IrinaOf course, we couldn’t just jump on a plane and fly to wherever, unfortunately. I had a mountain of paperwork to sign at the bank to make sure everything was transferred into my name. I had to show Emily everything at the shop to make sure she didn’t mess up my weekly deliveries, and I wanted to take a walk-through Miss Sally’s old house at least once before I made my decision on what to do with it.I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep it. I was happy living with my parents for now, and wasn’t actually planning on moving out any time soon. I had always imagined myself getting ready in my room on the day of my wedding. That my husband would carry me across the threshold of our new home once we were married and that only then would I actually move out of my parents’ place.I also now had Hunter and if things between us worked out, I would probably be living with him … It was all too much to try and figure out all at once. So, taking my time and thinking about it was the best optio
IrinaWe made love, and although it was amazing, it wasn’t the same as the first time. I felt as though I had somehow lost my connection to Hunter. I loved him, that much I knew, but living here, with his people wasn’t part of what I planned for my life. In the morning, he took me home so I could pack for our holiday. I took my mom on a shopping trip to make sure we had everything we needed.The four of us met up at our house, and Hunter’s people drove us to the airport. Hunter pulled me closer as we walked to our gates and I was beginning to get excited. We were going to the Greek islands for our holiday. I had always wanted to walk on their white sandy beaches and just sit on the porch of a white and blue Greek home.I never imagined I would ever be able to do something like this, so when we took our seats, I took a deep breath, and felt Hunter’s hand rest over mine. I had never been on a plane and my passport was brand spanking new! Hunter kissed my palm and I felt myself calm down
IrinaHe stroked my hair and, in that moment, in his arms, I knew what I wanted.“Yes.” I knew what saying yes meant. I knew that I wouldn’t have any of the things I thought I would, but they were all materialistic. I had the one thing that was the most important of all. I had Hunter.“Yes?” His voice was filled with excitement as he sat up and I sat up and smiled brightly.“Yes, Hunter, I will marry you.” I squealed as he pulled me into his arms before jumping off the bed. He rummaged through the drawer of the desk and pulled out a small box.“I got you this on my last trip, and I’ve been wanting to ask you, but I wasn’t sure if you would say yes. Then Miss Sally passed away and I wanted to give you time, and it just never seemed to be the right time. Irina, I love you more than life itself. I want to spend the rest of my life with you by my side.” He opened the box and inside was the most beautiful ruby ring I had ever seen in my entire life. I wasn’t even sure if it was real, but I
IrinaWE TOOK MY PARENTS HOME after our long flight and I could feel Hunter was excited to tell the pack the news, so we drove straight to the pack house after leaving my parents to rest. I fell asleep on the way and Hunter woke me up as soon as we arrived. I knew I probably looked terrible after all that travel, but I was so happy and relaxed that, for once, it didn’t matter.Emily was the first one to run up to us and her eyes caught the ring instantly. Isiah got the opportunity to congratulate us after Emily hugged us both. I thought I heard Hunter growl softly when Isiah hugged me and Isiah just laughed. I didn’t ask, since I was just too tired. Thankfully, Emily and Isiah had gathered everyone already and a loud roar of applause echoed throughout the forest as soon as Hunter told them that I had said yes.“As you all know, Luna Irina is human. For now, we won’t be having a Luna ceremony because I am not ready to lose her yet.” Hunter frowned as he looked at me and I smiled, feeli
IrinaI WISH OUR HOLIDAY could just last forever, but now that we were back home, I had things I needed to take care of. Besides deciding what to do with Miss Sally’s old house, I needed to check in at the flower shop and I had to go home to start packing.I wasn’t entirely sure when I would officially move in with Hunter since we hadn’t set a wedding date just yet, but it was going to happen, and it was clear he didn’t want me to go back home. I left my stuff that Emily unpacked at his place and only took what I needed for the night with me when I left early the next morning.Hunter sent Emily with me since she had to open the store and we happily chatted on the way to my parents’ house. She didn’t come in and I walked up the walkway and the stairs, realizing that soon this would no longer be home. All my life, I have always thought of this house when I thought of home. I had dreamt of my future home, but I never thought of how it would feel to actually leave the home I grew up in.S
Irina“Irina, sweetheart, Miss Sally left that money for you.” I knew my parents would see what I did as charity, but I also knew that eventually they would accept it. For now, at least, they could breathe and they didn’t have to worry about losing their home. I also decided not to sell Miss Sally’s old place. What just happened with my parents made me realize that anything could happen. We didn’t wish for it, but sometimes life took a turn for the worse and then you needed back-up of some kind. I was also wondering if I should move in with Hunter. It was clear that my parents needed my help, but my father must have guessed where my thoughts were going.“Irina, you have to start living your own life. You can’t hang around here until you are eighty and have thirteen cats to keep you company. We appreciate your help and I will pay you back, but you have to think about your own future now. Hunter is a good man. He will look after you.” To say that I was surprised was a complete understat
