The Night of Truth

Three events have shaped the woman I have become today.

The death of my father, the seal that was handed to me as proof of my family's obligation to protect the alphas, and the day I was introduced to Alpha Cole. 

The first two had shaped my obligation to the pack, watching my father lose his life for the pack, and then taking over his responsibility immediately after. 

What I never planned for... was falling in love with the man my family and I have sworn to protect.

"Go over the final preparations," Alpha Cole said as we stood in the grand banquet hall of the Alpha palace, his light brown hair falling in beautiful waves down the nape of his neck. He was the epitome of alpha tier grace, with features that put the moon to shame and made my heart wander in unholy directions.

"The moon will ascend in an hour, and the ceremony will begin. Everything is ready, Alpha," The beta, Ian said, his lips pulling in a small smile. "But are you?"

I straightened my position behind Alpha Cole, my eyes falling on Beta Ian.

"What do you mean?" Alpha Cole asked, pushing his hands into his pockets.

"I mean, you will find your luna today. In less than an hour. Might even be the next minute since as the alpha, it is guaranteed that you will find your luna and mate before any other wolf. Are you ready to find her?"

It felt like my heart was driven up a wall and shattered. Before this, he was free for me to covet. I could let my fingers brush against his and let it linger. I could watch him up close. I could love him despite my duties.

But once he finds his mate... I will be just the bodyguard. The woman who is supposed to protect him. The scar on my face that I had gotten from trying to shield him from a rogue ambush would be just duty, and not love.

The thought brought a lump straight up my throat.

"I don't know," he answered finally, before turning to me. "I was fine with just grumpy Selena right here."

My heart did a double take, but I knew deep down that it was just a joke. This was his way. Easy going, flirty, painfully oblivious of the things he did to me and my wolf, Xena. 

"Alpha," I said, clearing my throat. "Excuse me for a few minutes."

His brows furrowed with confusion for a second, before he nodded and turned away to Beta Ian, who continued going over the final preparations for the moon ball and mating night in an hour.

My fists clenched as I made my way towards the private gym. Alpha Cole and I have been here so many times, that I could still smell him on the ropes, on the punching bag.

I taped my hands and got into the boxing ring. It was the only way I knew to release this pain. The only way I knew to let go of the feelings that felt like they would consume me whole.

I threw a punch, then two, my heart beating wildly in my chest. Alpha Cole would find his mate and I... I would be the trusted bodyguard who would protect them both. I might even be with him when he finds his mate, and the thought killed me.

I swung again, but the punching bag was suddenly moved out of the way. I managed to stop just an inch away from Alpha Cole's face, my eyes wide.

I immediately moved my hand away, my chest heaving with the exertion and the thrill of being in here, alone with him, away from all the titles and ranks that divided us.

"I knew you would stop," he whispered, his voice low.

It was the voice he used whenever he was alone with me, and hell, it confused me and gave me hope at the same time.

He took a step forward. "Preparing for the ball?"

I swallowed hard. "I am a bodyguard. The Alpha’s bodyguard. I am not to be concerned with finding romance."

His eyes met mine. "I saw your eyes earlier. It twitched a little once my mate was mentioned. Would it be too much work to protect two people?"

"No, Alpha. I will be honoured."

He broke into one of his beautiful smiles, then slowly leaned forward, till he was eye to eye with me, his breath caressing my skin, setting me on fire.

For the first time since I was introduced to him years ago, I dared to look into his eyes. The dark blue colours swirled with something I could not understand, and yet, I couldn't bring myself to look away. 

He slowly brought his hand up between us, his fingers gently reaching for my face. My breath hitched, and he stopped an inch away, his lips parting as his eyes darted across both of mine.

"Is this a boundary?"

I bit down on my lips. How do I possibly explain to this man that him touching me would be the best gift ever? That I have ached for his skin like it was a drug?

"No," I whispered, my chest heaving hard.

He smiled, then slowly brought his hand to my face. My eyes fluttered to a close as his fingers traced the line of my scar, setting my skin ablaze.

I started to lean into his touch, when he suddenly moved away, breaking the enchantment.

