The journey ho was a welco reprieve from the tensions of the academy. As we pulled into the long, winding driveway of the Shadow Pack’s imposing mansion, I felt so of the day’s stress begin to lt away. The territorial markers of Leo’s pack—subtle scent boundaries that Ava could now detect—created an invisible shield of protection around the property that made both of us feel secure.
As soon as we stepped through the grand entrance, Rosa appeared in the foyer, her warm smile a balm to my frayed nerves.
"Welco ho, Alpha, Luna Victoria," she greeted us, her eyes twinkling with genuine affection. "Dinner is almost ready. I’ve prepared sothing special tonight."
Leo’s hand rested possessively at the small of my back. "Thank you, Rosa. We’ll both be down shortly. Victoria needs to freshen up after her first day of training."
"Of course," Rosa nodded, giving a sympathetic look. "The bathroom in your suite has been stocked with fresh bath salts. A hot soak might be just what you need."
I smiled gratefully. "That sounds heavenly."
In our bedroom suite, Leo helped out of my jacket, his fingers lingering at my shoulders. "You’re tense," he observed, beginning to massage the tight muscles. "Hannah’s academy can be... intense."
I leaned into his touch, sighing as his strong fingers worked magic on my knotted muscles. "That’s putting it mildly. I didn’t realize how much politics went into being a Luna."
"It’s not just about standing beside the Alpha," Leo said, pressing a kiss to the nape of my neck that sent delicious shivers down my spine. "The Luna is the heart of the pack."
"So I’m learning," I murmured, turning to face him. "I won’t let you down."
His eyes darkened with emotion. "You couldn’t if you tried."
The mont stretched between us, charged with unspoken feelings, until Leo cleared his throat. "Take that bath. I have a few calls to make before dinner."
Thirty minutes later, feeling refreshed and more relaxed, I made my way down to the dining room. The enormous oak table that could seat twenty was set intimately for just Leo and at one end. Candles flickered in ornate silver holders, casting a warm glow over the fine china and crystal glasses.
Rosa bustled in carrying a steaming platter. "I’ve made my special herb-crusted lamb with rosemary potatoes. And for dessert, chocolate soufflé with wild berries from our territory."
"Rosa, you’re spoiling ," I said, inhaling the mouthwatering aromas as she set the platter down. "This looks incredible."
"Nothing but the best for our Luna," she replied with a maternal warmth that made my heart ache pleasantly. It had been so long since anyone had mothered this way.
Leo entered then, his powerful fra filling the doorway. He’d changed into dark jeans and a charcoal henley that hugged his muscular chest in ways that made my mouth go dry. Our eyes locked, and I felt Ava stirring inside , responding to his presence with primal recognition.
*Mate,* she purred appreciatively as Leo took his seat beside rather than at the head of the table.
Rosa poured rich red wine into our glasses before tactfully withdrawing, leaving us in candlelit privacy. Leo raised his glass, the ruby liquid catching the light as he gazed at with undisguised hunger that had nothing to do with the food between us.
"To my Luna," he said, his voice a low rumble that vibrated through . "May your enemies tremble and your allies stand in awe."
I smiled at the traditional wolf blessing and touched my glass to his. "And to my Alpha. May your strength never waver and your territory always prosper."
The first bite of lamb practically lted in my mouth, and I couldn’t suppress a small moan of pleasure. "God, I love Rosa’s cooking. I never had anything this good at ho."
"She’s been with the pack for generations," Leo said, watching enjoy the food with obvious satisfaction. "Her grandmother was Luna to my great-grandfather."
As we ate, I filled him in on more details from my day at the academy, carefully navigating around the more upsetting parts about my family’s fallen status. Leo listened attentively, occasionally asking insightful questions that helped process the complex politics I was learning.
Halfway through the al, I felt his warm hand land on my thigh under the table. I nearly choked on my wine as his fingers traced lazy, possessive patterns on the sensitive skin just below the hem of my dress.
"Problem?" he asked innocently, though the wicked gleam in his eyes betrayed his awareness of exactly what he was doing to .
"None at all," I replied, attempting to maintain my composure even as his hand inched higher, sending sparks of pleasure radiating through my body.
*He’s driving us crazy,* Ava whimpered, pushing against my consciousness with growing desire.
I took another bite of lamb, trying to focus on the flavors rather than the growing dampness between my thighs. Leo’s fingers traced the edge of my lace underwear, making my breath hitch audibly.
"You know," he said conversationally, as though his hand wasn’t currently torturing with feather-light touches, "there’s a pack tradition that new mates spend their first month establishing their bond. It’s considered essential for the strength of the pack hierarchy."
"Is that so?" I managed, my voice slightly higher than normal as his finger slipped beneath the lace to tease at my growing wetness. "And what does that entail exactly?"
Leo’s eyes darkened to midnight as he leaned closer, his lips brushing my ear. "It ans I get to worship every inch of my mate’s body, claim her in every way possible, until our scents are so completely intertwined that no wolf could ever mistake who she belongs to."
A shiver ran through at his words, and Ava howled her approval inside my mind.
*Yes! Claim us again, deeper this ti!* she demanded, her needs amplifying my own.
Since my wolf had awakened, my desire for Leo had intensified exponentially. What had once been rely human attraction had transford into sothing primal and overwhelming—a bone-deep need to join with my mate that consud rational thought.
Leo must have scented my arousal because his nostrils flared, and a low growl rumbled in his chest. *I don’t want to waste a single second of tonight,* his voice purred through our mindlink, the intimate ntal connection still new enough to make gasp.
He withdrew his hand from beneath my dress and stood abruptly. "If you’ll excuse , I need to check on sothing in my office."
The sudden loss of contact left aching and confused until I caught the significant look in his eyes—a silent promise of what awaited upstairs. Understanding dawned, and heat pooled low in my belly.
I gave him a few minutes’ head start, pushing food around my plate while my body thrumd with anticipation. When I couldn’t bear it any longer, I set down my napkin and found Rosa clearing dishes in the kitchen.
"Everything was delicious, Rosa, but I’m completely full," I said, hoping my flushed cheeks wouldn’t give away my true reason for cutting dinner short.
Rosa’s knowing smile told I wasn’t fooling anyone. "Of course, Luna Victoria. You’ve had a long day. Rest well."
I practically flew up the grand staircase, my heart pounding with each step. By the ti I reached our bedroom door, Ava was pacing restlessly within , urging forward with impatient nudges.
I pushed the door open to find Leo standing by the window, silhouetted against the moonlight that stread through the glass. He turned at my entrance, and the naked hunger in his eyes stole my breath away.
In three long strides, he crossed the room and pulled into his arms. His lips claid mine in a kiss that started gentle but quickly escalated into sothing wild and desperate. His tongue swept into my mouth, exploring and claiming as his hands road possessively over my body.
"I’ve been thinking about this all day," he murmured against my lips, walking backward toward the bed. "Every second you were away, Ronan was clawing to get to you."
"Sa," I gasped as his lips traveled down my neck, finding the sensitive spot where my pulse raced beneath my skin. "Ava wouldn’t stop reminding how empty I felt without you."
Leo’s hands moved to the zipper of my dress, slowly pulling it down with tantalizing deliberation. "And how do you feel now?" he asked, his voice rough with desire.
"Like I’m about to combust if you don’t touch soon," I admitted, shivering as the dress slipped from my shoulders and pooled at my feet.
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