as the formalities for the ceremonies came to a close. Kai was now officially Alpha of Midnight Forest Pack. Leo our Beta, Finn our Gamma and Bella our Luna. Our leadership had changed but the pack would hold all the same wonderful values it always had, for Kai was the same sort of good man his father was. Our pack’s future was going to be strong with these guys in charge, and as I had looked across the faces of our family, I had seen so many proud faces.I felt proud of them all too. They deserved this. It had been a great ceremony, and the amount of planning that had gone into it all was evident. Now, the celebrations were to begin, and I could not wait to enjoy them too. Enjoy them with a certain someone by my side… a certain someone I had not expected to be there with me…The last few days had been a little chaotic to say the least, but settling down i
Seeing us all here together was kind of great. We rarely were all together anymore. Not like it used to be. Even Sergio and his new mate had made it here to join us for the big day. It was crazy. The people I called family. Extended family, admittedly, and a family that was extending further now many had met their fated mates, but they were all here for me today. For the pack. It meant the world.Bella rested her head upon my shoulder. “Are you okay, baby?” She whispered, her beutiful eyes looking up at me with curiosity. “You look deep in thought.”“Just thinking how lucky I am.” I told her with a smile.“Too right you are lucky. All these people here for us.” Dad said, from next to me, clearly having listened into the conversation. "It is going to be a good day, son." I smiled at him too.“I know, I was just thinking the same thing. How the group is growing too, we will need a bigge
Landon and I had driven over to my home pack, pulling into the spaces outside the packhouse alongside my brother’s car. “You know we could have all just driven together?” I suggested.“Didn’t want restricting to coming back when Kal or Dax were heading home.” Landon told me with a smile.“You know we are staying here tonight anyway?” I told him and he nodded.“Yes boss.” He teased. He loved implying I was in charge, and in truth, I kind of liked it when he did. Since our Alpha ceremony life had been a little hectic, with so many meetings to take place, and things to adjust to, but I think, finally they may be beginning to settle down.Life as Luna was likely nowhere near as demanding as that of the Alpha, but it was sure taking some adjusting to. Landon was doing everything he could to make sure he made it as easy as he possibly could. Even sweeter, was he had begun arranging fo
I walked into the lounge, and instantly my eyes found my mate, deep in thought as she gazed out of the window. I looked across at Bella, she was dressed in a beautiful simple black satin shift dress. Her long dark hair twisted back into a beautiful braid that swept around onto her shoulder, with a simple white flower within her hair. Her make-up was smoky, but basic so as not to take away from her natural beauty, and she looked truly stunning. I chewed my lower lip as I looked at her standing at the large window looking out over our pack.“You look amazing, sweet.” I told her, and she looked up at me with a tentative smile.“I feel sick.” She whispered.“Nervous?” I questioned, making my way toward her, knowing any moment our peace would be shattered by the arrival of my parents, potentially my grandparents too before we had to go and meet the remaining familiy and friends who we had planned to meet in the packhouse before mak
Our house was sheer chaos, so I could only imagine what the rest of pack must be. Today was the day that the last week had been leading up to. Mum had been involved in the organization of the Alpha Ceremony, with it being for her brother’s eldest son. These sort of events were very much a family effort. And family was hugely important within our pack. Grandma had been involved too, and I swear them, along with Aunt Lilah were like crazy women when trying to plan. It was, without a doubt better to avoid them, I could understand why Kai had said he was dodging them at every opportunity. I think if I were him I would have allowed them free reign to arrange it all, and then simply turn up on the day, that way you would save yourself so many headaches and so much stress...“Luca!” Mum shrieked from the bottom of the staircase. I rolled my eyes. “You best not still be in the bathroom.”“No, that would be Rocky, Mami.” I said with a s
I sat on the bed for a moment, staring at the closed door of the ensuite where Camilla had just run to. My heart racing, from the closeness we had been sharing only moments ago, and aching from the fact it felt like she was rejecting me in that need to flee. My wolf, Elda whimpered heavily within my mind. He had not been dealing well with this back and forth with Camilla of late.I had allowed myself to get closer than I perhaps should. There was something about her that had caught my attention the moment I greeted her at our pack gates. Something I don’t even know that I can describe. She was sweet. Vulnerable. But she chatted to me like she was simply happy to be here. Happy for the now. And that appealed to me. She treated me so kindly. Warmly. And that pulled me in. She was different to the other she-wolves I had met.The amount of times she had wandered up to the guard room with a fresh coffee for me, had warmed my heart. Or the sweet smile
I stretched upon my bed, trying hard to wake myself up, and was shocked to hear my wolf purring within my mind. That was not like her in the slightest. Only as I stretched my arm across the bed did I notice the space next to me felt oddly warm… that was not the way my bed normally felt...I sat up quickly, only to see I was still wearing the clothes in which I had been dressed in last night, other than the fact the shirt had been discarded, leaving the tank top as my only coverage on top. I heard movement in the ensuite, making my whole body freeze once more, and I realized with shock that I was not alone. Jorge had to still be here.The events of last night flooded back to me. He came in as I had suggested, and we sat talking for hours. About anything and everything. His family… his past… my family… my past… I don’t think there was a thing that man did not know about me now. And likely, there was little I did