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20: Lila

Author: Vanessa Holt
last update Last Updated: 2024-03-23 10:05:06

I woke up in bed, and Luke was gone. I must admit I had a very restful sleep, falling asleep beside him. I wonder if it should feel strange knowing that I fell asleep with a man I don't understand, but honestly, I don't feel weird about it. I was comfortable, and he hadn't tried to push me in any way. Even though we are mates, he honestly seems to respect my wants and desires. That makes me like him even more. I think he's allowing me to set the pace, and I'm thankful for that.

I also think having spent time with Betty and knowing Stephanie helps me feel comfortable with him. He has an amazing family who, even though they didn't know me, were willing to assist me and offer me a home and a way to support myself, and I will forever be grateful to them. Anyone raised by such incredible women has to be a good guy, right?

I miss him already. This mate bond is strong. Nova is eager to get to our mate as well. I quickly shower and change into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. I brush my t
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Shirea Lemons
Hey Vanessa, it's time for more updates, please. I will be caught up today or tomorrow. I just started this amazing book yesterday and read almost half of what you have written so far. Great job on your first book
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  • Sweet Little Mate   21: Luke

    Lila took Ezra to take a bath. I went with my mom. She had kept boxes of my clothes, and we found a few things for Ezra to wear while we waited for new clothes to come in. They might be a bit big, but they were clean."Luke, how is Lila doing? Is she handling everything okay? I know I probably overwhelmed her this morning with everything I had to tell her." My mom asks with concern laced through her voice. She wants to make sure Lila is okay and feels comfortable. I think my mom is afraid she may have scared Lila away from me. She had been hoping I'd find my mate, and it would devastate her if Lila didn't want to be with me or our pack."She's okay. I think she is still processing everything. She is so strong, though. I don't know that anything you could say would scare her off, mom. I watched her when I found out she was my mate. She is so brave. From what I know, her life hasn't been easy. I think her entire life has been her fighting in some way."I don't know how she can still fin

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  • Sweet Little Mate   22: Lila

    Stephanie gave me a beautiful emerald dress to wear to the ceremony. I hadn't come with much. Luke said he would take Ezra and me shopping later this week. The dress, though, was breathtaking. It was floor length with wide straps on the shoulders, which is something I need to be able to wear a bra. It had a high slit up the thigh, which made me a bit uncomfortable. I'm not used to showing that much of my body, and I wasn't sure how I would sit without it riding up even higher. Stephanie helped with my makeup as I didn't know how to do much.When I was ready, I looked like me but also like someone else. I had never felt so elegant. The last piece was putting on shoes. Stephanie had a few pairs for me to try. There was a pair of cute black heels that were open-toe with straps that came up around my ankles. I put them on and tried walking. I had never in my life worn a pair of heels, and I fell right off the bat. Stephanie tried to help, but I didn't have enough time to practice. It was

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  • Sweet Little Mate   23: Lila

    The silence only lasts a minute before it is returned with the howls from the pack. As the howls quieted down, though, there was a howling of distress coming from what sounds seemed to be in the area of the packed house. Nova and Ash raced us back towards the pack house. Much of the pack followed us back as well. Some started doing border checks.When we arrived at the pack house, there was a couple arguing with Stephanie and Steven. Sweet little Ezra was hiding behind Stephanie's legs. He looked terrified and this infuriated me. I shifted not giving a d*mn if I was naked. I wouldn't let Ezra feel afraid or alone.Luke must have thought the same because he shifted as well, and we made our way to the front porch where a yelling match was taking place."What's happening here?" I asked, my head held high, trying hard to ignore the fact that I'm but naked in front of all these people now that many of the pack members have shifted and are also watching what's going on. Thankfully, a younge

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  • Sweet Little Mate   24: Luke

    Lila was buzzing with anger. I could feel it through the bond, but I'm sure anyone nearby could feel it, too. Lila wasn't just angry, though. She hurt for Ezra, and when his dad mentioned selling his son to us, I could feel Lila explode with so many emotions. I knew it wasn't going to be good.I tried to reach Lila, but she shifted so fast that no one could stop her. Ezra's dad never stood a chance. I can't say I'm upset, though. If Lila hadn't k*lled him, I would have. There are rules, though, and I will need to report his death to the sifter council. This couple had so many complaints there wouldn't be any repercussions for what Lila did. I will need to file paperwork to bring Ezra officially into our pack.After everything that just happened, I expected Lila to be ready to fall apart; instead, she simply closed the door and gave me a look. She isn't sure what to do with the body but wants to shield Ezra from having to see his father that way. She smiled at Ezra as though nothing ha

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  • Sweet Little Mate   25: Lila

    Seeing Luke with Ezra this morning and chasing him through the house makes me so happy. It gives me so much assurance that he really is a good man and the type of man I have always wanted to be with. I never wanted to end up with someone like my father, and Luke doesn't seem like my dad. Thank goodness.Stephanie and Steven were busy tonight, so Donte and Jake are going to watch Ezra while we go on our date. Ezra likes them both and seems comfortable, so I don't mind them watching him. They ended up joining in playing with Ezra this morning, helping to chase him and rescue him from our big bad Alpha, aka the kiss monster.I don't know where we are going for our date tonight, and I don't have a lot of clothing to choose from, but I ended up deciding on skinny jeans, a white tank top, and black sandals. I put on makeup. I wear a little bit more than I normally would, lining my eyes and putting on an extra coat of mascara. I also put on just a little foundation and some light blush. I wo

