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
Lucy POVLucy reverently accepted the Eudora family heirloom. The pages were well-kept for something that seemed ancient. They were yellowed, but filled with pictures, drawings, and written words in beautiful calligraphy that must have taken some time to write. Lucy wondered if she was actually in a fairytale. Wolf shifters and now… she herself was part nymph? Things that hadn't made sense to her when she was younger were starting to. She brushed the cover of the book reading the last name Eudora. How long had this been passed down in the family? "Read it at your own discretion. It's ancestors who found out about their own blood lineage and wrote their stories. It's filled with ways to better control your powers, or one can just discover more about the nymph folklore and beliefs," Aunt Gertrude said quietly."So your father was the one to tell you about the family history?" Lucy asked her aunt. She barely remembered her grandfather. He passed away when she was young."Yes. He st
Gabriel POVGabriel woke early, sipping on coffee in his kitchen and watching the sun rise over the red rocks in the distance. Where his section on the compound was, he could see nature for miles. He was pondering about the research notes he had taken for Lucy on nymph lore. Supposedly nymphs were fairies in a sense; a nature deity that had different personifications of different habitats. Mermaids could even be associated with nymphs. They were usually beautiful, enticing maidens who could seduce men. Perhaps that's another reason why he was so attracted to Lucy. He stretched as he thought about it more. He wondered about her recent discovery and had been thinking of her all night long. From what he gathered in helping his beloved with her research, nymphs were often viewed as sexually attractive women, nature guardians, and kindly disposed toward men. Nymphs could also be male but there were differences for them as well. Gabriel wondered if Lucy had been able to sleep, or if
Gabriel POVGabriel stood with Samson and Vance at the front of the stage in their main building. He was still soaking up the great feeling of accomplishment after the first official meeting of the strays. They were going to make a wonderful pack; he just knew it!Vance was laughing as he slapped Gabriel's back. "You sir, had the room's attention. You were like a king!" "An Alpha," Samson corrected Vance with a stern look."Yeah yeah yeah, an Alpha! You are ready! You were born to do this Gabriel. As your friend, I am here to tell you how amazing you did and how amazing you will be as the leader of the strays," Vance said with a huge smile.Sara was walking up the middle of the aisle slowly smiling at them. "Vance?" she asked with a questioning tone. "I'm going to make us some lunch care to join me in a few?" She winked at Vance."You bet I do hun, see you soon," Vance planted a deep kiss on her lips. Samson and Gabriel crossed their arms and raised their eyebrows as Sara walk