ARIANNA’S POVWe landed in Seattle and checked into the Cedarbrook Lodge. It was a beautiful lodge with a nature-like setting outside. I couldn't wait to explore. Our room was large with a large bathroom ans a tub. We could have fun there, I thought to myself. “I have to go meet Andrew, he’ll introduce me to our new partners. There isn’t much for me to do but they may keep me with small talk. People like to know the kind of person they are doing business with.” “It’s fine. Take your time. I’m sure I can find something to occupy me in.”“Did you look in the closet yet? See if you like your clothes. If you don't, we can always find a store.” I walk to the closet and open it. I gasped very audibly at the sight of clothes. Hanging in the closet were three beautiful evening dresses. One was made of silk, the other had lace on it. They were gorgeous. I turned to Luciano who was staring at me anxiously. “I love them. Thank you.” He smiled really brightly, it touched his eyes. It was in
LUCIANO’S POVShe was breathtaking walking into the restaurant. I was a fool putting her in those ridiculous dresses before. Well, maybe there was a time and place for those dresses. “You look amazing.” I said to her, her cheeks felt warm against my palm. I pulled out her chair and took mine. “How did your meeting go?” “It was fine. All the papers have been signed and Andrew is on his way back home.” I answered. I didn’t plan to talk about work tonight. I had enough of that already. “He didn’t want to stay?” She sounded a little disappointed. What was that about? “I didn’t want him to stay. Work is done, the next two days are for me and you.” I said, looking at her face for any expression. I knew she and Andrew were close, I didn’t think she would want to see him. She seemed to be happy with my reason for sending him away. The waitress came over with some menus. “Good evening sir, ma’am. I’ll be your waiter tonight. Can I start you off with some wine?” “Yes, a bottle of Chate
LUCIANO'S POV. I needed to hear her scream my name. That was always the best part. When she couldn’t hold it in any longer. I kissed up her thigh till I found her sweet spot. I sucked on her clit gently at first, then a little harder. She was so wet. I slid a finger in and then two. I could feel her leg shaking but I was just getting started. My fingers kept up a rhythm, in and out I didn’t stop. My thumb replaced my lips on her clit as I trailed kisses up her belly and to her breast. I had cream to lick off. “Luciano.” She moaned. Her moans made me keep going. My dick was painfully hard at this point but I wasn't done yet. I kept up my assault on her clit as my tongue found a nipple. I licked and sucked and gently bit her nipples until they were hard and erect. “Luciano.” It was getting louder My fingers started to move faster and faster until she was just on the edge and I stopped. We were both panting, her eyes were pleasing for more. I flipped her over to her stomach and
ARIANNA’S POV“It’ll be fine. You have a new home now. Whatever happened with your sister and Carter, has nothing to do with you anymore.” Luciano had been reciting the same lines since we got off the plane. The drive from the airport to the compound was long and I was getting tired of hearing his reasurances. He was right. I knew he was right. My brain knew it. My heart was still angry. Very angry.“I know that. I also know that if you repeat that rehearsed line again, I’ll jump out of this car.” The look on his face told me he did not appreciate threats. “It was a joke. I wouldn’t do that.”“It was not a funny one. Okay then. Listen to me.” I looked at him and something had changed. He had that look on his face, not the one that had my insides fluttering. The one I had known to fear. I had not seen that look in a long time, a part of me had begun to wish it was a distant dream. “If Carter looks at you the wrong way, if he tries anything, anything at all I’ll make sure he doesn
ARIANNA’S POVBecky put me to work chopping garlic and peppers we picked from the garden. She was over the stove trying to get her chicken to cook all the way through. The kitchen was starting to smell lovely. It was home.“Did the rain let you walk around a little?” We were talking about my trip to Seattle. “We saw a few things. It did rain a lot, but it all worked out eventually.” “That’s good to hear. It is good to have you back. Dave told me about your old park, how are you handling it?”“It shook me at first. I didn’t know if I was ready to face them. I still don’t know if I am. But, I decided I was done caring about them, especially my sister. They don't deserve it. They never did.” “I don’t know your sister or your history with her. But I do know your history with the Alpha of the park. My dear, it is normal to be affected by his presence. What you will not do is let it show, because then he knows he has a hold on you.” “He doesn’t” I said a little too loudly and fast. “H
ARIANNA’S POVI stood beside Dave and watched Carter and Ciara walk up to greet us at the door. They looked no different from the last time I saw them. Ciara and Carter had their fingers intertwined. They were definitely still together. I would not let them get to me. There were two other people with him. They were probably part of the park but I had no idea who they were.“Carter, nice of you to come.” Luciano said, extending his hand for a handshake. “How could we say no.” Carter replied, “This is Ciara, Max and Alex.” He introduced the rest of his party.“This is Davison, he and Ciara are familiar I’m sure.” Dave gave a nod to Ciara and shook Carter’s hand. “And I’m sure you know Arianna.” Luciano said, pulling me forward and keeping his arm around me. His hand around me made me feel so much better. I could see the shock on Ciara’s face and that made me feel even much better. This week may be bearable after all. “It’s good to see you both again.” I said with a smile on my fac
