I nodded, a warm feeling bursting in my chest at the slow, seductive smile that crossed his lips.
“My mate,” he breathed, bringing his mouth to mine with such ferocious desire that I felt it echo through my soul.
The Right Decision
CAELAN
I was hooked. Absolutely head over heels. One day with Shade in my arms and it was over for me. There would never be another.
To be honest, I’d thought that I’d been in love before. I had my fair share of girlfriends in the past, and I’d even given my virginity to one of them, believing that I loved her enough to reject my fated mate for her.
Oh, how naive I was back then.
Those were nothing compared to what I felt for Shade. She was everything. If the Goddess had asked me what I wanted for a perfect mate, I couldn’t have designed a better woman for me than Shade.
The moment she let me kiss her, my heart nearly leapt out of my chest. I couldn’t blame it. It didn’t belong to me anymore. Shade was its owner now.
That first kiss had blown my mind, and every kiss that we’d shared after had only gotten better. She tasted sweeter than I had ever imagined, like fresh-baked cherry pie. I knew it would be good, but the reality had surpassed my wildest fantasies.
My coronation as alpha seemed less exciting compared to earning permission from my beautiful mate to hold her and taste her intoxicating lips.
Which was why when I awoke the following morning, I had one thing on my mind. To get through this damn dinner so I could finally claim her as mine.
I had dismissed Deianira, Talulla, and Briggita. Now it was time to get rid of Sunny.
***
I sat in my office with my betas and my gamma, going over the logistics of traveling to Thunder Moon’s territory.
I was less than eager to be taking Shade back to them, even if it was only temporarily. They didn’t deserve to be in her presence for a second, but I knew we had to do this one last thing to be done with the ritual.
“We need a solid plan for getting us to and from Thunder Moon without giving Dark Moon an opportunity to get at Shade,” I said, glancing at the three of them. “What’s our best plan of action?”
Dark Moon still posed a threat. They were after Shade, and I didn’t plan on giving them a chance to get their paws on my mate. Shade was under my protection now. She may not haveofficiallybeen a member of the Harvest Moon Pack yet, but that was just a technicality.
“I suggest a convoy,” Dillon recommended. “Four SUVs should do it. The two in the front and rear will carry the warriors, while the two in the middle will be for your parents, you, Shade, and Sunny with a couple of guards riding along just in case.”
“Can’t we put Sunny in her own SUV?” I scoffed, knowing full well that would be a ridiculous waste of resources.
“Shade is Sunny’s bodyguard,” Taffy reminded me. “Until this is all over, you have to keep up appearances. If Sunny’s traveling, then Shade would be by her side.”
I knew she was right. I didn’t like it, but it didn’t change the facts.
“We should also consider having a squad in wolf form running alongside the convoy,” Oliver added. “They’ll know in advance if any wolves from Dark Moon are even close. They’ll be able to intercept them and warn the convoy of a possible attack.”
“Good point,” I admitted. “I think that’s a great idea.” “I’ll volunteer to lead that group,” he added. “Having someone with authority on the outside in case things go south can’t hurt.”
“Are you sure, Oliver?” I reasoned. “It could get dangerous.”
“Absolutely,” he confirmed. “You’re my alpha, and Shade is my future luna. I would never forgive myself if something happened to either of you, and I wasn’t there to try and stop it.”
“All right then. It’s settled. You’ll lead the patrol on the ground,” I agreed. “Dillon and Taffy, I’m afraid I need the two of you to stay here and lead Harvest Moon in my absence. I’m counting on you to hold the pack together if anything should happen.”
“Of course,” Dillon replied without hesitation.
Taffy huffed but nodded. I knew she was disappointed to not be coming along. She cared for Shade and wanted to be involved in her protection.
“I’m sorry, Taffy,” I said. “It has to be this way. I can’t leave Harvest Moon without leadership. You and Dillon are the most senior wolves. I need you guys here.”
