Phoenix is pacing his room, wrestling with the decision he’s made. He’s sent a letter, but now he’s second-guessing himself.
Is he ready for a lifelong mate? Should he send another letter to delay it? Does he need more time?
Lost in his thoughts, he’s startled when a pair of feminine arms wrap around his waist from behind.
“Ready for round ten?” She teases, sucking on his earlobe before giving it a playful nip.
Phoenix grins, spinning around and pushing her onto the bed. “I’m always up for another round,” he growls, hovering over her.
She parts her legs, inviting him in. Phoenix thrusts into her, making her gasp in delight. His pace quickens, the headboard banging against the wall.
Their moans of pleasure are interrupted by a knock on the door.
“GO AWAY!” Phoenix growls, not slowing his pace.
“Don’t . . . stop . . . Keep . . . going . . .”
Phoenix continues, but the knocking persists, growing louder. Then he hears her voice.
“Phoenix, open this door right now. I won’t ask again.”
Annoyed, Phoenix pulls out and wraps a blanket around his waist.
His companion is left naked, with nothing to cover herself.
She glares at his tattoo-covered back as she grabs a pillow and starts looking for her scattered clothes, remnants of their wild night.
Phoenix opens the door, stepping aside to let the intruder in.
“You.” She points. “Out. Now.”
The woman bows her head.
“Yes, Luna Halley.” She hurries out of the room, half-dressed.
Phoenix pulls on a pair of boxers, letting the blanket fall to the floor.
“How are you, Mother?” He kisses the top of her head.
Halley sighs, rubbing her temples. “Phoenix, I can’t keep track of all the women coming and going from your room.” She watches as he smirks and sits on his bed.
“And your point is . . .?”
Halley points a finger at him, her anger clear. “Don’t get smart with me, boy.”
Phoenix is a tough, intimidating wolf, but he knows better than to disrespect his mother. “I’m sorry, Mother.”
She rolls her eyes at him, walking over to the window that overlooks the woods. “You need to be careful, Phoenix.” She glances at him, then back out the window.
“You’re an Alpha. You can only have children with a Luna,” she sighs. “You already have a child with one of your flings. Please don’t add more.”
Phoenix rubs his hands together. “Calypso is a good kid. She’s my little princess. See? Her name is tattooed right over my heart.” He smiles at the thought of her.
He remembers when she was born almost four years ago. Her mother abandoned her as soon as she was well enough, leaving Phoenix to raise her alone.
“Where is Calypso now?” His mother turns to him, smiling.
“She’s with your cousin in the garden, painting who knows what.”
Halley laughs softly.
Phoenix gets up from his bed, picking up his phone from the nightstand. “Yeah, send someone up to change my sheets and clean my room.”
He hangs up, heading to his private bathroom and turning on the shower. He leaves the door open so he can talk to his mother.
“So you sent the letter, right?”
Phoenix grabs the shampoo, lathering up his thick black hair. “Yes, I did, Mother, but . . . I’m having second thoughts.” He reaches for the conditioner. “I’m not sure I want a Luna right now.”
Halley shakes her head as she opens the door for the cleaning crew. They come in to change Phoenix’s sheets and sanitize the room.
Halley opens the windows to air out the room, which still smells of sex.
The cleaning crew finishes and leaves just as Phoenix steps out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around his waist.
“Nix, just go to Alpha James and Luna Jenna’s and see. You’ve already sent the letter, so you can’t back out now. You don’t have to choose any of the girls.”
Phoenix smiles at his mother. She always calls him Nix when she’s trying to get him to see things from a different perspective.
He walks into his huge walk-in closet, emerging in gray sweats and a black tank top.
“Okay, Mother, but I don’t want to have this discussion again until I’m ready.” He gently tips her chin up with his fingers, earning a warm smile from her.
“Deal.”
Phoenix jogs down the stairs and into the kitchen, where his Beta Dalton is eating a sandwich.
Phoenix grabs a mug, filling it with black coffee, then adds some creamer from the fridge.
He leans against the counter, stirring his coffee and taking a sip.
Dalton smirks at him.
“What?” Phoenix asks, taking another sip.
“I saw Georgia coming down the stairs half-naked. Your mom scare her off?”
Phoenix laughs, nodding.
“I hope you used protection . . . this time.” Dalton raises an eyebrow, making Phoenix flip him off.
