I lower my head as I pull the hand brake and close my eyes, just for a second. The moment I do, Ian's hurtful face flashes in my mind.
"I kissed him," I shut my eyes in shame.He stared at me in shock and disbelief. Then his face turned into anger and disgust."Who are you?" he shook his head. "My Lily never would've done that."I bursted into tears. "I fucked up, Ian," I shook my head, sobbing. "I ruined everything and now... I can never fix it.""Lily," he tightened his jaw, but his anger went down a notch. "I'm not going to end a five-year relationship because of a kiss. I mean... I assume it happened only because you were," he does 'apostrophes' with his hands, "mates or whatever."Oh my God. His comment only made it worse."It did happen only because of it," I sob. "But it ain't that easy...""What do you mean?" he demanded."God, how do I say this?" I shook my head. "I wish I could bring back the time, Ian."He stared at me intently. "You wouldn't have kissed him if you had another chance?"I whimpered, shaking my head. "That's not what I mean. If I brought the time back, we never would've gone there in the first place."He looked at me as if finally understanding what I meant - this couldn't be undone."Aaaargh!" I hit the steering wheel out of frustration, then open the car door.For some strange reason, though, the instant I entered the Carter territory my anxiety went a notch down. That has to count for something, right?It is happening, my inner wolf tells me.I know. Nothing will ever be the same.Well, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, she reassures me, but even she is doubtful.A dark muscular figure marches towards me in a menacing way.I know it isn't my mate, because I would already be dizzy from his irresistible scent.I shut the door and lean onto it, waiting for him to approach - I'm not afraid.Not of him, at least.He crosses his arms when he does, then watches me with squinted dark eyes, as if inspecting me.It irritates me."Do you speak, boy?" I lean my leg onto the car.The comment shocks him. He unlocks his hands slowly, thinking of something to say.I decide to continue, as I am enjoying his new face expression. "Or are you simply here to help me with my bags?"I know he isn't as I came unannounced, but still... I can have some fun.He quickly re-establishes his position, taking a powerful stand with hands placed on his hips. "This is Carter territory. What business do you have here?" His voice is somewhat pleasant, but the tone of it definitely threatening.I let a smile slip me. "That is no way to speak to your Luna, boy."I don't know why I keep calling him boy, since he is obviously my age or older, but the word keeps escaping my mouth.He frowns in preparation to respond rudely, then a thought crosses his mind. I can see it by his face expressions. "Luna?" he asks with no undertone, careful not to sound offensive, yet still unsure whether he should show obedience. "Are you Miss King, the Alpha's mate?""You can call me Lila. Makes me feel younger," I sway my hair back and start walking towards the large house in front of us, then turn shortly back to him. "Oh and the bags are in the trunk," I wink and laugh on the inside.The house looks very much alike to what I thought it would be. A three story villa, some 400 square meters in size, made out of stone and marble of a greyish color. Not attractive at all. It looks cold and inhabitable. Like most Alpha houses. I very much prefer regular werewolves homes. They're mostly small houses made out of wood and you feel warm and cozy just by looking at them. On the inside, though, they're even more spectacular. I know because I used to live in one.As I approach the entrance, two other men block my way.I constrain myself not to be rude. It's their job to be aggressive toward strangers on their land."It's okay, she's Darius' mate," the guy from before shouts behind me. I turn and see he is indeed carrying my luggage.I give him a respectful nod.The other two step aside, greeting me. "Hello, Luna."It seems like they suspected I would be coming. Darius must have told them."Please enter, Lila," the luggage guy tells me. "Darius isn't here, so I'll call someone to show you around," he says swiftly and before he can disappear I grab his arm."What's your name?" I ask politely."Terry."I nod. "Thanks, Terry.""No problem," he smiles before disappearing someplace.I look around the living room. It is a large room with massy furniture and not many decorations. It oozes chill and lacks comfort. No wonder they placed a fireplace on the wall, but even that failed in giving this place warmth."Lila, it is so nice to meet you!"I turn to find a short chubby woman with the most charming smile and the warmest eyes, cleaning hands against her apron.I smile showing my teeth and take my hand