I woke up to see the drapes were already drawn back and Marco wasn’t in the bed. I had taken myself to bed early last night when one of Marco’s palace guards came to me and informed me that Marco was too busy to attend our dinner plans. I was all too relieved that I didn’t have to face an awkward dinner setting with him, with enough time for him to discuss that…. That kiss! The one that I wish had never happened. It was such a small thing, and yet… the repercussions were troubling. I hopped out of bed and headed straight for the bathroom, but as I swung open the door, I jolted back in shock and embarrassment. There standing at the bathroom sink brushing his teeth, Marco was completely naked with his towel laid messily on the floor. I shrieked as he looked at me with wide eyes in surprise and I quickly shut the door again and paced around the room feeling mortified and flustered. The bathroom door clicked open as Marco bashfully cleared his throat, and I peeped round to look at him,
Two weeks later: Since Maura had put thoughts into my head of Marco’s feelings or intentions toward me, I’d hoped I could avoid him, especially seeing as he’d wanted to discuss the kiss that happened but avoiding him was impossible. Every day there was always something we needed to do together, whether that was checking the crop fields, blessing the arrival of a moon wolf pup or attending meetings with his guards, we were spending hours with each other constantly. Each time we would be civilised, we’d always even find something we both laughed at and as much as I was relieved he had a soft side, I also hated it at the same time because there was a part of me that was starting to like him and forget what he’d done.“What’s this supposed to be”. Marco whispered at the dining table as he turned his nose up at some thick jelly the chefs had put on our toast.I couldn’t help but snortle, amused when my own wobbled as I moved my plate, and he chuckled as I put some of it on my fork and loo
“You ready for some more pate?” Marco grinned as I approached him at the top of the grand stairs.“As long as it’s not covered in weird jelly, then I’m ready”. I jested in return with a smile as I took hold of his arm.He began leading us down the stairs as people below were being ushered into the ball room by the palace omegas, and I felt a sense of relief when I saw Maura being escorted in along with Landon.“Let’s hope we don’t have to do another formal dinner for a while, I’m not exactly a big fan of mingling”. Marco commented as we reached the bottom of the stairs and waited in the hallway until everyone had been appointed to their right seats.“Really, you? I never would have thought you out of all people didn’t like to socialise”. I joked with a chuckle.“I know! Especially as I’m so approachable”. Marco retorted with sarcasm as we both sniggered and finally entered the room.“Please stand for your alpha and Luna!” An omega announced and everyone got to their feet and bowed the
I could feel the heat of the fire all over my body as the black sky was tinged with it’s fiery orange glow. I looked all around me hoping I’d see Maura safely running toward the palace, and my heart broke to see so much of our land being burned to the ground.I suddenly heard screams of a woman coming from inside the burning house as the fire began to spread along the dry grass, trailing along to the house beside it, incinerating everything in it’s path. The screams echoed again through the roaring sound of the flickering flames, and I saw the front door marginally start to open. My breath stopped with fear as my feet began to run toward the house, fearful for whoever was trapped inside.I kicked open the door as burning debris started falling down and flaming soot landed on my shoulder burning a whole in my dress and sizzling on my skin. A thick cloud of smoke burst out of the house as I tried to enter, covering my nose and mouth with my arm as I tried to see through the smog. I tre
I tiredly opened my eyes, blinking through the grogginess and blur as I was met with the view of the bedroom ceiling above me. I glanced around realising that I was tucked up in the bed and I had bandages on my left arm and a gauge on my right shoulder.“Ooh, you’re awake!” Lucille cooed and I looked at her as she stood beside the table near the window and Marco sitting there with a tray of breakfast and a pile of paperwork.I grunted as I tried to re-position myself on the bed, feeling my ass was numb and my back felt stiff. Lucille quickly poured some fresh water into a cup as Marco got up from his seat and sat on the edge of the bed right next to me.“Do you need help moving?” He asked in a kind and soft tone.I shook my head and tried to hoist myself up into a sitting position. As I moved, Marco moved my pillows up against the headboard for me to lean against, and I eyed him curiously at his attentiveness.As soon as I was sitting comfortably, Lucille handed me the water and I gulp
I don’t know how long we were kissing for, I don’t know why I was so weak to let it happen in the first place, but my arms were still around him, his hand was at the nape of my neck as our tongues and lips were intertwined. We were still on the bed with him leaning in towards me and I felt as though my heart was hammering through my chest and my stomach.Neither one of us… especially me chose to voluntarily break the kiss, it was only when one of his omega’s quietly tapped at the door and informed him that his guards have asked to see him that we suddenly came to a halt and I sat in the bed, confused and torn as he looked regrettably at me.“I’m going to have to see what they want”. He said with a sigh. “I… I wish I could just stay here instead though”. He claimed and I just kept staring at him blankly as he took my hand and kissed it. “We’ll talk later, ok?” I just nodded and gulped in response as I couldn’t think of any words to say.When he left the room and closed the door behind
