Luna Ariel's POV We drive our rental car to the park, which is not too far from the hotel. In our backpack we have a packed breakfast and a blanket to sit on in the forest. According to the online information we should be there in ten minutes. Clarita has certainly managed to pull me out of my misery, even Era is much calmer now. I can feel her moving more actively now as if she is looking forward to a wild run in the wilderness. It has been a long time since I have set her free. It is still early in the morning and as we drive toward our destination the cool wind blows in my face. My mood improves as the fresh air enters my system. We pass an area of businesses before entering a dense forest. "Now tell me exactly what is going on, Ariel. I am so dying to know all about it. I've finally met a real werewolf, I can't believe my luck. But first I want to hear your story." And then I tell her how overjoyed I was when I first met Gorgio. He had run up to
Alpha Gorgio's POV Alexis is sticking to her plan. I hate that she's doing all this. It makes me feel like a coward who can't provide his mate with the protection she requires. I should have ripped that Alpha's head off, the disrespect towards me was outrageous. From afar, I watch as Alexis convinces her father that she is capable of getting Ariel and bringing her to Alpha Zane so that they can patch things up. She would see to it that they came to terms and then mediate between them and me. My father-in-law knows how close the bond is between his daughters and he is desperate for this matter to be resolved as soon as possible. Meanwhile, this triangular mating has reached the whole werewolf community and is the talk of the day. Everyone is watching, wanting to know how this will end. No one expects Zane to come out of this alive. Together with my sister-in-law, I go to the witch Xanna to make the necessary preparations. Xanna is a witch in her own right, modern, funny and
Alpha Gorgio's POV stillA few hours later I woke up well rested.I put on some sportswear and make my way down to the main floor. After a hearty dinner, I make a beeline for my office. As I walk in, I see Jace and Alvin having a heated discussion."What's up, man?" I ask them as I slump down on the sofa. Jace slides the laptop in my direction so I can see the screen. It's a video of Alexis being picked up by Alpha Zane at his pack airstrip and taken to the packhouse. With satisfaction I conclude that the witch has done a good job, the Alpha seems to be smitten with his 'mate'.Most disturbing of all, he later insists that she share his bed. This is so not done for me. I cannot sacrifice Alexis' virtue for the good of Ariel and myself, it is so wrong. As if she knew I was going to be pretty upset about this deal with the man, she also shows footage of them lying on the bed with their backs to each other. From the looks of it, the Alpha would rather have her close without touching than
Alpha Gorgio's POV still Damn it!Who saddled me with this slow aircraft? We've been flying for ten minutes now and Arkansas isn't that far away. As if sensing my impatience, the pilot tosses me a pair of binoculars, which I gratefully use to scan all the forests we fly over. Never before had my heart beaten so fast with anticipation. My chest hurts from all the vibrations. My mate, in a few moments I will hold her in my arms again. Goddess, it has been a long, long week, I almost went mad from missing her. I knew she would come back to me, but I didn't want to wait. With the new twist in Midnight Moon, she needs my protection more than ever. And then I saw her. By a lake, under a tree.She takes off her trainers and begins to pull the dress over her head. "Eyes off!" I growl at Jace and the pilot, who immediately turn away. "And land this damn thing quickly." I can feel Xander getting agitated, banging against our wall to take over. I don'
Alpha Zane's POV NowMy gut tells me to keep an eye on Eric.Something is definitely going on with him and I think it has everything to do with Ariel. The way they interact is not normal. Ariel is hungry for his attention, always seeking his opinion, and she is too close to him for my liking. And the way he looks at her when he thinks no one is watching looks like a man in love. But his analysis of Ariel's behavior is what interests me now. Eric is right, there are some things about her that no one would expect in a mate. The fact that she is not attracted to me may have something to do with her bond with Gorgio. But she doesn't seem to tolerate me around her, often looks at me disapprovingly and never has intimate contact with me of her own accord. And then her ridiculous conditions. I almost feel like a clown, my pack is starting to get anxious about my inability to control my Luna. Of course, Midnight Moon senses through the pack bond that Ariel and I
Alpha Zane's POV stillNever before have I felt so nervous about a date.Usually, I'm the one in control, completely in control of the situation when I'm having dinner with a woman. But tonight I feel like an insecure teenager on his first date.Ariel has agreed to spend the evening with me. I have reservations at an exquisite restaurant in the pack and have planned a walk in the woods afterward to further loosen the mood. An hour ago I received a report from Kensley that Ariel had managed to find a great dress for tonight. Even he can confirm that it is a creation that looks fabulous on her. The only downside is that she paid for it with her father's credit card. When I sent her to Human Town with Kensley this afternoon to go shopping, I gave her a platinum card with instructions that she could buy anything her heart desired. The price didn't matter, as long as she wanted the items. According to Kensley, she did make some purchases, but they were all on
