I furrowed my brow as I walked into my living room, towel wrapped around my waist to find my mate sitting with her eyes closed on a hot pink yoga mat. "So I don’t want to break your meditative state. But what are you doing, beautiful?” I asked, cocking my head. She half opens one blue eye to peer at me.
Her cheeks instantly stain pink as both eyes open wide, her mouth forming a perfect o as she realizes I’m standing here in a towel, still wet with water dripping down my chest and over the claw mark scar Siegfried gave me when he tried to kidnap me when I was seven.
Motherfucker may he burn in hell.
“You alright?” I tried so hard to not laugh. “I… I’m fine.” Isis squeaked. I failed. I started to laugh. “Don’t laugh at me.” she pouted.
“I”m not laughing at you, per se. Just at how fucking adorable and sexy you are.” I explained. I sighed as my laughter faded.
She blushed brighter. “Kurt.” she sighed, smiling ever so softly. “Do you want me to get clothes on?” I offered, pointing over my shoulder to my bedroom. ‘Or better we get her out of her clothes and complete the mate bond.’ Godric offered.
‘Keep it in your pants. Unless you want us to die.’ I rolled my eyes. ‘John Kinsley can kiss my furry backside. He cannot stand between us being with our mate. It goes against the laws of his pack.’ Godric scoffed.
‘Amusing that you assume it’s John I’m scared of.’ I snort. ‘Logan can kiss my ass too.’ Godric rolled his eyes. ‘Guess again. It’s not anyone from Bloodmoon I don’t want to upset.’ I shook my head. Godric sighed as he finally got the picture.
Our mate only recently lost her mother, her brother is goddess knows where, she hasn’t heard anything from the man she was raised by, and it’s been a month since Bastet was unbound. ‘Fine. I would never ask that we push our mate into something she’s not ready for.’ Godric conceded.
“You… you don’t need to get dressed. I mean, this is your home.” Isis shook her head. “Our.” I corrected. “Hmm? Are you talking about yourself and Godric?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.
That streak of blonde fell over her vivid blue eyes. They were the color of the Mediterranean, and if I stared at them too much longer, I was going to drown.
“No. I’m talking about you and me. We’re mates Isis. Everything that is mine is yours.” I smiled. “Oh…” she blushed again. “So, what are you doing out here?” I decided to change the question to distract her from being embarrassed.
“Oh, I was reflecting. I was taught to better understand the present and prepare for the future. You must look to your past.” Isis explained. “And what were you reflecting on?” I arched an eyebrow. “How we met.” she smiled.
“Oh? You mean when you gave me a heart attack showing up in my London hotel room?” I chuckled. Isis shook her head.
“Well, ‘met’ might be subjective. I reflected on when I joined the forum, and you were the first person to respond to me. That’s where we began. I hadn’t even seen your face, but I felt comfortable talking to you.” she sighed.
“I remember that well. I’d been on the forum for a couple of years by then. I can’t even explain what drew me to respond to you. And how so quickly our conversations became my favorite part of my day.” I smiled, extending my hand to her.
“Maybe somewhere in us we knew what we were?” she offered, taking my hand letting me pull her to her feet. Her body inches from mine. She is so damn tempting wearing black leggings and a tank top. With our height difference, I could see heaven, meaning into her cleavage.
‘You better stop looking. You keep looking at Isis's breasts, and she’s going to realize it when you pop wood.’ Godric warned. He made a good point, so I did my best to focus on her eyes. But when I looked into them, they were brighter than before.
“Bastet.” I greeted with a smirk. “Enjoying the view, mate?” Bastet smirked, arching an eyebrow. Her voice isn’t too different from Isis’s, but it holds a more dangerous edge to the silky smooth voice of my sweet innocent mate.
“If I say yes, are you going to punch me?” I teased. She shook her head. “If I say no, are you going to punch me?” I asked. She nodded.
I started to chuckle, but the laughter died off as she pressed her hand to my bare chest, slowly racking Isis’s nails down my skin. Godric took that as some sort of sign because he pushed forward. “You shouldn’t tempt us, goddess.” he growled. Well, it was more like a purr but whatever.
“Goddess?” Bastet arched her brow. Her hand still trailing lower, reaching for the towel. “You and Isis are named for goddesses of Egypt. And to us, you are our goddess.” Godric answered. “And does that mean you will worship us?” Bastet questioned, tugging at the towel.
I sucked in a breath because she does that again, and this towel is going down, and I’m going to be left standing here in nothing but my birthday suit with a hardon. “Every day for the rest of our life.” Godric vowed.
I would tell him to not make promises on my behalf. But I fully agree. I will happily worship Isis for the rest of my life.
“Good…” Bastet smiled, leaning up her lips closer to mine. “Answer.” she licked her lips, tongue brushing mine in the process. Godric growled, wrapping an arm around her, and just as he was about to kiss her, I pulled him back.
‘No.’ I commanded as I saw Isis’s eyes change. It was Isis now as she looked aghast at the position we were in.
