by Jen L. Grey
Since it was such an important occasion, we invited every one of them we could to watch our ceremony. We purposefully wore the school colors proudly because we were representing the original council and would pledge our loyalty to the founding principles that they had created.
You look damn sexy in that outfit. Liam brushed his fingertips along the low-cut, blood-red dress covering my breasts.
Oh, don't worry. Right after it's all done, we'll finish what we started. I brushed his lips once more before pulling away and heading out the door.
The four of us made our way to the hallway where Sherry, Simon, and Micah were waiting.
"Where's Bree?" Simon glanced around us as if he expected her there.
"She and Nate are meeting us out front." It was nice to say those words. Nate was perfect for Bree, and they were finally able to be a true couple where the rest of the world could see.
"All right." Simon shrugged as he headed to the elevator.
Within minutes, we were walking outside and found not only Bree and Nate but my family as well.
My mother came over and hugged me. "I'm so proud of you."
"I didn't do it by myself." I turned to the group of people around me. "Every single one of them made this happen."
"Before we get sappy, let's go." Max pulled me into a bear hug, and my dad's eyes watered as he watched.
"It's time." Mr. Thorn appeared before us, dressed in his suit, and motioned to the door. "The longer you go without claiming your rightful seats, the more volatile the bonds are."
Liam came to my side and took my hand in his as we made our way to the council building.
When we entered the huge hall, flashbacks of when I'd previously been there washed over me. There had been a group of alphas about this size, spitting at me, calling me names, and wanting to hurt me.
As I took note of who was in the room, it surprised me that a few of them actually had the nerve to show up here again. Despite that, now wasn't the time for retribution. Something more important needed to happen.
Mr. Thorn had them put up some risers so everyone could watch what was going to take place. Since I was the Overseer, I was the first to climb the steps with the other four heirs beside me.
Liam kept a firm grip on my hand as he walked out along with me. Liam was on one side and Evan was on my other. Micah stood next to Evan as Simon stayed in place next to Liam.
"We're gathered here today for the top alphas to submit to the new council. By doing so, the shifters under you will link with them as well." Mr. Thorn stepped to the side of us as he pointed at our group.
"This is a full council, which is stronger than what we have had in decades." Mr. Thorn turned toward us and gave us a nod. "Do you promise to serve and help the shifters who submit to you?"
The five of us nodded as we had been told to do and replied as one, "We do."
"Very well." He turned to address the others, but Liam cleared his throat.
"Before we ask for their acceptance of us, I have something I need to say." Liam took a deep breath and glanced out at the crowd. "Since I'm mated to Mia and I promised to serve the packs underneath, I must withdraw from my seat as a council member. My sister, Bree, is the rightful heir as I take my place beside the Overseer."
The crowd quieted at the announcement for a moment before hushed whispers could be heard.
Bree climbed the stairs, and her voice popped into my head. I don't know what I'm doing. Maybe this was a bad idea.
You'll be fine. I grinned. Now that Liam withdrew, she'd taken his place in the unique bond the five of us shared.
She paused for a second and glanced at me. Holy shit, I can hear you.
Stop cussing and take your place next to me. Simon rolled his eyes but then winked.
The crowd murmured as Bree stood tall next to Simon and took a deep breath. "I make the same oath. To listen and serve my packs."
“And unlike the council before us, we will allow our fated mates to work at our sides.” This was the most important part that I believed even the original council had gotten wrong. “Our fated mates are meant to ground us and keep our hearts open.” As I said the words, Sherry, Willow, and Nate joined us on the platform. Each one standing beside their mate.
“Though only the five votes will count, we will do what we think is in the best interest of those who feel as if they have no voice. We will empower and embrace each shifter who stands with us. When Micah finds his fated mate, the same expectation will be held of them.” They needed to know that the voice of all would be heard and not only of the elite.
There was a moment of silence as we waited for them to submit. Half of these people were strong supporters of their parents, who would never agree to this. We weren't sure what to expect.
"I was wrong before." Kai glanced at me and then over at Liam. "I couldn't find another group of people who could do any better." He lowered his eyes as the first to stand down. "I submit."
My brother and parents followed him, each one linking inside our chests. The rest followed suit, and before we knew it, it was time to begin our reign and right the wrongs of the ones before us.
As we all headed back to our dorms, the bond between us had grown. I wasn’t sure what had happened, but now the heirs and their mates were linked together in the sacred bond we shared. This was a sign that we had made the right decision.
It came with consequences and loss, but it was the road that got us pushed together. Liam grabbed my hand and muttered goodbye to the others, leading me back to our room.
As we got in the elevator heading to the twelfth floor, he pulled me into his arms. It’s time to get you out of that dress now.
We stumbled into the dorm room and into the bedroom, our lips tangled together. As I reached to unbutton his shirt, he grabbed my hands and pulled them away.
Okay, I hadn’t expected that. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing at all.” He cleared his throat and took a deep breath before kneeling in front of me. “There’s only one way I could think of that could be a perfect ending to today.”
