Bonded beyond lies, p.7
Bonded Beyond Lies, page 7
CHAPTER 9
TRISTAN
Between a few hateful looks from females and lustful looks from males, I’m almost desperate to pick up my mate and lock her away in my Alpha suite. It would be for her own protection, and the protection of those in my pack who are too stupid to understand self-preservation.
I’ve never made the existence of my mate a secret or my decision to wait for her. I never allowed any of the she-wolves in my pack to think I was interested in them. I am their Alpha and nothing more.
I understand the beautiful allure of Serenity, but possessiveness and a need to claim her are riding me hard. I know I need to take things slow, considering my mate’s past and the pain she has had to endure because I wasn’t there, but I also want to leave my mark on her pretty neck.
“Yes, we need to mark and mate her as soon as possible,” my wolf growls in agreement as he looks at all the males eyeing my mate.
I’ve sat her in the Luna’s chair, it should be obvious who she is to me. I have never allowed someone to sit in her chair.
When Serenity is almost done with her breakfast, I stop myself from insisting that she eats more. I’m sure they used food against her in her old pack. Those bastards will be lucky if I leave anyone alive after I get done with them.
I want her to be comfortable and breathing down her neck, even if not doing so goes against all my instincts, is probably not the way to go about it. She’s gorgeous and I find myself getting lost in her eyes whenever she looks at me.
Pride swells in my chest with the easy way she’s been talking with Cora and Mack. She seems at ease and there is an obvious graceful elegance about her. She’ll be the most amazing Luna this pack has ever seen, which is saying something because my mother was exceptional.
I haven’t contributed much to the conversation, but I’m more than okay with it. I want and need Serenity to be comfortable here which includes being connected to the Beta couple as well as the rest of the pack. I’m content with listening to her voice and her laughter.
“When you go shopping, please let me come with you,” Cora begs.
My mate’s laughter fills the dining hall as she nods. Cora’s squeal of delight brings a smile to my face. I had a feeling they would get along and I’m so happy that I’m right. I wish my mom and dad were here, but they’re visiting my aunt right now in another pack. They’ll be delighted to meet Serenity when they get back.
My father wanted me to have some space, knowing when Serenity’s birthday was from the day I met her all those years ago. I’m grateful he talked Mom into the trip because she can be a little overwhelming, even though she means well. Knowing what my mate went through, I’m even happier it worked out this way.
When Serenity pushes her plate away, an Omega is there, swooping it up with a big smile on her face. “I hope you enjoyed breakfast, Luna,” her voice is filled with sincerity.
“It was delicious, thank you. If you tell me where to go, I’d be happy to take my dirty plate into the kitchen,” Serenity offers.
“It’s my pleasure, Luna.” The Omega is gone, practically floating from the brief interaction with my mate, before Serenity can respond.
That’s the effect I know my Luna is going to have on the pack. We have been without our heart for far too long, but there was no way I was going to do anything other than wait for my gift from the goddess. I knew she would be worth it.
I stand up and offer Serenity my hand, which she accepts without hesitation. Her strength is something I admire about her. She hasn’t balked or shied away from me even though her past could dictate that is exactly what she should do.
“Mate loves us. She knows there is nothing to fear with us,” my wolf sounds smug as hell.
I tug Serenity to my side and clear my throat. I notice most of the pack is still in the dining hall, even if they’re done with their meal. I’m sure they’ve stayed for this moment. I can’t disappoint them.
“I will be making a more formal announcement, but since you’re all here, I see no reason to make you all suffer in your curiosity.” Many of the pack members chuckle and others look surprised. I don’t blame them; it’s been a long time since I’ve made any kind of joke. It was hard to see the silver lining while waiting for my mate when all I had was the determination to make Blood Rising a pack to be proud of. “I have brought my mate, Serenity, home. Please welcome her into the pack and show her why I have so much pride in Blood Rising.”
