Laura POVMy eyes fall on a white gazebo with pink and cream flowers woven into the arch with fairy lights dangling from the roof. I pause for a moment and admire the perfect scenery. A smile covers my lips as I step inside, allowing my fingers to brush the delicate roses and carnations.Where are you? Maxwell’s voice floats into my mind.A shiver of comfort rushes to my heart. Outside.It doesn’t take long for Maxwell to find me. My skin tingles when he’s right behind me. I close my eyes at the sensation and the bond growing and glowing and everything in between.When I turn around to face him, I stop breathing at how beautiful he is. It’s a sight that will be engraved into my mind forever.Maxwell walks towards me. His blazer and tie are gone, and now his shirt sleeves are rolled up to his elbows, showing off his impressive forearms. His gaze roams my face and body agonizingly slow. His eyes turn a notch darker when he meets my gaze. “I’m sorry I’ve not spent much time with you
Laura POV“Okay, ladies and gentlemen. It’s time for the first dance. Ava and Sebastian, please find your way to the dance floor.”A loud cheer erupts throughout the room. My eyes latch onto Ava as she bounds towards the dance floor excitedly. Sebastian soon follows, both grinning at each other like they’ve won the lottery.In their eyes, they have.Ava wraps her arms around Sebastian’s neck as the music starts, and they gently sway to the beautiful song playing over the speakers. I watch in awe at their admiration for each other. After a while, people begin to join them with their partners, family members, and friends.Maxwell’s hand slides into mine gently as he tugs at my fingers. “Dance with me?”“Yeah,” I whisper. “I’d love to.”He leads us over to the dance floor with the others, and our bodies mold together to move to the music. I place my hands over his shoulders as his arms wrap around my waist. My head softly falls onto his chest, and I smile to myself at this peaceful mom
Laura POV Ava holds my hand as she sings to me and then throws me into a hug by surprise. “Oh, Laura. I’m so glad you’re here. I’m so glad you’re in our lives,” she murmurs before pulling back and gently gripping onto my forearms. “I’m so glad that one day you’re going to be my sister-in-law!”A hesitant laugh escapes my chest. “Yeah,” I rasp. “That caught me off-guard a little.”Ava’s face falls with sudden realization. “Oh, my Goddess. I am so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable! I love seeing you guys together. Honestly, you’re so perfect. I don’t think you realize.”“It’s okay,” I say with a smile. “I just wasn’t expecting it.”“Weddings get me so excited. I love love!” she yells.My lips spread with enthusiasm. “I’m so glad I met you, too, Ava.” I’m engulfed in another hug before I pull myself away, in desperate need of five minutes to myself. “I’m gonna go grab some water.”She nods before turning towards Phia and Grace. I push my way out of the crowd and approach
Laura POV As I lay in my bed, looking up at the white ceiling, I can't stop thinking about what happened tonight. I raise my fingers to my lips and brush the delicate skin. Max kissed me. I kissed him back.I thought I’d be reeling in shame and discomfort, but if anything, I’m proud of my self-confidence. For claiming my right to my body and what I want.And boy…did it make me feel things.A childish squeal rushes through my throat, and a giant smile creeps up on my face. I’m giddy. My head is spinning with a thousand different positive emotions. God, I can’t stop thinking about him.I close my eyes again for the hundredth time and pray I fall asleep. But deep down in my bones, I know I’m far too ecstatic to even think about it. I’m on cloud nine. Tonight was perfect in so many different ways, and I’m growing in my own skin.I might not ever be the woman I was before, but I like who I’m turning into. It’s refreshing and relieving, all wrapped into one.My stomach growls from hunger
Laura POV When I’m finished, he takes my plate from me, and I jump down from the counter. “Come on.” He takes my hand and presses a kiss on my forehead. “Let’s get you back to bed.”Once he leads me out of the kitchen and up the stairs, we pause outside my bedroom, and I hesitate for a moment. A new wave of self-assurance washes over me.“Goodnight, baby,” he whispers. “Sleep well.”My fingers raise to his mouth, and he leaves a peck on my knuckles. I stare at the action, and my heart flutters like a butterfly. He drops my hand and turns to walk down the hall towards his own bedroom.I stand there fumbling with my fingers, the words on my tongue. After everything I experienced today, the last thing I want to be is alone. It’s a part of the reason why I think I couldn’t sleep.“Max,” I called.He stops and turns around. “What’s the matter?”“Can I?” I swallow the lump in my throat.I hear footsteps until he’s directly in front of me again. “Tell me, Laura.”“The bed you sleep in,” I
Laura POVIt’s been a few days since Ava and Sebastian’s wedding. Whilst they are off enjoying their honeymoon, Maxwell is whipping the pack back into shape. A few days off doesn’t mean they slack for a second only now have I realized how determined he is as an Alpha. Always striving for the best.I’ve been building up the courage to join in with group training, and I told Maxwell I wanted a few sessions with him alone first. I asked him to take it easy because my stamina and strength will be at the other end of the spectrum.On Monday, we start with core training with balancing and slow movements. On Tuesday, I attempt a stamina session in which I end up on the floor in a heap of dirt from how weak my legs are. On Wednesday, we start with self-defense and practicing getting out of certain grips and positions, always finding a way, even if it seems impossible.Having the Alpha to myself whilst Kayden takes on the rest of the pack has my cheeks heating. I have to admit I love it,
Laura POV She reassured me that having any sexual thoughts shouldn’t be seen as shameful despite what I might have been told in the past.Every woman has a right to pleasure, whether that be sexual or not.I tell myself to ignore this sudden rush of fire. I can speak to Gemma once this training session is over she will help me dive deeper into the cause.A girl beside me begins to fan herself as she watches Maxwell and Kayden fight. I narrow my eyes as she bites down on her lip and releases a whimper. My face twitches at the sight of her gaze on Maxwell and she’s no better than me, but it triggers a wildfire in my heart.An unsettling feeling ripples through my stomach, and I hate that it tastes like jealousy. Her eyes flare with excitement every time Maxwell throws Kayden down onto his back. I tighten my fists at my sides and find my entire body vibrating.Time is called for the first groups of sparrers, and Kayden calls out the next pairs. I stand back as they weave in and out of
Laura POV I brace my hands on the counter for a second before turning to look at him. His nostrils are flared, and his brows are dipped, but once his eyes roam my face, concern washes over his features. “Fuck, Laura.” He steps towards me. “You’re bleeding.”“It’s just blood,” I say dryly before rinsing my hands in the sink. “I’ve had much worse.”Max’s fingers are underneath my chin, forcing my eyes to his. “I don't care if it’s just blood, Laura. You’re hurt.”I roll my eyes. “It’s fine.”“Don’t ever roll your eyes at me.” He pinches my chin, making me gasp quietly. “Not when it’s about your wellbeing. Now, let me clean you up.”My mouth parts as I stare up at him. “Max, honestly.”“Sit.”I don’t object. I perch on the edge of the stool and watch him pull out antiseptic wipes and tissues. He peels the box open and starts cleaning the wound. “I think you’re okay. No broken bones. The skin has just split. One of the pack doctors can heal you.”He throws the bloody supplies away, and