IsabellaI don’t pay too much attention at first. All I can think about is making love to Andrew, and when he isn’t around, I force myself to focus on taking care of my duties as Luna. A couple of months go by, and when I wake up and nausea hits, I instantly know what’s going on.I’ve never had to think about contraceptives, and I was so into Andrew when I moved here, that I didn’t think straight! Our hunger for each other has slowed down some, but not a lot! My mind whirls around and around while I fight against the nausea.I fight until I can’t anymore, and I make a beeline for the bathroom. An hour later, the doctor walks into his office and grins at us, and I just know. Fear floods me instantly. Andrew and I haven’t really talked about this. We haven’t discussed having a family so soon! We haven’t discussed it at all!“You are pregnant and, from the looks of things, you are pretty far along. I just have a couple of questions, and then I can answer any you might have.” He sits down
Fern“I’m sorry.” I blush. “It’s just …” I hesitate and then decide I just have to know. “How do you do it?” I feel a weight lifting off my shoulders as I ask, and then he looks confused. “I mean, how do you see them so happy every day and not feel angry?”I’ve been wondering about it since the moment I heard about the Lycan pack and their Luna that was mated to the twins. How could Jack come back? I wouldn’t have. If I was in his shoes, I would hate them. I think.“Something changed the moment that Isabella made her decision.” He smiles, but I note a tinge of sadness in his eyes. “While we were dating, I could feel the pull of the mate bond, but it also felt as if something was holding me back.”I feel really sad for him as we start to walk. I’m picking at my nails. I know why the Luna brought me here, and I don’t know what I’m going to do when I turn eighteen and find that Jack is not my mate. My life has never been that lucky. I’ve never been that lucky.“It’s difficult to explain
FernThere is no denying Isabella anything which is a little frustrating at times. She steamrolls over you. I want to say that she’s spoiled, but I can’t because she is spoiling me. Over the coming week, we are running around the pack house making arrangements.I have to test the cake and pick my favourite and end up with a tummy ache from all the sugar. I’ve never had so much sugar in one day in my entire life! On the morning of my birthday, I’m woken by the family singing happy birthday, but I keep looking at Jack.I’m waiting for that moment. Nobody really knows what time of the day I was born, which means it can happen at any time. I’m surprised when the alpha and Luna give me four gifts to go with my dress for my birthday.But nothing surprises me the way that Jack’s gift does. He hands me a small blue velvet box and when I open it, I gasp. Inside there is a beautiful silver necklace with a half-moon pendant. I look at him and he smiles.“This is too much! I can’t accept all this
FernIt takes every bit of energy I have to tell Jack that I need to go to bed … Alone. I can feel all the feelings, but my mind just can’t wrap around all of it. I’m grateful that Jack understands. In the morning, I’m surprised to see surprised faces when I walk into the kitchen without a mark on my shoulder.“Good morning, beautiful.” Jack appears behind me and kisses my shoulder, sending a shiver of delight up the back of my spine.“Good morning.” I feel my cheeks turn bright red as I catch a glimpse of Isabella. She’s drinking her coffee, but I don’t have to see her face to know that she’s smiling. It’s written in her eyes. Dangit! Now she’s going to try and match up everybody!“I knew the two of you would be great together. I just never imagined you could really be mates.” She puts her mug down and looks at us like we are ice-cream or something.“Oh, you liar!” Jack bursts out laughing, and I’m a little shocked. I’m also a little jealous when he touches her shoulder. Andrew walks
FernWe pull up outside a restaurant, and Jack runs to open the door for me. I take his hand and instantly feel the spark when we touch. Jack puts his hand on my lower back as we walk into the restaurant, and we are shown to our table.He pulls the chair out, and I sit down before he takes his seat across from me. The restaurant is very fancy. I’ve never been to a place like this, and I’m in shock when I see the prices of food on the menu! I look at Jack and he grins.“Whatever you want.” He winks and I have trouble swallowing. I pick the only thing I really recognize, which is steak, and Jack orders some wine. The wine warms my throat and my stomach and I feel myself relaxing a little.“Okay, let’s play twenty questions.” Jack rubs his hands together and I can’t help but laugh. “You go first.” He sits back looking relaxed, and I squint at him.“No, no. It’s your game. You go first.” I beam at him and sit back. He studies me for a moment and then leans forward.“Are you a virgin?” He
FernHe nips my bottom lip and I open my mouth. As we explore each other, I can feel his hands slip down to my bottom. As he pulls me closer, I feel his arousal and I moan. Jack walks us backwards into my room and when he kicks the door closed, I know there is no stopping this.I don’t want to stop it. We start stripping out of our clothes and as soon as we are undressed, we literally crash into each other with the force of that pull of the mate bond. His warm skin against mine is like salve to a wound that I didn’t even know I had.It feels as if I can’t get close enough. As if I want to just melt into him and become a part of him. He walks us back to the bed and surprises me when he slowly lowers me onto the bed. It’s in strong contrast to the way he shows me that he wants me.“Are you sure?” His voice is thick with hunger as he studies me for a moment.“Please, Jack. I’m sure.” I’m shocked by the hunger in my own voice. All I want to do is cling to him. I want to feel his warm skin
