by Kenya Wright
I cut my hand with the sharpened edge. Worry creased her face as blood dripped from my hand. I smeared the blood along her lips. She licked up as much as she could. The wound on my hand sewed back together, but it never healed all the way. A thick scar remained. It would be the only scar that I would have—a memory of my oath to my mate.
And in that moment, the purest of magic occurred. An invisible bond snapped into place between us. She gasped as it sparkled with supernatural energy.
She held her hands out to her sides. “What’s that tightening around my neck. . .and waist?”
“Our bond.” I reached out and somehow felt the thickness of our love, tightening around the both of us. I tugged at the energy to make sure it was secure.
She widened her eyes.
“Ours.”
Forever.
Fast, I placed the sword on the table and returned to my lovely Luna.
We finally have her.
I couldn’t help myself. I gathered Imani into my arms and kissed her.
My pack watched on, waiting with growling stomachs. Oliver whined. Zerab whimpered.
I lifted my mouth from my Luna and chuckled. “Fine. Go eat!”
Satisfied, my wolves howled to the moon, causing the bats to escape to the sky.
Harper hurried to Imani and took off her mask. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Imani nodded. “I know I look like a mess and—”
“Your eyes are glowing.” Harper gripped her mask tight. “It’s. . .beautiful.”
“What?” Imani held her hands in front of her face. A shimmering brown light covered her palms. “What is this?”
I shook my head. “My mother was a Luna, but she was also a shapeshifter. I’m not sure what being Luna will mean for you as a fatal. But it is a magical position to behold.”
A nude Blaze got to Harper. So eager, he didn’t even take time to put on clothes.
“Did the ceremony scare you?” he asked Harper and took the mask from her.
“I’m not scared, but. . .it was an event for sure.”
“Come,” Blaze whispered. “Please help me get dressed.”
Harper blushed and walked off with him.
Next, Raven slowly headed Imani’s way. Still unsure of the witch’s allegiance, I remained near.
“Congratulations, Luna.” Raven hugged Imani. “Your whole life will be changed forever.”
“Apparently more than I thought.” Imani left her embrace. “Thank you for leaving the bed.”
“This is the most exciting thing that’s happened all week.” Raven tossed her braids over her shoulders. “Too bad your wolves don’t have ceremonies like my kind. We celebrate a wedding for an entire week.”
“Wow.” Imani smiled. “That sounds like fun.”
I snorted. “It’s a lot of animal sacrificing and orgies in blood.”
“Oh.” Imani quirked her brows. “Well. . .that’s interesting.”
Right when I thought Raven was going to respond, she stared at Imani’s shoulder. “Don’t move.”
Imani stood still. “Why?”
A large, winged insect landed on Imani’s shoulder. It fluttered lime-green wings and had a furry white body.
Raven gazed in amazement. “You truly are blessed by the Goddess.”
I studied the small creature. “It’s a Luna Moth. I’ve never seen one before.”
Imani reached out to touch the insect. It rose, frantically circled her fingers, and then flew away.
Raven widened her eyes. “The Luna Moth is considered one of the most spiritual and mystical guides.”
“Why?” Imani asked the witch.
Raven watched the creature fly away. “To meet one is a special gift, for when she is in her adult moth stage, she only lives for approximately one week.”
Imani frowned. “Why only a week?”
“While living through their adult moth life, they don’t eat. They have no mouth. One might say that their sole purpose is to reproduce, but I think this is the greatest love of all.” Raven watched the sky as if hoping the Luna Moth would return. “They are born. They transform, love, and die. Then again, they are reborn. She is most often seen in the evenings, attracted to the moonlight.”
“It’s still sad that she dies so soon.”
Raven nodded.
Imani touched her shoulder.
“The Luna Moth speaks of the true feminine.” Raven directed her attention to Imani. “She’s your spirit guide. You’ll see her again and again in your dreams. Pay attention.”
Imani nodded. “I will.”
