Gabriel's POV Gabriel couldn't believe his ears. Lucy had gone to see Shaman Kai? Granted, yes she was a native healer and respected highly in the community, but her procedures could be risky. He himself sometimes doubted the Moon Goddess with everything that happened to him as a young boy. Shaman Kai was also an elder member of the Moonlight Pack.To think that Lucy, who didn't grow up in a shifter world, went to see a Shaman about awakening the mate bond as a human being. The mate connection was not easily felt or naturally occurring in a human. Shaman Kai knew of ancient and Eastern medicine and must have given something to Lucy."She has an unnatural fever, Gertrude. What is normal about any of this?" Gabriel gasped in shock, angry that nothing had been said to him. "Why didn't she tell me about this?" "You both are new to each other. She's told you some things and even shared some hard things about her past. Lucy is used to being an independent woman, Gabriel. You are her fi
Gabriel POVGabriel was ecstatic that Lucy was kissing him. She even allowed him to pull her close. He deepened their kiss, brushing his tongue against Lucy's lips in question. Lucy parted her lips slowly, allowing him to brush his tongue against hers.Gabriel felt Lucy press a hand against his chest as their kiss became more and more heated. Gabriel couldn't help but feel her breasts pressed against him. Things were starting to happen… down there for him."Huh? They are?" Lucy suddenly asked him, which broke their kiss.Gabriel froze. Did he say that out loud? "Uh, what are?""You… you said things were starting to happen… down there…" Lucy looked down quickly and the sun was starting to peep through the curtains so he could see her face get cherry red.'Can you hear this? You look amazing getting out of bed first thing in the morning,' he thought and winked at her.Lucy stared at him; her eyes were wide. 'I can hear your thoughts,' her voice spoke inside of his head.'It wor
Lucy's POVWho was she kidding? Of course Gabriel accepted her meal proposal. He had to work that day and asked if he could join her after, stating he'd bring the drinks and a salad. She was impressed that he'd offer to bring anything. She'd have to ask him if he could cook. She was bound and determined to learn something new every day about her beloved.Lucy was waiting in the car for her Aunt Gertrude. They were going to the local farmer's market for fresh produce and meat. She felt like making a grand meal gesture for Gabriel would be the right call. Especially after he had looked after her with the whole Shaman Kai incident.She was glad she had gone to see the Shaman even if Gabriel felt sore about not knowing. She was happy to feel the mate bond and know this was all real."Come on Auntie!" she called watching as her aunt walked out in a beautiful white lace maxi dress with her tiger eye crystal necklace and earrings. Lucy always was in awe of her aunt's beauty, it was like s
Lucy's POVLucy hesitated, replaying Gertrude's words in her head. Fennick was Gertrude's mate? Is that why her aunt had never married? Never seemed to pursue any relationships?"Hold on, was?" Lucy said, catching on to the past tense way Gertrude was speaking."Yes," Gertrude answered coolly as if she reviled Fennick. She probably did. "Wait, so he must have rejected you since you are human?" Lucy went on. She felt so confused. It seemed like Fennick, even though he had been nervous, was happy to see Gertrude."No. I rejected him," Gertrude answered. Her jaw seemed to be clenched permanently in an uncomfortable position. "You rejected Fennick," Lucy stated. She was repeating what her aunt said not to question her words but to confirm what she had just heard."Not everyone gets loving mates like Gabriel. If I had my way it would have been someone else," Gertrude continued.Lucy turned on the car to get the air conditioning going since it was starting to get hot with the Arizo
Gabriel's POVGabriel was enjoying Lucy's company that evening after an amazing meal they both contributed to. He had been looking forward to seeing her all day. She was the sole reason why he breathed. To have her near him meant so much to him.He had wrapped an arm around Lucy earlier as he initiated a kiss. Her lips felt warm as they snuggled near the fire. He could get lost in her lips and eyes all day. Things were getting heated and Gabriel was trying to hide that he was feeling a certain way. Perhaps the alcohol had contributed to his current state and mood because he was feeling things set in motion that he'd need to curb. His eyes grew wide as Lucy swung herself over his legs, straddling his lap. He would not be able to hide the growing situation anymore. She was kissing him passionately and whatever space between them vanished quickly. "Sh*t!" Gabriel swore, placing both hands on either side of Lucy's perfectly sized thighs. "I gotta go 'wolf out' as they say. Stay rig
Gabriel POVGabriel sat in the training area on the stray compound waiting for Samson to join him. In the training area, there was an outdoor space and indoor space. Currently he was indoors because of the heat, sitting on a weight lifting bench.He was thinking about the evening's events and the many stories he relayed to Lucy that Samson had told him as he grew up. Gabriel had missed his parents so much, and Samson had been the best person to adopt him since he had been a great friend to them. So it was only natural for Samson to describe all he could about Elijah and Louisa to a young grieving boy.Gabriel had told Lucy about how the four of them had all become fast friends, and Lucy had told him about her and Gertrude's run-in at the farmer's market with Fennick. Gabriel was surprised that Gertrude and Fennick had been mates. He frowned down at the grass. He felt like this was a missing piece to the puzzle. Was this why Fennick was so against wolf shifters and humans being m
The Moonlight Elder Council POVIn the early days of shifter packs, a democratic system had been established after a few aggressive Alphas had proven a monarchy-governed pack could easily be attacked by others. This had been true for the Moonlight Pack as well and an Elder Council had been created to advise the Alphas and determine the welfare of the pack on a day-to-day basis. This very day the Elder Council had gathered in secret.It was no surprise that the current Alpha of the Moonlight Pack had been unraveling for quite some time. Fennick Herman had assumed the Alpha title after they lost Elijah and Louisa Herman to a severe house fire. The pack had been unable to rescue their beloved Alpha and Luna. It was during the mourning and grieving of their loss that Fennick made his move.The Elder Council, very much in grief themselves, had been hesitant to meet with Fennick Herman. Fennick had grown up a troublemaker, slept with multiple women in the pack, and bullied not only pa
Lucy POVLucy stretched after writing a chapter of the new mystery book she has been working on. She felt she had much more time for her hobbies after her recent career change. Perhaps there was a silver lining to what had happened in Colorado; she not only moved to her favorite place, but she met Gabriel too.Everything was falling into place. She stood and smiled at Frank who had been at her feet while she typed away. That morning Aunt Gertrude asked Lucy if she wouldn't mind staying in that evening. Aunt Gertrude had said she wanted to spend quality time with her niece and talk.Lucy wondered what her aunt could possibly want to talk about. Perhaps she had news about a new development in her relationship with Samson. Or maybe she was going to drop another big truth bomb about her history with Fennick? Lucy was still feeling blindsided by the fact that Gabriel's Uncle Fennick and her Aunt Gertrude had been mates.Aunt Gertrude was making lasagna and salad for their dinner and t