Yet another day of Chesed doing as he pleases. I don’t know why he bothered giving Beatrice the time of day. She’s not even our type, and she sure the hell isn’t our mate. I hate this. I hate how many women he’s slept with. I would have preferred we waited for our mate. I only made the exception for Liliana.
She was a good woman, and she loved us very much. She wasn’t our mate, but we could have lived a happy life with her at our side. But sadly, it was not meant to be. The Moon Goddess took her from us the same day Liliana gave us André and Katrina. The twins have been a light in my life.
I have so few reasons to push forward and wrestle with Chesed for control. But when they were young, he let me. He at least knew he wasn’t capable of taking care of young. But he only let me have control when it was about them. For pack business and his sexual conquests, he always took back control.
I was okay with not fully being present during the sex, especially with the likes of Beatrice. I knew she was not going to be able to handle what Chesed had in mind. Few women can. Most that he invites into his darkroom leave quickly, not able to take the pain that goes with his games. We’d just finished cleaning up when André came rushing in.
“Oh gross.” André wrinkled his nose as he looked at the bed, then at me or rather Chesed. We hadn’t pulled off the sheets to throw in the wash to rid it of her scent. “You know what happens in this room, so I don’t know why you always have that reaction.” Chesed rolled his eyes. ‘Because it’s disgusting to know that his father beds random pack skanks.’ I sighed.
“Because she’s trash, and you can do better, Alpha. Plus, your fly is unzipped. Now make yourself presentable we have visitors.” our son grinned. Chesed rolled his eyes and fixed his fly. “What do you mean visitors? I thought you went to investigate the border after hearing Nebrodi was attacked.” Chesed questioned gruffly, following André out of the room.
“Yes, Alpha. I did. And I found Santi trying to pass judgment on three trespassers.” André smiled. Chesed growled, and I found myself paying more attention. What kind of judgment did Santi want to pass? “Speak.” Chesed commanded. André sighed, straightening at the use of the Alpha command.
“Three she-wolves had crossed the border. They are the daughters of Beta Christopher Fayte of Nebrodi. He, along with their mother and others, was killed in the attack. The little darlings witnessed Ignazio kill their parents in cold blood. The eldest, Crista, had carried her sisters on her back, running in wolf form to get them to safety. The younger ones, Persephone and Delilah, aren’t old enough to shift.” André outlined.
That’s horrible. I know what it’s like to watch your parents die. ‘That was different, Alec. We killed our unforgivable parents.’ Chesed countered my thought. ‘I know, and that makes it worse. I’m sure those girls loved their parents and were loved by them.’ I shrugged. “I take it Papa has something to say on the subject?” André arched an eyebrow.
Of course, he noticed we had an internal dialogue. “Don’t worry about him. Now, what did Santi think should be done with these trespassers?” Chesed questioned. “As you wish, Alpha. Santi wanted to kill the little ones and rape the elder sister. I intervened and advised him you would decide what happens not only to the girls but to him for thinking he gets to decide how to handle anyone that violates Incubi laws.” André grinned as Chesed growled.
As much of an asshole wolf Chesed is, there are two things he won’t tolerate. First, of course, anyone thinking they can overstep their authority and make decisions he feels should be his to make. The second is that you never force someone into your bed. So despite the string of women we’ve had sex with, they were at least always consensual interactions.
“Where is Santi?” Chesed questioned. “At his home awaiting punishment.” André shrugged. Chesed nodded. “And the girls?” he arched an eyebrow. “Waiting in the library. They’ve had a rough night, Alpha. Icky Ignazio attacked during a big event welcoming home their next Alpha. The little ones are still wearing dirty, torn party dresses. The eldest is wearing some athletic clothes that I tossed her from one of the stashes when I made her shift. I could take them up to one of the guest suites. Let them shower and see if Kat could loan them some clothes.” André offered.