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  • Sweet Little Mate   26: Lila

    I want to believe Luke when he says he's pulling back because he wants to make sure I'm ready to be a permanent part of this life of his life."Luke, before I agree to accept you completely, can we talk about Ezra?""Of course," he responded readily."What do you think we should do?" I asked,, biting my lip, nervous about his response."Well, I know you just turned eighteen and probably haven't been thinking about kids and a family. So I'll leave the decision to you," he said, and this answer irritated me."No, that's not fair, Luke. I won't make a decision for you that changes your entire life. I will say, though, that I love Ezra already and feel fiercely protective of him if that isn't obvious." I said, rolling my eyes dramatically."I would want him to stay with me if you are ready for that. If not, I understand, but Ezra is amazing." I said truthfully, locking my eyes on Luke."Are you sure that's what you want, it's a lifetime commitment," He asked earnestly."I have babysat and

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  • Sweet Little Mate   27: Luke

    I was down on one knee, waiting for Lila to answer. There aren't many things that make me nervous, but not knowing if Lila wanted me made my heart race. I could feel her gaze locked on me, searching my face. I don't know what she was looking for, but she suddenly threw herself into my arms."Yes, I will marry you." I stood holding her in my arms, kissing her. Her giddy laugh loosened itself against my mouth.I set Lila down and found my eyes looking at her lips, and I leaned down, biting them gently, and then teased her lips open with my tongue, wanting to pick back up where we had left off. Lila pushes me away."Luke?""Yes, mate?" I responded to her."Would you hate me if I said I wanted to wait until we get married? I never thought I'd wait, but knowing we are engaged now, I think maybe waiting is what I want." She bites her lip nervously, waiting for my reaction."If you want to wait, we will. I will never force you to be with me. I will wait if that's what makes you happy.""Than

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  • Sweet Little Mate   47: Lila

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  • Sweet Little Mate   46: Margot

    This chapter contains Margot's story. It can be triggering. Read with caution. If you are in the U.S. and have been a victim of sexual assault, help is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline. 1-800-656-4673 I'm sorry, I don't know the resources available in other locations. I didn't have the money to get a hotel to sleep at. I could have shifted and slept in the woods, but I learned my lesson long ago that it is not safe for women to be alone in the woods, even in wolf form. There are plenty of rogue wolves who look for females, and that is why I ended up sleeping on a park bench. The last thing I expected was to be woken up by my mate. Mate? I didn't think I would ever find a mate. I am broken and have been for a very long time. My cousin knows I'm an addict. She doesn't know how I ended up this way, though, and I will never tell her. We weren't close and never have been. When I was ten, my dad passed away, protecting the pack. When someone loses their mate once bo

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    Please, before you read this chapter, mention sexual assault with a very brief flashback. The scene is brief and doesn't go into terrible detail, but this can be triggering, and I want to ensure you know you can skip to the second paragraph and avoid this scene.I am sitting in my room reading the letter that the dumb sl*t brought me. Margot told me about the letter as she was kneeling in front of me; that girl would do absolutely anything for her next fix. It's hard for me to say no when she offers herself. She is beautiful with dark brown hair and mocha skin. I know many wolves wait to have sex until they meet their mate out of respect because our wolves are so jealous. I thought I would wait, but mom sent two girls, well, two women, to my room when I was thirteen. I tried to hold out against the temptation, but mom fed me a little blue pill after one of the women went back out to tell her I wasn't performing, and now look at me handing out drugs to get my d*ck wet.The letter Margo

  • Sweet Little Mate   43: Lila

    The room Ray and Abigail let us stay in was gorgeous. It's different from my personal taste, but you can't deny the beauty. The room had three white walls, and the one that paralleled the foot of the bed was a dark navy blue. The furniture was all white. A four-post canopy bed was a feature of the room. The fabric draped on it was a sheer, almost silk-like tulle that was also navy but so sheer you only see that dark navy where it bunches together. A small living space hosted a white rocking chair, a love chair, and a coffee table. On the coffee table was a clear vase filled with blue flowers, cornflowers, and white roses. There was a stack of three books and a stationary set with a pen. On the stationary sat a small note-card. Lila, I thought you might need this. -Abigail My breath caught at Abigail's kindness. The fact that she sent this to the room for me meant so much. Luke read the note over my shoulder, kissing and nibbling along my neck and collarbone. A shiver went through m

  • Sweet Little Mate   42: Lila

    As Luke finished telling Ray and Abigail all that had happened up until now, Ray turned to look at me."I am so sorry you have had to go through all of this." I could hear the pity in his voice, and I despised that. I haven't had the best of luck times, but I don't need anyone's pity. I have a beautiful life, even if it is unconventional. I have an amazing husband and the most beautiful son. I am nothing if not blessed in the family I have found. I sat up straighter and squared my shoulders."Alpha Ray, I am so grateful you are hosting us, but I don't need your pity. I need your help. As Luke said, we are building an army. I want you as an ally because what Gemma is doing won't just affect our pack. Gemma may be the woman who birthed me, but she is not my mother. She is a cancer, and she will spread her vile poison if not dealt with soon." I pick up the water before me and take a long drink, hoping to swallow back any emotion that may try to break through."I don't pity you. I apologi

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