Carrying a chair, Damian appeared, wearing a clean white shirt and jeans. “Raven, you should be sitting.”
Raven rolled her eyes. “I am standing because I’m a grown witch.”
“Barely.” Damian snickered. “Please, sit down.”
Warm power radiated off her. Raven’s eyes changed to a bright moon-white. “And if I don’t, Delta?”
Damian stood his ground like I knew he would. “Then, I’ll put you in the chair.”
Raven’s eyes returned to normal. She frowned and lowered to the chair.
“Thank you.” Damian gestured to the table. “What would you like to eat?”
Raven pouted. “Anything that has no meat. . .please.”
“You should try meat.” Damian shrugged. “It is tasty.”
“No, thank you.”
I pulled Imani away as the witch began a debate with my Delta. I thought I would get a moment to make love to her, but my pack had other plans. As was tradition, we would remain together until the Goddess Moon left the sky.
“No share.”
We must share her, Conri. She’s the Luna.
We feasted all night on platters after platters of meat and partied until dawn. Many of the pack took turns dancing with our Luna. The whole time, I gritted my teeth and fought my rising jealousy. Of course, Conri thought I should kill them for being so close to her. I knew this was all tradition.
Our wolves entertained us. Oliver and Zerab fought in fatal form. At first, they circled each other, testing the other’s power and speed. Zerab threw the first punch. Oliver dodged it. Imani worried, but I told her to relax. She swore Oliver needed her protection. I knew better.
Oliver retaliated. His fist connected with Zerab’s jaw, shoving him high into the air. Zerab slammed into a tree. From there on, they exercised great strength. Brutal and wild, they went ten rounds, displaying a mixture of martial arts and boxing. With each injury, they healed. In the end, Zerab won and danced around in tattered jeans.
The rest of the night, Damian stayed close to the witch, even though she barely talked to him and looked uncomfortable being there.
Blaze and Harper snuck off into the woods before dawn. While Imani worried that Blaze was coming on too strong with her sister and wanted to search for them, I could hear all of Harper’s moans and pleading for more pleasure. Apparently, Harper was in good hands with my Beta.
When the sun peered over the horizon, I lifted my exhausted mate into my arms and carried her off to our cabin.
“But wait?” she yawned. “We should help them clean up.”
“We are the Alpha and Luna.” I snorted. “We do not clean.”
“That’s so obnoxious.”
“You’ll have to get used to it.”
“Seriously, I don’t want my wolves to clean it all up by themselves.”
I grinned. “Your wolves?”
“Yes.”
“Hmmm.” I smiled at the loving way she mentioned the pack. “Don’t worry. Oliver will do it. He’s the Omega. He gets all the shit jobs.”
“And I told you that I’m going to change that.”
“You won’t.”
She frowned. “That sucks for Oliver. When will it stop?”
“When there are new wolves introduced to the pack.”
“Do you think that will happen?”
“Anything is possible, my beautiful Imani. After meeting you, I don’t question anything i
n life anymore.”
She curved her lips into a smile. “I love you.”
I carried her into our bedroom. “And I love you.”
I slipped my lips down her collarbone and gently nipped at her soft flesh. She lay back on the bed. Her arousal filled the air.
“That dress must go.” I pushed my claws out of my hands and tossed her an evil grin.
“Don’t you dare.”
“I must. It’s the beast in me.”
She giggled as I ripped her dress away with my claws, freeing her soft breasts. They jiggled within the moonlight coming in from the window. Her dress fell to the side.
My claws went back.
I trailed my fingers along the outline of her panties. “I’m the luckiest Alpha ever.”
“Are you now?”
“I have the most beautiful Luna in the world. Are you ready to be a mother?”
She let out a long breath. “If this were months ago, I would have said no. But then I met you, and as long as you’re by my side, I will be ready for everything.”
“You will be the mother of a great warrior.”
“Do you really believe this prophecy?”
