[Sylvester]The pearls are untangled from around our arms as the priestess proclaims. "You are now bound forever under the sacred light of Selene. May the Moon Goddess shine down on your union. May it be fruitful and full of love." My heart flutters and our bond snaps more firmly in place. "Mine," Our lips come together, sealing our bond and for one brief moment, everything stops as an electric current moves between us. I'd heard there was something special about the joining of two fated mates. I never dreamed I'd feel it myself. In my mind, I hear a whisper of a faraway voice say. "Blessed be.""Blessed be," I repeat and Apple opens her eyes as a new woman, a new wolf--Apple Sterling, My beautiful wife. Feeling a rush of confidence that maybe all of this will work out for the best, I lead my wife back to the elevator. "You are something truly special, Apple Sterling." She looks at me strangely at the name change but then slowly her quizzical smile grows into a genuine grin, "I g
[Apple]The sparkling wine dripping down the front of my dress sends a shiver through my body as I struggle to retain my composure. The poor wolf holding the tray of wine must be even more frightened than I am. Looking back, I see my handsome husband reaching down to help her.Sly has such a kind heart. He might be a mighty alpha--a king of alphas now--but his heart remains the same. He doesn't care about rank, or title, or where a person comes from. He sees the virtue of their actions and lets that guide his decisions.He was afraid that becoming king would be a sacrifice. Perhaps he can use his new title to extend his values and establish his idea of how the pack should be run.Sly wouldn't have needed to place that ad for a Rental Luna if he had just claimed the throne."But then we wouldn't have met," Aspen reminds me. "We would have grown old without knowing his kisses. He would have been safe, but would any of us have been happy? Much like the moon itself, the Goddess works in my
[Apple]This is my third bonus shift this week at the Trail’s End Diner. I’ve been taking on all the extra work I can to free myself of this hell hole and I’m almost there. Just one more day of work and I’ll have enough to drive away and leave this place forever. “Order up!” I grab the food from underneath the light and weave my way around customers to set a too-greasy hamburger and fries in front of an older gentleman with a wandering hand. I’ve been avoiding my stepfather’s touches since my breasts first budded, so I have learned how to avoid such advances. If I were bolder, I might scream when his hand finds my hip instead of my ass or thigh. But I don’t want trouble. I just want to finish my shift and go home. “Hey Apple,” Tony from the post office walks in with a big smile on his face, “I saw this and thought you might want it before you went home.” He pulls a large envelope with the words “Crescent City University” written in bold black font. “You know what they say about big
[Apple]Crescent City is the nearest metropolis to Pleasant Valley and home to the largest population of supernaturals on the West Coast. Mostly werewolves, and maybe a few witches, they stick to their own kind for the most part, although they go to school and work side by side with humans. Growing up in Pleasant Valley, an all-human community, I didn't encounter many supernaturals. Which is why it was so startling to find myself in the middle of a city full of them. At first, I look around in awe, mesmerized by the bright lights and vivid sounds, but then as I drive around downtown I realize two very important things:Number 1--I don’t know where I’m going.Number 2--After three hours of driving to get here, I’m starving.My idiot ex-boss didn’t even let me gather my tips before I left, and my wallet was empty. I can’t touch the money in my savings account--that’s for school. So I’m stuck to my secret car stash of cash that I keep in the car. Reaching under the seat, my fingers fi
[Apple]Excited about my first lead on a real job, I rush to my car and begin the drive to the other side of town. Turning on my radio, I discover that all of my stations have changed with the new location, and it takes a moment to find one playing something I can sing along with.When an ad for Rental Luna plays, I turn it off. Disgusted. I couldn’t imagine a job more pathetic or degrading than being a Rental Luna. I’d rather scrape gum off the bottoms of tables than sell myself off by the hour. Hopefully, if all goes well here, I won’t have to worry about that potential future. I get a few strange looks, and a few awkward sniffs in my direction as I push my way in through the revolving door. I wonder if my body odor is especially bad. I tend to sweat when I’m nervous. Discreetly, I take a brief sniff. I smell okay to me. Maybe they have a few werewolves working here. As I approach the main reception desk, I hold out the ad and announce that I’d like to apply for their entry-leve
[Apple]"No," I gasp. "I'm human." “Human?” He takes a step back, wiping his nose to clear the smell. “Are you sure?”“Yup, since the day I was born,” I try to make a joke but he isn’t smiling. “My town is a human-only community.” “Human-only,” he curls his lip. “How quaint.” A curious expression crosses his face.“If you are a human raised in an all-human community, why did you come looking for a job here? At a werewolf-run corporation? How did you show up here as my Rental Luna?”“I’m not your Rental Luna,” I repeat. “There’s been a mistake. This is the wrong job.”“Obviously,” he laughs. His laughter stings. I already feel stupid, and having him laugh at my mistake is embarrassing. “I was supposed to meet with the Beta to interview for the entry-level position, but I got off on the wrong floor,” I look down. “I didn’t realize my mistake until your assistant brought me to you.” A tear rolls down my cheek, followed by another. “I didn’t know it was a werewolf pack. All I knew wa
[Apple] My attacker releases me, dropping to the floor, showing his neck in supplication to the man growling behind him. Alpha Sylvester Sterling. “For the crime of touching my Luna, you are hereby dismissed from your position,” he snaps his teeth, now slightly pointed. “Yes, Alpha,” the wolfman grovels. Sylvester reaches down and with a single claw, scrapes a large, long “r” across his back as the man screams. “You are packless now, rogue,” the Alpha spits in rage. “Any wolf low enough to attack a defenseless woman is not honorable enough for the Silver Crescent pack or any other pack within our organization.” “Please Alpha, mercy,” he begs pathetically, dropping his chest to the pavement. “I couldn’t help myself. I didn’t know she was yours.” “I am not your Alpha anymore,” Sylvester’s eyes are glowing like blue fire. “Now get out of here before I change my mind about skinning you and leaving your hide on the side of the building as a warning to others.” Becoming a rogue
[Apple] This is my second morning waking up in Crescent City and it feels like I’ve already been here a year. Monday I quit my old life. Tuesday was a nightmare. Today is Wednesday. The day I try my hand at being a Rental Luna for the biggest pack on the West Coast. I’m expecting the Beta to arrive by 7:30. That gives me just enough time for a quick run, shower, and breakfast before heading out. I’ve only just gotten out of the shower when I hear a loud banging on the door. Throwing a t-shirt haphazardly over my wet, naked body and wrapping my long damp hair in a towel, I rush to open it before my roommates wake up. I haven’t met any of them yet, and this is not how I want to make my first impression. “Um, hello,” I open the door and find a handsome young werewolf with long blonde hair braided off of his face, warm brown eyes, and a genuine smile. “Ms. LeRoux?” His voice is a question, when I nod his smile widens. “I’m Beta Randolph Forrester. I’m here to take you to work.”