For love

"Alpha Jean will be on his way back from a meeting soon, Lesley." I nod curtly at Roman, the beta. I could hear Jean speaking in professional terms with few of his lower ranks. I swear, everything about this man is sweet like honey.

Their conversation stops with Jean entering inside, at the doorframe, all noises halt. Gentle footsteps of retreating werewolves made me smile and approach my mate.

"You're very happy to see me." He pats my head like I was his favorite puppy. The gentleness over affection has my heart melting continuously since morning. Like the said puppy he made me, I follow him towards the bed to lay down beside.

"Can I cuddle?" I ask him,

"Cuddle?" I suppose he doesn't know the meaning of such a term. And I was under the impression that my stupid self lived under a rock. For twenty five years.

"Meaning...this." It was better to show him that explain. Bringing my leg over his stomach, he instantly wraps his arm around my thigh as I couldn't help but laugh.

"It's not that," releasing his arm from being encircled around my thigh, I lift his heavy arm up. The cluelessness on his face was my source of amusement. Why is he so cute for? What is he doing to my solemn heart?

"It's like...this." explaining where his arm must go, I bring it down my head.

"I hope you won't get a numb arm by the end. When must you leave again?"

"In around ten minutes. But...this is fine. I feel comfortable in many levels. Unexplainable ones as well." I chuckled at his vocabulary.

"Why do you speak like that? It's ancient."

"All I've ever acquainted myself with were those ancient books, love. It's not exactly my fault. I shed my skin of modernism a long time ago."

"I see. Well," I didn't know why I wanted to do it. But I did.

Reaching out to his cheek, I pressed a gentle kiss over the soft bump over his cheekbone and retreated back. His face slowly turned to me, his eyes doing the full job as I smiled.

"I like you..." I confess.

"Well, my wolf already loves you. And I can't restrict myself either. Rogue, not a rogue, I don't care. You're my princess." The way he puts his thoughts out makes me want to have a baby with him already. The mother to his pups, the reason why he must come home as quickly as possible.

Ten minutes turn into twenty, then into an hour. Beyond that, I was convinced that he dozed off as I stared at the wall in front of me. My head over his chest could tell he's fallen asleep. The change in breathing pattern was evident enough.

I was afraid even my slightest movements will be detected, and he would stir awake within a second. He seems like he belongs to a light sleeper category. Which I definitely agree upon.

Soon after my thoughts come to an end, I could feel a shift in his breath. Curiosity gets the best of me, his hazel eyes meeting mine when my chin lifts.

He chuckles, "Close your mouth, princess. Never seen a man like me?"

"Do you want me to tell the truth?"

"The truth, always." The way he slowly blinks at me, telling me it was fine if my words of truth were harsh to take.

"I've never seen a man as well-groomed as you. You're...epitome of it." His grand chuckle makes me laugh as well.

"Well-groomed? You're trying to make me feel good by using such words. Just say that I'm below handsome, below your standards, sweetheart."

"Why would I say that if it doesn't apply? You're handsome, and well-groomed." Suddenly, he furrows his eyebrows.

"How are men from your previous pack? Could you describe them for me?"

"Smelly. Greedy. Ugly." These three words were enough to describe the men I've lived with. My step brother and father.

"I don't think greediness becomes a factor for looks, sweet cakes." Pressing his nose into my hair, I feel like a cat trying to purr. I want to turn into a cat. For him. He makes me feel so many emotions Desmond has failed to.

What was I even expecting?

He's just my step brother.

A bed partner, sometimes.

Other than that, nothing more.

"I can see greed on faces, might as well tell you."

"Hmm...I wonder how they look then." I must tell him, right?

"Their eyes are always glowing, looking forward with anticipation. They always want to deceive others, hence a never leaving smile upon their lips. And their hands...it's always shut tight into a fist, as if they don't want the very air to leave them either." Staring into his chest, I speak whatever had come to my mind.

Gulping loudly, I look up and see Jean lost in abyss as well. He stares into the ceiling as if it was the most interesting thing on earth.

"I think I know a person with that gaze. Always smiling, always holding his fist up for a fight."

"Who?" Again, curiosity wins this round.

"My elder brother." At once, something came crashing down on me. Why didn't I realise Jacob was exactly the person I've been describing?