“Will you still come tonight?” Marco asked once he was dressed for the day.“Come where?” I replied with puzzlement.“Remember I told you about the full blue moon? Well it’s due tonight. I think it would be good for the moon wolves to see that we take our bond to each other seriously”. He said as he joined me at our bedroom table for breakfast. “I know there are some she-wolves that are still cold towards you and rude”. He added as he placed his hand on top of mine that I had rested on the table. I looked at him with a slight frown, wondering how he’d know of that as these particular she-wolves were never rude to me in front of him. “Maura told Landon and Landon told me”. He stated, somehow able to read my mine.“Oh… well, it doesn’t bother me. The only reason they don’t like me is because I’m not of your breed, but there’s not exactly anything I can do to change that”. “But if you come tonight, it’ll show them that your presence there is important to me”. He said softly as his thumb
“This is for you”. I greeted yet another Sun pack member as they opened their front door. Enid, the elderly lady smiled as I held out the basket of vegetables.“Thank you so much, Luna Brooke. I can make quite a few meals with all of this”. She smiled gratefully as she eyed up all the food.“Well, I hope so”. I smiled back. “But I will stop by again soon with more food, but until then, you take care of yourself, ok?” “I will do, don’t you worry about me”. She cooed politely as I stepped back from the door and gave her a wave as I walked away with a moon wolf omega.We had one more basket left, and I knew who I wanted to give it to. I led the way to Molly and Ronald’s home and tapped at the door with the omega waiting just a few yards away. As soon as Molly opened the door, I could instantly see from her downcast expression that just a basket of food wasn’t going to cheer her.“Here, this is for you and Ronald”. I said softly as I held it out for her to take.“Thanks” She said despond
Epilogue. Three years later:I felt as though I could hear the forest sing, as if it was feeling just as joyful and happy as I was. The sun shone along the green leaves as the wildflowers bloomed along the forest floor. Colours of blue, yellow and purple flower buds as far as the eye could see in the tall grass.I laughed again feeling like the luckiest person alive as I watched Roman playfully chasing our two year old son, Conan. They ran through the trees and Conan giggled and squealed every time Roman pretended to catch him. I’ve seen Roman smile or laugh a million times, but I never knew he could smile with his whole soul and being until he first held Conan.Every day we’re either with the earth wolves in their territory or with the sun wolves, and to Conan, both lands are his home. Both of our packs welcomed him with celebration and have adored him right from the start. They’re all so protective of him and I had noticed that my guards as well as Roman’s had become even more vigi
“Thank you for coming”. I smiled with a respectful bow as more shadow wolves walked into the ball room.Me and Roman stood at the entrance witnessing all four clans coming together for a celebration I had decided to arrange. The ball room and entrance hall was already filled with all the different pack members dressed in their gowns and suits as bubbling champagne and delicately decorated food was being passed around on silver trays. I didn’t let go of Roman’s hand as a giddiness kept weaving through my stomach and wanting to burst with excitement. What was even more breath-taking was that as soon as people walked inside, they began mingling with one another straight away. There was no wariness, no one looking uncomfortable or uneasy, it was just as sight to see, a sight I was unbelievably proud of.The idea to do this came to me a month after Henrick had spoken to each of the other three clans face to face and once we had returned to s
“I see he’s here again”. I sighed to Richard and Roman as we stepped out of the palace together.I’d been back for a week since mine and Roman’s getaway and every morning I came outside, I’d always see Henrick sitting under the trees just outside our border. All day every day he’d be there, just sitting and waiting. Any time I walked across my land, or in and out of the palace, at the corner of my eye, or in the back of my mind, I knew he was there. It didn’t concern or scare me, and I definitely didn’t see him as a threat, as far as I was concerned, being my father or not, if he stepped a foot against me, I’d kill him!“Yep! Still here”. Richard responded as he shook his head with exasperation. “Unfortunately, unless he’s on our land, we can’t do anything about it. The forest is free reign to anyone who lives there”. “I know, and I don’t think he’s planning on leaving any time soon”. I said in agreement.“Have you given any more thought about what you want to do?” Roman asked as he