“Screw you, jerk,” Phoenix grabs the other half of Dalton’s sandwich, eating it without a care. Dalton gasps dramatically, making Phoenix chuckle.
“When are we leaving for Alpha James’s territory?” Dalton asks, making himself another sandwich.
“In two days,” Phoenix sighs. “I don’t know about this, Dalt. I just don’t think I’m ready.”
Dalton stops with the cheese midair. “Nix. If you’re not ready then cancel.”
Phoenix shakes his head. “I can’t for one good reason.” He glances at Dalton, who’s waiting for his explanation. “Mother.”
Dalton forms an “O” with his mouth and continues making his sandwich. “Look, you don’t have to pick either one. Just go, politely decline, and come back home.”
Phoenix grabs a bottle of beer, tossing one to Dalton as he takes one for himself. They both pop the caps and clink their bottles together.
“That’s exactly what I’m going to do.”
Luna Jenna is bustling around the pack house, giving orders for the preparations. She then hurries to the kitchen, where five women pack members are cooking a huge feast.
Luna Jenna checks on her baked pies and smiles. She then lends a hand with the cooking.
Mira is sitting at the end of the counter, mixing her infamous Nutella cheesecake, happily licking the batter as she pours it into the pan. Luna Jenna smiles at her daughter’s joy.
“Mira, sweetie, your face is covered in Nutella.” She looks at her from head to toe. “So is your shirt and everything else.”
Mira only giggles as Luna Jenna uses her finger to point up and down her attire. “I’ll go shower soon, Mom.”
Mira walks up to her mom, giving her a hug then placing the Nutella pie in the fridge to firm up. “Ever since you received that letter, you’ve been running around like a crazy woman.”
Jenna chuckles. “Alpha Phoenix is coming today, so I need to make sure everything is perfect.” She shakes her head. “Are you going to Grandma’s today?”
Mira nods as she breaks off a piece of the cherry pie crust, eating it.
“HEY!” Jenna tries to smack Mira’s hand, but Mira only laughs as she runs out of her mother’s reach. Jenna shakes her head, as do the other women in the kitchen, with laughter.
“Yup. Destan and Delta Roman are going to accompany me there.”
Jenna opens the double oven doors to baste the pot roast and turkey. “How long will you be staying with her?”
Mira sniffs the delicious steam, closing her eyes in delight. “I’ll be back tomorrow morning. Can I please have some food? I’m starving.”
Jenna smiles at Mira with a playful roll of her eyes. “Pass me that plate on the counter. I’ll carve you some meat while you use that spoon to scoop the potato salad and green beans.”
Mira does as she’s told, excitedly piling food on her plate.
“Ready, Mira?” Destan asks as he helps her place her travel bag on her back.
She gives him the thumbs-up.
“We’ll get there faster if you ride my back after we shift.” Delta Roman places clean clothes for him and Destan on the porch chair for when they return.
Mira covers her eyes with her hands as both males remove their clothes to shift. She hears the snapping of bones along with growls.
Mira feels Destan’s nose nudge the top of her head, giving her the okay that it’s safe to look. Mira smiles as she looks at both wolves who stand even taller on their hind legs.
The wolves in her world don’t stand on all fours like dogs. They remain on their two feet as beastly men.
Mira climbs the chair as Destan crouches for her to climb his back until her arms wrap around his thick, hairy neck. Soon, the trio are off at a fast speed, making Mira giggle with excitement.
They soon arrive at a small cabin where a woman is sitting in her rocking swing chair, smiling at them as they approach.
“Hi, Grandma!” Mira waves as the two beasts come to a halt.
Mira climbs off Destan using his hair. If it hurts, he never says anything to her. He just lets her do it.
“Mira, my sweet girl.” The older lady opens her arms and Mira runs into them, hugging her tightly. “Hello, Destan and Roman.”
Both wolves nod their heads.
“Thank you guys for bringing me here. I’ll see you both tomorrow morning.”
They nod once again and take off back into the woods, on their way home.
“Come, Mira. I have that special tea waiting for you to drink. It will give you strength and bring some color into that beautiful face of yours.”
Mira’s right eyebrow goes up. “You mean that dirt water . . .?” Mira bites her lower lip as she looks up due to the scowl on her grandmother’s face.
“You little ungrateful shit.”
They both burst out laughing.
