Blood Moon: Lunar Eclipse

Ariella

He scooped me up bridal style and lay me on the bed before walking to his wardrobe and returning, holding a long T-shirt. I also noticed he changed his wet clothes thanks to the shower.

“It was just my brothers and a friend,” I protested as he began to put his T-shirt on me. He even pulled my arms through the sleeves as though I was incompetent.

He picked me up by my waist as he positioned me in the centre of the bed. He crawled on top of me. I instinctively gulped at the closeness and the position we were in.

He leaned down and huskily said, “Just an unmated friend,” his body tensed as he spoke.

He moved beside me and flipped me over, spooning me from behind. One arm held both of my wrists, firmly keeping me in place, whilst his other hand grabbed my shoulder so he could pull me into him as much as possible. His head rested in the crook of my neck, inhaling my scent mixed with his.

I was still wet, but his unnaturally warm body temperature shielded me from the cold. My hair was a damp mess, and the bed was a little damp.

His wolf was agitated. That much I could tell. Being around unmated males when you have yet to be marked by your mate was a definite no. I should have thought about that when I saw Noah.

For 5 minutes, we just lay there. I didn’t feel uncomfortable, but I did feel my body begin to grow flustered, knowing I was half-naked in his bed. It didn’t help that his hot rod pressed against my ass. I tried to wiggle out of his hold, but he held me tighter against him. His body shuffled closer to mine if that was even possible. When I felt his bulge press deeper against me, a light, unconscious moan escaped my lips.

“If you keep trying to move, I won’t be responsible for when I mark and mate you, right here, right now,” his husky voice vibrated against my back. My stomach tightened and my core throbbed at his comment. I gulped, unsure as to whether I was nervous or excited at what he just said.

I gave up trying to move after that. Without realising, I fell asleep, wrapped in his arms.

Logan

I couldn’t stop my wolf. It was either smother her in my scent or mark her at the pack house entrance.

I didn’t want to force it on her, so I decided on the former. She fought and protested, but I was too apprehensive of opening my mouth to answer her in fear of what my wolf would do.

Once she was in my arms, surrounded by my scent, my wolf calmed down. After a few minutes, I heard the light sounds of breathing. She fell asleep. I was glad she did. I was worried I had scared the living daylights out of her after what I did.

I watched her sleeping form, her lips slightly parted, her fierce red hair against my ebony silk sheets. She looked so peaceful. I already knew that I loved it when she slept. I found comfort in seeing her so untroubled and serene. I swept a piece of hair behind her ear. Her face lightly scrunched up, and she curled her body a little more as she got lost in a deep sleep.

My mate.

I could watch her all day.

I felt Ethan mind-link me, telling me that the Alpha requested my presence.

I slid my arm from beneath her and gently shut the door. I moved down the halls until I came to my father’s office.

My father sat on his brown leather seat behind the desk, my mother on his right. Michael, my father’s Beta, and Nikki, his mate, sat on the left of him. Aleksi, the pack’s Zeta, was beside me, and Hailey and Ethan sat beside my mother.

“You called Alpha,” I spoke.

“Yes, I wanted to finalise the details for when you take my place tomorrow,” he replied.

Hailey and Ethan were the only two I considered making my Beta. The current Beta, as well as the Luna and Alpha, would automatically become Gammas once I became Alpha.

Hailey was a strong and fearless warrior, which is excellent for a Beta. She also helps train other inexperienced wolves and has never failed to impress. Ethan, however, would be a suitable Beta because he is more level-headed. He has always been better at dealing with issues involving the pack and creating peaceful and solid solutions to problems.

I grew up with them, so to say it was hard to choose would be a major understatement.

“I will announce it at the ceremony tomorrow,” I replied. Truth is, I didn’t know who to choose.

My father nodded, “I trust your judgement.”

“How is your mate? Did she handle it well?” my mother asked with a smile.

“She’s resting. It went… better than I expected,” I said, attempting to reassure my mother.

“You haven’t completed the mating bond?” my father quizzed, displeased.

“We’re waiting until the Luna ceremony,” I replied.