‘We should give them shelter. We’ve never had issues with their pack, and if they are the only survivors of the ranked bloodlines, their pack will need them.’ I commented. ‘Not to mention if they are the only ranked wolves left, that dumb pup Ignazio will come for them.’ Chesed agreed. “Take me to them, and I will decide what to do with the little beta females.” Chesed nodded.
André nodded and led the way to the front of the house and stopped unlocking the library doors. I paused as a delicious scent hung in the air. It was the most aromatic tiramisu I’ve ever smelled. Rich espresso, sweet vanilla, and cocoa. I felt my mouth watering at the scent. Chesed hesitated as he reached for the handle.
‘Why are we hesitating? I want to know where that smell is coming from. Even Nonna couldn’t make a tiramisu so fragrant.’ I questioned him. ‘That’s because it’s not tiramisu. It’s our mate.’ Chesed rolled his eyes. ‘Our mate!? After all these years! Go in, dumbass! She’s waiting for us!’ I shouted, trying to shove forward. For a moment, I managed to take control.
I pushed the door open, and my heart skipped a beat. My eyes went directly to the source of the delicious aroma. Crista Fayte. My mate. The one I’ve waited decades to find. She’s gorgeous. Even in the borrowed clothes, barefoot, with some twigs in her hair and smudges of dirt on her face, arms, and legs, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
Of course, my moment of control was quickly over. Chesed had shoved me into the recesses of my own mind. ‘She is attractive, a bit dirty but attractive. She also looks younger than I’d like.’ he commented as he stared at her. By the way she looked at us, I could tell she knows we’re her mate, but she’s scared of us and confused by Chesed’s indifference.
‘Chesed! You need to say something! Claim her! She’ll think we don’t want her!’ I shouted at him. He, of course, ignored me, glancing at the two girls that our mate was trying to protect. Without a word, the bastard walked out of the room and locked our mate and her sisters in.
He turned to look at our son, who had a hopeful look on his face. He’s a smart boy, always had been, so I won’t be surprised if he figured it out. “So she’s it.” André’s voice was a mix of worry, teasing, and hope. “Take the girl to the darkroom.” Chesed commanded. ‘WHAT!? You cannot be serious, Chesed! She’s our MATE! She just witnessed her parents’ death and possibly the demise of her pack. Not to mention Santi, who is a dead man, threatened to rape her not that long ago. We CANNOT send her into that room! She will think we intend to hurt her.’ I shook my head.
I can’t believe he would do this. That he would want that to be our mate’s impression of us. ‘It’s best she knows our preferences upfront.’ Chesed shrugged. ‘No. No, it’s not. That’s something we would discuss when the time was right. And trust me, after losing her pack, this is NOT the time!’ I groaned. I can’t believe we are even having this argument.
‘She’s our mate. We should be treating her with love. We should be treating her like the Luna she is. Like a Queen.’ I sighed. “And the little ones?” André questioned, pulling Chesed out of our internal argument. “I don’t care. Do whatever you like with them.” Chesed shrugged, and I groaned. He can’t be serious. She obviously cares deeply for her sisters, so we should treat them with kindness.
“Yes, Alpha.” André curtly answered. ‘See, even our son thinks you are a fucking idiot.’ I grumbled as we walked away. ‘I will not change my mind. But for the sake of argument and to shut you up, what do you want to do about her?’ Chesed asked as he took the stairs to our master suite. I don’t trust him, but I’m going to give my opinion anyway.
‘Well, for one, we should be offering her a shower or, better yet, drawing her a bath. If she had to escape in wolf carrying both her sister from the packhouse of Nebrodi, she must be exhausted. And our tub is jetted. I bet she’d enjoy that. Then we should ask Katrina to bring her some comfortable pajamas. After that, we should bring her something light to eat and finally let her SLEEP!’ I outlined.
To my surprise, Chesed turned right after entering our suite and headed for the jacuzzi soaking tub that sat centered in a sodalite blue marble surround between the two doors that opened to a large shower with one-way glass windows that allowed me to see out but no one else to see in. I remember when we remodeled the master suite after taking over and choosing this tub. It’s large enough for two. I’d hoped to one day share it with my mate.
