BONDINGTristan stood up, a mischievous glint in his eye. "You know, Lucien, I've heard a lot about your pack's running skills. Care to show me what you're made of?"Lucien's face broke into a wide grin. "You're on! I know just the place for a good run."The two men excused themselves, leaving the women to their conversation. As they stepped out into the cool evening air, Tristan felt a thrill of excitement. He had always enjoyed a good run, and the prospect of testing his skills against a pack warrior was too enticing to resist.Without another word, the two men shifted, their bodies fluidly changing into their wolf forms. Tristan felt the familiar rush of power and freedom as he stretched his limbs, his senses heightened.Lucien, already in his wolf form, gave a playful nudge, and the two wolves set off into the night, their paws pounding the earth in unison. The wind ruffled their fur, and the moon cast a silver glow over the landscape as they ran, their bond growing with every str
The next morning, Lucien, Tristan, Cathryn, and Rosalind gathered in the foyer, in preparation for Lucien and Tristan’s journey. The atmosphere was lively, with a mix of excitement and anticipation. Tristan already put on his disguise, which he planned to remove when they leave their pack’s boundary. The disguise was only necessary whenever he was around Rosalind, when apart, no one could link them together. Cathryn looked at Tristan and was proud of the man he was becoming. After the transformation, Tristan's physical appearance underwent a dramatic change, reflecting his newfound connection to the lunar cycle and his inner wolf.His golden hair grew longer and wilder, with subtle streaks of silver that seemed to shimmer in the moonlight. His blue eyes turned a piercing yellow, with vertical pupils that gleamed like gold in the dark.His fair skin took on a warm, sun-kissed glow, as if infused with the light of the full moon. The freckles across his nose darkened, becoming more pron
As the celebration continued, Jasper and Scarlett took their place at the center of the gathering, their union solidified. The two Alphas, now bound together, would face the future side by side, their packs united under their leadership.But amidst the jubilation, whispers began to circulate. Whispers of Jasper's lingering feelings for Athena, of Scarlett's simmering jealousy. The union may have been sealed, but the true test of their bond was only just beginning. Pieces of the whispers floated across to Scarlett and her eyes glinted with renewed determination to nip it in the bud. She glanced at her maid, Sheila, who locked eyes with her as they mind-linked.“My alpha, what is it?”“Start what we prepared for her.” Scarlett said and glanced at Athena.“Yes, alpha.” Sheila replied.Their communication through the mind-link complete, Sheila, her eyes scanning the celebration, spotted Athena laughing and chatting with Lucas. She expertly wove through the crowd, a subtle smile on her fac
The day of the union ceremony dawned bright and clear, the sun casting a warm glow over the gathered packs. The air was alive with excitement and tension as the two Alphas, Jasper and Scarlett, prepared to solidify their bond.The ceremony took place in a vast clearing, surrounded by the combined packs of the Moonlight and Dominion. The atmosphere was electric, the scent of damp earth and wildflowers filling the air.Jasper, resplendent in his ceremonial attire, stood tall, his eyes fixed on Scarlett. She, too, was dressed in her finest, a flowing silver gown that somehow fitted her firmly yet billowed in the breeze. Her jewelries were of the best quality, displaying her alpha status clearly. All the elders of her pack were present. They had brought her up when her parents went missing after a pack attack. When she came of age, Scarlett had automatically slid into the alpha position, ruling her pack with the wisdom of her elders. She had a rough childhood and had become possessive ov
The rogues, their eyes fixed on Athena's helpless form, crept closer, their paws making barely a sound on the forest floor. Sheila's whisper seemed to echo in their minds: "Athena's under the old oak, alone and vulnerable."With a chorus of snarls, the rogues pounced, their teeth bared and ready to strike. Athena, still reeling from Scarlett's drugged touch, didn't stand a chance.The first rogue, a burly wolf with a scar above his eye, landed on Athena's chest, pinning her to the ground. The others followed, their jaws snapping wildly as they tried to get a grip on her.Athena's eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused and confused. She tried to struggle, but her limbs felt heavy and unresponsive. The rogues' hot breath washed over her, their growls growing louder as they sensed victory.Just as all hope seemed lost, a fierce cry echoed through the forest, followed by the sound of crashing underbrush. The rogues' heads jerked up, their ears perked in surprise ... as a figure burst int
Athena knew she should thank Tristan for saving her from the rogues but she could not think straight or feel grateful as she was. Her embarrassment knew no bounds. She had seen Tristan when he came into the wedding venue. She recognized him instantly. He was the ‘rogue’ that escaped her arrest, her first failed mission. If not that she was able to apprehend the real culprit then, she would not mind arresting Tristan, even now. Though he seems stronger than he was then, she could still handle him. And he was holding her with that brute strength of his. She needed to be in charge. Athena's struggles intensified, her body thrashing against Tristan's grip. "Let me go, you brute!" she snarled, her teeth bared.Tristan's eyes flashed with amusement, but he held firm. "Not until you calm down, little fireball."With a sudden surge of strength, Athena broke free, her fists flying once more. Tristan dodged, but Athena was relentless, her blows raining down on him.As they fought, they stumble
Tristan's mind reeled as he gazed at Athena, his thoughts tangled in a web of confusion. One moment, they were fighting; the next, they were...mated? He stumbled backward, his eyes fixed on the shimmering bond between them. Was this what his mother was referring to? The fated mate? The divine one; ordained by the moon goddess? Could the elusive figure he saw just now be the Moon Goddess? Tristan knew he was done for? Fated mate? At this stage of his life?The mate bond pulsed like a living thing, a glittering silver cord that connected them. Tristan's human upbringing made him wary of such mystical concepts, but he couldn't deny the reality before him."What...what just happened?" Tristan stammered his voice barely above a whisper. He felt like he'd been punched in the gut, his breath knocked out of him.Athena's eyes locked onto his, a mix of emotions swirling within them. Tristan saw the confusion, the uncertainty, and something more – a deep, primal connection that spoke to his ver
Tristan's eyes lingered on the spot where Athena vanished, his heart heavy with regret. He knew he'd hurt her, and the weight of that knowledge settled like a stone in his chest. The mate bond, still pulsing between them, seemed to mock him, a constant reminder of what he was trying to deny.With a sigh, Tristan stood, his eyes scanning the darkness. He knew he had to find himself, to understand his werewolf nature and the strange, mystical world he'd been thrust into. But as he turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that he'd just made a grave mistake.Athena's words echoed in his mind: "The mate bond won't wait. It'll only grow stronger, more insistent. You can't ignore it forever." Tristan's heart raced at the thought, a thrill of fear mixed with anticipation. What would happen when the bond became too strong to ignore? Would he be able to resist its pull, or would he succumb to its power?Only time would tell. Time, was presently all he had. He must resume to the agency so