by Aline Hunter
She drew her lower lip her teeth, pondering the question. After a moment, she sighed and said, "My sister."
The one she turned on. Damn. "Your Alpha and Beta weren't there?" She shook her head, and he asked, "What did she do?"
Her brushstroke brows furrowed, creating a frown he didn't care for. "What do you mean?"
"Did she run or play with you?"
"No, nothing like that. She waited while I shifted and let me wander around for a few minutes. Then I had to change back."
He didn't like the answer. "Where did she take you?"
"Our back yard."
He hoped her parents owned a decent amount of property. "How big?"
"How big is the yard?"
"Yes."
"I'm not sure. Half an acre or so? I had to stay near the deck."
Double fucking damn. "Were all your shifts like that? You never had a chance to play? You never went on a run or hunt with the pack?"
"They were always like that." She tucked her chin to her chest. "I lost my sight before I changed. Our Alpha insisted I stay at home during hunts. He couldn't guarantee my safety."
What the fuck?
The person running her pack was not only selfish, he was stupider than hell. He'd left her on her own to shift, and then he'd kept her from the very thing she needed early on. No wonder she behaved the way she had. She'd been left to fend for herself. Her former Alpha might as well have chained her up like an animal.
One thing was for certain, he'd be talking to Jackson about the situation.
Technically, the issue wasn't their business. However, Alphas from different communities would get involved in shitty situations when it reflected on the werewolf community as a whole or caused irreparable harm. He didn't know Luna's former Alpha, but he planned to gather as much information as possible.
A male like that wasn't worthy of a pack.
"We have some errands to run, but first..." He came to her, wanting a taste of her again. He cupped her face, and a tremor shot through him when he felt her silky hair against his skin. It was slightly darker than her coat when she shifted. "I'm going to show you what's in store for you, Luna."
This time he kissed her hard and heavy, his tongue darting into the moist cavern of her mouth. He wasn't gentle, nor was he polite. The succulent scent of her arousal punched into his nose, and his body came online. His cock hardened, his arms quaking. He brought a hand down, cupped her ass, and parted his legs. With that done, he made sure she straddled his thigh and pressed her against him. God, he wanted to bury himself inside her, fucking her until neither of them could breathe.
She moaned, grasping his shoulders, those sharp little nails of hers sinking into his shirt. He didn't have to slide his fingers into her panties to know she was drenched. He could smell her spicy scent, knowing he aroused and excited her. He guided her, pulling her up and down his thigh, making sure he hit her clit with each pass. Her soft cries had him seeing red. He thought he'd come then and there. He pulled back before he became a complete asshole, noting her lips were slightly swollen, her cheeks a gorgeous shade of pink. Her eyes remained that beautiful golden-blue color that indicated the wolf and woman were taking part in things.
"Let's get those errands done as soon as possible." He released her ass and cupped her face between his hands. "I want to get back here and pick up where we left off." He studied her, taking in how beautiful his mate was, thinking he was the luckiest bastard in the world. Her pale skin contrasted perfectly with her ebony tresses. "Is that something you want, lovely?"
A mating without a female's blessing was due to be cursed.
She brought her hands up cautiously and placed her fingers on his face. She moved them around, feeling his mouth, nose, cheeks, and chin. Her touch was a delicate thing, cautious and precise, exploring every contour. She whispered the tips of her fingers over his brows, giving them several strokes, a look of concentration etched in her face. She followed that up with a lingering caress over his forehead, her nails gently scraping his skin. Her fingers drifted down, and she slid them into his hair. He kept it short on the sides and back but long on the top.
Her lips curved, forming into a cock-rocking grin. "I knew you were lying."
"About?"
Her cheeks flushed. "What you look like."
Damn. Her shy response was adorable. "You like the way I look?"
"You're gorgeous."
He wanted to argue the point but didn't. "You think so?"
"I know so."
"Is that a yes?" he questioned.
Lowering her hands, smile fading, she asked, "Are you sure you want me?"
"I'll have no other, Luna." There was only one female in the world for him, and she was standing right in front of him. "You're my one and only."
She used her hands to guide her, placing them against his chest, and leaned against him. When she got her bearings, she wrapped her arms around his waist. The scents that came to him signaled she wanted this. He didn't push for a response, waiting for her to tell him what she wanted. She didn't answer right away, taking measured breaths, but he didn't say anything else.
He would do this right.
For her, he'd wait an eternity.
Her quietly murmured, "Then I'm yours," sealed both their fates.
He mirrored her, sliding his arms around her, closing his eyes. As he rested his chin on her head, he basked in the moment. Fuck, he'd waited so damned long. How many nights had he dreamed of this very thing? He'd lost count. The only thing that mattered was they'd found each other. This was the beginning of their lives.
He couldn't wait to seal their union.
He wanted everyone to know he'd found the female meant for him.
"Come on, lovely." He kissed her forehead, grasped her hand, and guided her back into the cabin. "I got basic staples before I brought you here, but I want you to pick out what you'd like to eat at meals."
"I haven't been shopping in ages," she admitted, her happiness evident.
