Chapter 1: THE GIFT

“Ding----”

“$5,000,000 has arrived in your account 310-4xxx-718. Sender: Damion Green.”

Sera, as usual, was returning from the pack hospital and was about to open the door when a text message caught her attention.

Five million dollar and... Damion

Five million dollars has been deposited into her bank account.

Today is their third anniversary together. Three years ago she became the hostess of the packhouse. But, yeah, three years, and he hasn't honored her with the title of Luna.

A bad feeling welled up inside Sera. Could it be that SHE…

Sera wipes the thoughts out of her mind and walks through the packhouse and into their room. The moment he sees her, he smiles his sly smile. It melts her heart. She really does love him. Is this really about…to end?

“Damion,” she starts, but he silences her with his hand. His eyes are full of lust; she knows the look well. They may not be a fated match, but under the covers, well, let’s just say no one’s complaining. 

Is she wrong about the gift? He clearly wants her right now. Her wolf senses can smell his sex. Maybe the money really IS just a gift.  

He walks around her, taking in her luscious curves from every angle. She blushes. Even though they’ve mated many times, she always felt shy around him. Which is one of the reasons she always completely surrenders. 

He grabs her from behind then in one swift movement. He growls low in her ear. He wraps his hand over her throat, pulling her head back towards him. Her heart races. He nibbles at her ear, and then bites her neck, not hard enough to break the skin, but hard enough to show his dominance over her. She shivers. 

“Sera,” he whispers in her ear. “Can I?”

“Sure,” she whispers back. She’s ready to give herself over to him completely. He pushes her forward from the waist onto the bed. Her short skirt exposes her ass, making her feel vulnerable. 

Damion is more excited than usual, as he quickly lifts her skirt. He’s not taking his time tonight. She can sense some roughness coming on. But she feels safe with him – he is a tender, caring lover. With his fingertip, he slides her panties to the side and begins rubbing her, up and down. It’s almost more than she can bear. He inserts a finger deep inside her and she cries out with pleasure. He flips her over then. She’s on her back now, breathing heavily, her eyes liquid with lust for him. He tears open the front of her dress and leans down to suckle her breast. The sensation is surreal. 

“Please,” she pants to him. “I need you inside me.”

He raises his head to her mouth and grabs her chin. He kisses her deeply, his tongue exploring her mouth. Then he pushes her legs up with his knee and enters her in one deep plunge. He growls deeply, looking her in the eyes. She digs her claws into his back, as he begins a slow, tender rhythm. 

This is not their first time having sex, but he was particularly gentle, and incredibly devoted this time. This made her feelings for him deepen even more...

Is this the last time? she wonders.

He can’t contain himself for long. He picks up the speed. She clutches onto his back and the intensity increases. She lets the pleasure take over, building and building until – 

They both come together. 

He lays beside her, stroking her hair. 

“Thank you,” he says to her. 

She smiles, covered in a thin layer of sweat. Sex always makes her feel shy, especially afterwards. She’ll lose herself in the act and then feel a little embarrassed after. She knows of other she-wolves, (they gossip sometimes) who have sex with abandon. She’s never been like that. She can’t bring herself to talk dirty, or to tell him what she wants. She likes to be dominated – to let him take the lead – to surrender. 

“You’re welcome,” she smiles back. She runs her hand along his chest, savoring the contours of his muscles. Damion is a strong Alpha, sexy and hotter than hell. But he’s also kind and gentle, at least he is towards her. That’s one of the reasons she’s hopelessly in love with him. She yearns for him when he’s not close by, which isn’t often.

And it’s no secret. Everyone in the pack knows about their relationship. 

Just as everyone knows that Damion refuses to name her Luna. 

Sera’s been holding on for three years now – holding on to a shred of hope. But if the rumors are true – Sera couldn’t bring herself to think about it. 

“Are you hungry?” Damion asks, getting up from the bed. “I have a surprise for you.” His green eyes flicker in the light. God, he’s handsome, Sera thinks as she watches him get dressed. “Throw on a dress and meet me in the dining room,” he winks at her. 

She has to will herself to get out of the bed. She takes one long wolf sniff before she does. She wants to remember the scent of Damion and their sex. Just in case this really is the last time. Then she throws on a dress and meets Damion in the dining room. 

He looks so sweet standing there. He’s set the table with candles and cloth napkins. In the center is a giant pot of spaghetti, her favorite. He’s never cooked for her before and he looks a little nervous. 

“I hope it’s okay,” he says, fidgeting and looking towards the table. “I had a recipe. It’s probably not as good as yours, but-“

“I’m sure it’s perfect,” she replies. She takes a seat and timidly tucks her long black hair behind her ears. She’s a bit overwhelmed. Damion doesn’t usually go out of his way like this for her. He pours red wine into her glass and then takes his seat. She watches as he enthusiastically slops spaghetti onto her plate. There’s way too much salt in the sauce – she can smell it with her wolf senses. But she eats it anyway, touched that he’s made the effort.   

“Cheers,” he says, raising his glass. “To three lovely years.” 

And to three more? But of course she doesn’t say that out loud.

“Sera,” Damion starts, his eyes suddenly turning serious. 

“It’s okay,” Sera says, softly. “I’ve heard the rumors. You don’t have to explain.”

“But you have the right to hear it from me,” he responds. 

I don’t want to hear it from you, she screams in her head. I don’t want to hear any of this. I want to stay here, with you. But of course she says nothing. She just waits for the bomb to drop. 

“Miriam is coming home,” he says. And there it is. Kaboom. 

Sera nods. On the outside, she remains calm, but inside, her heart is breaking. 

You’re so stupid, she says to herself. Such a stupid, naïve wolf. You know he’s always loved her. That’s why he never named you Luna. You’ve just been keeping his bed warm while she was away. He’s been using you.

“Did you receive…my gift?”  he asks, sipping his wine. 

“I did, yes. Thank you. Although it wasn’t necessary. When will she be back?” 

“Soon,” he says, looking down at his plate. He really is sweet. He’s overjoyed that Miriam is coming home. She can sense his excitement. Even when they were having sex, she could feel it. He’s smitten with Miriam. But still, he’s kind enough to hide it in front of her. 

“I’ll pack tonight, then,” she says. “And be gone by tomorrow.” She pushes back her chair and doesn’t say another word. She can’t. 

If I stay here, I’ll start blubbering like a baby. Then what will he think of me?

In the bedroom, she tosses her belongings into a bag. Her mind whirls. 

I wish he was an asshole. It would be so much easier to leave if he were. 

But he’s not. He’s kind and caring. Tender. Passionate. Her mind flashes back over the past three years. He’s always been honest – he talked about Miriam coming home. She was away at school, studying. He was waiting for her. 

But what about their relationship? It was real, wasn’t it? The sex is amazing. They get along great. They laugh together. They’re intimate. This is love, isn’t it? 

No, Sera. He doesn’t love you. He never will. His heart belongs to Miriam. Stop being so delusional. Pack your things. It’s time to go.