The preparations for Noctis are in full swing, and the pack house is bustling with activity. Pack members come and go, carrying supplies, decorating the backyard with lanterns and garlands, and setting up tables laden with food and drinks. The air is filled with excitement and a sense of anticipation. The new moon is a time for celebration and renewal, a powerful night for werewolves to embrace their gifts.I watch from the porch, my thoughts a mix of anticipation and apprehension. The Noctis celebration is something I’ve been looking forward to, but this year, it feels different. My new job as a flight attendant starts soon, and the tension between Luke and me has only grown since that night we found Newton.Marissa bustles past me, her arms full of decorations. “Cheryl, can you help string these lights over the trees?”“Sure,” I say, taking some of the lights from her. As I start hanging them, I catch sight of Luke across the yard, talking with a few pack members. His eyes meet mine
“Hey! Let go!” I shout, my voice echoing through the trees.“Quiet,” the figure growls, his breath hot and foul against my skin. The fear grips me tightly as I struggle, but he’s too strong.Just as I’m about to scream again, a familiar growl rips through the night. The figure’s grip loosens, and I look up to see Luke in his wolf form, his eyes glowing with a fierce protective light. He lunges at the attacker, powerful and swift.The attacker stumbles back, his face a mask of shock and fear. “You shouldn’t have come here,” he hisses before fleeing into the darkness.Luke shifts back to human form, his face a mixture of concern and relief. He rushes to me, his hands trembling slightly as he reaches out. “Cher, are you okay?”I nod, my voice shaky. “I’m fine, thanks to you. I was so scared.”He pulls me into a tight embrace, his warmth a stark contrast to the cold night air. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have let you come out here alone.”“I needed to clear my head,” I say softly, holding ont
LUKE’S POVThe pack is busy with their own activities, leaving just Cher and I in the living room. We’ve decided to spend some time together, catching up and enjoying each other’s company after the chaos of recent events. The air is filled with an easygoing atmosphere, the kind of comfort that comes with being around someone who feels like home.Cher is curled up on the couch with a book, her legs tucked beneath her. She looks relaxed, her hair falling in soft waves around her face. I’m sprawled in an armchair across from her, a book in hand, though my attention keeps drifting from the pages to her.We talk about everything and nothing, the conversation flowing effortlessly. There’s a playful undertone to our interactions, a reminder of the chemistry that still sizzles between us.“I swear,” Cheryl says with a grin, “this book has the most ridiculous plot twists. I don’t think the author knows what ‘subtle’ means.”I chuckle, leaning forward. “Oh, come on. You love it. Admit it.”“Ma
The moonlight filters through the window of my room, casting a soft glow over the space. I’m sprawled on my bed, staring up at the ceiling, unable to shake the restless energy that’s been gnawing at me. It’s been days since the festival, and the weight of my emotions and the struggle to control my wolf are wearing me thin.A soft knock on my door pulls me from my thoughts. Before I can respond, Callum opens it and steps inside, his presence filling the room with a comforting familiarity.“Hey, Luke,” he says, his voice gentle but carrying an undertone of concern. “Mind if I come in?”“Sure, Callum,” I reply, trying to sound casual but knowing my exhaustion is likely evident.He takes a seat at the edge of my bed, his gaze steady as he looks at me. “You’ve been on my mind. I can see how hard you’re working to keep it together.”I roll onto my side, facing him. “I’m managing. Just… a lot going on.”Callum studies me for a moment, his brow furrowing slightly. “It’s more than just ‘a lot,
CHERYL’S POVThe warm afternoon sun filters through the curtains of my bedroom, casting soft, golden light over everything. I’m lying on my bed, my laptop open beside me, trying to finish up some work. But I can’t seem to focus. There’s a restlessness within me, a sensation that’s been growing steadily over the past few days. At first, I thought it was just stress or maybe the changing seasons, but now it feels different—more intense.I shift uncomfortably, trying to find a position that will ease the sudden and persistent warmth spreading through my body. It feels almost like a fever, but without the sickness. My skin feels overly sensitive, tingling with every brush of the sheets. I can’t ignore the growing ache in my lower abdomen, nor the way my breaths are coming quicker and shorter.I roll onto my side, trying to shake off the mounting discomfort. “Okay, Cheryl, just breathe,” I mutter to myself. “It’s probably just a late period or something.”I sit up, pulling my phone from th
The tension in the room is palpable as I sit next to Cheryl, my mind racing. Seeing her so vulnerable and affected by her heat is both excruciating and eye-opening. My wolf is restless, its instinct to claim and protect her roaring beneath the surface. Every time I look at her, I feel a pang of desire mixed with an overwhelming need to comfort and support her.Cher’s presence is a mixture of warmth and need, and it’s both intoxicating and painful. I can feel my control slipping, the internal struggle between my human and wolf sides intensifying. It’s like being caught in a storm where every wave threatens to pull me under.“Hey,” I say softly, my voice almost a whisper. “How are you holding up?”She looks at me, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and vulnerability. “It’s been rough. But having you here helps a lot.”I nod, though my thoughts are far from calm. “I’m glad I can be here for you. I just wish there was more I could do.”The heat in the room seems to intensify as the night