The wolves in the dining hall start to howl, their song filled with celebration. Serenity snuggles deeper into my side, but when I look down at her, she’s not afraid. Her cheeks are flushed pink, and her smile is so wide and full of joy that it stuns me for a moment.
I can feel the pack and their appreciation for the she-wolf at my side. A sense of rightness, one I’ve been seeking for the last eight years, settles over me. I’m glad I waited for what the goddess granted me. It will make me stronger. It will make Blood Rising stronger.
There might be a few females I need to keep an eye on, especially since it seems like Serenity hasn’t been allowed to train in a long time. I’ll work with her and make sure she can defend herself. Challenges for position aren’t common, but they are, technically, allowed. It would be stupid for a female to challenge my Luna. Not only would I kill the offending she-wolf, but there’s no way I would ever betray my mate after waiting for her for so long, no matter the outcome of the challenge.
I hope no one is stupid enough to try something, but I also know people can be blinded by their quest for power and rank. Just look at what Alpha Thomas did to my sweet mate.
I shake my head and lean down to whisper in Serenity’s ear, “I’ll give you a quick tour of the packhouse and by then it’ll be time for our meeting.”
She smiles up at me and I can’t help but kiss her soft, upturned lips. It’s over far too quickly, but the first time I get a true taste of my mate, I don’t want to do it in front of the entire pack. I need to take this slow, and I plan to, but she’s just too delectable to stop myself completely.
Her blush turns redder and it’s adorable as fuck. Her petite frame melts against my side as I walk her into the kitchen. She smiles with kindness at the Omegas working and asks them a few questions about how much they cook, their schedule, and the ordering process. I’m more than a little amazed at my precious mate.
All the Omegas are clearly smitten with Serenity by the time we walk out, my mate waving at them with enthusiasm. As I give her a quick tour, making sure she sees all the public areas of the packhouse including the game room, theater, library, and various sitting rooms, I watch her face. She’s enthralled with the building, and I can only hope she feels at home here.
I tell her about the Alpha suite being on the top floor and promise to give her a full tour of our domain later. The Beta and Gamma floor is below ours and then two floors for pack members, mostly the young, mateless wolves. The last place we go is the second floor which houses the offices for the leaders of the pack along with some conference rooms.
When we walk into my office, I try and look at it through her eyes. I haven’t changed much since my father was Alpha. I always liked the space, but maybe it’s too masculine? The sweet smile on her face makes me wonder what she’s thinking.
“Your office is right next door, little wolf,” my voice is husky, my wolf coming out to speak to her along with myself.
She turns from the pictures displayed on the wall with a surprised look on her face. “My office?”
I nod slowly. “The Luna’s office.” I point to a door. “That door connects our offices. You can change whatever you want. My Mom and Cora have been helping me with the Luna duties since I took over as Alpha and nothing has been changed in there since it was Mom’s.”
She twists her fingers together, her voice unsure, “She won’t mind?”
I scoff and close the distance between us, gripping the back of her neck and tilting her head up to look at me. It’s kind of amazing that even though she’s small she fits against me perfectly.
“No, she’ll be thrilled that you’re finally home.”
“Home,” she echoes, a dreamy smile spreads across her face which causes my wolf to growl in my head. Her eyes focus on me as she rips out my heart. “It’s been so long since I felt like I had a home, but I do feel like I’ve found it here. With you.”
Who knew this little wolf would be the proud owner of one Alpha’s heart with just a few words? Her blue-grey eyes are sparkling up at me and the sparks of our mate bond are covering my skin everywhere we’re touching. It’s too much for me to take.
I lean down and press my lips to hers. It’s a chaste kiss at first, one filled with promises and apologies, both of which she is due. When she parts her lips and her tongue slides across my bottom lip, I fucking break. My arms band around my little mate and I devour her mouth. My tongue explores every part of her.
She tastes just as good as she smells—caramel with hints of vanilla. It makes my gums ache with the need to mark her. My wolf purrs in agreement and I almost laugh at how my Serenity has turned him from vicious and blood thirsty into fluffy and cuddly.
