His brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”
“It’s just that he has enough scouts. He doesn’t need to lead them every time, does he?”
“Ah, I see what you mean. Believe me, he’d rather be with you and Mia in the evenings. But he’s worked hard to show the pack he’snothing like his parents—they were never involved. They were too trapped in their own turmoil to be truly present,” Rhys explained, his expression turning serious. “He’s determined to lead differently.”
I nodded, understanding the weight of Alexis’s burden. Since his confession on the battlefield, I knew the shadows of his parents lingered over him. I nodded in understanding. “It’s inspiring that he doesn’t let that legacy define him.”
“He shouldn’t,” Rhys replied earnestly. “He’s fought hard for the respect he commands now.”
The passion in his voice mirrored my own sentiments. It was clear Alexis’s determination resonated throughout the entire pack, making us stronger together. “It’s clear you’ve been there every step of the way. Thank you,” I said. “I hope….” I hesitated, wondering if it was too presumptuous to say it, even though Alexis had already asked me to lead beside him. I took another deep breath, needing to gauge how Alexis’s Beta felt about the idea. “I hope I can measure up to being a strong leader.”
Rhys smiled, warmth shining in his eyes. “With your strength and heart, you already are, Selina. We’re lucky to have you with us.”
A swell of gratitude washed over me, knowing that this pack—the people within it—would always stand by me and Mia.
“Now, how about one more cup for the road?” Rhys suggested, holding up his cup hopefully.
A couple of months later, that wish to stand united in leadership with Alexis came to pass. On the night of a new moon, Alexis and I stood in the throne room, upon the dais, with Beta Rhys and three Shadow Moon elders with us, witnessing us exchange our mate bond vows.
Lyvia, the officiant of our ceremony, welcomed the pack standing around us. Both the faces of Shadow Moons and Nightwings gazed up at us with hopeful faces. Alpha Kyle and Luna Leah were there, too, their smiles radiating joy.
Mia stood, holding Seraphina’s hand at the front of the crowd, her large green eyes shining with excitement. Her dark hair framed herface in soft waves, and she wore a bright yellow dress, the color the Shadow Moons associated with Igaluk. She was a little ray of sunshine, beaming up at us, our greatest treasure.
“Just like tonight when Igaluk’s dark moon is unseen but at its most potent,” Lyvia proclaimed, her voice carrying confidently through the crowd. “So is the love that has always existed between Selina and Alexis. For some time, it remained veiled to them, but watching their journey as they found each other has been a wonder and privilege to behold.”
Standing alongside Alexis, the weight of our pasts mingled with the beauty of the present. His warm hand enveloped mine, the gentle pulse of our bond swirling around us like a soothing tide. Love and affection shone in his stormy eyes, reflecting not only our connection but our commitment to one another and the bright future we would build for our family and pack.
When Lyvia declared us bound under the eyes of the Goddess, cheers erupted from our loved ones. All I could focus on was the warmth of Alexis’s heartbeat aligned with mine—the heartbeat of my home.
Later that evening, our celebration swayed into the depths of the night, festooned with laughter, sparkling sikin crystals, and music that lifted spirits. Amidst the glow, I shared stories and laughter with members from both packs, feeling their warmth and the embrace of belonging enveloping me. Mia happily went off early with Leah, Kyle, and Lena—who had become one of her best friends—for a sleepover. Lyvia assured me she’d check in on her, too.
As the hour grew late and laughter echoed through the grand hall of Shadow Moon Castle, guests began to depart with each farewell marked with warmth and joy. But amidst the fading festivities, Alexis swept me off my feet, his strong arms encircling me as he effortlessly carried me up the grand staircase.
“Where are we going?” I asked, a laugh bubbling up, half-surprised and half-giddy. My arms encircled his neck for support. He’d shed his tux jacket somewhere earlier, and in a slightly rumpled shirt and tousled hair, he looked delicious. He climbed each step with purpose, the air thick with anticipation as we headed toward our bedroom.
“Somewhere special,” he replied, his teasing smirk igniting a spark of want within me. My heart raced, each beat echoing the exhilaration of the night ahead.
Yet, to my surprise, as we entered the bedroom, he didn’t stop at the bed. Instead, he continued past it into our plush walk-in wardrobe. “Would you get the light?” he asked casually. The playful tone, paired with the glimmer of mischief in his eyes, made me grin.
I flicked on the switch, then gasped as the warm glow illuminated an array of stunning dresses—emerald greens shimmering like the depths of a lush forest, deep burgundy reminiscent of ripe autumn berries, and soft taupe tones whispering of serenity. He had stocked the wardrobe just for me.
“I know you said you didn’t need a walk-in wardrobe, Ilak,” he said, his voice thick and gravelly, reverberating like the low rumble of thunder. “But I wanted to dress my Luna in shades that brought out her eyes.” His gaze held an intensity that sent goosebumps racing along my bare arms, a heat pooling deep within me. "Eyes that remind me of our forest after the rain," he added, and I melted under the heat in his stare.
“I love them,” I breathed, though it wasn’t the dresses I adored. It was his careful consideration behind every choice he’d made, all those shades selected with love and attention.
“And,” he added, stealing a glance at his side of the wardrobe. My eyes caught on an array of vibrant blue shirts. The very shirt I had torn off him that electrifying night in my shop. There must be three or four dozen here now, each a reminder of the heat of that night.
A flush crept up my cheeks. “That’s the sexiest present ever,” I said huskily. “Because right now, I want to claw your clothes off.”
A rumble of approval climbed in the back of his throat, sending a thrill racing through me. Then, with fervent intensity, his mouth crashed into mine, igniting a wildfire of desire.
In a moment, I found myself beneath him, laid out on our sumptuous king-sized bed—a sanctuary that breathed memories and dreams. He continued to kiss me fervently, a dance of urgency and exploration. My hands dove into the fabric of his shirt, eagerly tearingthrough the line of buttons that separated us. With each stroke of my fingers over his taut muscles, heat ignited between us.
My lips and tongue found the pulse of his throat, tracing the contours where I’d marked him on the battlefield. My touch was urgent, hungry, wild—a need deeply rooted. He groaned, the sound reverberating like thunder in the skies. Each taste of him, each twist of my body, sent surges of pleasure cascading through me, mingling with the intoxicating scent of sweat and his earthy aroma. Everything else faded away, leaving just him and the exquisite electricity that crackled around us.
In a fevered rush, my hands found their way to the waistband of his pants, fingers tearing at his zipper and savoring his deep intake of breath as I palmed him through his pants, greedy to drink down more of those primal sounds.
“Selina,” he gasped, the syllables thick with a heady power that enveloped us both. The vibrations shot through me, igniting a fierce ache low in my belly—a call to surrender, to let go of everything but this force driving us together.