‘Are you… actually doing something sweet and considerate?’ I gasped as he started filling the tub with warm water. ‘Shut up, Alec.’ he growled as he dug through the cabinets setting out a fluffy white bath sheet setting it on the tub surround. I snickered as I watched him set out a loofah, soap, shampoo, and conditioner for her. He even set out a new toothbrush and toothpaste for her on the unused ‘hers’ counter.
‘Look at you being considerate. Though you still sent our mate to that room.’ I sighed. Chesed rolled his eyes headed into our closet, taking out one of our black tees and a pair of boxers. ‘I’m not asking Katrina to lend her clothes. She will wear clothes with our scent or nothing at all.’ Chesed snorted, putting the clothes on the end of the bed.
‘She would probably be more comfortable sleeping in whatever room her sisters are in.’ I suggested. ‘She sleeps in our bed or in the darkroom. Those are the only choices.’ Chesed snorted, heading back to the stairs. We paused, looking across the loft, hearing whispered voices and soft giggles. ‘André must have asked Katrina to help with the younger ones.’ I commented.
Chesed shrugged and started back down the stairs. “Alpha, she is waiting for you as you commanded.” André nodded as we passed him on the stairs. “Will you require anything further?” he paused. “Have someone collect Santi. I want him in silver chains and in the dungeon for punishment after breakfast.” Chesed commanded.
André smirked a sparkle in his eyes. “As you command, Alpha.” he bowed and hurried back down the stairs and out the door. ‘He is certainly eager for Santi to be hurt.’ Chesed noted. ‘André wants him punished for threatening our Luna. And Santi has taunted our son for years about his sexuality.’ I shrugged, not finding it weird at all. We made our way through the house back to the darkroom.
I could smell her before we even entered the room, and lord, does she smell good. Quietly Chesed opened the door, smirking as he saw our mate inspecting the four-post free standing swing. ‘See, she’s into it.’ Chesed smirked. ‘Or she’s terrified at this room because it looks like a torture chamber.’ I rolled my eyes.
‘Oh, don’t be a prude. You enjoy this stuff as much as me.’ he scoffed. ‘Not with anyone that wasn’t Liliana.’ I grumbled. ‘Yes, well, you’ll enjoy it again when we get our mate in here for some fun.’ he smirked, sneaking up on her. “What the hell is that for?” Crista questioned, reaching out to touch the leather bindings. “To suspend you from while I tease every inch of you till you are so overloaded with pleasure you are begging for my cock.” Chesed teased.
‘Okay, you have to admit that’s hot. You can’t lie to me. I’m in your head and know you are turned on by what he just said.’ Emilia unhelpfully commented. I gulped, back wholly rigid. As much as I want to deny her words. She's right. I don’t know how much I’d care to be suspended from this thing. But the rest of what he offered. Teased every inch of my body till I was so overwhelmed by the pleasure I begged him to fuck me… that is hot. I shouldn’t find it hot. This man is old enough to be my father. I mean, I’m relatively sure André and Katrina are older than me. It should be gross and creepy to be mated to a mate so much older. ‘Older, wiser, and skilled.’ Emilia purred, getting off on his proximity. ‘Oh my god, you are so gross. Can we not go down this path? He’s holding us hostage, remember.’ I pointed out. ‘He’s our mate. Why leave?’ Emilia rolled her ey
