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
Lucy POVLucy wondered if she had perhaps been too ambitious when she asked to join Gabriel during a training session. Did they not like that she had come to see what training was all about? Suddenly a clapping came from one corner of the gym and the other shifters joined in. Some had smiles on their faces, while another shifter whistled loudly. They seemed ecstatic. "See? They are thrilled you are joining us. They want you to approve of their hard work," Gabriel explained with a wave at his pack. "Does my opinion really matter that much to them?" Lucy asked, feeling relieved and confused at the same time. Why did they want her to approve?"Yes, as Luna you are their leader too," Gabriel spoke into her ear pushing her toward a boxing ring. "Some Alphas don't give the Lunas enough credit, but in our pack we honor Lunas. My mom was like a First Lady to them; a queen even. Don't forget your worth my love.""Hey guys," Vance called walking over to them with a smile. "Lucy, we met
Gabriel POVGabriel felt Lucy's thigh muscles tense as they heard Sara ask about why Moonlight Pack members were entering the liquor store across the street. He furrowed his eyebrows as he made note of the baseball bats they were carrying into the store. That could not be good.Someone must have called the cops because quickly pulling up to the store were three cop cars. They jumped out of their cars with their guns drawn. "Looks like those baseball bats will be no match for the cops," Vance said, taking another sip of his smoothie."Were they going to rob the store?" Sara's tone was filled with shock."I think they may have," Lucy replied, pointing as the cops came out with Barry and the other Moonlight Pack members in handcuffs. Barry was shouting so loud that they could hear every word in the smoothie shop."You can't arrest me! Do you know who I am? My dad works for Fennick Herman, he'll bail me out. Just you wait and see!" Barry bellowed as the police officer shoved his hea
Gabriel POVGabriel's heart beat fast, feeling turned on by the secrecy of touching Lucy in her bedroom after coming in through her window. He felt like a naughty high school boy who snuck into his crush's bedroom to escape the eyes of her parents. He felt giddy as he moved his hands to caress her body."Can I ask you a question?" he asked Lucy as he slipped her nightgown off, looking deep into her eyes.Lucy's eyes met his with a serious expression. "What kind of question?"Gabriel had noticed Lucy was the one who usually blushed when it came to anything sexual. This time it was his turn. He wasn't sure how to ask her a question like this. He hoped she wouldn't feel pressured by his question."Well, I guess I should just say it. Can we try something… new?" He said with a tense worried look as he brushed his fingers down her arm. "Something new?" she breathed out with a questioning tone as her fingers brushed down his pecs and abs."Yeah, I'd like to try a new position." He gri
Gabriel POVThe stray shifter residents were starting to gather in the driveway and Gabriel joined the rest of the crowd as Vance stood on a rock wall greeting the pack members. "Hello everyone! Thank you so much for coming out to discuss what's new around the compound. Also, a big envelope arrived in the mail today from the Shifter Council of Arizona."A few shouts of excitement and cheering rang throughout the crowd filling Gabriel with pride. He was thrilled that this new direction was filling the strays with joy. "Open it!" one of the pack members loudly shouted."All right, all right, hold your horses," Vance laughed before he unceremoniously opened the envelope with his teeth. The strays grew quiet as they waited to hear what the council had sent in response to their request to officially become a pack. Gabriel felt the blood pump through his veins as he jumped up beside Vance on the rock wall.Vance handed the letter to Gabriel. "Why don't you do the honors, Alpha?"G
Lucy POVLucy stood in the garden as she listened to Aunt Gertrude chatter about the new Italian food place in town that she had just come back from. She was gushing about the food quality and seemed thrilled to share more about her time with Samson. Lucy was happy her aunt had a person in her life like him; it sounded like they had been close for a very long time.Lucy pulled hard on a weed that had somehow camouflaged itself to hide from their observant eyes. The weed was so large, it wasn't budging. Without warning, the weed finally gave way but gravity and force worked against Lucy as she fell backward, letting the weed, dirt, and sand fall around her. "Oof," she said, rubbing her backside. "That kind of hurt.""What happened? That plant just took you for a ride, huh?" Aunt Gertrude laughed at Lucy's expense as she walked over to help Lucy stand."Yeah, that plant did not want to give up. But hey, it appears that I am more stubborn and won!" Lucy laughed along with her aunt a