LUCIANO’S POV Arianna wasn’t in the room when I came in. I went back down to check the kitchen and she wasn’t there either. I checked on Carter to make sure they were settled in fine and decided to go wait for her. She would turn up. Probably needed some space. “Alpha Luciano.” I heard my name as I made it up the stairs from the first floor. I turned around to see Ciara, Arianna’s sister. “Ciara, how can I help you?” I spoke to her from the stairs. I didn’t need her thinking she had the luxury of time. I wanted to get to bed, not talk on the stairs. “Just wanted to say, thank you again for having us. You have a lovely home.” she smiled and I could see the resemblance to Arianna. They had the same crinkle in their eye when they smiled. “You are welcome. Goodnight” I turned away and continued up the stairs and to my room. Arianna walked in minutes later, with a huge smile on her face, it was ridiculous. “Why are you so happy?” She waltzed into the bathroom swaying her hi
ARIANNA’S POV “I had no idea this was a party.” I froze with my drink in hand. I knew that voice. It had taunted me my whole childhood. What the hell was she doing here? I turned to the entrance and saw her standing beside Luciano. I could feel my shock slowly fade and get replaced with anger. “What the fuck is happening?” I asked Lucianno. The room suddenly went still as Dave and Alex took in the situation. Wonderful, we were having a good time and here comes Ciara. “It’s not his fault Arianna…” Lucianno cut her off before she could finish her sentence. “Don’t!” he sounded. It was just one word but the meaning was clear. She was speaking for him and he wasn’t having it. I watched her mouth clam up in a mixture of shock and embarrassment. It did not make up for her being here but it made me feel a little better. Luciano walked up to the coffee table stretched out his hand to me. “But the floor is lava” I pouted. I did not want our game to be over. Dave and Alex were having
ARIANNA’S POVAlex walked in and the sea of people standing around parted for her. She looked gracious and I couldn’t wait to tell her that her dress captured the light of the moon like she wanted. The crowd of people parted and converged around her. It was like a maze that opened up in front and shut behind you as you walked. They were leading her to the center. To her minotaur. But this time, it was no scary monster, it was the love of her life. She finally got to the center of the crowd and stood opposite Dave. Luciano stood with them to perform the ceremony. I couldn’t take my eyes off him. His robe, fortunately for me, left a lot of his chest bare. There was a lot left to the imagination but just enough was open that I couldn’t help but stare. I stepped up when I was called. It was time for best friend duties. I handed over the stone. It was white but a little see through. It was supposed to represent the moon. Luciano took it and placed it in Dave’s hand, he then covered it
LUCIANO’S POV“And what’s wrong with that?” She asked me. Fuck! That question tugged at the beast in me that just wanted to take her, with zero regard. I took a deep slow breath to calm myself. We both needed this, but she needed it more. Her body needed to remember that there was a lot more than the pain she had endured. “Shhh” I whispered back to her.I traced kisses all over her body, slowly, and holding on to her hips. Those hips. I would let them move, in time. I made my way down her body till I got between her legs. I buried my face in there and took a deep breath. The smell of her arousal drove me nuts and I could feel my erection grow in my pants. My tongue immediately went to work. Licking and sucking at her mound. I could feel her shaking beneath me and it made me happy. I slipped one finger into her opening and heard her let out a loud moan, I slipped in the second finger and let go of her hips. She was thrusting against my fingers now, my thumb once again found her c
ARIANNA’S POV “Alex, you did it! It’s beautiful.” I told her as we stood in the clearing. “You should see it at night, with the lights lit.” She said. “Two days away now. How are you freeling?” The smile that covered her face was infectious. I didn’t realize I was smiling too. “It feels like a lucid dream. A good one.” She explained.“Well, it’s not a dream.” I told her. “There you two are. Your parents have arrived.” Dave announced as he walked into the clearing. I watched Alex subconsciously gravitate into his arms. There was no thought behind it. Her body just moved. I loved that they had found each other. In the midst of all the crazy, something beautiful came out of it. “Where are they?” Alex asked Dave.“Luciano is keeping them busy in the big house. They came with the mystic moon’s new Alpha, Dylan.” Dave explained. “That still feels weird to hear. Alpha Dylan and the mystic moon. Thank the goddess for that.” I shuddered. Alex squeezed my hand for a brief second befor