“What are you doing?” My heart sped up as I watched him reach inside his pocket and pull out a large oval diamond surrounded by smaller ones.
His hands shook as he held the ring out to me. “Mia Davis, will you marry me?”
Tears burned my eyes, and I shook my head yes. “Of course. Yes.”
He slipped the ring on my finger and pulled me in for a long, lingering kiss.
This was proof that no matter what happened, we’d always be at each other’s side.
The End
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Do you love a second chance fated mates series with badass women and alpha men? Then please read on to find the sneak peek of Moon Kissed, the first book of The Marked Wolf Trilogy, and one click here.
Moon Kissed - Chapter One
About Four Years Ago
The cool April breeze blew, rustling the leaves and low branches hiding us, but it couldn’t calm the heat running through my body. Aidan sat next to me, and I stared into his gorgeous golden eyes that always held a faint glow—evidence of his strong wolf inside.
“I hate that I can’t come to your birthday party.” He ran his fingertips across my cheeks, and his piney scent filled my nose. “Turning fourteen is a big deal.”
Fourteen years ago, my adoptive parents had found me here, and I’d been drawn to this spot ever since. Then, one fateful night, two years ago, his wolf had brought him to me. We’d been coming here at least three times a week around midnight ever since, and I was closer to him than anyone else. But it didn’t matter. Our packs were not friendly due to a feud that went back so far that no one in my pack remembered the cause. And though it didn’t matter, the pack would still frown upon him coming to the party.
“I hate it too.” My blood always buzzed inside me, though it amplified around him. But hell, it could just be the butterflies flitting about inside my stomach.
I’d always enjoyed his company, but these past few months, my feelings for him had been strengthening. “I’d do anything to have you there,” I’d whispered, and his wolf hearing picked up each and every word.
“One day, they won’t be able to tell us what to do.” He cleared his throat and scooted closer to me. He tugged at his black shirt as his shoulder touched mine.
“Until then, we at least have these moments together.” I always counted down to these moments when we’d sneak out of our homes to come here and spend a couple of hours together under the moon.
His gaze traveled to my lips.
I wanted to yell at him to kiss me, but I was also relieved he hadn’t. I’d been practicing with my mirror since I’d never been kissed before. He was the only boy I’d ever held hands with. I wanted him to be my first everything.
“I know it’s not until tomorrow, but I have something for you.” He leaned away from me and reached into his jeans pocket. He pulled out a leather cord with a wooden heart painted red dangling from it. “It’s not much, but I wanted you to have a piece of me there with you.”
My fingers brushed the warm, smooth surface before I took the entire heart in my hand. “I love it.”
He nibbled his bottom lip. “I made it for you. No matter where you are, my heart is yours.” He stiffened as the words left his mouth, and he watched me out of the corner of his eye.
My heart beat a little faster. “You have mine, too.”
He blew out a breath and took my hand in his. “Really?”
“Yes.” The weight of the moment hit me hard. He felt the same way I did about him.
“May I …”He nibbled his lip again as his eyes landed on mine. “Uh … kiss you?”
Unable to form words, I nodded.
A grin spread across his face as he slowly leaned in. He paused for a second as he stared into my eyes. “I love you, Emma.”
Before I could respond, his lips touched mine.
I closed my eyes and followed his lead. He deepened the kiss, and my heart hammered so hard it rang in my ears.
This was better than anything I could’ve ever imagined. He tasted of minty toothpaste, and it was now my favorite taste in the world.
Our lips parted, and he gave me a huge smile. “Can I put the necklace on you?”
“Huh?” It took a second for the words to make sense in my head. “Oh, yeah. Please.” I handed the necklace back to him and turned around.
I moved my long blonde hair aside and waited for him to place the necklace over my head. When he didn’t, I looked back.
His brows were furrowed, and confusion filled his eyes.
“Are you okay?” He’d been here with me a moment ago, but now he was miles away.
“Uh… yeah.” He stood in a rush and brushed the grass off his jeans. “I’ve got to go. I’m sorry.” He turned and walked away, leaving me behind.
Aidan
My eyes had to be playing tricks on me. Did the girl I love have the mark of my enemy?
The confusion in her eyes hurt, but I had to leave. I hid in the woods and turned around to see her gorgeous gray eyes locked on where I’d disappeared. Her body tensed as her hand clutched the heart I’d just given her.
There was no way she could be bad… or a monster. Even though my wolf howled deep within me, I knew what I had to do. I needed to stay away to protect her.
Emma
The party felt like it would never end. The entire pack was here, in the large open clubhouse at the center of the neighborhood, to celebrate my birthday. People were dancing like they didn’t have a care in the world.
Even though we weren’t sure when I was born, we celebrated my birthday on April eighteenth, the day my parents found me abandoned in the woods. Apparently, there had been a dead shifter in wolf form right beside me. They believed it was my father, but no one knew for certain.