Gabriel POVGabriel couldn't believe it when Lucy told him through their mind link that Fennick was there on Gertrude's property. How dare he even think that this behavior was allowed? Did Fennick want a war to break out between the two packs?He and Samson had been at the local jewelry shop speaking with the clerk. It had seemed surreal to him as he helped his adoptive father pick out a ring for his true love. The two of them had been slaving away for an hour trying to pick the perfect rings. Samson had picked out a three-stone ring with hexagon moss agate and moissanite set in black gold. The ring had a string of leaves above the three stones truly signifying Gertrude's connection to nature. Samson commented that the ring would fit Gertrude well.Gabriel had toured the store with worry and hesitation. What if he didn't find something that would suit Lucy? Just as he started to give up hope, he spotted a white gold ring with a carat pear shape to the smokey quartz stone with ivy
Lucy POV"You're stealing me?" Lucy answered questioningly looking from Sara and Gabriel."Oh hell no, I can't compete with the best friend. Seriously, she's mine Sara," Gabriel said with a fake teasing aggression pretending Sara was a new contender for Lucy's heart."Wow, okay lover-boy, chill." Sara laughed, waving dismissively at Gabriel. "I'm taking you mini-golfing. Beers and mini-golf, what a great combination. You, me, and your aunt who I just met. What a lovely creature."Lucy stood there with surprise. "Mini-golf?""Yeah, I thought it would be a good distraction after what happened. Your aunt told me everything," Sara answered, gesturing toward the door. "Come on, there's no time to waste. They close when the sun goes down so we got to hurry.""Wait, before you go," Gabriel grabbed Lucy's arm as he finished saying, "can you please give me a kiss?""Aw, cute," Sara cooed as she stepped toward the front door allowing them some privacy. Lucy stepped on her tippy toes and p
Lucy POVOver the last couple of days, Lucy and Gabriel were busy ensuring they laid a strong foundation for the beginning of the Stray Moon Pack. This entailed visits to both lands, filling out endless paperwork, smoothing any ruffled feathers with the merge of the two packs, and continuing to foster friendships between the pack members. Lucy was so proud of both of them, and how much they had accomplished.Lucy had also been offered the title of pack healer because of her background in nursing. She was thrilled that the title came with two offices on both plots of land where she could attend to any mishaps, concerns, or even expectant mothers. Sara and Vance had their first check-up with her yesterday, and everything seemed to be progressing along for Sara and her pregnancy. Soon they would be able to find out if the pup was a male or female. Lucy felt bitter-sweet as she began attending to Sara's care and needs in her first trimester of pregnancy. Could that be her someday? Ma
Lucy POVLucy scanned the crowd wondering who had just screamed just when she noticed Aunt Gertrude. She stood with her hands clasped over her mouth, staring down at Samson who was down on one knee and holding out a ring. Samson's smile glowed and he looked handsome with his silver fox hair swept back as he awaited Gertrude's answer."Yes!" she exclaimed. She looked like a ray of sunshine in her yellow dress as she started to cry tears of joy. "Yes, oh, how I've dreamed of this day."Lucy whooped loudly as other shifters joined her with cheers and shouts of congratulations. Gabriel whistled loudly and clapped his hands, elbowing Lucy, "Looks like you are going to have to help plan a wedding!""I guess so! Wedding business and Luna blessings just got added to my to-do list." Lucy clapped harder as they watched Samson stand and slide the ring onto Gertrude's finger. Lucy walked toward her aunt to congratulate her. "Auntie, congratulations. I'm so happy for you. We have a lot to d
Lucy POVLucy stood in Gabriel's bathroom applying makeup with Sara. Sara seemed louder and more talkative than usual after she and Vance had come to Gabriel's place to get ready for the barbeque party. Lucy felt like she could not get a word in edgewise while Sara gently swept the makeup brush full of glitter across her face. Sara wore a smokey midnight blue-colored theme of makeup on her face with white glitter sparkles adorning her eyes and cheeks. She explained to Lucy that wolf shifter parties were always wild, loud, and a blast. All shifters dressed for the occasion, the males wearing their best plaid shirts and cowboy boots while the females wore their best summer dresses and boldly applied their makeup. To match her makeup, Sara wore a midnight blue dress with a round neck and a laced scalloped design that stopped a few inches above her knees. She wore sparkling silver earrings that fell to her shoulders and her hair was swept back in a side part. Lucy wore a long sleeve
Gabriel POVGabriel felt like he had been put on a roller coaster without being buckled in correctly. He was angry and felt betrayed. When Gabriel heard the elder man's voice speak about his parents being murdered, he saw the color red cloud his vision. First, he had beat his uncle who was still lying in the sand dazed, in a duel. Next, he heard that his parents had died in a fire that had been set intentionally to kill them. What next? And who would have even dared to kill his father and mother?His eyes slowly shifted to the beaten shifter lying on the ground. It couldn't be…"Fennick Herman, you have been charged for the murder of Elijah and Louisa Herman," Shaman Kai stated with an angry face as she stomped her foot. "The police are on their way here to arrest you for your crimes. You will spend the rest of your days atoning for your actions that should have been addressed long ago."As Fennick tried to sit up from the sand a distant police siren could be heard making its w