Mira walks into the cabin, dropping her bag by her swing chair before heading into the kitchen. She sees the tea and begins to drink it.
Her grandmother sits on the stool next to Mira and lovingly places a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
Mira barely smiles as she keeps her eyes on her tea. “It’s almost time, Grandma.”
Her grandmother shakes her head in denial. “No, you aren’t leaving this world, your family, or me.”
Mira’s lavender eyes look at her grandmother, wanting to believe everything she just said with all her heart, but she knows better.
Fuck, she feels it. Her life span is coming to an end, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it. She loves her grandmother with all her heart. She loves her hope and faith of a possibility.
Mira only nods to make her grandmother smile. “I’m going to go shower.” Mira jumps off the stool. “I’m ready to watch whatever movie you want to watch.”
Once Mira closes the door to the bathroom, her grandmother prays out loud. “Goddess, please hear my prayer. Don’t let my beautiful Mira die.
“Please spare her and bless her with one of your miracles. I will gladly trade my life for hers. When my time comes, I will accept it with open arms. No questions asked.”
She wipes away the tears that slide down her face as she hears Mira shut off the shower.
By the time Mira joins her in the living room, the movie is on pause and a large bowl of popcorn is filled to the top.
Mira’s hands come together in a clap of excitement as she settles down next to her grandmother. She snuggles under the blanket, placing the bowl of popcorn on her lap. They exchange a look, and then her grandmother presses play.
Alpha James and Luna Jenna stand outside, watching as two black SUVs pull up to their house. The doors swing open, revealing the night’s visitors.
Alpha Phoenix steps out from the driver’s side and strides up, offering his hand to Alpha James.
“Welcome, Alpha Black.”
He gives a nod to Luna Jenna, who returns the gesture.
“Thanks for having me and my men.” He starts to introduce them. “This is my Beta Dalton and my two warriors, Charles and Dennis.”
Everyone exchanges nods of greeting.
“Please, follow us inside. We’ve got dinner ready in the dining room. I hope you and your men are hungry, Alpha Black.”
They follow Luna Jenna to the dining room and quickly find their seats at the table.
“Thank you, Luna Jenna. This food looks amazing, and I’m starving.” Beta Dalton inhales the delicious aroma of the feast spread out before them.
Phoenix just rolls his eyes and laughs at his men.
Misty and Aqua walk in, taking their seats next to their parents at the head of the table.
“Alpha Black, these are our daughters, Lady Aqua and Lady Misty,” he introduces them.
All the men stand in respect, bowing their heads, except for Alpha Black. As an Alpha, he bows to no one.
He finds them attractive, but they don’t stir any desire in him, nor does he see them as his Luna. He just has to be polite.
“Good evening, Lady Misty and Lady Aqua. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
Both ladies greet their guest and quickly take a seat. After an hour of conversation and enjoying the feast, it’s time to retire for the night.
Alpha James shows Alpha Black and his men to their guest house. Even though he’s visiting to find a mate, Alpha James isn’t taking any chances having this bad-tempered wolf in his family home.
“Wow, Lady Misty is fuckin’ hot!” Dalton says as he flops on the bed, kicking off his boots.
“I can’t believe I have to share a room with you. I can’t wait to go home tomorrow evening.” Phoenix flops on his bed, removing his boots and clothes.
“I’m going to take a shower. Try to keep your dick in your pants and not in your hand as you think about Lady Misty.” Phoenix stops by the bathroom door, turning to Dalton.
“Besides, according to Lady Misty, she flat-out stated she isn’t interested in having a mate.”
Dalton rolls his eyes.
“All I need is one night with her to change her mind.”
Phoenix laughs at Dalton’s ego. “Dude, I would looooove to see that.” Without another word, he enters the adjoining bathroom to shower.
Another car pulls up into Alpha James and Luna Jenna’s driveway. A tall, slender man steps out and walks up the porch then rings the doorbell.
Luna Jenna and Misty answer the door, only for their smiles to drop when they see Councilman Fredrickson.
“I believe my mate Alpha James called Councilman Gregory. Why are you here?” Both Jenna and Misty remain in the doorway, not inviting Councilman Fredrickson in.
He clears his throat. “I’m quite aware of the conversation. However, I volunteered to come to his place.” His eyes scan Jenna then Misty. “May I come in?”
