Elowen's POV By the time the plates were pushed aside, forgotten amidst the furs and pillows, Alaric was tugging me gently into his lap, his large, steady hands splayed across my stomach, resting protectively over the gentle swell. His lips were at my temple, murmuring soft words of adoration and promise, words only I could hear, his breath warm against my skin. Ranon leaned against the headboard, his bare chest gleaming in the firelight, watching us with a dark, lazy satisfaction, his golden eyes filled with an almost primal contentment. Theron, ever the tactile one, stretched out beside me, his long body a warm weight, and began to trace intricate, teasing patterns along my thigh with one light, playful finger. “You know, Luna,” Theron drawled, his silver eyes glinting mischievously as he propped his head on his hand, “you didn’t even tell us your favorite part of the trip yet. Spill, little witch.” I laughed breathlessly, already flushed from the overwhelming weight of thei
Elowen's POV “What did you say?” His voice was quiet, a dangerous, low growl that was sharp enough to cut stone, to freeze blood in veins. The girl paled visibly, her face draining of color, her bravado vanishing like smoke in a strong wind. She looked utterly terrified, trembling as she dropped her eyes to the floor, unable to meet his furious gaze. “I—nothing, Alpha,” she stammered, her voice a reedy whisper, barely audible. “That’s what I thought,” he growled, the unspoken threat clear in his tone. He held her in his chilling stare for another agonizing moment before finally, contemptuously, dismissing her. Theron’s grin was a little wicked, a flash of predatory satisfaction, as he muttered under his breath, just for our ears, “You’re lucky he’s the one who heard you first, you little fool. I might’ve actually enjoyed tearing out that petty tongue.” Alaric simply shook his head, a weary but understanding sigh escaping him. He pulled me closer to him, his arm firm around
Elowen’s POV We didn’t leave the secluded lodge until after a late, sun-drenched lunch the next day, lingering as long as possible in the tranquil bubble they had created just for us. The air still hummed with the quiet magic of our shared intimacy, the whispered vows of the previous night echoing in my mind. I stood at the very edge of the crystal-clear lake for one last moment before we loaded into the sleek black SUV, watching the afternoon sunlight scatter across the water’s surface like a thousand tiny, shimmering stars. My reflection shimmered back at me—softened somehow, imbued with a quiet serenity, like even the moonlight from the previous night still clung to me, a subtle luminescence, a constant, tender reminder of the promises they had whispered against my skin. Ours. Forever. Our Luna. Our mate. The mother of our child. When Ranon finally touched my shoulder, his large hand a warm, solid weight, his voice a low, gentle murmur, “It’s time, Luna,” I knew he was righ
Elowen's POV And Ranon, on my right, his hand laced tightly with mine, his golden gaze fixed on me like he couldn’t quite believe I was real, that this dream had truly materialized. His intensity was palpable, his silent adoration a profound weight. For a while, none of us spoke. The only sounds were the gentle, rhythmic lapping of the water against the shore below, the soft crackle of the dying fire inside the lodge, and the whisper of the wind through the pines. The moon, a silent witness, hung high overhead, casting a silver sheen over everything. It was a perfect, timeless moment of shared peace. Finally, Alaric broke the profound silence, his thumb brushing lightly over the back of my hand, a tender gesture that sent shivers through me. “This baby, Luna,” he said quietly, his voice a low, heartfelt rumble. “This family we’re building—it’s more than I ever let myself hope for. More than I ever dared to dream.” There was a raw vulnerability in his tone that pierced my hear
Elowen's POV It felt… different. Quieter somehow than our usual, bustling pack life, a serene shift in pace. But not heavy—no, it felt deliberate. Thoughtful. As if every detail had been meticulously planned, carefully orchestrated. Like they’d been planning this serene escape since the very second they first felt the tiny, undeniable heartbeat of the pup growing inside me, a celebration of new life. We drove for hours, the familiar landscape of the city gradually giving way to the majestic expanse of towering mountains and dense, ancient forests, their treelines a silver-dusted blur against the twilight sky. The air grew cooler, crisper, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. The winding roads were devoid of other traffic, as if the world itself had cleared a path just for us. At some point, lulled by the gentle hum of the engine and the rhythmic breathing of my mates, I must’ve dozed off, my head nestled against Theron’s shoulder, his fingers idly stroking my hair. Becaus
Elowen’s POV The morning after the pack announcement still felt like a dream, an ethereal layer draped over the solid reality of our lives. The weight of their adoration, the thunderous roar of the pack’s acceptance, the profound realization of the life growing within me—it all combined into a heady, intoxicating feeling that lingered like a sweet perfume. When I woke, stirring from a deep, peaceful sleep, I found myself alone in the great, soft bed for the first time in weeks—a fleeting moment of solitude, though not for long. The scent of them—Ranon’s raw earthiness, Alaric’s clean, brisk scent of pine, Theron’s subtle, spicy allure—still clung to the sheets, a comforting reminder of their recent presence. Within moments, as if summoned by my waking, the door creaked open softly, and Alaric slipped inside, moving with his characteristic quiet grace. He carried a silver tray, laden with a steaming teapot, delicate porcelain cups, and an array of glistening fresh fruit. His eyes