My parents had been trying for a child for so long they hadn’t hesitated to take me in. They’d seen it as a blessing, and it had seemed like fate since I was a wolf as well. The Rogers pack accepted me as if I were their blood. Even though none of them threatened me, I was ready to lose everything at any second. How could these people love me when my own parents hadn’t wanted me?
Even if the wolf had been my father, it didn’t change how I felt—I needed to be the perfect daughter and wolf for my parents and the pack.
I sat at the table closest to the cake and watched as people laughed, smiled, danced, and talked to one another.
“Hey, Emma.” Jacob sat next to me. He was the alpha’s son and the guy all the girls in school and in our wolf pack wanted.“Why are you on the sidelines? It’s your birthday. You should be out there with Libby and Grace, dancing.”
Libby and Grace were my two best friends in the entire world, and I probably should have been dancing with them, but I just wanted to see Aidan. He’d left in such a weird way last night, and I was panicking. Maybe I was a horrible kisser and I’d ruined everything between us.
“Earth to Emma.” Jacob touched my shoulder. His chocolate-brown eyes found mine through his shaggy hair.
“Yeah, sorry.” I had to stop stressing. Mom had already called me out for acting off tonight, and now Jacob. “I guess it’s surreal. I’ll be a freshman next school year.”
“Ah, so you’re feeling old.” He chuckled and winked at me. “Don’t worry. Age looks good on you.”
Oh, ew. I hadn’t expected that. If I wasn’t all caught up in Aidan, I’d probably be into Jacob, but he paled in comparison. No one else in the world was meant for me. “Uh… thanks?” I hadn’t meant for it to come out as a question.
“I mean it.” He grinned.“I’ve been trying to get you to notice me for a while, but you’re always so distant.’
“You’re in high school.” Thankfully, that came out instead of the real reason I didn’t want to be with him. The last thing I needed to do was upset him and his father.
“And, as you pointed out, you’ll be there in just a few short months.” He shrugged and scooted closer to me. “I’m only a year older.”
He wasn’t going to let this go.
“Hey, Emma.” Grace had a shit-eating grin on her face as she hurried over.“Whatcha doing?” She waggled her eyebrows right in front of Jacob.
I wanted to die of embarrassment. I wished an earthquake would hit and the ground would swallow me whole.
Grace giggled and ran her fingers through her dark auburn curls, and then she pulled at her green dress that was almost the same shade as her eyes.
“Well, I’d hoped to ask her on a date, but you interrupted me.” Jacob’s eyes stayed on me, watching for my reaction.
“Oh my God,”Grace squealed and jumped up and down. “Okay, I’ll go over there, so don’t mind me.” She rushed over to Libby and whispered into her ear.
Great, this was getting out of hand. I didn’t want to date Jacob, but what the hell could I do?
“So… what do you say?” His fingers tapped on the table.
“I’m too young to date.” In my defense, my parents were overprotective, so it was a good excuse.
“Okay, I’ll talk to your parents.” Jacob leaned over, and his eyes landed on my necklace. “Oh, is that new?”
“Uh… no.” I didn’t know what else to say. If I’d told him yes, he would have wanted to know who’d given it to me. I touched the pendant, which already meant so much to me.
“It looks good on you.” He smiled as he stood and said, “Happy birthday.” He made a beeline to my parents.
I stepped out into the hallway and listened to my parents’ deep breathing. It had taken forever, but finally, my parents were asleep. I hurried to my bedroom window and quietly slid it open.
Luckily, we lived in a ranch-style home. I climbed out of the window and glanced around to make sure none of our neighbors were out. All the houses backed up to the woods, and I raced into the trees, toward the territory line. I was so eager to see Aidan after our kiss last night. Maybe we could do a re
peat.
I reached the small clearing and paused. Aidan was always here before me, but not this time. It was odd. This had never happened before. I sat down on my side of the territory line like I always did. We tried not to tempt fate too much by breaking the boundaries dictated centuries ago.
After a few minutes of waiting, I lay back on the grass and watched the moon. The breeze blew, and before I realized it, I’d fallen fast asleep.
Aidan
It took every ounce of strength I had not to run to her. She was waiting for me, her hand clutching the pendant I’d given her, and concern was etched on her forehead.
Even though we couldn’t be together, it was up to me to keep her safe. I’d expected her to give up waiting and leave after an hour or so, but it was getting close to dawn. She must feel the same damn pull as I did.
Dad had almost caught me sneaking out tonight, reaffirming what I already knew: I couldn’t let my dad and brother find out about her.
When she lay down and her eyes drifted closed, my heart beat harder. I had to stay hidden, but how the hell was that possible when all I wanted was to hold her in my arms?
Emma
“Emma, are you okay?” Jacob’s voice stirred me from my sleep.
My eyes fluttered open, and I slowly sat up. When I realized where I was, my heart began to race. He never came last night, and I’d stupidly fallen asleep, waiting for him.
“Your parents are worried sick.” Jacob squatted beside me. “Did something happen?”
