Ashley’s P.O.V.The world around me disappeared as I couldn’t think straight, drunk by the warmth of my mate. His embrace was like the first rain after decades of drought, calming the yearning of my soul. Vincenzo’s arms went around me, lifting my legs. I circled my arms around his neck, balancing my weight as he shoved my legs wide open, settling them behind his back. My core throbbed with need as I raised my eyes to meet his stormy gaze. Vincenzo’s golden eyes sent ripples down my spine as he growled.“Mine!”His hand moved behind my neck and fisted my hair, forcing me to stay angled up so that my eyes stayed on him, as he began to make small, rhythmic thru*sts, rocking his steel erection against my core. The fabric of our undergarments was the only barrier against our desires.A moan rippled through me, but Vincenzo stole it before it had a chance to leave my mouth. His tongue pushed past my lips and took over, engulfing me in a passionate kiss. It was like he wanted me to forget
Ashley’s P.O.V. “T-Together?” I stuttered, my heart stumbling over its rhythm. I had dreamt of this night for long but such a start was truly uncalled-for. My cheeks burned as I barely restrained my feelings and slowly turned to face Vincenzo. “That sounds like a great idea, but …” “But what?” He cut me off impatiently. “Let me warn you, Kitten. I won’t listen to any excuses tonight. You had three days to prepare for it!” His grumpy tone brought a smile to my face. I poked his nose playfully. “I am not saying ‘no’ to anything, Vincenzo. But you said ‘like a couple.’ It crossed my mind that we are missing something.” He raised his brow, totally confused. I could feel his wolf crossing everything off his list for our special night. But it wasn’t something he had to do! This was my turn to show my love! Without wasting a second, I cleared my throat and cupped his face, my gaze locking onto his. “I, warrior Ashley Miller, of the Eastern Gardens Pack, take my rejection b
Ashley’s P.O.V.Jenna, my best friend, my sister in everything but blood, was dragged into the clearing before the stage, dropping my heart to my stomach. A chill ran down my spine as I gasped.“No! It can’t be!”She looked disheveled, her wrists bound, eyes widened, and terrified. She raised her head and looked at me with such unreadable expressions that twisted my guts. I took a step forward, grabbing Vincenzo’s arm.“What the hell is going on here?”My voice trembled with disbelief. “Why is Jenna being arrested?”Alpha turned to me slowly, the ache in his eyes almost too much to bear. “Ashley, I wanted to tell you. I truly did. But if I did that, she would have disappeared before we could confront her in front of the entire pack.”“No!!!” My lips parted in denial.“That’s my friend, Jenna. There has to be a mistake. She would never do this.”“Ashley!” Jenna’s voice cracked with emotions, loud and shaking over the stunned silence of the crowd. “You and I have spent five
Ashley’s P.O.V.The sun dipped low, casting a golden hue across the pack’s internal ground as the final ribbons were tied. The last prayer candles were placed. The entire pack moved like a tide of grief and reverence, preparing for the Moon and Honor ceremony, a sacred event to remember the fallen. And I … I wore the sorrow like silk, my face was solemn. My eyes were red, rimmed from the ‘lack of sleep’. I murmured words of respect as I moved between the grieving families, warriors, and the council members. But underneath the somber mask, my heart was dancing in glee. I was patient because of Vincenzo’s illness, suppressing my desires for the sake of his health. The moment I discovered his full recovery, the fire in my chest became unbearable. The bond was restrained and rogue, pulling me towards Vincenzo with full force, urging me to take the rejection back ASAP.If it wasn’t for the pack’s link connection and the revelation of Vincenzo’s recovery, I would never waste a sec
Ashley’s P.O.V.I barely reached the parking lot when I realized that I had left my cell phone on the side table. With a groan, I turned around and went back to Vincenzo’s room, half worried that he would have already buried it under a pile of reports and files. Only the Moon Goddess knew how many things that man could lose under the mess of paperwork!However, as I pushed open the door without knocking, a startling sight was waiting for me, throwing my world into chaos. Vincenzo was standing!Yes! Casually stretching his arms, his shirt rode slightly up as he rotated his shoulders like he hadn’t had a heart surgery a few days ago. My widened eyes darted towards Carson, who had a tab in his hand, blinking at me like a beer caught in headlights. I gasped.“What the hell is going on here?”Vincenzo flinched, but a slow, guilty smile curled up his lips, churning my stomach. I instinctively took a step back as he moved towards me.“Kitten, I can explain!”Well, I wasn’t in th
Vincenzo’s P.O.V.I swear I forgot to breathe when Carson wheeled me into the room. Gone were the sterile white walls, the cold hum of hospital machinery, and that impersonal, pungent scent of disinfectants.In their place?A soft golden glow from the fairy lights draped across the ceiling, changing the entire atmosphere with fresh roses and soft music. It didn’t look like a hospital room anymore, but a home. Our home!My jaw slacked tightly as my eyes scanned the space and then found my Luna gazing at me with a nervous hope in his eyes that I had never expected from her. She did this?She did this all for me?I blinked slowly, stunned into silence for a second too long. Carson gave me a shove forward with a chuckle.“Guess the patient is cured now, huh?”Ashley looked down as if she felt suddenly shy, then lifted her gaze to mine with a soft smile. “It’s not much. Just … an evening for us.”Not much?I looked around again, my chest tightening. After everything, war, b