“What are you saying?” I asked.“I’m saying… That maybe I’m not the great Alpha you think I am. Maybe I’m too brazen with my ideas, and my usual habit of charming people into doing what I want isn’t going to work her. And honestly, without that ability to charm…”“You feel useless,” I finished for h
AvaWe had moved from the hot tub to the plush lounge chairs on the veranda, where Chris had laid out on his back. I leaned over him, peppering kisses along his inner thighs as my hand continually stroked up and down his increasingly-thick and throbbing member.“Goddess, Ava,” he groaned, shoving hi
After introductions, Maria led us into a beautiful tasting room. The walls were lined with bottles, and a large window offered a stunning view of the vineyard.“We’ll start with a tasting of our signature wines,” Maria explained, gesturing for us to take a seat at the bar. “Then I have a special sur
AvaJames shook my hand warmly, snapping me out of my reverie. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ava,” he said with a grin. “Chris has told me so much about you.”“Is that so?” I glanced over at Chris, who just winked in response. “All good things, I hope,” I said with a laugh, trying to hide the way th
There was a moment of stunned silence before the crowd erupted into cheers. I stood there, blushing furiously, holding the bouquet like it might explode in my hands.“Look at that!” Chris called out, wolf whistling over the crowd and eliciting laughter. “Guess we know who’s getting married next!”If
AvaI woke to the soft clacking of keyboard keys, the sound pulling me from a deep and restful sleep.Blinking away the bleariness, I found Chris sitting up in bed beside me, his laptop balanced on his knees as he typed away. The soft morning light was barely even filtering through the lace curtains
Chris nodded again, then suddenly took a step back. “In that case,” he murmured, dropping to one knee in front of me and reaching for my hands. My heart leapt into my throat, the familiar scene from the vineyard last night flashing through my mind.“Chris, what are you—”He grabbed both of my hands
AvaWhen I finally straightened up from my bout of sickness, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand, I turned to face Chris with wide eyes. He was utterly frozen, his face a mask of abject horror.“I don’t understand,” he muttered, clutching the moonstone around his neck. “The moonstone is back. T
Chris shook his head, rolling his eyes. “Unbelievable,” he hissed as I smirked with satisfaction.The trip to the clinic went by a lot faster on wheels than on foot. Chris remained glued to my side, his hair falling into his eyes as he repeatedly checked on me. I simply smiled in the backseat, and w
Epilogue — Part IIAvaAs the balloon hit me square in the face, I stumbled back, nearly losing my balance. Chris’s strong arm caught me, steadying me as a chorus of “Surprise!” filled the air.Our living room had been transformed, covered with balloons and streamers in shades of blue and silver. A
Her imprisonment in New Moon was coming to an end, and soon she would be returning to Moonstone on parole. The thought filled me with a mixture of apprehension and hope, as it did all of us.But that was not coming for another month.As the Elders filed out, I leaned back in my chair, unable to keep
Before I could comment, the Elders finally filed in, their usual robes swishing around them as they moved. Fatima was now the Eldest since Elise was gone, and so she took the end of the table opposite Chris.Claire hobbled in after her; she had been leaning on a cane lately due to a sudden onset of
Epilogue — Part IAvaMy hand rested on my belly as I waddled through the doors, half-ignoring Chris’s presence. He sighed, letting the door fall shut behind me.“What’s wrong?” he asked, following me to the circular council table in the center of the room.“Nothing.”That was a lie.It was my 40th
For a moment, Chris was silent, his gaze intense as he searched my face. Then, without warning, he dropped to his knees, burying his face in my skirt. His arms wrapped around my waist, holding me close.“Goddess, I can’t wait to marry you,” he murmured, his voice muffled by the fabric.I smiled, run
AvaI found Chris on a balcony overlooking the golden sunset of New Moon mountain. The sky was ablaze with vibrant oranges and pinks, casting a warm glow over the snow-capped peaks. The crisp mountain air carried the scent of pine and distant earth from far below, the scent of autumn.Back in Moonst
“As you should, Alpha Edward,” Chris said, clasping the Alpha’s forearm. “As you should.”It was heartwarming to see how everyone seemed to be thriving. The bonds between the packs were stronger than ever, and there was a palpable sense of hope in the air.Finally, it was time for the meeting to beg
AvaGolden sunlight streamed through the enormous windows, shafts of warmth spreading across the large meeting hall. A fire crackled merrily in the hearth, and a long oak table had been placed at the center of the room. Soft piano music played from a human-made record player in the corner, and counc