Her hand was still holding the towel. My arm around her and our lips, not even a half-inch apart. “I… she…” Isis stammered.
“I know. Doesn’t change that I want to kiss you. But I won’t let Godric and Bastet do as they please without considering us.” I assured her.
Isis gulped, eyes looking directly into mine. This woman sees me. Every time she looks at me, I feel like she sees deep into my soul. “I want that too.” she whispered. That’s all I needed. My lips were against hers in a soft, gentle kiss.
My lips slowly and methodically worked against hers. That slow burn and sparks of the mate bond going right to my dick.
Her lips parted in a soft gasp, and my tongue snuck its way into her mouth. Fuck she tastes as good as she smells. Like a dark chocolate mint truffle. Decadent, a little bitter, sweet, and oh so refreshing.
I could kiss her all day, just enjoying the taste of her lips and tongue. Apparently, this slow burn of a kiss drove us both crazy because she moaned, pressing her body flush to mine.
And I think this last part she did unintentionally. She pulled my towel away when she moved her hand to wrap around my neck.
Now I was standing naked in our living room, her body pressed against me, and I know she must feel my hardon pressing into her.
I didn’t even count to two in my head before her eyes went wide, and she leaned her head back, breaking the kiss. “Kurt...um…” she blushed.
“You’re the one that pulled the towel off, Isis.” I smirked. “I cannot be held liable for how my body reacts to you.” I added.
She sighed, rolling her eyes, but I could see the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Is my nudity an issue? Or can we go back to kissing?” I arched my brow.
‘I vote we keep kissing her and strip her, so we aren’t the only ones naked. I bet you money Bastet would be down to mate.’ Godric suggested. ‘Shut up, horny wolf. Isis has to be comfortable with that.’ I warned him.
“Why don’t you put at least shorts on.” Isis suggested. I sighed and nodded, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “As you wish. You’re going to have to get used to nudity eventually. You’re a werewolf.” I winked, taking the towel and wrapping it around myself.
“There’s nudity, and then there’s you naked.” Isis sighed. I chuckled. “And what might that mean?” I asked, folding my arms. “Well, I mean, look at you.” she gestured to me.
I raised an eyebrow and glanced down at myself. I’m in good shape. Most werewolves are. Sure, I’m a bit more muscular than most, but that’s the Alpha blood.
Blood that I wish I didn’t have. I mean no offense to my grandmother or her family that ruled the Silverclaw pack well. But that gene pool was tainted by the Drechsler family.
“I don’t really see what the problem is. I’m on par with most wolves my age.” I shrugged. Isis gave me a ‘bullshit’ look. “The ranked females were having a whole conversation about your dick at the full moon.” Isis sighed. I furrowed my brow because what the fuck.
“What? Wait. Back that up. Why were the ranked females, which includes your Aunt who till the full moon I can positively say had never seen me naked, talking about my dick?” I questioned, holding a hand up.
Isis blushed brightly. “I wasn’t probably supposed to say that.” Clapping a hand over her mouth. I laughed and pulled her hand away. “Uh-huh. You need to talk. Unless my mouth is what’s stopping you from talking.” I smirked.
Isis huffed, puffing her cheeks most adorably. “Fine." I love this woman. I’m pretty sure I loved her before I met her. "But you cannot breathe a word of this to my Auntie Sarael.” Isis sighed.
“I wouldn’t exactly go up to any of the ranked females and ask why they were talking about my dick. Alpha, John, or Charles would lob my head off. And I don’t even know which head I’d lose.” I assured her.
Isis laughed softly. God, I love her laugh. It’s the perfect melody. “Okay, well, I guess my Aunt was asking Luna Aurelia and Gamma Sybille about how normal it is to be as horny as she’d been feeling. And if John was somehow just that talented or it was normal for sex with a werewolf male to be that much better than a human.” Isis explained.
I shook my head, blinking, trying to get that mental image out of my head. “I really don’t want to think about John having sex. I was too accustomed to him being the Virgin Beta. Anyways, continue.” I nodded.
“Well, it turned into a conversation that rank matters. And those of Alpha blood tend to be more… um… endowed….” Isis bashfully gestured to my crotch. I started to laugh. I can't believe the ranked females of our pack were gossiping about dick sizes.
“Well, I guess they have a point. I’ve obviously seen the ranked males after a shift. And while many males like to think, never speak it but think that they are taller than our Alpha, this creates some sense of superiority. That all gets shot in the face when they see him naked.” I shook my head, laughing.
“Will you stop laughing?” Isis huffed lightly, hitting my chest. “I’m sorry. It’s just funny. The ranked females were gossiping about dick sizes with my mate. I’m rather surprised Sarael would gossip least of all with you right there.” I sighed.
“Well, I kind of came into the end of the conversation with Luna Aurelia commenting on your size.” Isis admitted. “Ah well, I’m still alive, so Alpha didn’t hear his mate comment on my dick.” I smiled. Isis sighed.
“Yes, and I’m grateful for that. I wouldn’t want to lose my mate. Now go put clothes on. I’ll make dinner.” she shoved at me. “Okay. I’m going.” I smiled, stealing another kiss before ducking into the bedroom to change.