Misty glares at him. She can’t stand him with every fiber of her being. She hates how he would look at Mira—and it wasn’t in an admiring way. He lusted after her, and they all knew it.
Misty knows he only volunteered so he could see Mira, which makes her happy she’s away for the night.
He’s creepy-looking. Misty compares him to that classic silent black-and-white movie Nosferatu, only he isn’t bald. His hair is blond, flat, and always looks dirty.
“Don’t let that thing in, Mom. It’s gross,” Misty says flatly.
Jenna holds back her smile then clears her throat. “There will be no need, Councilman Fredrickson. Both my daughters have declined Alpha Black, as did he.”
Fredrickson’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “Sorry to hear about it. Although,”—he looks at Misty in disgust—“I couldn’t blame Alpha Black for . . . passing up an opportunity to mate with . . . her.”
His long, bony finger points toward Misty. She only smirks in return then responds to agitate him.
“I know, right?” She nods with sarcasm. “Now go away, freaky creature of the bowels of hell.”
Fredrickson squints at her then turns his attention to Luna Jenna.
“Luna, I understand no mating will take place, but I did travel a long way and would like to stay for the night. I will leave first thing in the morning.”
Misty rolls her eyes as she crosses her arms over her chest. He could sleep in a muddy hole infested with maggots swimming in shit for all she cares.
But Luna Jenna, being kind and polite, steps aside to let Fredrickson in.
“I’ll have the guest room prepared for you. Excuse me.” Luna Jenna gives Misty a quick look that’s understood as, “Stay here and watch him.”
Councilman Fredrickson ignores Misty’s presence and heads toward the family room to sit down and make himself comfortable.
The door swings open, revealing Destan and Delta Roman. They’re in conversation when they spot Misty standing with her hands on her hips.
She says hello to them without taking her eyes off Fredrickson. Destan and Roman follow her gaze and cringe when they spot Fredrickson.
“What is that thing doing here?” Destan asks as his face scrunches up in disgust.
Delta Roman laughs as he shakes his head.
“It’s here for the mating that isn’t taking place, so he’ll be leaving tomorrow morning. Like, very early. Very, very early.”
Roman glares at Fredrickson as Destan crosses his arms over his chest. “Good. The earlier the better.”
Fredrickson squints at the siblings. “You know I can hear you, right?” Misty and Destan shrug their shoulders, showing him they don’t care.
Delta Roman checks his watch before heading out to find Lady Aqua.
Fredrickson clears his throat, trying to sound casual. “How’s your sister, Mira?”
Destan’s reaction is immediate and fierce. Before Fredrickson can even blink, Destan’s massive hand is around his throat, lifting him off the ground.
“Don’t you dare ask about my sister Mira. Don’t even let her cross your mind.”
Misty doesn’t move to intervene, not until Alpha James and Luna Jenna walk in.
“DESTAN! PUT HIM DOWN! NOW!” Alpha James’s commanding voice echoes through the room.
Destan releases Fredrickson, who lands on the floor with a thud. Fredrickson coughs, rubbing his neck as he struggles to his feet, shooting a glare at Destan and Misty.
“Alpha James, you need to control your son!” Destan walks away, sharing a high-five with Misty.
“Destan, what the hell?” Alpha James stops Destan from leaving. “Why would you do that?”
Destan’s jaw tightens. “He asked about Mira.”
Luna Jenna turns a frosty gaze on Fredrickson, who clears his throat nervously. “Our daughter’s whereabouts are none of your business. Now, follow me. I’ll show you to your room.”
As Fredrickson follows Luna Jenna, he silently vows that Misty and Destan will pay for their disrespect. Disrespecting a Councilman is not something that can be overlooked. It’s unacceptable.
As for Mira, he’s determined to make her his. He just needs to figure out how to pry her away from her overprotective family. His desire for her is so strong, he can practically taste it.
As they pass her room, his eyes linger on her door. Is she in there? Alone? Is she naked? He imagines all the ways he could take her.
A smirk tugs at his lips, but he quickly hides it when they stop at the end of the hall. Luna Jenna opens a door and gestures for him to enter.
“There are clean towels in the adjoining bathroom. Good night.” She closes the door before he can thank her.
Fredrickson undresses, folding his clothes neatly on a chair. He stands naked for a moment before heading to the shower.
“I will have her. Even if I have to destroy and kill everyone in this fucking pack.”