Lucy POVLucy held onto Gertrude's arm, watching Gabriel hold his head in pain. She desired now more than ever to speak to him through their mind link to encourage him to get up, but she feared she would distract him. Her whole world felt like it was on pause as she watched Fennick gloating with a devious smile on his face while making his way over to Gabriel. She wanted to curl up under a blanket so she didn't have to watch what would happen next.Yet, with one swift move, Gabriel pushed himself up onto the fence with his arms before swinging his body high and gracefully into the air to propel himself over Fennick and land behind him. He had avoided Fennick's assault with poise and ease. Fennick seemed slow as he spun back around to face Gabriel with a look of pure hatred. Gabriel grinned at his uncle. "Thought you had me right where you wanted me, eh?"Fennick growled, "I'm going to make your fake mate watch as I tear you from limb to limb.""She's real, spoiler alert and som
Lucy POVLucy looked into Gabriel's eyes as she told him how she was feeling about tomorrow. He looked at her with love as if he already knew she felt that way. "I know. It's got to be done though, Freckles," Gabriel said softly as he walked over to her in the doorway and kissed her forehead. "I promise, I'm not going anywhere. Plus, I have you I want to fight for. I love you.""I love you too," Lucy whispered as she pursed her lips letting him know she wanted a kiss. Gabriel's hands cupped around her face as he brought his lips to hers. She missed the feeling of his mouth against hers and she wrapped her arms around his neck pulling him closer. Their breathing became faster as things started to heat up between the two of them. "Why do I get the feeling that we are going to get to lunch later?" Gabriel asked huskily as he broke the kiss."Your fault. You are only wearing a towel." Lucy grinned bopping his nose playfully as she pulled him to the bed.*****The next day the St
Gabriel POVGabriel stood awaiting Samson's answer. Samson looked apprehensive as if he was afraid to tell Gabriel. "I have my suspicions. I don't think I'm at liberty to really say," Samson paused.Gabriel had never seen Samson hesitate to this extent. Samson truly did not want to say his thoughts out loud."You can tell me," Gabriel pleaded, hoping Samson would give him more information.Samson sighed, rubbing his face with his hands in worry. "Back then Fennick had conjured up a following in the Moonlight Pack. He had many shifters starting to believe the old ways were correct. They thought your mom shouldn't be Luna since she was a human being.""My mom?" Gabriel spoke, feeling his jaw tighten as he clenched his fists. He would give everything to have his parents alive and well."She had been originally accepted by the pack. But I'm wondering if one of Fennick's followers may have set the fire," Samson ran a hand through his hair. "I really hope arson isn't what happened an
Gabriel POVGabriel sat on his porch that evening sipping some tea. There was a cup with a teabag in it sitting on the counter so he could prepare it for Lucy when she got home. He loved the fact that he could dote on her more easily, now that she was staying with him. He couldn't wait to hear how the mini-golf tournament went between the girls. He watched Sara drive into the compound's parking lot. The three women quietly got out of the car. He frowned. Weren't they supposed to be laughing about the good time they had? They looked more stoic than anything.Lucy was speaking with the three women while looking over at him on the porch. Did she want him to come over? She shook her head, her voice echoing in his head, 'All good. I'll be right there.''Sounds good,' Gabriel answered her, and sat back in his chair. He waited for the ladies to finish their conversation and watched as Lucy walked toward him. "Hello there," Gabriel greeted as she walked onto the porch and joined him i
Lucy POV"You're stealing me?" Lucy answered questioningly looking from Sara and Gabriel."Oh hell no, I can't compete with the best friend. Seriously, she's mine Sara," Gabriel said with a fake teasing aggression pretending Sara was a new contender for Lucy's heart."Wow, okay lover-boy, chill." Sara laughed, waving dismissively at Gabriel. "I'm taking you mini-golfing. Beers and mini-golf, what a great combination. You, me, and your aunt who I just met. What a lovely creature."Lucy stood there with surprise. "Mini-golf?""Yeah, I thought it would be a good distraction after what happened. Your aunt told me everything," Sara answered, gesturing toward the door. "Come on, there's no time to waste. They close when the sun goes down so we got to hurry.""Wait, before you go," Gabriel grabbed Lucy's arm as he finished saying, "can you please give me a kiss?""Aw, cute," Sara cooed as she stepped toward the front door allowing them some privacy. Lucy stepped on her tippy toes and p