Derrick's pov
I finally decided to publicly mate with Tara and introduce her to the pack as my Luna. My wolf, Leon wants me to wait since I won't change my mind, but I know what he's really after . . . the longer I wait; the more my resolve to refuse Ayden will weaken. I'm already having dreams about him . . . and they're not rated pg 13 if you know what I mean. Even now I can see him lying underneath me, his violet eyes filled with desire and need as his soft, full pink lips part; offering me a temptation no sane man would deny. Does that mean I'm insane not to claim him? Before I could ponder any further, I felt a familiar presence behind me.
"How is he doing Lianna?"
"He's confused Alpha. He loves you, but he doesn't want to. He's afraid of what'll happen if he gives you up, but feels like he has to in order for you to be happy."
"And what do you think?"
"You mean what do I see, right? I see misery and pain for Ayden . . . you will do what you believe is right to protect him and shield your own heart, but in the end it will not matter; the two of you will suffer more than either of you could possibly know."
"How can I stop it?"
"You know what you have to do to stop what will happen, but you won't stray from the path you're on."
"And what if my father's warning is true?"
"Would you have the courage to face his anger and pain . . . to face your own guilt in order to keep his love?"
"I . . . I don't know."
"Then send him away, now before he's taken from you."
"I-I can't."
"Then you condemn him."
Without waiting for a reply, Lianna walked away, knowing I would follow her.
As soon as we entered the nursery, Ayden's scent hit me, almost bringing me to my knees and I immediately searched for him. He was lying in a corner of the room, holding one of the pups close to him and the thought of how beautiful he would look with our own pup in his arms hit me. He suddenly shifted, letting out a moan in his sleep and even though the sound was more innocent than erotic I still had to fight back my wolf's demand for me to take him.
"He dreams of you."
"So you're a mind reader as well as a Seer."
"No, not the mind, but I can read the heart and I know that yours yearns for his as much as his does for yours."
I let out a small sigh, I hated when she used her gift to guilt me into something.
"No. I will not mate with him or set him free . . . if I have to lock him away to keep him near me, then I'll have him put in the dungeon before the mating ceremony."
Lianna shook her head, disappointment and amusement flashing in her eyes.
"Even you Alpha, for all your strength cannot change fate . . . you will refuse Ayden and he will be taken away. There is no other way."
"I have to try."
"I can't stop you, can I?"
"No."
"Very well."
Turning away, Lianna made her way over to Ayden, shaking him awake and he slowly sat up; placing the pup, who I now knew was Sally in his lap.
"Hmm, Lianna? Is it time to make lunch?"
"Yes . . . after we finish the Alpha wishes to speak with you."
