We went back outside, and all the wolves I had accepted as my pack were in front of the Alpha house, along with most of Luke's pack now. Luke comes to meet me at the top of the stairs off of the front porch, which is a stunning wrap-around porch. He takes my hand, and we step forward together, looking out onto all of these people and some people in their wolf forms."Hi, everyone. Thank you for all coming here." Luke is beaming, his eyes crinkling at the edges, unable to hide the pure joy that radiates from him. I can feel his happiness surging through me. I'm sure he can feel my reluctance, fear, and anxiety running through him as well."I have found my mate, your Luna. This is Lila." Luke looks down at me with a softness in his expression, and my insides tremble with anxiety, still not sure if I am fully aware of everything that is happening. Luke is gorgeous, though, as I can't help but take him in at that moment. He has a squared jaw, broad shoulders, a golden tan, and a five o'cl
Stephanie comes into the office. "Please, Steven, let me tell Lila." Stephanie sits on the other chair and fidgets with the necklace on her collarbone. Steven nodded in return and took her other hand in his, squeezing it in a way to offer reassurance to his mate."Your mother left right after telling Stephanie she was pregnant with you. She had already married your father even though everyone had begged her not to. There was just something about him that didn't feel right to me. He was sweet to her but would make remarks anytime she left the room. He scared me if I'm being honest." Stephanie lets out a sob in her voice but takes a breath and continues."Gemma wasn't willing to listen, though she said I just didn't want her to be happy. I was just jealous because Keith was so amazing. She wouldn't see logic. She knows as well as any of us that you must have a wolf to have a mate. Your father has no wolf and therefore couldn't be her mate. She said her wolf was different, and its mate w
Lila fell asleep quickly, silently crying as I ran my fingers through her hair, trying to soothe her but not wanting to make her uncomfortable. I want to show her support without making her uncomfortable in any way. I think she was just so mentally exhausted and overwhelmed that her mind needed time to recover. I can feel the pain radiating through our bond. She is devastated at the news. I stayed with her for a couple of hours, falling asleep as I inhaled her scent. Bonds can be a funny thing. We have a scent as a wolf that is unique to us. We can all smell each other, but our mates will always smell delicious to us. When they smell Lila, she will smell like cherries and almonds, but for me, she has the added scent of vanilla. To say it's intoxicating would be an understatement.It took every ounce of willpower I had to lie next to this amazing and beautiful woman and not reach out and touch her. When I woke up, her shirt had ridden up in her sleep showing the under part of her breas
I woke up in bed, and Luke was gone. I must admit I had a very restful sleep, falling asleep beside him. I wonder if it should feel strange knowing that I fell asleep with a man I don't understand, but honestly, I don't feel weird about it. I was comfortable, and he hadn't tried to push me in any way. Even though we are mates, he honestly seems to respect my wants and desires. That makes me like him even more. I think he's allowing me to set the pace, and I'm thankful for that.I also think having spent time with Betty and knowing Stephanie helps me feel comfortable with him. He has an amazing family who, even though they didn't know me, were willing to assist me and offer me a home and a way to support myself, and I will forever be grateful to them. Anyone raised by such incredible women has to be a good guy, right?I miss him already. This mate bond is strong. Nova is eager to get to our mate as well. I quickly shower and change into a pair of yoga pants and a tank top. I brush my t
Lila took Ezra to take a bath. I went with my mom. She had kept boxes of my clothes, and we found a few things for Ezra to wear while we waited for new clothes to come in. They might be a bit big, but they were clean."Luke, how is Lila doing? Is she handling everything okay? I know I probably overwhelmed her this morning with everything I had to tell her." My mom asks with concern laced through her voice. She wants to make sure Lila is okay and feels comfortable. I think my mom is afraid she may have scared Lila away from me. She had been hoping I'd find my mate, and it would devastate her if Lila didn't want to be with me or our pack."She's okay. I think she is still processing everything. She is so strong, though. I don't know that anything you could say would scare her off, mom. I watched her when I found out she was my mate. She is so brave. From what I know, her life hasn't been easy. I think her entire life has been her fighting in some way."I don't know how she can still fin
Stephanie gave me a beautiful emerald dress to wear to the ceremony. I hadn't come with much. Luke said he would take Ezra and me shopping later this week. The dress, though, was breathtaking. It was floor length with wide straps on the shoulders, which is something I need to be able to wear a bra. It had a high slit up the thigh, which made me a bit uncomfortable. I'm not used to showing that much of my body, and I wasn't sure how I would sit without it riding up even higher. Stephanie helped with my makeup as I didn't know how to do much.When I was ready, I looked like me but also like someone else. I had never felt so elegant. The last piece was putting on shoes. Stephanie had a few pairs for me to try. There was a pair of cute black heels that were open-toe with straps that came up around my ankles. I put them on and tried walking. I had never in my life worn a pair of heels, and I fell right off the bat. Stephanie tried to help, but I didn't have enough time to practice. It was
The silence only lasts a minute before it is returned with the howls from the pack. As the howls quieted down, though, there was a howling of distress coming from what sounds seemed to be in the area of the packed house. Nova and Ash raced us back towards the pack house. Much of the pack followed us back as well. Some started doing border checks.When we arrived at the pack house, there was a couple arguing with Stephanie and Steven. Sweet little Ezra was hiding behind Stephanie's legs. He looked terrified and this infuriated me. I shifted not giving a d*mn if I was naked. I wouldn't let Ezra feel afraid or alone.Luke must have thought the same because he shifted as well, and we made our way to the front porch where a yelling match was taking place."What's happening here?" I asked, my head held high, trying hard to ignore the fact that I'm but naked in front of all these people now that many of the pack members have shifted and are also watching what's going on. Thankfully, a younge
Lila was buzzing with anger. I could feel it through the bond, but I'm sure anyone nearby could feel it, too. Lila wasn't just angry, though. She hurt for Ezra, and when his dad mentioned selling his son to us, I could feel Lila explode with so many emotions. I knew it wasn't going to be good.I tried to reach Lila, but she shifted so fast that no one could stop her. Ezra's dad never stood a chance. I can't say I'm upset, though. If Lila hadn't k*lled him, I would have. There are rules, though, and I will need to report his death to the sifter council. This couple had so many complaints there wouldn't be any repercussions for what Lila did. I will need to file paperwork to bring Ezra officially into our pack.After everything that just happened, I expected Lila to be ready to fall apart; instead, she simply closed the door and gave me a look. She isn't sure what to do with the body but wants to shield Ezra from having to see his father that way. She smiled at Ezra as though nothing ha