"Really?" She might not be able to see, but she could still go to stores. There was nothing to prevent her from venturing to town. She had a guide dog, after all. "Why not?"
"Things got done faster if I wasn't there," she answered, a bit of that happy glow in her expression fading. "It takes time to load Max up and get things sorted."
"I don't want anything to go faster. I want to take in every single second with you." He patted her rear and went to make sure Max was set. It was such a small thing really. His mate obviously planned ahead, making sure she had things she needed when venturing out. She had a bag that carried the dog's essentials, complete with a small bowl and water bottle. All he had to do was grab a leash and the harness. "We left early and have all day."
"Where are we going to go?"
"I don't know," he answered and went back to her, taking her hand. "There are several stores. Some are specialty. It depends on what you're in the mood for." He noted the frown he disliked returning to her radiant face. Wanting to remove the worried look, following his gut, he said, "I thought I'd take you to all of them. If we're lucky, they'll be handing out samples. You can try new things and see what you like."
"All of them?" That sense of wonder returned to her expression, and he was smitten.
He'd take her shopping as often as she wanted if it made her happy.
"All of them." He led her toward the door, knowing that soon everyone would see him out and about with his female.
His female.
The thought made him happier than hell.
Chapter Six
He'd been able to do it.
Shane made it possible for her and the wolf to communicate.
Luna had taken advantage of that when they'd gone to the grocery store, the various sounds in the place allowing her wolf to make out shadows and patterns. Max had guided her, making sure she didn't bump into things she couldn't make out, but she'd mostly gotten around on her own.
Shane did what he said he would, taking her
from place to place.
He'd held her hand here and there, but he'd set her free when something got her attention, and she wanted to explore. There were so many scents to sort through, and the echo of so many voices had her grinning. She wasn't confined in her home, able to explore the world. She hadn't felt this happy and free since she'd lost her sight.
Not only did she feel liberated, so did the wolf.
They weren't in Rhodes anymore. Atrum Hill was completely different. Humans steered clear of the city, aware supernatural creatures existed and thrived in the area. It made the entire experience exhilarating. There was so much she hadn't been able to do when she'd lived with her parents, limited due to parentage and visual impairment. The town she'd been raised in was small. The adjoining one was of the human variety, meaning she'd only ventured to it a handful of times.
Everything in her life was about to change, and she couldn't wait.
By the time they made it back to the cabin, she felt like a giddy teenager. She wanted to spin in circles, dance around, and listen to Shane's voice as he asked questions or provided answers if something was new to her. She'd learned a long time ago that voices also had faces, and she thought his was the most gorgeous one she'd ever encountered.
His baritone was deep and soft, each word crisp and clear.
As he'd settled her on the couch and left her to put away the food, her grandmother had called. Luna immediately eased the woman's fears, excitedly telling her about her day, revealing what Shane had done with the wolf and how different things were. The conversation had gone smoothly until her grandfather had gotten on the line and revealed her parents wanted to pass on a message. They didn't intend on disputing the claim Shane made, but they wanted to see her now that she was no longer a danger to the pack and had found her mate.
There was more to it, of course.
Her grandfather must have told them about Shane.
Her mate might be a member of someone else's pack, but he was powerful enough to have his very own. Any werewolf with decent senses would feel the strength and authority that oozed from him. Her mother and father wanted their Alpha to pay for what he'd done to their daughters. Unfortunately, neither of them was strong enough to confront him.
Considering how things turned out, they could finally get their wish.
They weren't coming to her. They expected her to come to them.
They wanted Shane to pay a visit.
As she'd hung up the phone, happiness faded and a cold blanket of fear and desperation surrounded her.
She wasn't even fully mated yet, but trouble had found her again.
She couldn't avoid Dice if she ventured to Rhodes, and the Alpha wanted her dead. He'd told her parents she could be sent away after she'd attacked him, but that had only been for show. He intended to kill her as soon as possible, more than likely the very next day. Luna had known that as soon as he'd issued the decree, sensing the outrage coming from him. The only reason he'd left her alive was to tend to his wounds and clean himself up. He'd expected to kill her himself as soon as he'd returned to his fighting form. From the way he'd spoken to her mother and father, he was looking forward to doing so.
He hadn't anticipated one thing.
That was how quickly her parents would get her out of his reach.
She'd been shipped out that same night of the attack, her parents thinking of her safety first and foremost. They hadn't been told everything about the night she'd lost control, but they knew their Alpha. They'd entered Dice's pack when she was little, trying to find a place to raise their children in safety and without interference, but they'd never cared for the male. That much was obvious. Unfortunately, their options were limited. Many packs didn't want a halfling, especially one that eventually would lose her sight. Despite not having a Lupa to watch over children, Dice had welcomed her family into his fold. They'd run out of time and options, so they'd joined his pack.
Even if he was an asshole, he was an asshole other wolves avoided.
Being one of his offered a measure of protection.
The only reason she had been able to gain the upper hand with the male was due to the fact her shift had been almost instant. Then her sister had come home unexpectedly. When Dice heard the front door open and turned toward the sound, her wolf had gotten lucky, latching onto his throat. It didn't matter that he was an Alpha, or that he was larger and stronger than her.