ARIANNA’S POVLuciano took my hand in his and we walked off into the field. I had no idea where we were but I wondered who owned this place. No way, It was just a wild field. Someone definitely took care of it. There were wild flowers around, two trees apart from each other. But the grass was not wild. From the beginning to the end of the field the grass was cut to the same length. It had this feel of a wild place but at the same time, I could see the intentionality behind it. I watched Luciano spread a blanket on the grass and place the basket to the side. He stretched out his hand for me. I took it and he led me to sit on the blanket. I had never seen this blanket before, so I wondered where he got it. “So, what did the Chef pack us?” I asked. “Chef didn’t pack it.” He answered a little annoyed. “I was just teasing.” I told him. “I know. And I told Estell what to pack. So it was partly me.” He said, sulking. I giggled at his face. He reminded me of a toddler who wasn’t gett
LUCIANO’S POV“Good for Dylan.” I muttered. “Good for the mystic moon. Good for us.” Dave replied. I nodded at him. “Would you mind inviting him to the ceremony? Some of the pack is going to be here anyway.” I asked.“Of course. I was only trying to keep Carter out. Dylan is good. I think he and Alex used to be friends before he left the pack.” “Sounds good. Anything from the other Alphas?” “Just the usual. Nothing about us or Arianna though…” he looked like he had something else to say but could not decide. “What is it?” “Collin was trying to stir some of the others but they shut him down.” Dave explained.“Can someone do the rest of us a favour and challenge him already? By the moon! It’s always something with him.” I said, frustrated.“He’ll be out soon. Without an external factor to distract his pack, they will start to realise what a terrible Alpha he is.” “That may be true, but I doubt it’ll be that easy. He lets them get away with a lot of truancy. This year alone, more
ARIANNA’S POV“Did you know that Ciara was changing the natural state of your forest?” I asked Luciano.We were sitting by the kitchen Island, eating a bowl of microwaved lasagna. I was eating anyway, Luciano was just keeping me company. He had a confused look on his face that told me he had no idea that Alex was planting flowers in his forest. I giggled before explaining to him. “She says its too green and needs other colors to pop.” I explained. “Of course it needs other colors.” We both laughed at the way he said that. It was so playful and almost like saying why didn’t he think of it. “How was your fitting. Can I see your dress?” He asked. “Sure. It’s up in my room.” I said. I could see the very minute flicker in his eyes. If I had blinked I would have missed it. And if I had not noticed it a few times before I would have sworn I imagined it. “What’s wrong?” I finally asked him. “What do you mean?” “Just now. When I said you could see my dress. There was this … I can’t exp
CIARA’S POVHow would I explain to Dylan that I wasn’t welcome at the Ice claw pack? The last thing I wanted was him associating me with Carter’s tyranny. It was bad enough that everyone knew we were together. We were together. The thought took me by surprise. I knew we were done but I had not said it out loud. He was sick and dying. The last thing I wanted was to become his nurse and in extension, the punching bag for all his pain. I would make up an excuse to not go. He had his beta. From what he said, it would be no more than two days. Just a formality. There was actually no need for me to be there. The environment around the pack had been light and welcoming. Everyone who left with Dylan during the plague was back. Families were happy and no one even spoke of Carter. It was almost like he didn’t exist. But he did.I walked by his house for what seemed like the hundredth time in as many days. I knocked but there was no answer. He had locked his door days ago. His door was never
CIARA’S POVI knew Carter was weak but I at least expected a fight. Watching him writhing on the floor with drool running out of his mouth was just embarrassing.He could not even get through his change let alone fight. Everyone who gathered to watch didn’t seem to understand what was happening. “Is that part of it? “What the fuck is happening?”“Can he stand?” I heard these questions randomly from the crowd. This was beyond bad for Carter. If he couldn’t even turn, how did he plan to survive? It actually explained why he was absent during the full moon. Dylan walked up to Carter’s shivering body and placed one leg on top of him, signaling that the fight was done. If we could call it a fight. Dylan standing with Carter beneath his feet was the signal everyone needed to stop feeling sorry for Carter. The screams of joy were deafening. It was like years of pent up frustration could finally be let out. I ran inside Carter’s house to grab blankets. When I got back outside, old man M
CARTER’S POVI looked at my reflection in the full length mirror. I looked like I was hexed. Considering I had no idea what Luciano stabbed me with, I guess I could be hexed. Hexes were the worst, it was also George’s best guess. If he was right then there was no way out of this for me. I would walk a slow pain filled journey to my death. Curse Nadia. What did I ever do to her for her to do this to me? Not only did she tell other witches not to help me, if this was really a hex then it would not matter who wanted to help. Only the witch who places the hex can remove it. I had been in so much pain lately, I actually tried calling her. All my calls went straight to voicemail.In hindsight, leaving threats on her voicemail may not have been the best approach. I did leave an apology, but she still has not called back. I would find a way, I was not going to go down like this. “Max!” I called out. He ran in seconds later. “Any idea where Ciara has been since yesterday?” I asked him.