Phoenix, along with everyone else in the room, is holding his breath, waiting for what comes next. He's got Mira cradled in one of his strong arms, his other hand cupping her face.
His thumb gently traces her full lower lip. He leans in, whispering into her ear, “Mira. Please stay with me.”
Jenna and James are clinging to each other, their hope dwindling with each passing second.
Destan wipes his tear-streaked face and rises from the floor, moving closer to Alpha Phoenix. His eyes widen as he takes in the sight of Mira.
She’s not pale anymore, and he can hear her breathing steadying. Mira’s lavender eyes slowly flutter open, meeting Phoenix’s blue gaze.
“Hello there, munchkin,” he whispers, making her blush and smile.
James and Jenna embrace, their hearts filled with joy as they realize their beautiful daughter is going to make it, all thanks to Alpha Phoenix.
“I KNEW IT!” Grandmother exclaims, startling everyone into laughter.
Everyone rushes toward Phoenix, who still has Mira in his arms. She’s weak, but he allows Jenna to come close enough to kiss her forehead.
“Mira, Mira, my beautiful baby girl.” Jenna’s tears of joy stream down her cheeks.
“How are you feeling, princess?” James asks, kissing Mira’s forehead after Jenna steps aside to give him his moment.
“I’m feeling good, actually. I feel . . . healthier.” Mira’s eyebrows lift in question at Alpha Phoenix. “Wh . . . what happened?” Her voice is barely above a whisper.
“We were about to lose you, and I couldn’t let that happen, so I marked you.”
Her lavender eyes widen. “Y . . . you . . . you marked me?”
He simply nods in response.
Her small fingers lightly touch her mark, making her eyes widen even more. “But the council . . .”
Phoenix growls at the mention of the council, making Mira gasp and shrink into his arms. Phoenix realizes he’s scared her, but he needs her to understand one simple thing.
“You are mine. You belong to me, and no council will take what rightfully belongs to me.” Without warning, Phoenix claims her lips, taking her breath away with his passionate kiss.
That kiss tells her she indeed belongs to him. Mira hears someone clear their throat, reminding her that she and Phoenix aren’t alone. Mira blushes as she turns to her sisters.
Aqua and Misty push their parents aside, grabbing their sister’s hand and squeezing it gently. “We thought we lost you.”
Mira smiles, then her gaze falls on Destan. Mira looks at Phoenix, pleading to be released so she can go to her brother.
Phoenix nods as if reading her mind and reluctantly lets her go to a still distraught Destan. His eyes are watery, and he’s slightly shaking.
“Destan,” Mira whispers as her small hand reaches up to touch his cheek.
He bends down to embrace her small frame.
Mira’s arms wrap around his neck, trying to comfort him. “Shh, it’s okay, Destan. I’m not going to die. I’m still here.”
Destan takes a deep breath, then crushes her in a tighter hug. Phoenix’s inner wolf is getting more jealous by the second and wants Mira back in his arms. Now!
Everyone turns to look at him when he growls. Mira quickly hurries back to her mate to calm him down. Phoenix picks her up bridal-style, nuzzling his nose into the mark he’d made.
“Mine,” he growls again.
Alpha James and Luna Jenna smirk as they look at each other.
“Remember when you used to do that whenever another male wolf attempted to look at me? Even my own father.” She chuckles at the memory.
“What do you mean ‘used to’?” He grabs her by the waist possessively, pulling her tightly to his side. “I’ll rip any male wolf’s throat—”
Jenna quickly silences him with a kiss. Misty, Aqua, and Destan all scrunch their noses.
“Ewww! Go to your room and do that shit in private.” Misty crosses her arms over her chest.
“Yeah, seriously, Mom and Dad. I’m a child, for fudge sakes.” Destan rolls his eyes.
James is about to say something to his kids when Beta Dalton walks in.
“Is everything all right?” He looks at his Alpha and smiles when he sees he’s holding a very alive Mira in his arms.
“Alpha James, Luna Jenna . . . I hope you don’t think of me as disrespectful, but after what happened, I took it upon myself to escort Councilman Fredrickson off the premises.”
James and Jenna nod with a smile at him. Dalton looks at Misty and sees the gratitude in her eyes. She doesn’t need to say anything. They nod toward each other.
“What happens now?” Aqua asks, breaking the silence in the room.
“Mira leaves with me back to my home.” He looks down into her bright eyes. “Our home.” Phoenix starts to walk out of the room with Mira still in his arms.
“Wait, Alpha Phoenix,” Mira pleads, getting his full attention.
He stops when he’s at her bedroom doorway. “You call me Phoenix.”
Her cheeks blush as she looks into his intense blue eyes. “C . . . c . . . can we stay a couple of days? Please?”
His heart softens when he looks into her eyes.
“I just want to spend a little more time with my family before we leave. Is that okay with you?”