Dacian POV Mother fucking back… rib stabbing Sevastian. I don’t care that he’s my brother by blood. He has betrayed me and the rest of the Death Legion in favor of those go monkeys in The Black Vipers. They dumped me just inside werewolf territory, knowing the sun would be up soon and if I somehow found shelter without help, I’d be dead before the wolves found me. Sev trusted the wolves would find and kill me if I lived that long. With me out of the way, our father and the rest of the legion would never know the truth. He’d either carry on as a double agent for the Vipers or help destroy the Legion. I had to live to stop either of those outcomes. Sev would pay for his betrayal. I would be the one to make him pay. I just needed to survive long enough to do it. I’d managed to get from where Sev had dumped me to a secluded cave before sunrise. I knew that in my state, I didn’t want to be here later when the black bear, based on the smell and massive scat, almost stepped in and came hom
Zoraida POV Do I believe my little cousin that he saw not only Luna Laraine’s ghost but also a little girl, possibly a witch, during the full moon last week? Not really. It’s not a slight against Jamil. It’s just that he’s five, and the night before, he was told a ghost story about his very dead great-grandmother. Of course, it was going to make him jumpy. Tiziano is the only one that fully believes Jamil, but well, he’s a sucker. Owen and Olivia were more skeptical, but they smiled and told Jamil that if he was sure that’s what he saw, that’s what happened. Just what my cousin doesn’t need, a bunch of ‘yes men’ in his ranks. I’m the only one that called bullshit and suggested Jamil had a nightmare. I couldn’t explain the girl, but that doesn’t make it any less bullshit. When Aunt Isis and Dad checked his room and the dungeons, they found nothing suspicious. I’m a hunter, so I believe in what I can prove. Jamil is family, and I love him, but because of that, I have to be honest with
Nyx POV “Go spy on the wolves. You’re too small for them to notice. Your magic isn’t strong enough for the hunters to trace.” I grumbled, repeating my grandmother’s demands. I’m only five. What does Grandmother expect from me? I like to think I’m powerful for my age. Not that I have other witches my age to compare myself to. It’s just me and my grandmother, though there’s a coven not far from us that grandmother is trying to get us into. I hoped to find something on this spying assignment to get us in with the coven. I’m only five and sick of being just me and my grandmother. I wish Mom were still alive. I don’t even remember her. All I have is her picture, which I keep in my locket. I frowned, stopping to pull the gold necklace from under my shirt to look at it. “I wish I could remember you,” I sighed, touching her picture. When the smell of a campfire and the sound of voices reached me, I quickly closed the locket and put my necklace under my shirt. I suppose grandmother was rig
Jamil POV “I’m going first!” Owen Kearney shouted. “All right, fine. Wow us, Kearney.” Zory waved her hand around the circle of heirs seated around the campfire. I giggled. My cousin is unintentionally funny. She’s like Tio Khalid and Tia Dani, so serious she’s funny. I know she’s our oldest, but she should lighten up. Maybe she doesn’t think she can lighten up as the only human among us heirs. It would explain why Tio Khalid is always so serious. “Talia told me this one when I was Jamil’s age,” Owen began. “Ooo, I know which one,” Olivia, his twin, interrupted. “And I’m the one telling it. So quiet.” Owen rolled his eyes, pressing his finger to his mouth to shush her. The Kearney twins are always fun to be around. They had a fun dynamic, always teasing each other. Sometimes, it made me wish I had a brother or sister. Being an only child can get lonely. Tiziano knows how I feel. Zory, too, but she had a big brother who stopped to visit, so it’s different. I know my Aunt Talia, b
The following chapters are a Halloween treat, featuring the heirs of Silverclaw and some new faces we may meet again someday. It’s been over a decade since Alpha Kurt and Luna Isis overthrew the crazed werewolf-witch Noya, freeing those forced to follow her and restoring the Silverclaw pack to the glory of old. Now, to the children of Silverclaw, all the danger and death of their parents’ time are merely scary stories to tell around a campfire. Tales even the heirs tell to scare each other. What happens when those scary stories start to become real? As an added note, The Reluctant Alpha, including these bonus chapters, is now available in paperback.
Time flies when you’re having fun. Or at least that’s how the saying goes. And given Isis and I are going on a second honeymoon vacation to celebrate our third wedding anniversary, it rings true. It still feels like just yesterday that Isis popped into my hotel room in London, and we learned we were mates. So to realize that it’s been five years since then is crazy. And now we are off to Athens to celebrate our third wedding anniversary. We planned to be away for a week, though our fellow ranked members assured us we could take an extended trip. It mainly was Collin and Tanner teasing me that this wasn’t a second honeymoon but a baby-making trip. And I guess, in a way, it is. Isis and I have discussed starting our family, and she didn’t get a new birth control implant so we could start trying. But I also know this trip is more than just a chance to be alone with Isis and perhaps conceive an heir. I choose Athens over all the places in the world to travel to for a particular reason.