out, as she approaches me. However, she lightly squeezes my hand, then shoves it away and pulls me into a welcoming hug.I am left speechless as I clumsily try to return the hugging favor. The gesture actually feels good. I guess I needed some reassurance. I relax in the lady's warm arms, even closing my eyes and breathing in the smell of nice food that evaporates off her."Nice to meet you as well, Mrs..." I say as she loosens her grip.She laughs. "Carter," as if it was obvious. "But don't you dare call me that," she points her finger at me. "It's Debra for you."I am shocked to realize the woman in front of me is my mate's mother. They look nothing alike. She is so warm and inviting, while he is...I remind myself not to be judgmental. Maybe Darius isn't that bad if this is his mother. She must have taught him some values. Plus, the lady obviously still does her own cooking, regardless of her position in the pack. With that, she earns my respect already."Sure," I reply shyly, suddenly embarrassed by my previous exhibit of position toward Terry and the guards. Hopefully they won't talk badly of me in front of Debra. My stupid play was only meant for Darius to see. I don't really know why, but probably it has something to do with me wanting him to think I am not afraid. "You can call me Lily if you'd like," I add.She squints funnily. "Would you like me to call you that?"My cheeks burn up. "I actually hate that nickname."She laughs. "I figured it by the way you said it. Look at those lovely cheeks," she pinches them, smiling. "Isn't she lovely, Terry?"Terry laughs, biting on an apple.Even though most people hate someone pinching their cheeks, it actually makes me feel nice."Let's show you to your room first, in case you need to freshen up." She turns to Terry. "C'mon, son. Bring that bag upstairs for our dear Lila."My eyes widen in shock. Terry...Our gazes meet and he winks at me, containing laughter.I suddenly feel like laughing myself. Well, at least I showed Terry what I'm made of.Debra leaves me alone in my room, which is actually her son's bedroom.I try to play it cool, but the mere scent of him hypnotized me while still in the hallway leading up to it. It is so omnipresent that it captivates me entirely. I almost feel shy to take my clothes off and head for the shower.I decide to seize the chance while alone to roam around the room. Maybe I'll find something interesting hidden away.I hurry toward the closet, but my reflection in the mirror attached to its door makes me feel like I am being watched.Oh, stop being silly, my inner wolf awakens. Just open the damn door.My she-wolf is too damn curious, but I still decide to listen. Inside there is nothing fascinating to a regular human being, only pairs of sweaters, denim and dark shirts. To me, though, everything is fascinating. This is what my mate wears.His scent on the clothes is too tempting and I can't resist picking one of the dark blue shirts, then sniffing it as if it meant life. Okay, there. You
"What ceremony?" I ask."The joining ceremony, of course," Darius states. Terry chuckles. "Don't tell me you don't know guys from the high ranks host them once they find mates."I shake my head. Am I really that uneducated about wolf stuff or was I simply desperately disinterested in those customs?"It's like a wedding in your human world," Debra clarifies, amused, having noticed my distress."Right," my food suddenly climbs back up my throat. I was supposed to marry Ian this year. And now...it turns out I'll be marrying someone else. I can't help feeling the Moon Goddess' blessing is more a curse.Why is she doing this to me? Ian didn't deserve to be left. We didn't deserve this - all those years of love and support ending in one damned second. Is Darius really worth it? I sure hope so. "And when is this ceremony supposed to happen?" I clear my throat."Don't worry about that," Darius puts down his fork and knife. "It will happen when we say it will."Debra claps her hands. "Oh, I
Damn he - Darius the Challenger, I rub the space between my eyes.Why am such a wuss - can't I control myself around him? If I had more faith in myself, he wouldn't have made this a challenge and we'd both be asleep by now.I don't think we'd be sleeping, honey...Shut it.Just go. Think about his warmth. And his odor...I glance at the bedside clock. It shows 3am. We haven't slept one bit last night - I'm dead tired. Excuses. You just want to screw our mate.Hey, like you said - you're the boss in human form. I challenge you to go and not jump all over him.Well, I'm too tired for sex anyway. He probably is as well. Although, he made this is a challenge and now I hate to give in and let him win - because he's been so full of himself since Day 1, Second 0.But I shouldn't behave childish, especially since it's doing us both a disfavor.Screw it, I'm going. Yes!I stand up, determined, and quietly walk out of my room. This is just sharing our bed, I reassure myself.Mhm, my wolf i