The night air is electric with energy, the moon high and full in the sky as the Noctis ritual reaches its peak. The pack gathers around the bonfire, chanting and howling in unison, the rhythm of the drums matching the thundering beat of my heart.I see Luke come towards me and my smile falls as he pushes Donnie away and I realize the situation is serious as he calls out. “Mine.” For everyone to hear.His hand is warm and firm on my lower back, guiding me closer to the center of the circle. My skin tingles with anticipation, the heat inside me now a roaring fire. I can feel every gaze on us, the weight of the pack’s attention adding to the intensity of the moment.Luke steps forward, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that makes my breath catch. “Cheryl,” he says, his voice low and resonant, carrying the weight of the moment. “Are you ready?”I nod, my throat too tight to speak. The desire in his eyes matches the heat within me, and I know this is the moment we’ve been build
The admission, the claiming it hadn’t gotten to us yet, all I could focus on was this heat I felt. Somehow I was like a fire his match had struck. There was a fire in my chest blazing bright, I want him, I need him. I feel the connection between us every time our lips meet. He is unable to stay away from mine even for a second. Drowning in a sea of kisses, I give into him. My mate…With my back up against a tree, he takes in every inch of me. Pausing to look at me as though he couldn’t believe it. I could hardly believe it either.Him.At last.I gasped as my back arches towards him. His lips capture my right nipple as he licks, sucks and bites.The sensation building, just behind the clearing. I could feel the charged power in the air. Noctis was in full swing, the moon shining bright above us as he used his finger to lift my chin. Capturing my neck with a kiss, his free fingers were enough to distract me from anything I could have on my mind.Expertly playing with the buds exposed
As we all moved to the reception area, the atmosphere was filled with laughter and chatter. Raina and Callum were recounting their own milestones, and Cillian was engaged in a deep conversation with some of the pack members. The sense of unity and celebration was palpable, and it felt like the culmination of so many struggles and victories.I took Cheryl’s hand, pulling her gently aside from the crowd. “Can we talk for a moment?”She looked at me with a mix of curiosity and amusement. “Sure, what’s up?”We walked to a quieter corner of the airstrip, where the sound of the crowd was a distant murmur. I glanced around to ensure we had some privacy before turning back to her. “I just wanted to say how incredibly proud I am of you. This day, this achievement—everything you’ve worked for—it’s amazing.”Cheryl’s cheeks flushed with a pink hue. “It means a lot to hear you say that. I’ve worked so hard, and sometimes I wasn’t sure if it would all be worth it.”“It’s more than worth it,” I sai
We settled onto the couch, my head resting on Luke’s shoulder as he flipped through the channels. He landed on a cheesy action movie that promised endless explosions and improbable heroics. The sheer absurdity of it all was exactly what I needed to distract me from the tangled mess of emotions that had been swirling inside me.Luke grabbed the remote and turned up the volume, the sound of gunfire and dramatic music filling the room. “Prepare yourself,” he said with a grin. “This is about to get incredibly ridiculous.”I laughed, feeling the tension in my shoulders begin to ease. “I’m ready. After today, I think I can handle just about anything, including whatever this movie throws at us.”He pulled me closer, his arm wrapping around me in a protective cocoon. “I’m not sure if I should warn you that there’s going to be some serious plot twists or just let you be surprised.”“Surprise me,” I said, snuggling in against him. “I could use a good laugh.”As the movie progressed, it quickly
The evening felt like the perfect reunion. My parents sat comfortably on the couch, their familiar presence filling the room with warmth and ease. The scent of Luke’s takeout still lingered in the air, mixing with the smell of freshly brewed tea. My mother, Muna, looked more relaxed than she had in months, her dark hair tucked behind her ear as she chatted animatedly with Luke about the city. My father, Ray, though still recovering from the injury inflicted by the wolf hunters, was a quieter but solid presence, his health having visibly improved since the last time I saw him. The sight of him sitting there, looking healthy and at peace, made my heart feel full."You know, Cheryl," my dad began, breaking from his usual quiet demeanor, "there was a time I wasn't sure I'd get to see this—us sitting together like this. I owe a lot of that to you."His words hit me like a soft blow to the chest. I smiled, though there was a lump in my throat. "Dad, you don’t owe me anything. I was just doi