Alpha Zane's POV stillA menacing roar emanates from deep in my throat.I can't believe what's unfolding right before my eyes. My mate glares angrily at my best friend and Beta, who turns to her with guilt written all over his face. Eric shoves the woman away, his eyes fixed on Ariel. It is as if he has been caught in the act by his girlfriend."What's going on here?" I demand to know, Claw shifting his glowing eyes from Ariel to Eric."Zane," Eric exhales, tearing his eyes away from Ariel. "I didn't know you were here with Ariel. Sybille and I were just talking, nothing more. I swear. Did I disturb you?" Why do I get the feeling he's apologizing to my friend instead of to me? "That's not what I meant. Why are you and my mate looking at each other like lovers? This is not the first time I have noticed it. Is there something I should know, Beta?" Eric runs a hand through his hair, clearly frustrated by the situation."I don't know what you are talking abou
Beta Eric's POVI'm so dead!I can't help but admit that Ariel is my mate. And Zane knows it. My wolf knows it. And Ariel herself knows. I'm so fucked up!I sit here analyzing all the things about Ariel that don't make sense. She has a lot to explain.Hunter adores her, but he doesn't call her our mate. He keeps hinting that she is not Zane's, but does not confirm that she is our fated one. He hints that she is ours, but never explicitly identifies her as our mate.And no one has seen her wolf, they do sense it, but they just have never seen her shift. She is definitely one of us. Ariel is not attracted to Zane, she doesn't want to have sex with him or have him mark her. That's not really what mates are about. She does not behave like a Luna, has no deep interest in Midnight Moon, and often talks about her father's pack, but never about Eclipse Howl. In conversations with the mayor, she acted more like a delegated authority.Most important, however, is her slip in the R
Alpha Female Adlin Rain's POV Yay!Seeing my twin brother so happy was the greatest experience of my life. David Gorgio returned to Eclipse Howl a week ago and proudly presented Esmée Clarita as his mate and Luna to the pack. The mark on their necks was clearly visible, it's official. It was a grand celebration, the pack went wild at the sight of the happy, tanned couple who were clearly very much in love.And with that, the criticism of Princess Michaela's rejection was silenced. After my brother's departure on the night of our anniversary, many voiced their displeasure. The fact that the future Alpha had rejected a Lycan in favor of a half-human was unthinkable. For many, it was a missed opportunity to provide the next Alpha line with a strong bloodline; an Alpha King mix with Lycan traits would be formidable. Humans are supposed to be weak, so Esmée Clarita was opposed out of hand.But after seeing the couple together, the naysayers disappeared.To see
Still Future Alpha David Gorgio's POV At high speed, I fly over the smooth water towards the yacht that keeps sailing.Goddess, let me find her right there, I need her so much in my life. I can't imagine her not bothering me with questions while I'm at work, not feeling the need to show me everything new she's bought. No, the princess could not fill my life. What possessed Selene to saddle me with an elitist mate? It's not my style at all, I don't like that kind of display. Rather an annoyance, never stylish. As I get closer to the yacht, I slow down.I am surprised that she has not heard the watercraft approaching and has come to take a look. Suddenly I am gripped by fear. No, it is not possible that she has hurt herself. That's not my girl. If she could endure years of rejection, she could endure anything. I reach the boat floating, jump onto the low platform and tie up the scooter.Then I climb the short
Future Alpha David Gorgio's POV My head spins, my vision blurred as the impact of Adlin Rain's words hits me. Esmée Clarita is gone, gone, out of my reach. She will no longer swarm around me seeking my attention. I was so used to seeing her, it was natural for me to keep running into her and getting annoyed with her. And then complain to my mother to send her away for good, but of course, she would never do that. And now she's gone, really gone, and I don't know if she's ever coming back. This is hard, the sting of pain in my heart at this realization is unbearable. Never again her husky voice and vanilla scent, her hand on my arm when I refuse to offer her the attention she craves. "What do you mean she's gone? Why would she leave? She was waiting for Albert Zane and me to come down," I ask firmly. Threateningly, I walk towards my little sister, I am in no mood for nonsense right now. "Hey brothe