I blinked because of what the hell was going on. Why am I here? Does he plan to make me stand here and watch him bathe? Maybe he’ll invite that slut back to make me watch them. That thought both turned my stomach and pissed me off. ‘He wouldn’t do that.’ Emilia whimpered. We’ve never witnessed it, but everyone knows how painful it is when your mate is intimate with someone else. Even unmarked, I would feel it now that we’ve touched.“Why am I here?” I questioned. “I told him this was stupid.” Chesed muttered. “Told who? What did your son tell you to do this for me?” I questioned. “No. Alec did. Foolish human side thought being nice to you would be a better route.” he scoffed. “Alec? Alpha Alec is still inside you? And he… he thought to set this up?” I blinked, turning to look at him. “I am the Alpha
God damn Chesed. Why can't he just be kind to our mate? Between spanking her and in front of her sisters and Katrina to just being a jackass. It was getting on my nerves. ‘Can’t you be nice to her? She is our mate. Our Luna. She should be treated with love and respect.’ I grumbled as he at least left her to bathe alone.‘Oh, shut up. Crista enjoyed every smack of her ass. You smelled her arousal the same as me. She’s just too young and innocent to realize what she wants. I say we show her.’ he smirked as he headed down the stairs to the kitchen. ‘Now, what do you want to feed her? Since this whole being nice shit is your idea.’ He grumbled, opening the refrigerator.I rolled my eyes but looked through his eyes as he scanned the fridge. ‘There. The stockpot. Take it out, put it on the stove, and start it on m
Why must he always be an asshole? I don’t want to sleep in here, at least not with him. I just want to go be with my sisters. We only just lost our parents, and they have been having nightmares. I need to be there for them. Why can’t he understand that? They need me, damn it.I am a person, not some doll he can move around as he sees fit. I’m not his damn toy. ‘Oh, please. I’d be his toy.’ Emilia sighed. Ugh, stupid horny wolf. ‘Oh, I’m not the only horny one. You can deny it all you want, but I am in your head, and you like him spanking you.‘TOLD YOU SO’ Emilia’s sing-song voice annoys me. I don’t know which was more shocking. Getting called out by my wolf or by my mate as he threw me onto the bed. Either way, I’m left blinking up at him, blushing, taking shallow breaths. He i
Her pissing-off Chesed would almost be funny. If, of course, I hadn’t felt that elbow to my gut or that pissing him off makes him do stupid shit like dig his claws into her jaw. When he’s angry, he’s terrifying. I’m his human, and he scares me. Yet he’s not scaring our mate. She’s standing her ground. She’s challenging him. She is denying him and asking for me. The more she talked, the more I moved forward. As she called him out for hurting her, I felt him second guess himself. No one but Nonna has made him really question his actions. Sure sometimes Izzy or Katrina can startle him into realizing his faults. But this was different. I shoved forward, trying to pull him back, to give me control when she said she’d reject us. ‘Stay out of this!’ he growled at me. ‘Like fucking hell I will! You are hurting her! I’ve been telling you from the beginning to be kind
As much as I’d been trying to protest sleeping, least of all in his bed, I can’t deny it feels nice. I wasn’t really able to get much sleep when we were running. All I could see was Ignazio ripping out my father’s heart when I tried to sleep, followed by my mother's. And for the few moments I didn’t see it, I woke to my sisters whimpering and crying out in their sleep. Add to the fact I generally don’t sleep well in strange places, it was surprising how easily I fell asleep in Alec’s arms. He was right about the bond. I’d been apprehensive about letting him touch me. Primarily because of Chesed. I don’t trust that damn wolf as far as Delilah could throw him. I still hadn’t been sure if I should trust Alec either. I mean, he did, after all, allow Chesed to run the show all these years. That was an obvious indicator that he’s weak.