“Deep in my heart.” I slipped my hands over her body, cupped her breasts, and toyed with her nipples.
She moaned. “Make love to me, Aiden.”
I bent over and licked her breast, letting my tongue press softly into the crease on the underside of her breast. My tongue trailed its way along the curved surface up to her nipple, where it flicked lightly against the sensitive skin there. Instantly, I smelled her arousal. “My Luna is ready.”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“We’re married.”
She pouted. “We are. Now fuck me.”
“Hmmm.” I groaned with desire. “I want to have you entirely. Your mind. Your love. Your heart. I will keep you forever, whether you like it or not.”
“You do not scare me.” Imani batted her lashes. “I have a whole pack protecting me.”
Although I growled, I smiled, lowered my head, and brushed my lips over hers. “You’re probably right. You do have a pack. If it’s a choice of you or me, my wolves may pick you.”
“Then you’re lucky I can’t live without you.”
“I am.”
The space around us warmed. There was no more time to talk. Electric sparks burst in the air. It had been happening more as if our strengthening bond triggered us both to become more powerful. I hurried with taking off my clothes. Once my cock was free, I thrust into her, groaning against her lips and driving her wild.
We didn’t make love. We fucked. Wild, hard fucking. Heat rose around us. Sweat coated our slippery bodies, and then we fucked some more. Wet slapping noises rose. I was sure every wolf heard our symphony of moans and groans. Her wet pussy clenching on my cock was too good for me to care. In between breaks, she sucked me off with her skilled mouth, and I licked and lapped that pussy, triggering more arousal.
And then we returned to fucking. Both panting with our groans. Our bodies shuddered against the other. Our limbs trembled. Our orgasms rolled and rippled along with our bodies. It became so intense that I began to experience her orgasm through my own body as she began to feel mine.
We fucked well into the afternoon, coming close to breaking the bed.
Now that she was all mine, I would never get enough.
Gone was any possible problems with witches. With her as our Luna, we would be too strong. Our pack had finally been united. Other members were now mating. Nothing would knock my pack down or get in the way.
As long as I had my Luna, our enemies would stumble, fail, and die by our wolves.
“Mate.”
Yes, Conri. She’s our mate forever.
That night, Conri took the dream over. Within the dream state, he held his own wedding with Imani.
Epilogue
Imani
Seven months later
“Aiden!” I shook my huge man. “Wake up, baby. My water broke.”
He snapped his eyes open. “What? He’s coming?”
“Yes.” I gave him a nervous grin.
“Okay.” He rushed out of bed and hurried with putting on his clothes, and then lifted me up.
Before waking him, I’d taken my time putting on my clothes. I rose, left the bed, and waddled over to the door. The whole pregnancy, I was worried about birth pain, not sure what I would expect. When I asked Mama Joe, she just shook her head and told me that whatever came would be worth it. So far, my body ached, and intense cramps came.
When Aiden finished dressing, he lifted me.
“Aiden, I can walk.”
“Not tonight.” He carried me out of the bedroom and through our cabin. “When did your water break?”
“Less than an hour ago, I showered and cleaned up—”
“What?! Why didn’t you wake me?” He carried me out of the cabin and headed to Sherwin’s cabin.
“I could do it myself—”
“That’s not to point, Imani. You’ll be doing enough this evening. You don’t need to lift or clean anything.”
“You would have just called Oliver in—”
“Damn right.”
I grinned. “Leave him alone. He’s already going to be on diaper duty this year.”
“He’s excited.”
I laughed. “Yeah. He actually is.”
Sherwin stepped out of the cabin before Aiden could knock. He took our images in. Worry covered his face. “Why are you carrying her? Are you in that much pain, Luna?”
“No. Aiden wouldn’t let me walk.”
Sherwin shook his head at Aiden and opened his door wider. “Come on in. I can hear the little one’s heartbeats picking up. He’s excited.”
Terror coursed through me. “And. . .”