My eyes flew open. "Alpha, I..."

My voice trailed off. Xena had gone completely quiet, which was unlike her, especially in Alpha Cole's presence.

The gym was suddenly much darker than ever, and it looked like the space was much smaller, like Alpha Cole was much closer.

My brows furrowed as the warm scent of roses filled my nostrils, and I looked up to Alpha Cole.

His eyes were wide, his chest heaving slightly. Something had shifted.

"You," he said, his voice low as he raised his hand to me. 

That was when I saw it. The glowing red line of the mate bond, wrapped around his wrist and connecting to...

I looked down to my hand, and a gasp left my lips before I could even stop it. The other end of the red line of his mate bond was connected to my wrist.

"Mate," Xena growled, as if suddenly brought to life by the revelation.

I met his eyes, my chest heaving. How could this happen? No one in my family has ever been mated before. No one in my family has ever had a mate, especially in an alpha. We are bodyguards. Protectors. One rank above omegas. 

"Alpha," I whispered, the line between my obligation and my love for him blurring right in front of my eyes.

The moon goddess was indeed a jokester. How could she do this to my already fragile heart?

Alpha Cole took a slow step forward, his eyes narrow. "You are my mate, Selena."

I parted my lips, but no words would come out. What do I say? What do I feel? Fear, anxiety? What if he only ever wanted me to be his bodyguard? What if...

"I am just your bodyguard," I said, my gaze trained to the floor. "I am not a luna, I am..."

"The moon goddess knows how long I have yearned to change that."

His voice was deep, husky, and the mate bond tightened around my arm like it was forcing me to stay here.

His words took a minute to register, and my eyes widened as I looked up to him. Before I could say a word, he covered the distance to me, his lips taking mine, his fingers immediately lacing into my hair.

My rational mind begged me to stop. He is an alpha. I am his protector. This had to be a mistake.

But the part of me that had been in love with him for years gave in like I had no boundaries at all.

I gasped his name into his mouth, my knees melting under me. It felt like I had been brought back to life. Like I had been made whole by this one, sinful, forbidden kiss.

He broke the kiss, his fingers cupping my face lightly, his eyes darting across both of mine.

"We are skipping the ceremony," he said, his voice firm. "Ian will be just fine without me."

I nodded, my mind hazy with the thought of him, the mate bond, and the feelings I couldn't believe I would finally be able to have.

I have been to Alpha Cole's bedroom countless times before, but only just for duties. To wake him. To stand guard. Not as the woman who would grace his bed.

My naked back hit the mattress with a soft thud, and his body hovered above mine. It was dark now, but the streaks of moonlight illuminated his features. The single tattoo he had on the side of his neck, his eyes, his tanned, toned body that strained underneath his shirt.

Each one of his kisses felt as desperate as mine, as needy as mine. For a second, I dared to believe that all this time... he had wanted me just as much.

My hands pulled off the thin, white shirt he was wearing, and my fingers traced his skin. He was exquisite, the picture of everything I would willingly die for.

He kissed me again, his mouth hot and demanding as his hands roamed down my body, cupping my breasts and teasing my nipples until I arched into him with a shaky moan. I tugged at his pants, helping him push them down, and then his bare skin was pressed fully against mine. Hot, hard, overwhelming, and everything I have wanted in secret.

"Lift your hips for me, sweetheart," he said, his voice rough with need, his hands sliding under me.

I did, trembling as he settled between my thighs. His fingers stroked me first, drawing out slick heat and soft whimpers until I was gasping his name. 

He fit right in me like he was made for me. I closed my eyes, my fingers tightening around the sheets. Pleasure sparked through every nerve as he began to move, deep and steady at first, then faster, more urgent.

I wrapped my legs around him, nails digging into his back as waves of sensation crashed over me. 

He claimed me completely. My body, my heart, and my soul, moaning my name against my neck while I cried out his name with every powerful stroke.

The mate bond pulsed between us, intensifying every touch until we shattered together, trembling and breathless.

For one night, I forgot the world wasn't that beautiful.