We had spent the rest of the night and morning making love all over the cabin. Any time we attempted to make something to eat or drink, we’d always become distracted by one another again and I’d be against the wall with my legs around his waist, or on the bed or the floor. I knew that now I’d had a taste of what sex with a bonded mate felt like, I was now addicted to his smell, his touch and the ecstasy he gave me every time he was inside me.He smiled joyfully as he took my hand, and we headed outside and walked toward the river. We sat on the grass and dangled our legs in the water as I nestled into his side with his arm wrapped around me. The autumn sun peaked through the clouds glistening along the water as we looked out onto the horizon, savouring the peace and quiet we had alone together.He lowered himself into the water then turned to face me as he ran his hands up my thighs until they held my waist. With ease, as if I weighed no more than a feather, he lifted me from the gras
Nine days later: I bit my bottom lip to keep myself from bursting with the excited nerves that were rushing through my body. Emma smiled at me as she pinned a green and yellow flower she had made herself into my hair as my curls cascaded down my back.She had set up an awning with the help of other sun and earth she-wolves for me to get ready in for my ceremony. She’d even had a long mirror placed inside so I could see how I looked in my white lace dress with a heart shaped neckline and hugging my waist, all the way down to my feet. I looked at my reflection and I was instantly reminded of when I was last standing in another bridal dress with a different man waiting to become my mate. I let out a quiet exhale as I remembered how I had felt that day, how scared, alone and lost I was, feeling as though I had no control over my own fate. But now…. Here I was! It was only then that I really let myself think of how drastically things had changed and how everything led me to this moment. N
I walked out of the palace entrance and my lips widened into a joyful smile when I saw Roman running across our border, on his way to see me. I started walking toward him, excited for the day ahead. We had decided that together we’ll announce to both of our packs that we would be bonding ourselves together. But my gaze momentarily glanced just behind his shoulder and my smile vanished when I noticed my father standing by the treeline. He was watching me, and my people just a few yards away from our territory.“What’s wrong? I thought you’d be happy to see me”. Roman spoke as he reached me and took my hand in his.“Oh, I am”. I quickly replied, looking at him for only a second before turning my attention back onto my father.“Then what do you look so worried about?” “You see that man…” I said as I nodded toward the trees.I looked over his shoulder until his eyes fell onto who I was looking at, then looked back at me with a confused expression. “I see him. But he doesn’t look like a r
“Brooke, sweetheart, Richard said you wanted to speak with me urgently. Is everything ok?” Emma rambled as she rushed into my newly refurbished study.“Everything is fine, Aunty Emma, you don’t need to look so worried”. I smiled to ease the anxious frown on her face.“Oh, what a relief”. She smiled in return as she took a seat opposite my desk. “But what was so important you needed to talk about”. “Well, I have some news to tell you… it’s good news though”. I said as I bit my lip with excitement to tell her.“Well, you look happy about something, so please tell me. I’m intrigued”. “Ok, so as you know, me and Roman have been…. Well, getting closer and we have now decided we want to officially bond ourselves as mates”. I blurted out, bracing myself for her reaction.Her jaw instantly dropped, and her eyes widened. “Wow! This is huge, Brooke”. She stated as she flung her hands to her mouth in astonishment. “My niece has actually found her mate! I never thought I’d see the day consideri
“I know you’re out there, but do you have the guts to face me like a man?” My voice echoed around me as I stood still in the forest, subtly scanning along the trees. “Come out, come out wherever you are”. I chimed and within a flash his body was pressed against my back as he gently brushed my hair away from my shoulder and moved his mouth along the side of my neck. I instantly groaned as I tilted my head back against him, giving him more access to trail those lips exactly where I wanted them.“I’ve missed you”. Roman murmured between kisses as I bit my lip with pleasure, not just from his touch but from the joy of hearing those words.“It’s only been a day”. I grinned as I ran my hand down his thigh then around to his buttocks, giving it a light squeeze.“A day, an hour… I always miss you when you’re not around”. He said as his
One week later:“The soil is looking much better”. I commented to Mr Ansell, one of our dedicated field workers.All morning me and Richard had been assisting with replenishing the crop fields, hydrating them and nourishing them after the fire had burned most of it to the ground.I stood back and just watched everyone, letting myself savour what we fought for. I could see how cheery everyone was now, no longer working themselves to the bone, or until they could barely keep their eyes open. For the first time, in a long time, they were all smiling as they worked, laughing and talking to one another. I felt my heart warm with gratitude that we were all finally here together on our own land and in our own homes, but still, every time I felt a sense of happiness or joy, Lacey’s face would always flash into my mind with a disheartened feeling that she wasn’t here to enjoy it with us.“You look as though you’re a million miles away, Luna. Everything ok?” Richard asked as he came to stand ne