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
IrinaI couldn’t believe what I was seeing though. All these werewolves were living all over our country and not a single human suspected a thing. We had been so desensitized by stories of all kinds that most people wouldn’t believe me if I told them what was really going on in the world! Not that I would tell anybody, but still!I knew I wouldn’t be able to stick to Hunter’s side all day, but when he left, I felt completely abandoned. If I didn’t have Lupe in my head telling me he was coming back, I would probably have completely freaked out. I made a couple of new friends and the ladies were very nice.“Fresh meat!” One of them called me while they all laughed. It didn’t take very long for me to find out what they meant. We left the hotel and Hunter laughed at our link when I told him that it felt as if they were kidnapping me.“Enjoy it, babe. Your guards are with you so you will be safe.” I didn’t want to bug him too much. He sounded pretty busy, so I decided to enjoy the day with