Lucy POVLucy sat on the floor of her room packing her duffle bag with camping essentials. She tried to pack light and had hidden her lingerie under all of the clothes. She froze as she wondered if there would be a chance to wear it or not. Could this trip possibly be where she gives her virginity to Gabriel? "Lucy!" Gertrude called from downstairs. "He's here!"After hearing Gertrude's announcement, Lucy quickly hastened, zipping her duffle bag so fast that she zippered part of her skin. "Ouch!" she hissed in pain. She sucked on the bleeding gap between her thumb and index finger on her right hand. She didn't have much time so she ignored the bleeding as she slung the duffle bag over her shoulder.She charged down the stairs and out the front door. Once outside, she noticed Gertrude smiling and talking with another man who must have come with Gabriel. Gabriel's back was bent as he stood in the bed of his truck fixing a bungee cord so as to ensure nothing would fall out as the
Lucy POVLucy looked over at Gabriel who had made it clear he wasn't going to pressure her into sex that evening. She never would have thought he'd act that way. He was the perfect gentleman. She propped herself up on her elbow and smiled over at him. "I like that we took the pressure off tonight. I have never felt like you are pressuring me about any physical intimacy in our relationship Gabriel. Actually, what are we really? We never really said… I think we just continued seeing each other. Do shifters become boyfriend and girlfriend?"Gabriel chuckled. "Usually shifters are more like Sara and Vance. They skip everything and start living together, marriage, kids… life. But everyone is different, for us we should be boyfriend and girlfriend. I guess we just never labeled it did we?"Lucy ran a hand down Gabriel's arm as she answered, "No. I don't think we ever did. I think we just assumed. We never really did talk about it until now.""Lucy," Gabriel leaned in close and whispe
Gabriel POVGabriel froze as he processed what Lucy was saying. She looked completely torn up and worried as she let a few tears out. It made complete sense why she was so worried to tell him. The societal pressure of having children can be stressful, but even in shifter culture having pups was important. Especially for the Luna to help the Alpha's lineage endure. "I found out that nymphs struggle with pregnancy and infertility. It's a classic nymph trait. What if someday we want kids? And I can't do that for you? I couldn't live with myself," Lucy choked and more of her tears started to fall.Gabriel growled low, feeling protective toward his mate. "Lucy, I can't live without you. If we can't have kids, then so what? I'm not going to put that pressure on us, okay? Stop that… don't cry, Freckles." Gabriel hated that Lucy was obviously in turmoil with this new piece of research she discovered about her ancestors.Gabriel continued, "Besides, not all hope is lost. If we want, we can
Gabriel POVThe sounds of birds reached Gabriel's ears as he stretched in their tent. The birds chirps and the pitter-patter of lizards and other animals outside told him morning had spoken and awoken him from the most wonderful dream. He turned to see Lucy asleep facing him with a blanket wrapped around her chest and torso. Her legs and shoulders were bare, hinting at what they had done the previous night.He smiled as he admired her features once more. They had a long night and taking the morning slow was definitely a welcome idea. Lucy looked peaceful as her hands rested on the pillow. He brushed her face gently with his fingertips, feeling her creamy smooth skin.She moaned softly in reaction to his skin against hers. He smiled as she opened her eyes sleepily as the sunlight peeked into the tent. Gabriel grinned thinking about all of the things they had done just a few hours ago. Lucy slowly smiled back at him with a yawn."So, it wasn't a dream?" she asked with a whisper. Her
Gabriel POVAfter a beautiful retreat together, Gabriel had a hard time leaving Lucy at her aunt's house. He held her tightly as they hugged inside the front door. "I don't want you to go," Lucy whispered in his ear, wrapping her arms around his neck.He squeezed his eyes shut burying his nose in the crook of her neck. It pained him greatly having to leave her. He wished he could stop time so they could enjoy each other's company in peace, with no more interruptions."Please promise me I'll see you soon," Lucy said and kissed his cheek. "Yes, I'd like to have you over at my place. I'll make dinner, and you should stay the night," Gabriel said with a wink. "Can't have me away from your bed for too long, huh?" Lucy giggled with a blush. "Freckles, if I had my way you'd never leave my bed. Sometime I'd like to talk more about our future, you -" Gabriel was interrupted by Samson pounding down the stairs,holding onto a sweatshirt in apparent haste.Samson looked at them and shou
Gabriel POVThe tension in the room was so thick Gabriel felt like he could cut it with a knife. If his uncle could blast fire from his eyes, he would with the look he was giving them. Fennick's face was contorted into an irate angry frown, his eyes flashing with contempt and disdain. "An act of extending a branch of peace," Gabriel answered tactfully with a serious look directed at his uncle. His uncle stared him down as if daring Gabriel to continue looking him in the eyes. Gabriel felt a pulsing buzz throughout his body that he had never felt before. He felt stronger and more confident. The power to speak out against his uncle was radiating from him.Uncle Fennick broke away from Gabriel's gaze with a look of doubt and concern. "Fine. If that's what this is, I'll accept the branch of peace for now. I can admit when my pack members act out of naivety and stupidity.""Thank you," Gabriel answered with a nod. "We appreciate that and look forward to being neighboring packs."Unc
Gabriel POVGabriel tapped his foot against the kitchen floor. He was thinking about everything that had happened that day on the Moonlight Pack's land, Lucy's run-in with his uncle, and the meal he was making for her that should hopefully be ready by the time she got here. He was excited to have his mate come join him at his home on the stray compound. Perhaps they could even have some more privacy.He tapped his foot quicker thinking about how Lucy told him she wanted to speak to him about what his uncle had said to her. Supposedly, his uncle pointed out that he has not marked Lucy yet. He groaned audibly from frustration as he stirred the pasta into the shrimp scampi sauce he had made.He heard voices building outside his house. He could hear one voice that was undeniably Lucy's. She sounded happy, chittering away to someone. Who could it be? It didn't sound like Sara.He set the spoon down and moved the pan from the hot burner to let the homemade meal cool. He took a deep breat
Lucy POVLucy stared across the table at Gabriel, watching his face contort in confusion. She knew how it sounded, but she was more than confident in their relationship. She wanted this."Hold up," Gabriel responded, putting his hands up in a time-out gesture. "You want me to mark you? Why?""If marking me means that our mate bond is solidified even more than I want that. Gabriel… I … I know exactly who I want in my life. I love you. You are my love, there is nobody that compares to you." Lucy blushed as she spoke but continued triumphantly getting her point across.Gabriel's eyes stared back at her as she spoke and he barely moved. Did she say something that rubbed him the wrong way?"You love me?" he asked, standing and kneeling down in front of her with a bewildered expression."I love you," Lucy whispered, lifting a hand to touch his cheek.Gabriel smiled with a goofy grin and pulled her lips against his in a fervent kiss. Lucy blinked in shock but kissed him back just as lo