Still Alpha Female Adlin Rain's POV Albert Zane and David Gorgio finally come down the stairs. Albert Zane's eyes are fixed on me and I smile back at him. All eyes are on us now, everyone knows his desire to be my mate. When he takes the last step, he walks towards me, his eyes softening. He pulls me in his arms, buries his face in my neck and breathes in my scent. Nothing. Nothing happens. The intoxicating scent that should be driving me mad, the sparks that should be ravaging my body and the attraction that should be urging me to mark him instantly, are missing.Reality rears its ugly head: we are not fated mates. I feel Albert Zane stiffen as the signs fail him too. But his arms around me do not slacken; on the contrary, he tightens them like a vice. "No! It can't be! You are mine!" he cries in pain.He sniffed my neck and shoulders again, but nothing changed. The result remains
Alpha Female Adlin Rain's POVWhen I arrive at the high, wide staircase of the packhouse, my parents are already there waiting for me. My mother, Luna Ariel, sports a big smile on her face, while my father is watching me warily with slitted eyes. He is clearly uncomfortable, today may be the day he has to let his firstborn daughter go. No father takes this occasion lightly. I am the apple of his eye, and along with my twin brother, he has protected me from harm and discomfort all my life. Albert Zane too, of course, whenever he got the chance to be near me. So, I grew up very sheltered but today all that could change. The three men will have to let me go, or I might end up being Albert Zane's mate. Albert Zane.He is my best male friend, always concerned about what I am doing, my great advisor in the business I have set up with Esmée Clarita. He is madly in love with me, and if I had agreed, we would have been mated by now. But I don't se
Girlish giggles emanate from the room of Adlin Rain, daughter of Alpha Gorgio and Luna Ariel of Eclipse Howl. As Adlin Rain is the eldest of the daughters of the Alphas of Midnight Moon and Eclipse Howl, it was decided that she and Esmée Clarita's eighteenth birthday party would be held in Eclipse Howl. Esmée Clarita had a small celebration in her pack after she left for Eclipse Howl. Tonight will also be their first shift and possible mating. Naturally, unmated Alphas have come from far and wide, each dreaming of having one of the daughters of these prominent packs as a mate. The girls are immensely popular in the werewolf community, and their exploits have received much media attention in recent years. Everyone loves them, and their mischief in the clubs is dismissed as youthful impetuosity. Their clothes and make-up are imitated by many she-wolves and they have even designed their own perfume and clothing line. Their busi
Luna Ariel's POV again I am lying next to my mate in a hammock on the back terrace, enjoying the peace.The pups are with the nannies, this is the time we set aside for each other, without them around. We really need it. All day long we are each busy with our own things and in the evening, we fall into bed next to each other dead tired. Now that we have two pups, I cannot spend as much time in Gorgio's office as I used to. I am a hands-on mum who likes to take care of them myself. The nannies are there to help as the two are very active. So Gorgio and I have agreed to set aside one day a week for us to be alone. On that day, I bathe the twins in the morning and hand them over to the nannies while Gorgio takes care of some urgent business that cannot take more than two hours. Then we are together. Sometimes we stay in the packhouse and relax but more often we go on picnics and swim in my favorite lake. A few times we go shopping at the mall
Luna Ariel's POV again Two more laps and I feel the first cramps coming on.Gorgio sits at the edge of the pool watching me reach the stairs. When I get there, I grab hold of the step and take a deep breath. But then I felt another one and I was sure the contractions had started. My eyes fly to my mate, who is now watching me closely."Why did you stop? You're so red, darling". He slowly gets up and comes over to me, still watching me closely. "It looks like the contractions have started, Gorgio. I feel cramps in my lower abdomen". He ran over to me, sank into the water and helped me up the steps. When he was out of the pool, he held me tightly as we walked to the deckchair. He took the thick bath towel and wrapped me in it. I embrace the warmth that now surrounds me.My mate helps me to lie down and holds my hand. His face is still relaxed. And then I felt the next one and I knew we were ready for the hospital room he had pr
Luna Ariel's POV again "Who do you love?" "You, my Luna”. "And who can't live without you?" "It's you, my love". "And who do you belong to?""To you, my mate".."And who do you drive crazy with your sweet body?""You, my Luna. You and you alone."Here I lie in bed with my only mate, our bodies entwined. It's like before, after a marvelous lovemaking, we renew our vows to each other. Only now there's a big belly between us, we can't get any closer than our twins allow us to. Having pups comes with a lot of adjustments. We've had to cut down on our sex drive, I run out of breath more quickly now."Have I proved my love for you well enough, my love? I have challenged the mating bond with another male just to be faithful to our love. Would you do the same for me?" I know my question is daring, but lately, I have been wondering if Gorgio could end up in the same situation as me.A fully mated and