Chosen

29

The Hurn's had gone back to their pack to announce the changes and collect their belongings from the rooms that had previously been assigned to them, so Rykor ushered me back to the house. The Beta's followed with us, and Shawn and Rykor whispered furiously together. With my weakened hearing, I was only able to pull bits of information from their conversation, but it sounded like Shawn was warning Rykor about the dangers of having Alpha Hurn, and especially his daughter, living so close.

I was unable to hear Rykor's response, but Shawn didn't look any more at ease with it.

When we got back to the house, Rykor pulled me aside.

"I am sorry, Lahla. I did not ask your opinion before allowing Golden Moon entry into our home."

"Rykor, please, this is your house. You can have... anyone... anyone you want here." It was hard to say that, especially since I really didn't want Alaina here, but it was true.

His eyes creased, a furrow forming between his brows. He stepped closer to me, breathing my air, his body warming mine. Strong hands cupped my cheeks, tilting my face up to his.

"Lily, you are my Rhena. All I have is yours. This house is our home, if you wish it to be. If you asked me to move across the pack, I would build a brand new structure for the two of us, however you'd like. I would build you a castle in the stars if it meant you would always be mine."

I felt a golf ball of emotion lodge in my throat, and, nearly unable to speak around it, only said, "I love this house."

Rykor smiled the smile that I love, his eyes crinkling for a totally different reason. "Then this shall be our home."

Perhaps he was going to say more, whisper sweet nothings in my ear, or give another grand speech about his love for me, but I didn't get to hear it. Because I rose up on my toes and pressed a bruising kiss to his lips, putting everything in the golf ball sized emotion into it.

His hands were gentle on my face, though his lips were demanding against mine. Where he was skilled with words, I was not, but it didn't matter. He seemed to understand my feelings without me needing to voice them. And right now, I was feeling frustrated that there were other Lycans in our house, and that we most likely wouldn't have alone time until the Gathering was finished.

Rykor broke the kiss first, his breathing as harsh as mine, his stare hungry. We were silent for a moment, the unspoken desire hanging between us.

If only we could be alone...

"Alright you two, break it up. We need to be ready before the Golden Moon Alphas arrive." I sprang away from Rykor as Shawn and Catherine appeared in the doorway. Their matching smirks reddened my cheeks, and I ducked my head when Catherine wiggled her brows at me. Then their words registered.

"Get ready? What do you mean?"

"We'll have to get the rooms ready for them before they arrive."

"Oh." Then I turned to Rykor, realizing something. "How many spare rooms do you have?"

"Two."

"Oh." And then it hit me. "Oh. Wait, I'm in a guest room. So, w-where will I go?" Would I stay with the Betas until this was all done?

Rykor's chuckle broke my thoughts. "Oh, Lahla, you are so cute. You are not going anywhere. You will stay with me, of course."

"I-I...w-w-with you? But..." I looked over at the Betas. Weren't we supposed to be keeping our relationship quiet for the time being?

"We think it would be best to show Alpha Hurn that you two are together. He may already suspect it, and as Rykor has already spoken to Alaina, it would make sense to have you both room together. Besides," Shawn's smile grew, if that were even possible. "That was going to happen eventually anyway, right?"

I blushed again and ducked my head. I didn't share Alpha Hurn's views of waiting until the Mating ceremony before Mated pairs joined; Travis and I had not been officially Mate before me moved in together. But I needed to talk to Travis, to truly separate from him, before I could really become one with Rykor. It wouldn't feel right otherwise. Not only would it be unfair to Travis, but it would be unfair to Rykor as well. I wanted to give myself to him wholly, as a completely single female free to give herself to her chose male, with no strings attached. And being so close to Rykor, sleeping beside him each night, being held by him...

Oof, this is going to be difficult.