Change

Sage looked up at Nikko in a smiling daze as he leaned down to kiss her softly. Sage felt herself sinking into the bed, feeling like she was melting into it. She wanted this man so badly, and being alone with him in this cabin made her feel like anything could happen. She felt like she was on top of the world, and nothing could bring her down. She wanted to feel his skin against hers, so she reached up and started to unbutton his shirt. Nikko smiled at Sage as he helped her take off his shirt and threw it onto the floor. He ran his fingers through her hair as they kissed again, slowly moving over each other’s bodies as they took off their clothes.

"I am so grateful to your pack for accepting me with open arms. Tonight has been everything I had ever wished it would be."

"Oh, the night's not over yet," Nikko growled. Nikko smiled at Sage as they lay together in bed. He was so happy to have found her, and he hoped that their love would last forever. He couldn’t believe that the beautiful woman in front of him was his mate, but he knew deep down inside that it was true. Nikko felt a connection with Sage that he had never felt before, and it scared him a bit. He wasn’t sure what it meant, but he was going to find out. Nikko opened his mouth and ran his tongue over Sage's lips, licking them gently before kissing her passionately. The two of them rolled around on the bed as Sage wrapped her legs around Nikko's waist.

Sage's strength caught Nikko off guard, but he liked it. If something bad happened to her, he believed she would be able to care for herself. They kissed again, this time more passionately, and Nikko ran his hands over Sage's body. Sage sobbed into Nikko's mouth as his powerful Lycan hands caressed her entire body. Nikko felt like an animal, clawing to be free, and when he held Sage's body in his hands, he knew she was the one he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. Strangely, everything seemed to be going according to plan, but he couldn't help but wonder when the inevitable would happen. It all seemed very simple. To be safe, he needed to be vigilant. He had heard stories about the dangers of complacency, and he vowed not to let himself become a victim of such a fate.

But for now, he would enjoy his mate's company and the possibility that he and Sage would change pack history. He was determined to protect his family, as he had been taught to do since he was a pup. But he couldn't stop thinking about the future. When would it happen? How would it happen? And who would be responsible for destroying his happiness?

He couldn't help but think of his father's warning. He had told him that there would come a time when he would have to make a choice, and the wrong one could cost him everything. It was inevitable, he said. When that day came, it would be up to Nikko to decide what was truly important in life and what wasn't worth fighting for. Nikko knew his father was right. But he also knew that he would be prepared for the challenge when it came. He had been training for this moment since the day he was born.

Sage deepened the kiss, pulling his attention back to her; she could sense he was distant and no longer in the moment. She pulled back and looked at him, her eyes were filled with concern. "What are you thinking about?" she asked.

Nikko smiled and took her hands in his. "You," he said simply.

Sage laughed at the answer and rolled her eyes. "You have a funny way of showing it. I thought we were celebrating."

Nikko nodded, shoving down his worry. "I am," he said, "I was thinking about how lucky I am."

Sage kissed him again, with more passion than before. She could feel the fire inside her growing stronger and hotter with each passing moment. " I can't wait to be your forever Nikko."

Nikko's heart was pounding in his chest. "I am falling in love with you, Sage," he said, "and I promise that I will do everything in my power to make sure that we are together forever." Nikko could feel his blood boiling and he could see Sage's eyes begin to glow with a golden light. He knew that he was starting to lose control, but before he had time to stop himself, Nikko grabbed Sage and kissed her hard. They both felt their bodies dissolve into the air around them as their souls were pulled together.

Sage felt like she was falling into the most wonderful place in the world. She wrapped her arms around Nikko's neck and pulled him closer as their lips danced together. Sage could taste his sweet breath as it passed through her mouth, and she knew that there was no way that she would ever be able to leave this man again.

***

The next morning, they awoke by a howling chorus telling them it was time to get up and start their day. They both looked at each other and laughed. Nikko had never slept so well in his entire life. It was as if he had been sleeping on clouds all night long. Sage smiled at him and then gently pushed him off of her so she could stand up from the bed. She walked over to a dresser that was against the wall and pulled out some clothes for them both to wear for the day ahead of them.

The sun shone brightly outside and in the village-like colony of the Lycans. Sage soon learned her place within their pack hierarchy.

Sage walked over to a closet near the door and pulled out two pairs of pants and shirts for them both. She handed one of each to Nikko, who got dressed quickly. When he was finished, she smiled at him again and then walked over to him. She wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed him on the cheek.

She stepped away from him and walked over to the door. She opened it and they both walked out into the sun. The pack had already assembled in a circle around the two of them. Sage stood at Nikko’s left side, with her hands behind her back.

Nikko stood in front of the pack and waited for them to quiet down. He looked at each member, making eye contact with each one. They all stared back at him with respect and admiration in their eyes. "Today is a beautiful day for change..." He began. "And today, we are going to change our lives for the better."

The pack cheered and howled in delight. Nikko continued to explain his plan, and the pack listened intently as Nikko explained the details. They would have to give up some of their freedom, but in return, they would get what they wanted out of life. The pack agreed that it was worth it, and so did Nikko. "We will rise above our troubles, we will be free from the constraints of society," Nikko continued. "We will become strong and powerful, we will be able to do anything that we want." The pack howled in agreement, and Nikko led them into the forest to start their day as the new and improved Lycan pack.