•𝑺𝑻𝑶𝑳𝑬𝑵 𝑴𝑶𝑶𝑵•【√】

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴇɴᴛʏ ғɪᴠᴇ

I can’t take my eyes off Emery and I don’t want to. If the goddess would grant me a wish, I would never have to stop looking at the woman talking to my pack members. But deep down I know I probably would fucked this up with her.

If I were the man I am now, after she brought life into my lifeless body and colorless routine, I would have handled it better. And by better, I simply mean not dragging her Friend  into this and threatening her.

But before the Mating Hunt I have forgotten how to be a man and not an Alpha. I have forgotten how I enjoyed cooking for others, how it is to have someone you respect to talk with. And more than anything I forgot how it was to be a male, to be intoxicated by a female’s scent, to feel my wolf stir by need.

I am sipping on my beer when Antiope turns and as if by instinct finds me. I go on fire instantly and Henrar growls in my head, practically ordering me to drag her out of here and take her as I have been dreaming since I left her behind.

“Do I need to vacate the premises? I am sure the pups don’t need to be scarred for life,” Yugyeom jokes by my side.

"Fuck you,” I snarl at my Beta.

“Have you two... You know?”

“None of your business, Yugyeom.”

Yugyeom chuckles and leaves to pick up his niece and Sonja’s best friend and put her on his shoulders. One day, when he finds his mate, my Beta will make a wonderful father.

The thought makes me go back to Emery that is talking with Inge and Astrid, both women listening to her every word with attention. It’s not a fake interest just because she is their Luna. They really like her. I suspect it is because I am not yelling at everyone or being shut in my office most of the time.

~~~~~

Emery may not know this, but this the first party we had in the packhouse for a while and no one is willing to let it finish. The kids are sleeping on couches and pillows exhausted but everyone is still in, talking, joking, eating, mingling. I have forgotten how that was. I have kept my pack in fear of me and my temper for too long.

I haven’t talked to Emery as much as I wanted. Everyone wanted to meet her or talk to me so it’s been hours since I last spoken to her. But I know where she is all the time, her scent dominating all others in the full open area. And then I catch her move, excusing herself and going out through the sliding doors. I drop what I am doing and I follow her.

She is not out on the balcony but when I lean over, I see her walk slowly along the shore, her head held high, looking at the moon above. Like a schoolboy with a crush, I am drawn to her.

“Tired?” I catch up with her.

“No,” she is surprised to see me here. “Just... overwhelmed.”

I nod.

“My pack likes you and respects you,” I say.

“They do. And they are nice people.”

“We have been through a lot,” I look away and clench my jaw.

She says nothing, just nods in understanding and continues her walk. I know she needs some alone time, I can tell but I can’t leave her. Not when I ran like a rabid wolf to be by her side.

“May I join you?” I ask.

“Uhm... Sure,” she shrugs then leans to take her shoes off.