LUCIA seriously thought about digging in her heels so she could explore the courtyard, but Solomon seemed to be a man on a mission. As he pulled her along, Lucia glanced up at the sky. The moon was nearly full, an imperfect circle in the starry nighttime sky. A cool breeze teased the scarf wrapped around her neck.They cut through the courtyard and came to a large field. Acres and acres stretched before them. Behind the open area were woods. Thanks to Mother Moon’s bright light and her keen eyesight, she could see quite a distance in the dark.“What are we…?”Solomon stopped and faced Lucia. “This is where I’m going to shift for you."Oh Gods, now she wasn’t so sure her ability to see so well on such a clear night was a good thing. Nerves marched up her spine. She swallowed. And for the first time, she understood how humans felt when they found out paranormals existed.Her breathing shortened and her heart raced. Dammit, she knew Solomon cand hear her body’s reaction to the news, but
With the moonlight still shining down upon them, Lucia slowly crouched down amd started scratching Solomon’s belly, and the ground trembled from his tail thumping happily.“Oh my, and here I thought only pups did stuff like that.”Solomon snorted, twitched, and then one of his back legs began to cycle from the belly scratches.Lucia laughed loudly and tried to reach every part of Solomon’s belly she could. “Feels good, right?”If someone had told Lucia a week ago that she’d be in an isolated field, scratching a Lycan's belly, she would’ve insisted they check into a mental hospital. But here she was, doing just that.The power rolling off Solomon was unlike anything she’d ever felt before, including every Alpha she’d met. It danced along her skin, little pops and tingles that tickled. She realized then how much Solomon kept his power under wraps when in human form. If he didn’t, damn near every person he met—human and paranormal alike—would probably drop to their knees under its influ
WHEN the next morning came, Lucia woke up to the birds chirping happily outside her window. It was early, so she spent most of the morning packing and going through her belongings kne more time. Around noon a servant knocked on her door, reminding her that lunch was soon to be served.When she finished eating, she wandered around the pack house. After tonight, she probably wouldn’t be here too often. When that thought materialized in her mind, it made her a little sad, but she honestly couldn’t tell if that feeling was because she was leaving the place she called home. She sort of thought it might be.She ran across other pack members and nodded to them but kept going. Why had she never noticed how empty her life seemed? Everybody scurried about, taking care of their business or assigned chores. People spoke, but it was rushed.The people around her saw her, but they didn’t really truly see her. Not a single person among them knew anything outside of the very basics about her or her
AROUND dusk Lucia finally walked outside. Although her nerves jumped everytime she tried to appear as relaxed as possible. She scanned the area, noting the backyard was filled with fellow pack members. Well, well looked at that, it seems everybody in the pack had come.With a sure step, she walked over to where her father and mother stood. Off to the side was Solomon. Lucia’s heart leaped happily. As excited as she was for the Chase, she wanted it over. Because the truth is, she was more interested in what was to come.Lucia joined her parents but held her hand out to Solomon. “Solomon?”Solomon’s powerful strides brought him next to Lucia. Once they were together, he took Lucia’s hand. “I missed you today.”Lucia smiled. “I missed you too.”Alpha Salvatore cleared his throat as the sun sank below the horizon. “Sunset Creek Pack members, I bid you welcome. As many of you know, my daughter, the Omega Lucia Salvatore, and Solomon Romano are here to mate. As per our laws, I now announce
Solomon leisurely walked through the woods, following his mate's scent on the air. He’d dressed in warm black clothes to help fight the chill, but the coldness that lay heavily upon the land didn’t bother him for once. Because right now, excitement thrummed through his body, heating his blood and keeping him burning with need.He chuckled softly to himself when he remembered the look on the werewolves’ faces earlier. Maybe he’d been showing off, but he wanted to make an impression. Once the hour delay was over, Alpha Salvatore nodded at Solomon, telling him it was time. He couldn’t shift into his beast form, but that didn’t mean he was incapable of making a statement. Instead of immediately walking into the woods, Solomon had stripped off his heavy, fleece-lined sweatshirt and tied it around his waist. Under the sweatshirt he wore a black sleeveless T-shirt with extreme dropped armholes.He cleared his mind, closed his eyes, and reached toward his other form. There was a slight tingl
IT seemed to take forever, but eventually they left the woods. Lucia’s pack milled around, waiting for them. As they drew closer, people began clapping. Someone had built a bonfire, and the scent of roasted meat lingered in the air.Lucia pranced in front of him, tail up and wagging, as she made a beeline straight for her father.“Well done, Lucia. A most excellent hunt.” Alpha Salvatore bent and hugged Lucia. He straightened as Solomon approached. “I see now why you asked if my pack could be trusted with your secret. It most assuredly will be kept quiet.”Solomon nodded, pleased. He held out his hand in a gesture of goodwill. After all, by tomorrow morning he’d be related to the Alpha.Laughing heartily, Alpha Salvatore pushed Solomon’s hand out of the way and embraced him. Shock caught Solomon off guard. Werewolves, as a rule, didn’t touch outsiders. This more than anything told Solomon he’d been accepted into the pack.As they hugged, Alpha Salvatore whispered, “Thank you for honor
Lucia blinked, then blinked again. A million thoughts running through her mind, but she couldn’t grab a single one of them. What Solomon was talking about was… was…. Lucia wasn’t sure she could say the right words out loud.“Lucia?”“I-I-I, ah… I, ah….”“Does this mean you don’t want to be with me for as long as possible?”Lucia practically jumped out of her seat as she lurched closer and grabbed a fistful of Solomon’s heavy sweatshirt. “What? What? Holy shit, Solomon, you have got to stop making assumptions like that. Jeez, you dropped an atomic-sized bomb in my lap. Give me a second to get my head wrapped around it.”“So, you’re only shocked, that’s all?”Lucia was tempted to beat her head against the nearest hard surface. This man. Did he even have to asked. Of course she's shock! “Um, that would be a yes. A yes in big, capital neon letters with exclamation marks after it.”“Oh. Okay. You need a moment. I can understand that.” Solomon glanced away from Lucia.Lucia didn’t think Sol
Delighted, Lucia laughed as Solomon swiftly led her away. The surroundings passed in a blur, not that Lucia cared this time. The sooner Solomon got them there, the better. Lucia’s heart pounded as Solomon pulled her through the open door and into the bedroom. Warmth swirled around her, and when she glanced over at the fireplace, she saw that it has been lit. Someone must have lit the fire. How utterly romantic!The covers had been turned down, and the lamps on the end tables were turned on low. Flames popped and hissed in the fireplace. As if drawn by an invisible line, Lucia walked toward the bed. She ran her hand across the finely made comforter. She would be waking up there from now on. She turned back at Solomon, who stood by the now-closed door, Lucia’s overnight bag by his feet.Lucia stood still, undecided what to do. Why was Solomon just standing there? Shyly she looked at Solomon, who stared back at her his purple eyes glowing slightly.Lucia’s eyes burned, but she blinked t