Falling asleep wasn’t easy. Holding Crista in my arms, listening to her breathing and the rhythmic beating of her heart was bliss. You would think that the bond would have let me sleep as quickly as my darling mate. But I have Chesed. And each time any part of her body but mainly her full breasts or her smooth legs brushed against me, he not only fell into the gutter, but the dirty bastard also rolled around in it.You’d think he hadn't only hours ago gotten a blow job in his darkroom. Of course, any time I tried to get him out of the gutter and stop filling my mind with mental images of what Crista looks like naked, far worse images entered my mind. Memories I’d rather keep locked in the far reaches of my mind.I’m not sure when I did finally fall asleep, but I did. The bond winning o
I had barely gotten my sisters to settle down when there was a knock at their door. The three of us all turned to look at the door. I relaxed when I didn’t smell my mate. “Come in, Katrina.” I called out. My sisters relaxed a little, too, as Katrina entered the room. “Morning, girls. Morning, Luna.” Katrina smirked, bowing her head to me. “Can you not call me that?” I rolled my eyes. ‘Speak for yourself. I like being called Luna. We were obviously born to be one. If not, the goddess wouldn’t have mated us to an Alpha.’ Emilia scoffed. “What did the dick wolf do?” Katrina sighed, folding her arms. ‘Dick wolf.’ Emilia snickered. ‘She’s not wrong.’ I commented. ‘Maybe, but based on how well he felled out the front of his boxers, he’s a big one.’ Emilia waggled her wolf brow at me. ‘God, when did you become this horny she-wolf? You were never like this before.’ I
I can’t believe we are going on a week-long vacation. I’m happy for the time to relax. And if I’m honest, to be away from everyone. My sisters have been overbearing recently. I know they are trying to be helpful, but even if I am starting to resemble a beached whale, I am not an invalid. I can still do things for myself. So a week away from them will be nice. And the same for Isadora and the other ranked she-wolves. I like each of them, but if they aren’t treating me like a child, they give all this advice from their pregnancies. And I appreciate it. I truly do. But I am not them, and they are not my mamma. This trip happened just in time because I was inches from ripping Isadora’s face off. She is a wonderful woman. I love her; I do.
We’ve reached the third trimester of Crista’s pregnancy, and if memory serves, this will be the more uncomfortable trimester. The first trimester was hard on Crista, and as her mate, I felt her pain and did what I could to take some of it. But no mate bond can stop morning sickness. Still find that a strange phrase, a complete oxymoron from anything I’ve seen. I thought I’d seen plenty of morning sickness during Liliana’s pregnancy with the twins and also from a less up-close experience during Izzy’s three pregnancies. Crista, however, suffered far worse. Doctor Anselma Laurito diagnosed her with hyperemesis gravidarum, severe morning sickness. Thankfully, with proper monitoring and ensuring Crista stayed hydrated, we could make it through that first trimester. And by the start of her fift
I shook my head, willing my blush away. I was failing, but I was trying, damn it. “Anyway… Tiberius sent me a surprise from our family home.” I gestured to my mamma’s gown.“And of course, I’m for Crista wearing this. It was our mamma’s dress. She met our papa in that dress and took the Beta oath in it. She promised it to Crista when we were just kids. So she should wear it tonight.” Persephone snorted.André’s eyes lit up as he looked at the gown. Gently setting down the black dress, he picked my mamma’s dress up like he was holding a priceless jewel.“This is… oh, it’s gorgeous. The craftsmanship is exquisite. Nonna Gwen had taste. It’s heavenly… ethereal. It’s sexy while still demur. It just screams Crista, host of Light.” André gushed before gently putting the dress down.“Now, why are we arguing?” André looked from
A lot happened, and it all happened so fast. It wasn’t even two months ago that I was getting dressed up for Thales’s welcome home party, heart fluttering as I wondered if we would be mates. My mind raced with thoughts of becoming Luna of Nebrodi rather than Beta. All that quickly changed when Madonie attacked us. Thales was killed. His parents, my parents, all the ranked wolves were killed. All but Tiberius, my sisters, and me. Though they did a number on Tiberius and had some nefarious plans for him based on what he’s told me after waking up from his coma. ‘You weren’t wrong on that feeling you’d be a Luna rather than a Beta.’ Emilia shrugged. ‘Instead, we’re Luna of Incubi and mated to a much better-looking male than Thales.” Her nose twitched slightly as she made the comparison. I rolled my eyes. ‘It’s rude to speak ill of the dead. Thales was cute as a boy, and I’m sure he’d grown to be a handsome man while studying abroad. But even t