“Yes, Imani. His heart sounds healthy. Everything is going to be okay.” Sherwin led us to his extra bedroom. Months ago, Aiden, Oliver, and he cleaned the space and prepared it for a birthing area.
Zerab stepped into the living room, wearing a robe and yawning. “The baby is coming?”
“Yes.” Sherwin tied his hair in a ponytail. “And I can’t wait until he comes. I’m tired of all of you bothering me.”
“Hey.” I laughed. “This is the pack’s first baby.”
Zerab’s expression brightened. “I can’t wait to see the little fella’s face and teach him how to hunt. His heart is beating fast, Sherwin. Is that okay?”
“You all have been worrying me every day. The baby’s heart is fine.” Sherwin gathered sage and burned the tip.
“I’m going to put on some clothes and get everyone.” Zerab stopped and turned around. “Raven wants to be here. Should I go over to Damian’s and wake her?”
Frowning, Aiden lay me on the birthing bed. It appeared my alpha was still suspicious of Raven. Meanwhile, she and I had become great friends. I nodded at Sherwin. “Yes. She has something to keep the pain away. I’ll use anything.”
Aiden scowled.
I rolled my eyes. “Hey, buddy. You’re not the one pushing a baby out of your vagina.”
Sherwin shrugged. “He may actually feel it. You both have been sharing a lot of pain these days.”
That was true. If I cut my finger or burned myself while cooking, he would walk in with a knowing look and ask me what happened. His ability to deal with pain was much higher than mine. Therefore, it was no big deal for him. Meanwhile, whenever he shifted, an unbearable ache rippled through my bones. As the months passed, I became used to it.
Aiden held my hand. “I wish I could take away all your pain tonight.”
“I don’t want that to happen to you.” I squeezed his hand. My nerves flared. “We should get Harper out of Blaze’s cabin too.”
“Don’t worry.” Sherwin pulled out several herbs. “I hear Blaze and her coming. Zerab has been racing around the property and telling everyone.”
I grinned. “Well, they all can’t come in here.”
Aiden nodded.
I gazed down at my belly and took a breath.
I’m going to be a mom. Holy shit.
Conri’s voice sounded in my head. “Baby.”
“Yes, Conri.” I steadied my breathing. “The baby is finally coming.”
Sherwin shook his head. “I still can’t get used to you hearing his wolf.”
“Welcome to my world.” I shrugged. “All of this is still taking some getting used to.”
An intense cramp came. This time, the pain tore at me.
I squeezed Aiden’s hand hard. “Oh, God. If these contractions are only the beginning, then tell Raven to hurry up.”
Aiden’s jaw twitched.
I widened my eyes. “You felt that?”
“I imagine it hurt you more.”
“Where did you feel it?”
He gave me a sad smile. “My balls.”
“I’m glad Zerab can’t have kids. There’s no way I’m sharing labor pain.” Sherwin moved his hand from my belly and began setting up.
With his free hand, Aiden ran his fingers through my hair. “Everything is going to be okay.”
Those words soothed me as I prepared to deliver our son.
Harper and Raven entered the room minutes later. Raven gave me a potion that numbed my body. She even convinced Aiden to take some too. The pain didn’t go away, but it eased the intensity to subtle aching.
I was in labor for ten hours. Aiden helped me the whole time, holding me up and encouraging every push. There was no way I could have done it so easily without him. Had he not been there, I swear, I might’ve shattered into agony and craziness.
When our son arrived, exhaustion saturated every part of me. Aiden cut the umbilical cord and placed it in a wooden box. A silver lock dangled from the latch. It was the moon-touched’s tradition to keep the cord. In the future, Sherwin would use it for a protection spell.
Sherwin smiled. “Luna, what name did you finally settle on?”
I cleared my throat. “Aiman.”
Sherwin nodded. “It is a perfect combination.”
I whispered as I looked at my son. “Welcome to this magical world, Aiman.”