IrinaHunter picked me up at my parents’ house. We drove into town and I laughed when we pulled up outside the only restaurant in town. At least, this was something I imagined would happen with my future husband. Having dinner at the only restaurant in town each year on our anniversary after having dinner here every time he took me out on a date. We sat down and placed our order and after the waiter brought our drinks, I took a deep breath and decided to get it over with.“Hunter, would we be able to have children if I’m still … Human.” I almost whispered the word. I didn’t want people around us to hear me and when Hunter burst out laughing, I rolled my eyes. “Great, now you are laughing at me.” I sighed, feeling like an idiot.“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be laughing. It’s just I thought I was rushing you. I was scared I might be going too fast after asking you to marry me.” He looked relieved and I grinned. If only he knew the truth! Dangit! I was already packed and ready to move in! “Ye
IrinaHUNTER ALMOST SEEMED RELIEVED to be rid of Emily when I mentioned I wanted her to help me in the store permanently. I knew he wanted someone close to me at all times to protect me whenever he wasn’t around, and this was the best solution.We had a romantic dinner for two and after, he drove me out to the pack house where we told an elated Emily. She wasted no time in saying yes, and that was that. Emily was my new shop assistant, on top of being a secretary to the pack. I stayed with Hunter for the night and when we made love, it felt as if we were reconnecting again.In the morning, he and Isiah drove me and Emily to the store. This was not the life I dreamed I would have. It was much better. I didn’t have a white picket fence in front of my home, but I had an entire forest. Who could ask for more? Over the next couple of weeks, we were incredibly busy at the store with all the different holidays and each time, Emily loved helping me to change the display window.My parents and
IrinaAfter a couple of weeks, the new place was built and we all moved in. I loved the new setup more than I thought I would and it was actually great fun to have Rosemary so close by. The children had done an amazing job in getting everyone settled into the new place and as I walked down the beach, I breathed in the fresh morning air.I missed Archer terribly. He would have loved this new place so much. He had always loved the lake. I met Rosemary on the way and we caught up on all the last-minute arrangements for the day. Hunter had finally accepted his new position in life and there was just one thing he asked of the kids which they gladly gave.Now that we were all settled in, it would be the official ceremony to bind our two packs together according to our ancient traditions. Today was Ingrid and Richard’s mating ceremony and I could feel the excitement in the air. The packs had already come together as one much easier than any of us could ever have imagined they would.On the f
Irina“Oh, no! Don’t you dare put me in the middle of this!” I glared at Hunter who was glaring right back at me. The discussions had been going around in circles for hours without a solution and he had pulled me aside to ask me to order Richard and our daughter to move home. Hunter, being Hunter, had found the only way he believed this arrangement would work.He thought Richard could just become Alpha of our pack and choose someone else to take over his pack. As if it would be that damn easy! What was my mate thinking?!“I don’t see what the problem is.” He huffed and for a split second I saw traces of Archer in my husband. They looked so damn much alike! “Other males move to the packs of their females, why can’t he?” Hunter was pouting as he waved his hand through the air before clamping his arms tightly over his chest.“Would you have left your pack for me?” I studied my mate. “If I refused to live this life, Hunter. Would you have given up everything just for me?” I could see that
IngridI was hoping I looked sexy, but I knew I didn’t as I fumbled to try and fit him inside me. I was just about to give up when Richard reached out and helped me and I nearly swallowed my tongue the moment he pushed inside of me. I liked this position! I had seen it in movies and always wondered about it, even if I looked away as soon as it came on.It felt as though he was going even deeper and I wondered if that was even possible. I wasn’t entirely sure if I should hunch on my legs or just move my hips, but clearly Richard knew what he was doing as he guided me and we were soon captured in the throes of passion!“Yeah, that’s it! Ride me!” He growled through clenched teeth and it gave me the small confidence boost I needed. I was doing it right! Richard pushed himself up and he clung to my body as I moved. It took a little longer for us to reach that peak this time, but just as I felt myself about to tumble over, he leaned closer. I felt his canines scarping my skin for just a mo