“Only for our mate,” he growls. “Anyone who threatens her will have their throat ripped out. Starting with that pack,” he spits out the word as if it’s rogue’s blood, “who abused her. We’ll start our vengeance with them and then make sure no one else can touch her.”
I wholeheartedly agree with my wolf on this one and we don’t even know everything she endured.
A knock on my office door has Serenity letting out a small yelp and jumping away from me as if we just got caught doing something we shouldn’t. I can’t help but chuckle which earns me a glare from my sweet mate. I run my fingers through her hair, fixing it for her since I had buried my hands in it and made her look like she’d just been fucked.
No one else can see her like that. My wolf grunts his agreement. Good to know we’re on the same page.
“Don’t be embarrassed, little mate.” I grin at her, and her eyes seem to light up from the inside, the vanilla notes of her scent growing sweeter with her arousal. It does nothing to help how hard my cock is. Not that I’m complaining. “We’re mates. No one will judge us for getting closer.” I kiss her forehead and sigh as I breathe in her scent. “I want to mark and mate you, but I don’t want to push you to move too fast.”
“Tristan,” she sighs and melts into me as someone knocks on my door. Again.
I grab Serenity’s hand and lead her around the desk where I sit down before pulling her onto my lap. She looks surprised, but as I run my fingers up and down the exposed skin of her arm, she relaxes back into me. Fucking perfect.
“Come in,” my voice is gruff and resonates with my authority. Serenity shivers in my arms, but I know it has nothing to do with the weight of my command and that knowledge has my cock throbbing under her delectable ass.
When the door opens Mack and Cora are there with Miranda, the witch who has been mated to one of my warriors for a few years. She looks a little tired and I feel bad about asking for her help considering she gave birth to a baby girl a month ago.
I nod toward the couch and Miranda is quick to take a seat, her eyes locked on Serenity. “Thank you for coming by today.” I give my mate a small squeeze. “Serenity, this is Miranda. She’s a witch and is mated to a warrior.”
Serenity’s smile is filled with kindness. “Hi, Miranda. It’s lovely to meet you.”
“Good morning, Luna,” Miranda responds which has my little mate blushing.
“Serenity, please.” Miranda nods and Serenity bites her lip before blurting, “I don’t mean to be rude, but you look tired. Is everything alright?”
Miranda laughs softly and nods. “I’m fine, Luna,” she shakes her head, “I mean Serenity. I had my first pup a month ago and it’s been quite the transition.” She runs her hand over her no longer pregnant belly. “Although, I have to say that I’m liking being able to hold our little one in my arms now. The back pain was overwhelming.”
“Oh my,” Serenity breathes out and glances at me, worry in her eyes, “you should be at home with your pup instead of here meeting with us.”
Miranda beams at my little Luna. “No, Serenity, I am exactly where I’m supposed to be.” Her eyes go unfocused, and she raises her hands slightly. “I can sense magic on you and it’s the kind of spell that should not be allowed to linger.” Her eyes turn hard and fill with anger. “It is a mate bond spell, which has been outlawed. Mate bonds are sacred and should never be messed with.”
“It’s true then,” I growl more to myself than the rest of the people in the room. I can feel my anger mounting with every breath I take. Serenity cups my face in her hands and the tingles that flow over my skin have me calming down. Not all the way, because those bastards will pay, but enough to focus. “Can you help?”
Miranda gives a short nod. “Most of the spell was already broken when you two saw each other and recognized your bond.” She stands and comes closer to my little mate. Her hands hover over Serenity as she chants some words I don’t understand, her eyes closed, and her eyebrows pulled together in concentration. When she takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly, her eyes open. “It is done. You will no longer feel even the echo of the false bond placed on you and your wolf.”
“I’m free,” Serenity murmurs and turns toward me, tears shining in her eyes. When she turns back to Miranda, her voice rings with sincerity. “Thank you for your help. You have no idea how much I appreciate it.”