“Of course. Rather hard to not have an alliance with my mate’s father and twin brother.” Tiberius shrugged as he flipped through the papers. Darren nodded, scanning the documents a bit more thoroughly. “Of course, Alpha. We intend to also maintain an alliance with Bloodmoon. I am unsure if that is in your plans or Tiberius’s for your individual packs. But given I am from Bloodmoon and retain connections there, André and I intend to write up a formal treaty with Alpha Logan for our packs. We plan to present it to him before his wedding in November.” Darren explained. I’m not surprised he wants to keep an alliance with his former pack. Given that the Bloodmoon wolf is connected on some ancient cosmic levels with Darkness and Light, I already had that in mind. “I cannot speak for Tiberius, but yes. Damon faxed over a rough draft of our treaty to Logan this morning.” Tiberius shrugged. “Katrina suggested we make the alliance too. She assumed you and André
Sitting in my office at the town hall, I found it hard to focus. So much has happened. So much has changed. And it all happened in what both felt like a blink but also forever. It’s only been a month since our victory over Ignazio, and things are still settling down. It’s strange to think that a chance encounter turned my world upside down. ‘It was not a chance encounter.’ Darkness snorted, his voice faint from beyond the wall that contained him. I sighed in concession. Darkness is right. Nothing about what happened was by chance. Everything happened by design. As the hosts of Darkness and Light, it was only a matter of time that Crista and I would be drawn to each other. Ironic that Melania wanted to prevent us from coming together, yet everything she did only pushed us down that path. Her enlisting Ignazio to do her bidding, having him attack the Nebrodi to take Crista, starting a war with my pack, all of it brought Crista and me together.
Witch? What in the world? Does that mean the reason Tiberius has been in a coma even after Katrina at his side this whole time is witch-related? I swear if Melania did anything to Tiberius… what I did to Silvano would look like child’s play. ‘We can’t kill the witch.’ Light sighed. I frowned. ‘Why the hell now?’ I demanded. ‘Only another Berardi witch can kill her. So if Katrina is displaying witch powers, she can or the Crone. You will have to leave it to them.” Light shrugged. “I still want to see them. To know they are okay.” I insisted. Damon sighed, and I could tell he was getting exasperated. Even if I haven’t had the ceremony, I’m his Luna, so he wants to do what I ask. He’s also loyal to Alec and obviously wants to protect me and stay on Alec’s good side. “Crista! Forget Katrina. I can feel Delilah!” Persephone shook my arm. I blinked and let myself call out to Delilah. She’s okay! My sister is okay. ‘I’m okay. I’m sorry that I worried you both.’ I wi
I know I’m going to get a lecture for this. Alec won’t be happy that I left the villa, but he’ll get over it. And Chesed… well, I’m not sure which he’ll be angrier about. Me leaving the villa or driving his car. Either way, he can shove it. I’m not some helpless damsel. I have Light, and well, if what she did to Silvano is even a fraction of her power, I’m going to say me, and the baby is in good hands. ‘I will do my best to keep you and the pup safe. However, I cannot use the full extent of my power in this form. So keep that in mind.’ Light cautioned as I pulled out of the driveway. “Damn, this is a sweet ride. A Maserati Ghibli Trofeo, it can go from zero to ninety-six kilometers in under four seconds.” Persephone whistled in appreciation as she wrung a hand over the dashboard. She and papa were total gear heads. “I know we are in a rush to follow Katrina to ensure she and Tiberius are okay. But maybe we shouldn’t test just how fast this car
I snarled, wanting to go after my son and Gastone. My need to protect my son kicked in as I started to turn in that direction. Darkness, however, pulled me back. Freezing me in place.‘Leave the underling to your son. We have work to do.’ Darkness growled, his eyes locked on Ignazio. The little twit was still standing there, in no rush to escape. His grip on that chain that dragged a she-wolf by her neck tightened.“Amazed you showed yourself, old man. I heard you’ve been in hiding. Too afraid to come and face me.” Ignazio scoffed, yanking at the chain, forcing the girl in front of him. He’s seriously using her as a shield. There’s no honor in that.“Do you like my little pet? She’s not as lovely as the prize I’m going to claim. I heard you took a liking to my mate. Too bad she’s mine. I’d say you’ll get over it, but it won’t matter. You’ll be dead.” Ignaz