IngridIt was as though that was all he needed to hear as he slowly started to push into me. In an instant, I was flooded with hunger. I wanted him more than anything. I needed him. The expression of needing someone … Really needing them finally made sense! The world finally made sense! Why men went to war for women made sense!Richard stopped pulling me out of my ridiculous thoughts and when a frown formed on his brow, I thought I had done something wrong.“I’m not sure if you know this, but this next part will hurt a little. I promise you it will be the one and only time I will ever hurt you.” He stroked a stray piece of hair out of my face and I nodded. I could have told him that it wouldn’t be the last time he hurt me, but I didn’t. My mind was running at a mile a minute with all sorts of distracting thoughts and I didn’t want to spoil the moment with any of them.As Richard thrust into me, I cried out and he held me for a moment. It was painful, but it wasn’t unbearable pain. I c
IngridI wouldn’t say I was entirely innocent. I knew which parts went where and what to do with all those parts, I just hadn’t physically done any of it up to now. Why hadn’t I done it before?! Having him touch me in those sacred places felt out of this world! It was incredible! I had never in my life felt as relaxed and happy as I did in that tub in Richard’s arms.As Richard got out of the tub, I wondered if that was it. Was it over now? I knew it couldn’t possibly be it! He held out his hand and I frowned.“Is it over?” I pouted and he burst out laughing, making my cheeks turn a bright shade of red!“No, my sweet Ingrid. That was just the start. The water is getting cold. I thought we would move this to the bed where we could be more comfortable.” He smiled at my look of shock and I silently swore at myself. I shouldn’t have waited! At least if I had done it once before, I wouldn’t have been such a damn idiot the first time with my mate!Richard picked me up bridal style and carri
Ingrid“Stay right there, okay?” He looked around and I nodded. I laughed when he started opening cupboards and swore. “I will be right back.” He grinned and disappeared. When he returned, he had a box filled with candles in hand and he walked right into the bathroom.“That is really not necessary, Richard. We didn’t know this was going to happen tonight.” I laughed as he opened the taps for the bath and started to light the candles.“In that case, you can light the candles while I get us some Champaigne.” He winked and disappeared before I could say anything else. I did as he said and I have to admit that it helped ease the nervousness I was feeling. When he returned with the Champaigne, I had lit all the candles and he opened the bottle for us. After pouring each of us a glass, he held out his glass to me and I blinked and watched him. I had never imagined him as someone who could be very romantic.“To us. May we only share happiness and love.” He sounded a little out of breath and
IngridI scanned his room. His bedding was white, which was a surprise. A single black line decorated the border around the edge of the bedding and the pillow cases. A huge bed stood in the middle of the room and on either side was a set of beautiful antique free-standing cupboards.“This will be yours.” He rubbed his palms on his sides before opening the cupboard for me and I wondered if he was as nervous as I was.“Thanks.” I smiled as he opened the cupboard and I realized it was left empty for his mate. An awkward silence fell between us for a moment.“I will give you a moment to settle in. Would you like anything to eat or drink?” He was nervous! It was so damn cute!“Something to drink would be nice.” I smiled as I realized my mouth was feeling incredibly dry. “Something strong!” I laughed nervously as his face relaxed and he smiled. He nodded and disappeared while I unpacked my overnight bag and made my way to his bathroom. It was beautifully done in white and black marble. The
IrinaHunter and I didn’t even have to ask the moment we saw Ingrid move. It was clear that she had found what she had been looking for all day and when they kissed, I nearly cried. We knew the boy. Hunter and I had been invited to his alpha ceremony while Ingrid was away on her trip. He was one of Archer’s friends from when they were younger, but the one thing that caught my attention the most was that he was Rosemary’s grandson!He wasn’t just any wolf, and thank the goddess, he wasn’t human!IngridRichard pulled away just enough so he could look into my eyes and I almost melted when he tucked a stray piece of my hair behind my ear. It reminded me of something I saw my father do for my mom once and how I thought that I wanted that kind of love one day.“Hi beautiful,” He smiled and I felt my cheeks turn bright red.“Hi.” Over the years, I looked at my brother’s friends and wondered about them. It was logical that I would one day be mated to an alpha or even a beta. Some of my frien
IrinaThe excitement hung thick in the air in the morning as everyone got ready to attend the Founder’s Day festival. It was the one day the entire town came to a halt and took the time to celebrate our town. It felt as though we were celebrating Ingrid’s return for two continuous days. I loved every moment of it. In my mind’s eye, I could actually see the many dinners and festivals Ingrid experienced while she was away.This was exactly what our town needed after the hunter was there. People needed to see us moving between them. They needed to talk to us and be reminded that we were human. We had to show them we weren’t the monsters the hunter was trying to make us out to be. None of them knew the truth, of course. The sheriff was one of the first to greet us when we arrived and the relieved smile on his face said it all.We had been working overtime to squash any rumours that were still flying around and finally, things seemed to have returned to normal.I caught sight of Ingrid tal