As I dig into the takeout, I catch Luke watching me with that soft, adoring expression that always makes my heart do a little flip. The food is good, and the company is better. After a long day of classes, this is exactly what I need—a quiet evening with Luke, no stress, no pressure, just… us.We settle into a comfortable silence as we eat, the clatter of chopsticks and the hum of the city outside filling the space. Luke’s arm rests on the back of the couch behind me, his warmth seeping into my skin. I lean back slightly, savoring the moment.“How was your day?” I ask, turning to look at him.He shrugs, his lips quirked into a half-smile. “Busy, but not too bad. Had a few meetings this morning, checked in with Callum and Raina this afternoon. Things at the pack are going well.”“Good,” I say, genuinely relieved to hear that. The pack’s been through so much, and knowing that Callum and Raina are slowly finding their footing again makes me happy. They deserve it.Luke looks at me for a
The sunlight spills through the windows, warming the small kitchen of my apartment as I stand at the counter, staring at the half-empty bag of flour. Baking was never really my thing, but after everything that’s happened, I’ve been wanting to try new things—things that make me feel normal, grounded, and more connected to life. But trying to bake cookies without knowing what I’m doing feels like an absolute disaster in progress."Cheryl?" Luke’s deep voice carries from the living room.I hear his footsteps approaching, and I turn just in time to see him leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, with that smirk that makes my stomach flip every time. His black T-shirt clings to his chest in all the right ways, and even though I’ve spent more time with him than I can count, my heart still skips a beat."What’s going on here?" He raises an eyebrow, glancing at the mess I’ve made of the kitchen—flour on the counter, the floor, and somehow even on me. He grins wider when he sees a streak
The sun’s just beginning to rise over the horizon as I pull into the small parking lot outside Cheryl’s apartment. It’s a modest place on the outskirts of the city, not too far from her aviation college but far enough to give her some space from the chaos of the pack. I kill the engine and take a moment to sit back in the driver’s seat, letting the quiet hum of the city wake up around me.It’s been a strange few months since the war ended. We’ve all been healing, some of us faster than others. Cheryl’s been pouring herself into her studies, and I can’t say I blame her. I think we all needed something to focus on after everything that went down. As for me, I’ve been doing my best to juggle a new kind of life—a life that’s split between being the Alpha of our pack and being by Cheryl’s side.Shifting between the city and the pack’s territory hasn’t been easy. I never realized how complicated it could get, managing the responsibilities of leading the pack while also figuring out how to r
The evening air is cool as it wraps around us, the early signs of autumn bringing a chill that makes me snuggle deeper into Luke’s embrace. His arms are warm and strong, holding me close as we stand on the porch of the pack house. The house itself is almost fully rebuilt now, the scaffolding mostly gone, the fresh wood standing proudly where the old had been torn away. It feels like a symbol of our own lives—patched together, but stronger than ever.I’m still riding the high of my first day at the Aviation College. The reality of it is finally sinking in. I’m really doing this. I’m going to become a pilot, something I’ve dreamed about for as long as I can remember. It feels surreal, like a part of me still doesn’t believe it’s possible. But Luke does. He’s believed in me all along.“How does it feel?” he asks, his voice soft as he rests his chin on top of my head.“Better than I could’ve imagined,” I murmur, closing my eyes and letting myself sink into the warmth of him. “I was so ner
The air is crisp as the early autumn wind sweeps through the trees, carrying with it the scent of wood smoke and damp earth. The pack house is finally taking shape again, the framework standing strong after weeks of intense work. There’s still a lot to do—windows to install, walls to paint, but it feels like progress, real progress. More than that, it feels like a reflection of where we all are. We’re all standing on firmer ground now, even if it still feels shaky sometimes.Luke’s been my rock through all of this, and it’s not lost on me how deeply we’ve both changed. Somewhere between the battles and rebuilding, we found each other in a way I never expected. Loving him has been the one steady thing when everything else was chaos. But as strong as my feelings for Luke are, there’s something else that’s been weighing on me, something I’ve been too scared to think about.I haven’t seen my parents since this whole nightmare started.When the conflict with the wolf hunters kicked into hi
Callum and Raina’s relationship is healing, too, though it’s a slower process. They’ve been spending more time together, talking quietly when they think no one is watching. Callum’s still wary—still hurting—but I can see the way he looks at her, the way his walls are slowly coming down.Raina knows that Callum needs time. She knows she can’t undo what’s been done, can’t erase the mistakes she made when she got involved with the hunters. But the way she moves around him now, careful but committed, shows how much she’s trying to make up for it. She never pushes too hard, never demands more than he can give, but she’s always there—steady, like a rock in the middle of a river. I respect that about her, even after everything that happened.Callum, though still guarded, is beginning to soften. It’s in the small things—the way he’ll linger when she talks to him, or how his eyes follow her when she’s near. I’ve known him for most of my life, and I can see the cracks forming in the wall he’s b