Waking up the following day, I was filled with a sense of purpose and excitement. Today was the day I would finally reveal the surprise I had been meticulously planning for Lexi. "Why don't we go apply for your degree today?" I suggested casually to Lexi, trying to mask the anticipation in my voice. "I need to grab a few things from the gallery anyway."In reality, the gallery held more than just a few forgotten items. For weeks, I had been covertly orchestrating the transformation of the second floor into a dance studio, a dream space for Lexi. But this secret was mine alone. Neither Lexi nor Luke knew what awaited us there.Luke, who had been unusually quiet, hesitated at the suggestion. "I think I'll stay home, not feeling that well today," he said, a hint of anxiety tainting his words. I knew the real reason behind his reluctance. His growing apprehension about the spell and what Professor Gray might reveal. The weight of the unknown was clearly taking its toll on him.However, I
My omegas, led by the ever-reliable Hilda, gathered around me, their faces etched with awe and uncertainty. This wasn't just any ceremony. It was uncharted territory for us all.Hilda stepped forward, her eyes scanning my expression for guidance. "Lexi, we're unsure how to handle this new marking ceremony. It's... different. Do you think Luke will need Luna support?" Her voice wavered slightly, betraying her confusion.I couldn't suppress the laugh. The idea of treating Luke, with his rugged alpha presence, as a traditional Luna was amusing, to say the least. "Hilda, Luke isn't a Luna. He's more like Clay's mom—both are Alphas. We're redefining roles here," I explained, smiling at the thought.Understanding dawned in Hilda's eyes, and she nodded, a smile breaking through her initial apprehension. This was new ground for all of us, but we were ready to embrace it, to step away from old traditions and carve our own path.With the omegas reassured, I decided to choose my dress for the ce
"It's about the dark magic, Luke," Gray's words haunted the air. The room seemed to shrink ."You bound their feelings, your connections, through that spell. And it seems you never broke it."I looked at Lexi, her face etched with shock, then to Clay. His look was dark, stormy, a hurricane about to break. "You didn't break the spell?" Clay's voice was a dangerous growl. "All of this... Us... because of your fucking spell?"The accusation in his voice beat at me more brutally than a lash. "I... I didn't realize, Clay. I thought it was broken. You saw it turn to ash!" My voice quivered. The room spun, the enormity of my mistake crashing over me like a relentless spiral."You didn't realize?!" Clay's voice boomed, shaking with fury. "You wrapped us, her, in something you couldn't even control? Damn you, Luke!" His control shattered like glass. In an instant, he was on me.The blow landed hard against my jaw, making me stagger backward. Physical pain shot through me, but it was nothing com
I stood there, my heart heavy, staring into the eyes of Lexi and Clay. The room felt cold, the warmth of our bond now just a distant memory. "After all this, my mistakes, making you both want me when maybe you didn't... you still want me?" My voice broke, the question hanging in the air, heavy with the weight of all we had lost.They nodded, their eyes shimmering with both tears and love. The dimly lit room seemed to hold its breath, waiting for my reaction. I couldn't feel anything anymore. The once vibrant connection now just an empty void where the mate bond used to reside. I touched the mark, the symbol of our bond, and looked pleadingly at Lexi.Her response was a silent, heartbreaking shake of her head. Her eyes, usually full of life and warmth, now mirrored the despair consuming me. She didn't feel it anymore, either. Clay, however, clung to a strand of hope, his voice filled with desperation. "I can still feel it, Luke. It's faint, but it's there. We just need to mark each ot
The following day, with the weight of the previous night's events still pressing heavily upon me, I found Trevor. He needed to know what had happened, why we had to delay his and Kyla's marking."Trevor, we had to break the spell," I explained, my voice hoarse from emotion. "We need to fix this first, to get our bond back. Can you... can you put off marking Kyla for another moon cycle? I really want to be there for it. I missed so much else."Trevor's expression softened, understanding dawning in his eyes. "Of course, Luke," he said. "Take care of yourselves first. We'll wait."Relief washed over me. I couldn't have handled the thought of missing such a moment for him and Kyla, especially after I had already missed so much in his life.In the living room, Lexi spoke softly to her omegas, telling them we'd handle this privately. I watched, admiration mingling with a strange nervousness in my gut.As Lexi started dressing in casual clothes, Clay stepped in, his voice carrying a weight o
The night air was alive with our renewed bond as we ran through the woods. I could feel Luke's presence beside me, his energy infectious, and Lexi on my back, her laughter a melody in the cool air. Communicating directly with Luke without needing Lexi as a conduit was exhilarating. Our thoughts intertwined and danced, a rapid-fire exchange of mental messages almost dizzying in intensity."Slow down, guys!" Lexi's laughter rang out, her voice loaded with amazement. "I can't understand you both; you're talking so fast." But we were lost in our newfound connection, the joy of being linked so closely too overwhelming to temper.As the forest opened up to the river, Luke's excitement crescendoed. He bolted ahead and dove into the water, his wolf form slicing through the surface gracefully. Underwater, he swam with absolute freedom, staying submerged for what seemed like an eternity.Not wanting to be outdone, I leapt in after him. The cool embrace of the water was a shock to my system. I
The playful tension escalated when I pushed Luke down onto the beanbag, straddling him. His reaction was immediate. He leaned back on his hands, eyes locked onto mine. Like he was literally seeing me for the first time. Leaning down, I kissed him with a passion that sparked through my veins. He returned the kiss with equal enthusiasm but unexpectedly pulled away.His eyes searched mine, rich with a new intensity. "You can get pregnant now," he said, his voice a mix of caution and wonder.I couldn't help but laugh lightly, a little amused and intrigued. "Now? Couldn't I always?"Luke's explanation was earnest, filled with a seriousness I hadn't often seen in him. "Well, yes and no. I mean, your human side could always take over if we were... relentless. But now, marked and fated from the start, we have the... blessing."The word 'blessing' sounded bizarre and otherworldly in this context. I couldn't suppress a chuckle. "That sounds so strange, but I'll take your word for it. We should
Something deep and primal within me stirred as Lexi's lips met mine. It wasn't just the rush of hormones or the inexplicable workings of magic – it was something more profound, more intimate. This was the enchanting kind of magic that comes with love, a deep connection, and the unspoken desire to nurture that connection further.Having kids was a concept I had never seriously entertained. Kids who grow up in rough homes like I did often fear the possibility of passing on those horrible experiences to their own offspring. I was no exception to that, but as Lexi kissed me, every fiber of my being seemed to awaken to a new reality. It was time – time to think about an heir.This realization hit me with such force that I felt compelled to voice it aloud.To my astonishment, neither Clay nor Lexi reacted with the same shock I felt. They seemed almost calm, accepting of the idea.I also felt this powerful urge to tend to Lexi's mark. A part of it was because of the tingling sensation overt