Rowan’s eyes devoured every inch of Alicia, and he stepped forward like a magnet tugging him towards his mate. His presence was all-consuming as she fell onto her backside and stared up at him bright-eyed. Rowan leaned over her, hands resting either side of her body on the bed and kissed her again. He kissed her so tenderly this time, his tongue sliding against hers, enticing a low moan.Alicia’s hands explored his chest, hesitant at first, but the heat of his skin under his shirt burned through her. She snapped open his shirt, inciting a chuckle from her mate before his lips lowered to her neck, licking, kissing, teasing with a few nips before she was entirely on her back and he was caressing her breasts, pinching her nipples as his arousal pressed hard into her stomach.She loved feeling his soft tresses caressing her skin, making her tingle and sensitive as his lips then claimed her nipple. Again, he was so tender, his tongue swirling around her pink bud as his hand delved down sou
How was that possible?“But Alpine can talk to…”What’s Rowan’s wolf’s name?‘Brutus,’ Alpine murmured, her ears flicking up as she began to rouse from her sleepiness.“Alpine can talk to Brutus…” Alicia stared up at her mate, hand caressing his jaw as those magnetic navy-blue eyes locked onto hers.Rowan caught her hand and kissed it before looking down, his brows tugging together in frustration and disappointment. “You’re right. They can talk. I do have a wolf. But I have yet to shift into him.”“Is that because of what you are?” Alicia questioned, wondering if his vampiric nature was stopping his inner wolf from shifting.“Maybe.” Rowan shrugged his shoulder slightly. “We are still trying to work it out.”Alpine was completely alert now. ‘At least I can reach out to him,’ Alicia’s wolf all but hummed.Alicia began drawing patterns with her finger on Rowan’s chest while they gazed at each other, in a trance, both happy to be alone together.‘Child…’ Alpine began, making Alicia’s fin
“Well, I’ve spent 9 years without a mate… To be honest.” He crouched in front of Alicia, his hands sliding across her soft thighs. “I didn’t think I would have a mate because of what I am.”“Oh, Rowan.” Alicia’s hand cupped his jaw, his stubble prickling her skin. “I didn’t realise you were such an old man.” She grinned as his eyes flickered and he burst into laughter again, it was so loud and raw, Alicia couldn’t stop staring.Why was he so mesmerising? “Honestly, though… I feel really lucky. I AM lucky to have you as my mate, but to discover you before my 20th birthday is wild,” Alicia added. It was true; werewolves didn’t discover their mates until after they were twenty.It was rare to wait so long as Rowan did, but it was not impossible. The Moon Goddess had different fates for everyone, and it seemed he had to wait for Alicia.“Alright, come on. Or we won’t leave our room any time soon.”Alicia’s eyebrow arched at that. Forty minutes later, she realised why he wanted her in the
The tour of the pack took almost the entire day. Many wanted to greet them, and Alicia noted how much the pack members had to train. Compared to Blue Crescent, it was a lot more, and it didn't look as though they needed it.Many were burly werewolves; some looked so scary, yet as soon as they saw Alicia and Rowan, they smiled brightly, waving and getting distracted. Gamma Garnet then barked at them or clipped them around the back of their heads, demanding they do push-ups or another lap for getting distracted mid-fight.Now, Alicia and Rowan were in their shared bedroom. Rowan was on the phone while Alicia began unpacking the little items she had. Once she entered the closet, the clothes in her hands dropped to the ground at the extravagance of the room. She anticipated the opulent walk-in closet, yet the sight of brand new clothes, complete with price tags and in her size, unmistakably hers, caught her off guard.“If you don’t like anything, I’ll take you shopping.” Rowan’s arms wrap
Unlike the rest of the pack, Pawashil’s cabin was the furthest from everyone and in the middle of the woods. Bones dangled outside the wooden dock, and a fire crackled outside, with rocks surrounding it and a pot simmering over the top. It was like Alicia had been transported into another time and place.Small heads also dangled on the opposite side of the bones, and above the door were symbols she did not recognise. Alicia was gently pushed away from the heads by Rowan when she got a little too close to them, wondering if they were real or if they might jump out at her. If there were witches and creatures like werewolves in the world, then she gathered there were more than likely a few things yet to be discovered.Rowan raised his fist to the door, but it opened before he knocked, revealing an elderly man with dark brown skin, his face droopy with wrinkles; his eyes looked shut. However, they were slightly ajar, revealing pale blue, more white-looking eyes. His greying hair was in tw
The pack was too large to host a welcome dinner within the packhouse, so they arranged two celebrations. One was more personal, with the leaders in the pack and close family friends, and the other was a celebration that everyone was invited to. Although Alicia had met a few of them already, she still felt somewhat nervous.“You’ll be fine,” Rowan murmured into her ear before opening the double doors to the dining room.Alicia was wearing one of the new dresses Rowan had brought her, which was left with all the others in the walk-in closet. It was a simple light pink and silver dress fitted to her body to her waist, then flowed out to the top of her knees. Rowan wore his usual fitted designer suit, but he matched his tie to Alicia’s dress.Upon entering the dining room, Alicia’s gaze fell straight to the long rectangular black marble table with floral arrangements and candlabras spread out along it with sparkling silverware.“Alicia!” Rachel was the first to hug her. Rowan's mum was in
Ruby’s nose wrinkled at Alicia’s use of the term sister. Alicia said it purposefully; they were going to be family, after all. She may have been putting up with Ruby’s impolite behaviour, but she wouldn’t let it slide once she proved herself to the pack. This was just a warning, a reminder of Ruby’s place.“D*mn straight.’ Alpine growled in agreement.Alicia had never been in this position before and looked forward to proving herself. One position she’d been in more than once now was dealing with women pining after what was hers. One of them got away with it, and Alicia was free of the sc*m.Rowan was her mate, though, and she knew he didn’t see anyone but her. It was an odd feeling to be so comfortable in a new relationship, it felt right and honest, and Rowan had just been acting possessive of her, not wishing her to spend too long with his Gamma, someone he was close to.“Alicia,” Rowan whispered as the two girls had been holding each other’s gazes.“You need to prove your strength
In Blue Crescent, the following morning, Darci was led from her cell by one of the guards. She clutched at her shoulders where she’d spent the last two nights in a damp, cold cell. She wasn’t allowed to change from her engagement dress, which was now ruffled.Walking outside into the bright sunlight, Darci squinted, her make-up streaked down her features, her hair dishevelled. She held her arms tighter when a few people passing by looked at her strangely. She looked like the morning after a one-night stand, and this was a walk of shame.Everyone knew who Darci was, though, and why she looked that way. The reason they were scowling was because she was released from her punishment so much earlier. The royal family stated her release was deemed worthy because of her good behaviour. It was more like Tom’s parents managed to convince the King and Queen to release her.Darci tsked. She shouldn't have been in there in the first place! Her plan had been solid! Stupid Alicia!The guard beside