However, Jacob Bloodmond crosses borders of greed and goes way beyond. He's a menace.

More than a menace, too.

"Let's not remind ourselves about him. He doesn't exist to my heart anymore."

"Yet I feel your heart ache, it's beating so loudly." I point.

After my words, he doesn't reply nor respond. As we cuddle there for another half an hour, something strikes to him.

"The meeting.

I've kept them all waiting for half a day." He suddenly realizes.

"Are they important to the pack?"

"Very. They're important for trade that I must manage." I raised my eyebrows.

"...what kind of trade do werewolves make with humans?" Knowing human population is a thousand times larger than our werewolves', I knew we always had ties with the world of humans. The civilized portion of humanity.

Well, the uncivilized portion are in touch with specific packs as well. Honestly, it all depends on the pack's alpha. His or her way of thinking to improve overall wellbeing of their pack.

No one gets to say otherwise. Not even their betas.

"There's a lot we do here, as werewolves sweet. Why don't I show you? You're going to be the crowned Luna anyway. Come with me, I insist." I hesitated, but there's learning of trade and other important things involved. It was better if I accompany him.

"Alright. I'll come with you." Saying, I follow the man after getting dressed in a more appropriate clothing. Of course, I take the help of my girls. They're sweet, they're kind and they're courageous enough to not step back after the various occasions in which i growled at them.

They pull my hair too tight for a style!

Dressed in the most diligent pair of clothing I've ever seen, I twirl excitedly around my mate. Jean chuckles, stopping me to kiss the crown of my head.

"You look absolutely gorgeous, Lesley. Don't stop wearing such clothes. You look powerful in them."

"Powerful?" I tilt my head to the side.

"In a business perspective, yes. You're the Rockstar, show-stopper tonight." Petting my hair again, I give him one of my largest smiles ever.

When was the last time I smiled this big?

I don't seem to remember.

Walking down the stairs confidently alongside my mate, I never felt such joy bursting in me. Everyone was looking at me, this pack's new Luna descending down with their Alpha.

The bold, strong and generous Alpha Jean Bloodmond.

However, all my excitement comes crashing down when I witness a chain of women walking past the staircase. They seem to wear gowns. The most beautiful ones.

I could smell the royalty of their silk from up here. It was making me choke back tears.

"Why did I not dress like...them? They're human princesses." I say to Jean. I didn't know why, but he makes a sound from his throat and comes to pet my head once again.

"Because they aren't allowed to enter the meeting hall, sweetheart. They are simply companions of their human partners." I furrowed my eyebrows. Counting visually, my hand pointing to each head subtly, I come back to the point.

"But there are seven princesses for four human partners." Jean chuckles.

"Sometimes," he leans in closer to whisper in my ear, "Humans have more than one fated pair. Just like us. Although...ours seems to end at just a 'second chance'."

My mouth resembles that of a fish when I realized. I nod my head in understanding, continuing to walk down the stairs with my handsome mate. He sets foot on the ground after the last stair, silence falls.

"I hope all ladies and gentlemen are here for the bi-annual trade meeting." Jean gazes towards his beta who nods curtly. Jean nods back at Roman, turning to the crowd again.

"Let us begin our discussion. Ladies, please find yourselves utmost comfort from my omega service women. I'm sure they will be attending to all your needs." Speaking with such professionalism - as if he does this every day - Jean pumps my hand he holds to catch me back to himself.

"Is that how you normally speak to wom- people?"

"Hmm? What was that? I smell jealousy from my mate, even though we've met only today. And no, that's just for formality, sweetheart. I don't speak like that, come on~" He whispered as I chuckled heartily.

Upon entering the modern looking room, I couldn't help but land my eyes on each crevice and bearing. The lighting fixtures and everything at all.

I've only been seeing ancient architecture, this makes me feel like a tribal, village girl coming to a city for the first time. And the city is way too ahead in technology.

Or whatever that is called.

Smelling my thoughts, the demon-werewolf smiles at me as I look down at my feet.

Why was I blushing like a little girl?

I thought I was better than this. Even though I've been dreaming for a life this picture perfect, for my entire existence until now.

Jean Bloodmond...is a special man.

I'd fight anyone who says anything against this statement.

However...I was going to learn a lot of dark secrets about the man I deem so perfect, very soon.