Jack“I don’t know. I just … It’s almost like I saw a vision of the two of you the first time I saw her. The same way, I got a vision of me and Andrew.” Isabella shrugs and her answer sends a shiver down the back of my spine.“Well, I know you couldn’t have gone through it while in heat. Thank the goddess!” I throw my hands in the air while all three of us burst out laughing. I say goodnight and go to my house where it suddenly feels empty.Someone has sucked all the air out of my house. I walk to the bedroom and I just know that there is no way in hell that I will be able to sleep if she isn’t beside me. Not after the perfect night we just had.“Okay, just two nights. That’s all I have to deal with. Two nights.” I remind myself. Two nights and she will be spending every night with me for the rest of our lives.Fern“Good morning, sleepy head.” Isabella’s voice echoes in my room and I yawn and stretch before opening my eyes. Only then do I realize that my room probably smells like sex
FernThe ceremony was short and very sweet and as we walk down the aisle, I catch a glimpse of Isabella almost clutching her face while tears stream down her cheeks. Finally, it makes sense. I’m not sure if the change happened now that we are officially mates, but I know they aren’t romantically involved.I see the look Isabella gives Andrew, and they are so much in love that nothing will ever come between them. I look at Jack with his arms protectively around me and I hope that we can be that much in love. The party is huge and Andrew announces that I’m the beta female, officially changing my rank.I laugh out loud when Jack picks me up on the porch of our house and carries me over the threshold. The tension is thick in the air the moment he puts me down, and we stand there just looking at each other for a moment in the dark room.“I’m so grateful to you.” Jack strokes my cheek and I lean into his touch. He kisses my forehead and then each eyelid. I feel goosebumps break out all over
JemmaSadly, I’m forced to turn around and go back inside.“I need my things from my locker.” Sam follows me as I walk right past Mr. Nash and almost shout it over my shoulder. I’ve already quit. What is he going to do? Fire me?! I storm into the change room at the back and stuff everything into my bag.It is astounding that I have collected so much in such a short time, and by the time I’m done, my bag is positively bursting, and I can’t even close the zipper. I turn around too fast and slam the bag into Sam’s chest by accident.“Sorry.” I look into his eyes only for a second as relief floods my body. At least it wasn’t my chest that slammed into him. He takes the bag from me and hands it to the man that always seems to be following him. It’s probably a bodyguard or something.“Do you need to do anything else?” Sam looks amused. “You know? Before we leave and have to come back again.” His amusement is irritating, and I shake my head, keeping my lips pursed tightly together so I don’t
SamI follow the direction of her gaze as she pushes past me. I’m not surprised to find that thin-lipped manager glaring at us, and it’s the final straw. Marching over to where he is standing, I make sure that he can feel my power flow through the air.“Mr. Nash, I intend on asking Jemma out on a date as soon as we’ve booked out tomorrow. I will also make sure that we never have our conferences here again, if you so much as think about firing her.” A soft growl vibrates through me and I note the fear in his eyes.He nods and leaves without a word. I turn to find Jemma, but she is gone. I wanted to take the chance of asking her for a dance, but each time I do see her, she is busy. The last thing I want is for anyone here to be neglected.I’m relieved when the night ends. All I can think about is signing for the bill and then finding Jemma.JemmaI saw them talking right before I walked into the kitchen. My heart is racing. My palms are sweaty and I just need a moment. I rush into the s
SamI don’t like that she looks so nervous. I don’t have time to think about it as the other alphas walk into the conference room. I carefully watch them to make sure none of them react to her scent and I almost breathe a sigh when I see it seems to be just me.“Hey, alpha, are you okay?” Mark hands me my folder and we take our seats.“Nope.” I frown as the meeting gets underway. I have a hard time focusing. I’m concerned about Jemma and the fact that she looked so nervous. It’s clear the hotel management makes sure that their staff don’t get involved with guests, and I guess it makes sense.I just don’t like to see her like that. I have to find a way to speak to her without any of them around. Yes, that’s what I will do. I will speak to her when I’m not a guest. It’s going to be really tough to stay away while we are here, but I have another twenty-four hours, and then I won’t be a guest anymore.JemmaI’m relieved when he doesn’t try to speak to me again. Usually, if I just tell the