“It’s my pleasure, Luna,” Miranda bends her head slightly before winking at my mate.
When she walks out, Mack and Cora follow her, thankfully. I need a moment alone with my mate. She turns toward me, her blue-grey eyes shining with freedom she hasn’t experienced in years. It has shame filling me, but I push it aside. I’ll spend the rest of my life making up for my absence in those eight years, even though I had good reason to stay away.
“Mate,” her voice is rough with her wolf on the surface. “I can no longer feel the pieces of me that were shattered. They’re replaced with the glory of our bond.”
When I kiss her, Serenity turns on my lap, straddling me and making me groan. My hands gather her dress up to her waist, my fingertips brushing against her thighs and making her shiver in my arms. I might have told her I’d take things slow, and I will, but I need my mate to experience the pleasure only I can give her, that only exists between us because of our bond.
“The sparks,” she gasps. “They’re so much stronger now.”
“Let me make you come, little mate,” I growl the words against her lips before devouring her mouth.
I can’t get enough of her, and I know I never will. She nods and I shove the panties she’s wearing to the side, giving me access to her dripping wet slit. I tease her pussy lips, barely touching her until she’s moving her hips and seeking more friction.
Our mouths don’t part as I take her wetness from her tight little hole up to her clit. I rub her there, teasing her, exploring her, loving her. She’s writhing in my lap, and I have no doubt my pants will be wet with the evidence of her arousal when we’re done.
“Good,” my wolf snarls, “then everyone will know we are hers.”
I grunt in agreement and work a finger inside my mate’s tight pussy. When I break the kiss, we’re panting and sucking in large gulps of air. I kiss and nip along her jaw and down her delicate neck. The way her vanilla-caramel scent surrounds us and fills my office has my cock leaking pre-cum.
I fuck my mate with my fingers, loving her whimpered pleas and begging moans. She’s everything and I will worship her like the goddess she is for the rest of my life. When I nip at the spot where I’ll mark her, it takes all my willpower not to plunge my teeth into her.
She splinters apart, sparks racing over my body the same way I know she’s experiencing. Her pussy clamps down on my finger, her body rigid and fluid at the same time. When she slumps against my body, I gently pull free of her and plant kisses all over her face and neck.
I murmur words I’m barely aware of, basking in this moment with my mate. She’s free of what the Waning Moon Pack tried to do to her. They tried to take her from me, and they will pay. Later. Right now, it’s time to celebrate finally, fucking finally, having my mate right where she belongs and then inducting her into the pack that will always be her home.
CHAPTER 10
SERENITY
I’ve been at Blood Rising for a week, and I have never felt more at home in a pack and that includes the time in Waning Moon before everything changed. After I was made an official member of Blood Rising, the feeling of being at home in my pack has only grown.
There is something about this place that calls to me. Maybe it’s because of my connection with Tristan. Maybe it’s something else. It doesn’t really matter either way.
I’m happy.
For the first time in so long, I’m happy.
I even had a good time going shopping with Cora. That woman can shop until she drops, rest a little bit, and then keep going. It would be inspiring, if it wasn’t so exhausting.
Everyone has been welcoming toward me, even the females who were scowling at me when I first arrived. I’ve been wary of them the most, but I didn’t give them enough credit. They love their pack and want their Alpha to be happy.
I was very surprised when one of the scowling women came up to me when I was in the food court in the mall with Cora. From the look on Cora’s face, I wasn’t the only one who was surprised. She looked like a fish out of water, and I had to stop myself from laughing at her.
“Good afternoon, Luna,” the woman greeted me and even though I expected to hear derision in her tone and had steeled myself for it, it wasn’t there. “My name is London.”
“Hello, London,” I tried to be cheerful, even through my wariness. From the way her shoulders slumped, I don’t think I did a very good job. I cleared my throat and tried again, for the pack’s sake, for Tristan’s sake. “Would you like to join us?”