Phoenix sighs, knowing she already has him wrapped around her little finger. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do for her. He’d kill for her. His nose touches her nose, and he smiles.
“Okay,” he whispers, making her give him the brightest smile he’s ever seen. “I’d like to speak to my mate in private.”
Everyone nods and quickly exits the room to give the new couple privacy.
Phoenix gently places Mira on the floor. Once her feet touch the ground, he pulls her by the waist, her chest against his firm abs.
Phoenix cups Mira’s face in his hand, his gaze locked on her lavender eyes. “We’ll stay a couple of days, just like you asked. But I have some conditions.”
Mira stays silent, giving him the space to continue. Phoenix appreciates her patience, her willingness to let him speak.
“You stick with me, always. Don’t wander off without me. You sleep with me. And... I get to touch you.”
Mira’s cheeks flush at his last condition, her lower lip caught between her teeth. Phoenix can’t help but growl at the sight. His blue eyes darken with desire. “T... touch... me?”
His grip on her waist tightens, drawing a soft moan from her. The bond between them, the mate bond, is already in full swing.
“Phoenix,” she whispers, her small hand brushing against the rough stubble on his cheek. “You have a deal.” Her breathless agreement makes him smirk.
He nods, a smile playing on his lips.
“I have another request.”
Phoenix’s left eyebrow arches, sending a shiver of anticipation through her.
“I want us to walk in the garden. Talk. Get to know each other a little better.”
Phoenix lifts her by the thighs, prompting her to wrap her legs around his waist. The sudden movement makes her squeal.
“We have our whole lives to get to know each other, munchkin. But I can’t wait to get to know you on a different level.” He starts to kiss her neck, trailing down to her mark, sucking and biting it.
Mira’s eyes flutter shut as she moans, her fingers tangling in his thick, raven hair. She can’t help but respond to his desire for her. “Kiss me please,” she begs.
Phoenix crashes his lips onto hers, his tongue invading her mouth. Mira moans at his assertiveness, pulling him closer.
Phoenix’s free hand roams down her side, over her ribs, her waist, and finally cups her bottom, giving it a squeeze. They break the kiss, both panting for breath.
Phoenix runs his fingers through her thick, black, wavy hair, bringing it up to his nose to inhale her scent. “You’re going to be the death of me, Mira.” He claims her lips again, this time more gently.
“Phoenix,” she whispers. “Not here. I want us to mate in our home.”
Phoenix stops, understanding her meaning. She’s right. Even if he has to wait a couple of days, which he knows will be a test of his patience. But being here at her parents’ house doesn’t mean he can’t kiss or touch her.
“Okay, Mira. Let’s go for that walk, shall we?”
They walk side by side through the garden, their fingers intertwined. Phoenix likes the feel of her small hand in his much larger one. She may be small, but her presence is huge.
“Phoenix?” She pulls him from his thoughts.
“Yes, munchkin?” He looks down at her, their eyes meeting.
“I really like your tattoos, and... you have one with the name ‘Calypso.’ Who is that?”
Mira’s heart pounds as she waits for his answer. Is it an old lover? A former Luna who passed away and she’s just a replacement? His mother? His late mother?
Phoenix, sensing her anticipation, smirks. “Calypso is my daughter.”
Mira stops walking, forcing him to stop as well. “You... have... a daughter?”
Phoenix knew this conversation was inevitable. Once he takes her home, she’ll meet Calypso.
Phoenix sighs and sits down on a large rock, pulling Mira onto his lap. His left hand rests on her right knee.
“Mira, what I’m about to tell you... you might not like. But I want you to hear it from me. And remember, I’m not that person anymore.
“I have you now, and you’re all I need. Do you understand?”
Mira nods, urging him to continue.
“For a long time, I had many... many different women. One drunken night, I got one of them pregnant.”
He looks at Mira, guilt heavy in his gaze. But she’s not giving him an angry or disappointed look. She’s not judging him. She’s just listening.
“After Calypso was born, her mother left her at my doorstep and disappeared. I’ve been raising her alone for almost four years.”
Mira cups his face with both her hands. “You don’t have to raise her alone anymore. I’m here.”
Phoenix stares into her lavender eyes, searching for any sign of deceit. But he finds none. Mira is genuine. She speaks from her heart.
“I know I’m not her mother, but I will love and raise her as if she were my own. We both will.”
Phoenix crashes his lips onto Mira’s, and instead of being taken by surprise, she welcomes his soft lips and probing tongue.
Mira’s small hand grips his hair tightly, making him groan as he pulls her closer. She places her hand over Calypso’s name, letting him know she’s in this for the long haul.
Phoenix’s hand slides from her knee up to her hip, waist, and finally rests just under her right breast. Mira breaks the kiss but keeps her lips on his.