As I walk downstairs I hear Darius talking to somebody behind closed doors."It's not safe, Alpha.""Do I need you to tell me that?" Darius replies with a deep voice. "We'll collect twenty men and spread across the border. The rest will stay here to protect our pack. We will put an end to this for good."I've had it with this secret meetings behind my back. I march angrily toward the door."We'll meet in front in an hour. You're dismissed," he instructs them in a hurry, just as I open the door without knocking."Good morning, Luna," the men greet me on their way out. I wait for their footsteps to fade, piercing Darius with a deadly stare."How long have you been standing there?" he asks without coming closer.I enter, slamming the door. "Not long enough," I cross my arms. "You'll have to fill me in in private, since a Luna is obviously unwelcome to her pack's meetings." His face tells no story at all. "I'll tel
As I walk downstairs I hear Darius talking to somebody behind closed doors."It's not safe, Alpha.""Do I need you to tell me that?" Darius replies with a deep voice. "We'll collect twenty men and spread across the border. The rest will stay here to protect our pack. We will put an end to this for good."I've had it with this secret meetings behind my back. I march angrily toward the door."We'll meet in front in an hour. You're dismissed," he instructs them in a hurry, just as I open the door without knocking."Good morning, Luna," the men greet me on their way out. I wait for their footsteps to fade, piercing Darius with a deadly stare."How long have you been standing there?" he asks without coming closer.I enter, slamming the door. "Not long enough," I cross my arms. "You'll have to fill me in in private, since a Luna is obviously unwelcome to her pack's meetings." His face tells no story at all. "I'll tel
EXPLICIT CONTENT AHEAD, IF NOT SUITABLE PLEASE SKIPDarius isn't smirking anymore. He is dead serious as he cups the back of my head with one hand, looking deeply inside my eyes it's almost too intimate, as he uses his other hand to position his erection at the entrance of my vagina.He doesn't slip it in, though, and it makes me insane. I wiggle trying to get him inside me, but he holds my hips with both hands now, preventing me to move."What is it now?" I ask, irritated.He inhales sharply, but doesn't respond immediately. Instead, he uses his hands to pull me closer, his dick slowly filling me.I feel how large it is, but it does not hurt entering. I groan deeply, completely letting myself go, surrendering to his hands fully. And it feels so good. As if his part has always belonged there and has finally come home.Then he lifts a hand to press some hair behind my ear and gently whispers. "Do you understand
I look left and right in the hallway, to make sure the coast is clear. I don't want anyone seeing me running around with a torn blouse. Making sure no one is around, I rush up the stairs."Rough day?" I hear Terry's sarcastic voice behind me.I place my hand on my hip and turn only slightly, not allowing him to see the full of me. "Don't you ever have something to do? Besides spying on other people, that is."He laughs. "What's gotten into you today?" He lifts his hands and leaves at the opposite direction.Something definitely has, I bitterly conclude. And it was too good to be able not to think about it for the entire week. I sigh and enter Darius and my bedroom. Just seeing our bed makes me imagine us making love on it.I mean, we already did it once. What does it matter how many times we do it again? A million, please.Stop it! I reprimand my inner wolf. She is such a bad influence. I go int
At 8.30 sharp Derek and Simone appear on the door. I welcome them inside and firmly hug my petite dark haired childhood friend."Lily! I'm so glad to see you!""You, too. God knows I could really use a girls talk," I admit."The Moon Goddess," Derek corrects me and I resent his attitude. I remember how he treated Ian when he found out he was human and the fact he showed lack of respect knowing I had left my pack to live with humans. "Aren't you a treat to live with?" I morbidly state. "Make yourself at home, Derek. Darius will join you any moment now. I'm taking Simone to the living room."He nods and I lead the way for my friend. "How does it feel being back? How's living with the Carters? I want to know everything!" she flashes a wide smile showing her cute perfectly aligned little teeth the moment we enter the living room."Slow down," I laugh and sit on a maroon couch. She joins me and leaves her high-end purse on a wooden table in front of us. "Where do you shop? Does Derek v