7

AURORA

“Tonight we celebrate more than the start of a new moon cycle,” my father said to the pack gathered in the clearing. His voice carried clearly through the trees. “This rare moon brings the fertility we have been hoping for. It also marks a formal mating.”

A cool breeze passed through the forest. It lifted strands of his long black and gray hair away from his face. The movement showed the strong, steady expression he wore while standing before the pack.

“A black moon only appears once every few years,” he continued. “Because of that, tonight begins a new time for all of us.”

The wolves gathered in front of us answered with loud cheers. Many tipped their heads back and howled toward the sky. Their voices rose together, filling the night air.

The pack believed the moon would bless us tonight. The energy in the clearing made that belief feel real.

The tightness in my shoulders slowly eased. Muscles that had stayed tense all evening finally relaxed a little. Just for this night, the guard around my heart lowered.

Standing before the pack meant showing trust. If I wanted to lead them as alpha, that trust had to be clear.

Drums began beating from the edges of the forest. The sound was steady and deep.

It echoed through the clearing and settled into a rhythm that pulled at my body. Without thinking, my hips moved slightly with the beat.

“Tonight also brings change,” my father said. “A new alpha. One who is ready to guide the pack forward.”

More cheers followed his words. The sound grew louder, restless. My body felt the rising tension of the moment. The shift was close. The wolf inside me stirred harder with every passing second.

“I present your new alpha,” he said at last. “Aurora.”

He stepped aside.

The space opened, and I walked forward to stand in front of everyone.

My pack.

My duty.

Excitement fluttered inside my stomach. For a time, faith in the pack had faded. Doubt had crept in and stayed longer than I liked. But things had changed. Much of that change came because of two men—Theron and Jax.

Their presence helped me find that belief again.

“Tonight I take the role of alpha,” I said, raising my voice so everyone could hear. “You all stand here as witness. And tonight I also claim Theron as my mate. The man who will stand beside me.”

A faint wave of anger rose behind me. The feeling brushed against my senses.

It came from Jax.

Without turning, I pushed the emotion aside.

He understood the rules of the pack. Tonight was not something he could change.

My teeth began to grow slightly longer. Looking down showed the edges of my nails sharpening.

The wolf was very close now.

“Join me, Theron,” I said.

There was no hesitation.

Theron crossed the short distance between us in one smooth jump. He landed beside me with quiet strength. His body heat reached me immediately, steady and comforting.

The man who had raised me stepped forward once more.

“Do you agree to this joining, Theron?” my father asked.

“Yes,” Theron answered simply.

His eyes moved slowly across my face. The look was intense and warm. Heat spread through my chest and lower through my body. My nipples tightened from the sudden rush.

A low growl left my throat in answer.

The drums thundered again. My father turned and walked away into the forest. His part in the ceremony was finished. Others would escort him home safely.

With the transfer of power complete, the energy of the moon poured into the clearing. The air shifted. Desire spread through the pack quickly, building until it became almost wild.

The need inside me sharpened until it was impossible to ignore.

“Take me,” I said.

Theron moved immediately.

He stepped closer with slow, confident steps. His nose and mouth stretched slightly as his wolf pushed forward.

Submission came rarely.

My head tipped back, exposing my throat.

His teeth closed around it.

Sharp points broke the skin. The quick sting sent a rush through my body. Warm blood slid down my neck. The scent reached my nose, thick and familiar.

The smell only fed the hunger growing inside me.

After a moment, Theron released my throat. His teeth scraped lightly along the skin of my neck until they reached my shoulder.

He bit again.

Heat pooled deep inside my body. My hands dug into his back, nails scratching across his skin as I pulled him closer.

Still, it was not enough.

My skin tightened. Every sound in the clearing sharpened. Every breath felt louder.

More was needed.

My hips pressed forward, trying to rub against his.

A deep laugh rumbled from his chest. Theron shifted slightly, keeping himself just out of reach. Then his mouth closed over one of my nipples.

His sharp teeth pierced the skin there.

The mix of pain and pleasure struck hard. My body shuddered under the sudden wave of sensation.

Theron’s large hands settled on my waist. He lifted me easily off the ground. Instinct guided the rest. My legs wrapped around his hips without thought.

His fingers pressed deep into my thighs as he pulled me closer.

He angled my body carefully. The firm length of him pressed lightly against my clit.

“Not enough,” I growled.

The wait had been too long.

Theron gave a low grunt, still holding my breast between his teeth. His tongue moved slowly over the tight nipple.

Inside me, the wolf scratched for release.

His dominance surrounded me completely. The feeling settled deep inside, steady and strong. It reminded me of a truth that had taken time to accept.

Another mate had been found.

Heat rushed through my arms and legs. Resistance faded. I let the beast inside move forward.

Claws pushed out from my fingers. My teeth sharpened further.

Theron lowered me slowly to the ground. Pine needles covered the forest floor beneath my back.

Fire spread through my body when his head moved between my legs.

“Mine,” he said quietly.

His nose brushed against my clit as he spread my thighs wider. Then his tongue slid inside me.

In. Out.

The movement was steady and deep, like the rhythm of a thrust.

A cry escaped my throat. Around us, the pack answered with approving howls. Their voices pushed the pleasure higher.

Theron shifted the pace again and again. Short strokes. Then long slow licks that dragged along every sensitive place.

My mind blurred from the sensation.

His tongue moved upward through my wetness. Then his mouth closed around my clit, teeth and tongue working together.

My legs trembled. The climax rose quickly, building like a wave.

Almost there.

But Theron knew exactly how far to push.

He pulled back each time the edge came too close. Control stayed with him. The release would come only when he allowed it.

His rough hands moved across my stomach and up to my breasts. Fingers squeezed the soft skin firmly.

Thumb and forefinger caught my nipples again. He pinched and tugged them.

Sharp pleasure shot through my body straight to the center of my need.

His mouth returned between my thighs. Wet sounds filled the quiet space as he licked and tasted slowly.

My hips jerked whenever his tongue brushed near the center.

Frustration grew quickly.

My hands tangled in his hair. Fingers tightened as I pulled him closer, pressing his face deeper.

The ache inside me grew stronger with every second.

Something had to fill that empty heat.

Fingers. His cock. Anything.

But if Theron kept denying me much longer, strangling him might become the only way to deal with the wait.