“Touch me, Alpha,” she whispers against his lips, her eyes heavy with desire.
Phoenix growls, deepening the kiss as his large hand cups her firm, full breast, giving it a squeeze. Mira moans in satisfaction.
“You are going to be the death of me, munchkin.” He kisses her passionately, as if he can’t get enough of her.
In that moment, Phoenix knows he’s made the right choice. There’s nothing he wouldn’t do to protect her.
After getting to know each other a little more, they head back to her parents’ house, hand in hand, laughing.
Jenna Luna spots them coming in through the French doors that lead to the back garden. She’s holding a hefty tray of food, ready to serve it in the dining room.
“Can I lend a hand, Jenna Luna?”
She gives him a grateful nod, letting him take the tray from her. “Thanks.” She beams at him, then at Mira.
Jenna can’t resist pulling her daughter into a hug. Mira’s alive and will stay that way, all thanks to Alpha Phoenix. “I love you, Mira.” Her eyes brim with tears.
“I love you too, Mom.” They hold each other tight.
“Mom, where are Misty and Aqua?”
Jenna steps back, dabbing her eyes with a paper towel she’s holding. “Aqua’s with Delta Roman, and Misty’s out on the warrior training field with Destan. Why?”
Mira grins. “I just want to chat with them, that’s all.”
The two women walk into the family room, where a pack of hungry wolves are devouring everything in sight. Aqua and Delta Roman are snuggled up on the couch, lost in conversation and kisses until Mira clears her throat.
They both spring to their feet, rushing toward her. “Are you okay, Mira?” Aqua holds her at arm’s length.
“Lady Mira, do you need a doctor?” Delta Roman asks, concern etched on his face.
Mira shakes her head, laughing. “No, no. I’m fine. I just need some time with Aqua, if that’s okay with you, Roman?”
He nods quickly. “Y . . . yeah, of course, Lady Mira.”
Mira glances at Phoenix and sees he’s already watching her. She mouths, “I’ll be upstairs with Aqua,” and he gives her a quick nod of approval.
He mouths back just as quickly, “Be back soon or I’ll come get you.”
Mira grins and winks at him. Phoenix responds by licking his lips in a way that makes Mira blush.
Aqua, who’s been watching the whole exchange, smirks as she grabs Mira’s arm and pulls her away. “I can tell you have a lot of questions about sex.”
Mira’s eyes go wide. “H . . . how did . . .?”
Aqua chuckles.
“Because now that you have a mate, you’re curious about what it will be like, and I’m more than happy to share my personal experience.”
Mira blushes, realizing she’s about to learn what her sister Aqua and Roman have been up to.
Aqua leads her to her room, knowing Phoenix will look for Mira in her own room. This way, they’ll have a few more seconds of privacy before he barges in looking for his mate.
The girls sit on Aqua’s bed, Mira clutching a pillow. Aqua turns to her, one leg resting on the bed and the other on the floor.
“Now that Phoenix has marked you, you’ll feel all kinds of sexual urges.
“And I mean urges that can come from just his touch on your arm or leg, a kiss, his gaze, his closeness—basically, everything. The same will happen to him with you and only you.”
Mira knows what Aqua is saying is true. She felt it when they kissed in her room. She felt it again in the garden, and again when they were mouthing words to each other.
“I suggest you both wait until you’re at his place to get down and dirty.”
Mira rolls her eyes at her sister’s choice of words.
“Phoenix is a biiiigggg man, and I’m sure he has a biiigggg dick.” She uses her hands to show the size, making both her and Mira giggle.
“You don't want Mom and Dad hearing you getting busy.” After they’ve stopped giggling, Mira bites her lower lip and asks her next question shyly.
“Did it hurt?”
Aqua’s eyebrows shoot up as she sighs. “Yes, it did . . . at first . . . but after a while it felt so fuckin goooooooood.” She draws out the word, rolling her eyes back as if she’s just had an orgasm.
“Roman was gentle at first, until I got used to his size, then he pounded into me like a jackhammer.”
Mira’s mouth falls open, but then she bursts out laughing as Aqua demonstrates with one hand, punching the palm of her other hand fast.
They hear a knock on the door, which makes them stifle their laughter.
“Come in,” Aqua calls out.
Phoenix walks in, his eyes fixed on Mira. “Judging by the blush on my munchkin’s face and the loud laughter coming from this room, I’m guessing you’re talking about fucking.”
The sisters look at each other and start giggling again.
“Leave the sex talk to me, munchkin, but I’d rather show you.” He waggles his eyebrows, making her blush again, and Phoenix can’t help but chuckle.
Mira stands up, thanking Aqua for the talk. She walks over to Phoenix, who grabs her by the waist and pulls her to his side.
He bends down and nuzzles her neck, kissing her mark, and Mira feels all kinds of urges.
