IrinaI could deal with the nightmares … Most of the time, but it did put one thing in the spotlight. Hunter still hadn’t marked me the way that wolves do with their mates. We talked about it … A lot, but Hunter was scared that if he marked me, he would lose me. It was frustrating that he thought I wouldn’t be strong enough to survive the transition.I was also scared because if I did turn, I would be one of them. A monster like the wolf that came after me. There were just too many variables. Thankfully, now that we were married and having loads of sex, I no longer got the fever, which was a good thing. If I had to spend one more night in hospital with a fever no doctor could explain, people would start asking questions.Anyway, life had to go on and so did we. I grew used to having meals with the pack in their enormous dining room, and omegas tending to my every need. Sometimes, before I even realized I had one. I grew used to taking care of the pack business while running the flower
IrinaWHEN HUNTER RETURNED, I found myself running outside and straight into his arms. Was this what real love felt like?! I felt as though I couldn’t breathe when he wasn’t around, and as soon as he was back, I took my first breath in forever! Emily called it the mate bond. That mysterious destined bond gifted to them by the moon goddess.We had dinner with the pack and finally had some alone time as soon as we went to our room. I loved making love to Hunter. He had more stamina than I could have imagined and, thanks to his experience, I was never left unsatisfied. We were lying in bed in each other’s arms just basking in the glow of being together when I took a deep breath.“Hunter, if we have children, will they grow up in this house?” I frowned, circling his muscles with the tip of my finger.“Of course. This will be our family home. You know I can’t leave the pack.” I nodded. I was going to talk to him about moving into Miss Sally’s old house. I really wanted a home for our child
IrinaOVER THE NEXT couple of days, I kept having awful nightmares about wolves chasing me. They became so bad, that Hunter took me to the pack doctor. I didn’t want to sleep, and I couldn’t eat. My fear had completely taken over. I knew I was being ridiculous and that was the worst part. I knew I was safe with Hunter around, but I just couldn’t shake the intense fear coursing through my veins every second of the day. I tried to hide it, but it was as though Hunter could smell it on me.The medication the doctor gave me helped me to get some sleep and once I had a good night’s rest, I was able to eat something. I could physically feel my strength returning to my body and the fear subsided as the days passed by. I was still scared and I still wanted to know why we had to live like this, but it was as though acceptance finally set it.The pack would protect me, and when there were no attacks for a couple of weeks, I started to relax again. Sadly, the pack house still didn’t feel like ho
IrinaI SAT THERE GAPING AT HUNTER. I couldn’t believe he had actually changed his mind. I was hoping if he bit me and I turned I wouldn’t be so scared anymore because I would be able to protect myself more. I was also hoping that since these attacks were happening because I was human, they would stop the moment I was no longer a human.I was hoping for a lot, I know, but if we didn’t have hope, what did we have? It would mean that I would be bound to Hunter for the rest of my life, so if it didn’t work, there would be no out. No divorce and I’m free … I was being paranoid. Why on earth would I ever want to leave Hunter?! My fears were NOT going to ruin the best thing I had in my life. I loved Hunter more than anything. I just had to keep my eye on the ball. Breathing in deeply, I looked into his eyes.“I want to mark you with every fiber of my being, Irina. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, but I don’t want to do it if you might die.” His eyes filled with tears as he said it and I jumped up
IrinaWe took our places on the small stage where we normally had our meals and Hunter turned to look at his people. He waited just a moment for them all to calm down and be quiet before he started.“You all know why we are here. Our Luna has asked me to mark her and you all know how long I’ve wanted to do it, but that I was scared I would lose her when she turned. It has been brought to my attention that the old wives’ tale that humans could die has been hugely exaggerated. It is possible that she could die, but it’s not such a huge possibility as I originally thought.” My usually very articulate Hunter was rambling and, for the first time today, I noticed how incredibly nervous he was. I stepped forward and slipped my hand in his, linking our fingers. I felt his confidence grow just a little as he smiled at me and then continued.“I present to you, your Luna.” Hunter turned to me and moved my hair out of the way. My heart was racing and I felt adrenaline rush through my veins. Tilti
IrinaI had to explain what happened and who Lupe was. None of them had gone through a similar experience since they were born this way, so it was very exciting for them to hear that I actually met the moon goddess. It felt strange to tell them what she looked like. She was someone they all believed in, but I only heard about her a short while ago. Now I was the one who got to meet her, while they got to keep on believing.My entire body tingled and it didn’t take very long for all of them to ask to see my wolf. I looked at Hunter, who was still stunned by everything and he smiled, nodding. He carried me out of our room and the entire pack was waiting. Everyone seemed so happy that I was one of them now. I didn’t die. I survived. Hunter put me down and told me to imagine what Lupe looked like. Of course, they warned me it would hurt like hell, but Hunter promised that each bone that broke would heal just as fast. I thought about what she looked like but nothing happened.“Sweetheart,
IrinaMy relief was short-lived. We were still celebrating when I heard the alarm through the pack mind link. We were being attacked. Again! I was bundled into the house with the others who normally had to hide. I wanted to go and fight, but since I had no training, there was no use in even arguing about it. We were locked in and I looked at Emily.“It will be okay, Luna.” Her words and the look on her face didn’t match. Emily was afraid. Everyone was. Each time we were attacked, we lost people. It weakened us. The last time I hid here, I was still human and I had no idea what was going on outside. This time, I received reports through the pack link with everyone else. I suddenly wondered if that was such a great thing!Hearing about the battle made my stomach turn, but thankfully it was another small group of rogues and the pack warriors quickly took care of them. When Hunter returned, I wanted to shift into my human form and run into his arms, but I didn’t do it quickly enough. My h
IrinaEverything I had hoped for was falling into place. Now that I was a wolf, it all felt different, just like I had hoped it would. Lunch with my parents was great even though the urge to tell them was nagging at the back of my mind. I knew them best and I had no idea how they would react to the news that their daughter was also a huge wolf.“What time are you coming home? I miss you.” In the late afternoon, we had just closed up the shop when I heard Hunter’s voice coming through the mind link.“On our way, as we speak. I miss you too.” A smile formed in the corners of my mouth as I slipped into the back seat of the black SUV. I had grown used to having them around and people in town didn’t stare as much anymore. It was strange. The pack’s SUVs had been driving around town for years, but I never really paid much attention to them.The pack had been living here for years and I never really took notice of how the town’s people stared at them. Almost as if … They were a different spe
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