Her teeth were lethal things.
She'd been told the first thing he'd done when she'd gone for Moira was remove his shirt to stem the flow of blood coming from his neck, caring only about himself. As she'd charged her sibling and nearly removed her hand, he'd tied clothing around his neck, watching the chaos without a care in a world. He'd created a bandage to stem the flow of blood, growled, and let Luna know he was about to kill her.
But then her parents had come home.
She didn't attempt to mask her alarm as she thought about the event.
Shane was an Alpha.
Not only would he sense it, he would scent it.
He'd made it clear he intended to claim her fully. She'd agreed to be his mate, knowing that's what he had in store for the evening. Before that happened, he had a right to know why she'd lost control, and the wolf had gone mad. It could ruin everything for her, but she refused to put him in danger. He'd looked for her, found her, and had been nothing but supportive and gentle since she'd been alone with him. He'd treated her with courtesy, been playful and engaging, and deserved her openness and honesty.
By remaining silent about things, she wasn't helping anyone.
As her mate, Shane was within his rights to confront anyone that tried to hurt her. If he heard the truth from someone else, he'd probably feel insulted and pissed. If the shoe was on the other foot, she'd feel the same way.
She stayed on the couch, waiting as he fed Max.
By the time he came to her, placing a hand on her knee, she'd prepared herself. "I have to tell you something," she said calmly, folding her hands in her lap, trying not to squirm.
"I figured as much." He shuffled, and she realized he'd knelt in front of her. He was perceptive as ever, aware something was wrong, wanting to give her what she needed. "You can tell me anything, Luna."
"My parents want us to visit them."
"That's understandable. Mine want to meet you as well."
Damn. He thought this was just a case of meet-the-parents nerves. "There's more to it than that." She drew a deep breath, reminding herself that this was her mate. Their relationship would always be the most important one in her life. He had a right to know everything about her, even the dark and embarrassing aspects. "If we go, there'll be trouble."
He took one of her hands in his. "What kind of trouble?"
"How much did Gramma and Papaw tell you about my situation?"
"You mean what brought you here?"
"Yes."
"You attacked a male that tried to assault you and turned on your sister." He didn't mince words, and he didn't hesitate. In many ways, his honesty and blunt response made her feel more comfortable. He wasn't upset by the conversation, and he obviously didn't want her to be either. "They told me your Alpha insisted you leave or be put down."
"Did they tell you why?"
He did pause then. "Because you lost control."
"That was part of it, but it's not the main reason." She licked her lips, dreading what she had to say, loathing her lot in life. While it was best to get this out of the way, she wished she didn't have to. "The person I attacked wasn't just any member of the pack."
She was afraid to say more, so he pushed the issue. "Meaning?"
Time for the truth. "He was the Alpha."
The harsh and peppery scent of fury slammed into her nose, and Shane's grip on her hand changed, becoming harsh. "You're telling me the Alpha is the one who assaulted you?" He growled the words, his voice much deeper and terrifying. A rumble came from his chest, his wolf rising to the surface. She didn't need to see him t
o feel it. "He's the moron that came around knowing full and damn well you were on the brink of your season?"
She kept her head bowed but turned her head, revealing her throat, hoping the display of submission calmed him somewhat. "My sister, Moira, had a thing for him. She thought if they spent time together, it would lead to a mating, but I never believed that. My parents didn't either. They tried to prevent her from seeing him, but she wouldn't listen."
"Why?" He snarled the word.
"Everyone knows he gets around. He's had sex with a majority of unmated females in the pack. It's what he does. Most don't mind the attention."
"Did he know about me?"
She never thought a single question could sound so terrifying. "He knew we were dreamsharing. The mating heat had started, and I thought you'd come to me. I made it clear I was waiting for you."
"That son of a bitch." His tone revealed his fury. Despite that, he hadn't increased his already tight grip on her hand. Somehow he remained level-headed, his ragged breaths revealing he was capable of maintaining control. "How did it happen?"
"He came to pick up Moira one night. She was running late from work, and so were my parents. I let him wait inside." She thought about that, wishing she could turn back time. By letting him in, she'd sealed her fate. In attempting to be a good pack member, she'd fucked everything up. "I didn't want to insult him. He takes things personally, and I didn't want to agitate him. I didn't think we'd be alone for long."
"He still tried something?"
"Not at first. He just talked to me. But he got too close." She recalled Dice's voice coming closer as she'd stood in the kitchen, experiencing the same panic as she remembered trying to move away.
Males couldn't help their attraction to an unclaimed female during her mating heat. Trouble was, her Alpha should have known better. She'd honestly believed he'd understand and appreciate what was taking place with her.
"When his scent changed, and I heard him moving toward me," she continued, hating the entire memory, wishing it would go away, "I rushed to the bathroom and locked myself inside. The wolf felt my panic and triggered the change before he kicked the door in. I had him pinned when Moira got home. When she tried to pull me off him, I was completely out of my head. I couldn't stop the wolf. I don't want to think about how things would have gone if my parents hadn't arrived when they did."