Jemma“I hate conferences. Why can’t people just come to the hotel for a holiday?” Mandy complains. She always complains. When there are only holiday guests, she complains because she can’t earn enough to be the one just enjoying the hotel.“Just keep your eyes open. I’m sure one of these guys at the conference will catch your eye.” I wink, hoping it will distract her.“If only! Mr. Nash told me this morning I’m working in the restaurant for the next three days. Apparently, he wasn’t happy with the way I arranged the conference room the last time these guys were here.” Mandy sighs.“Besides, all of them have been here before. There are no new faces.” A sly smile crosses her lips. “Or bodies to look at. Have you seen how their wives dress?!” She rolls her eyes and leaves the kitchen. I grab my tray and pack the water bottles before making my way to the conference room.After giving the room a quick once over, I leave feeling confident that Mr. Nash will be happy. It is the first year t
SamOur pack’s history is filled with love stories and war. It is filled with betrayal and reconciliation. So much has happened that I sometimes feel as if my own love story won’t be enough. It won’t be as impressive. Thankfully, I don’t have much time to think about it.Becoming alpha isn’t easy. Taking over isn’t easy. Finding a mate is the toughest part of it all. Every mother keeps looking at me as if expecting me to pick her daughter and every daughter is looking at me as if I’m a piece of meat she has to devour.All I can see are black widow spiders who want to catch me, mate with me and then kill me! What was supposed to be an exciting time very quickly turned into me trying to hide from literally everyone. Whenever one of those mothers tries to speak to me, I have something urgent to take care of.Finally, the time comes for the alpha conference, and I can escape for a couple of days. After years of war, there seems to be far too many rogues and rogue attacks and a lot of the
Noah“If you are watching this, I’m no longer with you.” Tears fill her eyes and it breaks my heart. “I told you so!” She laughs while pointing her index finger at the camera. “I’m sorry for leaving you so soon, my love. If I could have it any other way, I would never have chosen this.” She sighs deeply before wiping away her tears.A huge smile forms on her face and I wonder when she recorded this. She is heavily pregnant in the video and all I can think is that she did it in the days before she gave birth to Sam. She is sitting in the nursery from the looks of the background.Sam sits down on the edge of my table and I realize it’s the first time he has seen her like this. Sam has only ever seen pictures of Summer.“My beautiful baby boy, please know that you were made in love. That I wanted you more than anything I’ve ever wanted. Please be kind to each other. Support each other. Take care of each other.” She looks up and over the camera and nods at someone.“I have to go now.” Her
SummerI love being in love. I’m still shocked that Noah is my destiny, but I’m grateful. Although he makes it clear that I’m his, whenever a young male gets too close, he is always kind and loving towards me. It’s the perfect balance of a protector and lover rolled into one very handsome package.Noah and I decide early on that we want to spend some time alone together before we start a family. It’s not the most popular decision, and we keep it to ourselves, so there won’t be backlash from anyone in the pack.Life as a Luna is interesting, and I find myself sounding like my mother far too often, but I love my new life. I find that I’m more of a nurturer than I thought I would be, and I love taking care of things for our people.Two years after our mating ceremony, we announce that I’m pregnant, and I can’t help but laugh when I hear the mumbles that people were beginning to think I was a dud or something. They clearly believed that I couldn’t have children, and our announcement is a
SummerIn the morning, I can’t get our first kiss out of my mind. There were many more after it, but nothing compares to that first one. We say goodbye to my parents after making arrangements for them to come to our house.Over the next couple of days, my days are filled with everything we had to arrange. I found the perfect dress, and to me that was just the best thing ever. The day of our mating ceremony arrived, and I was just bubbling.I thought my life was going to start when I graduated, but here I was thinking again, that this is the moment my life will finally start. After an entire day of preparation, I finally got dressed and my dad walked me down the aisle.As I saw Noah waiting for me at the end, I almost sobbed with happiness and I had to fight back the tears that were threatening to fall. I still can’t believe that my destined mate is scrawny Noah. It’s become our little joke, and I just love that he isn’t fazed by it.He isn’t scrawny Noah anymore. He sure as hell isn’t
SummerWhen I’m woken by the smell of coffee, I’m stunned. I have never slept that well before. I feel a little confused at first about where I am, but it doesn’t take more than a second to remember. I wonder if Noah slept beside me the entire time.“Thanks.” I smile as he hands me the mug and I take a long sip, enjoying the aroma. “What time is it?” I frown, suddenly worried that I might have wasted too much time and won’t get to my homework before dinner.“We only slept for an hour. You still have a lot of time.” Noah pulls my books out of my bag and places them on the table, making me laugh. I get up and am relieved that I didn’t sleep for hours. While I dig into my homework, he is lying on my bed studying the ceiling.“Aren’t you bored? Don’t you have work to do or something?” I turn to study him and he grins.“Nope and nope. Dad is in charge.” He sits up and smiles at me, sending a shiver of delight up the back of my spine. Honestly, I love being in love. I know it’s fast and all