“That’s fine,” my mother praised and held my father’s hand reassuringly as he shot me a look of disapproval.

My father was a lot more traditional compared to most. He believed the mating should happen the second you found your mate. He didn’t see any reason to wait.

“You have a stronger will than most wolves,” my mother continued.

If only she knew how close my wolf was to taking over, not once, but twice.

The final preparations for tomorrow took a few hours, and soon after, we were dismissed.

“You nervous about tomorrow?” Hailey asked as she and Ethan walked on either side of me.

Hailey’s naturally wild ginger curls were expertly tamed into a thick braid that accentuated her strong build, sculpted by years of rigorous training. Her dark chocolate eyes glinted with determination and intelligence, revealing a sharp mind that matched her physical prowess.

“No, why would I be,” I replied. And I was right. I wasn’t at all nervous. I had been training and preparing for this moment for six years.

“Well it’s good to be back,” Ethan added. Ethan and Hailey accompanied me for the last few years of my training as they were potential Betas.

Ethan’s striking brown eyes were reminiscent of burning orange. Their intensity was matched only by his pale blonde hair which never seemed unkempt. His charming demeanour and playboy antics often left women swooning.

Unfortunately, neither of them had yet to find their mate.

“So where’s this mate of yours? I’m curious to see who the moon goddess matched you with,” Hailey chimed.

“I bet she’s a real firecracker, considering how she ran from you at the Blood Moon celebration,” Ethan taunted.

He wasn’t wrong there.

“You’ll meet her tomorrow.”

“Well, if you need anyone to train her, send her my way,” Hailey offered.

I sighed and nodded.

I really don’t think she needs it.

Ariella

My eyes felt heavy, and my body felt cold when I came to. The curtains were open, but no light shone through.

Crap, how long was I asleep for?

I looked behind me and saw no trace of Logan. His scent still lingered, but his side of the bed was cold. He must have left a while ago.

My stomach rumbled, causing me to jump in surprise.

Alright, let’s get some food in you, I thought to myself.

I had no idea where I was going but decided to make my way to the first floor, considering that was the most logical place to start looking.

I kept walking until the smell of something refreshing caught my tongue. I followed the scent through a large double door. It opened to reveal a breathtaking sight. The vast expanse of the kitchen was adorned with luxurious cream and white marble tops. The white cupboards perfectly complemented the smooth surface of the marble. Several cream-coloured stools were positioned around the island in the centre.

At the end of the marble tops were two enormous fridge freezers, seemingly ready to store all the culinary delights imaginable.

But something else caught my attention.

My mate was in front of the cooker as he flipped the contents of the pan.

Minted Lamb steaks!

My favourite!

For a split second, his back tensed, and his hands stopped moving the moment he acknowledged my presence.

“Sit,” he commanded with his back to me and continued what he was doing.

I almost decided to challenge him, but my hunger outweighed my stubbornness… this time.

I watched, mesmerised, as he finished off the meal. His back muscles moved with such grace whenever he flipped the Lamb or tossed the asparagus.

I felt something warm drizzle down my chin as I watched him. I wiped and realised I was dribbling! I removed any trace of it just as he plated the food. He put one plate in front of me and another beside me before reaching to grab a dark bottle of red wine. He poured two glasses before taking his seat beside me.

The first bite was mouth-watering. It made my jaw tingle with excitement, and my tastebuds went on overdrive. I moaned as I swallowed the first bite and finished it with a sip of the wine.

I was never a big cook, but I knew when to appreciate a damn good meal. I usually help my parents with their bakery business, but I was never good at making anything. My mother used to get me to do the easy stuff like pouring the batter into the tins or transferring the icing into the piping bag.

I continued to eat until I felt eyes burning in the side of my head. I faced Logan, who had his knuckles clenched around his cutlery. His face was tense.

“What?” I asked innocently.

“Stop making those noises,” he commented, then began to eat his food.

I was confused for a moment until I realised what he meant when another satisfied moan escaped my lips. He looked like he would jump me and take me right here on the table, so I spoke.

“H-How did you learn to cook?” I took another sip of the wine that paired impeccably with the meat.

“I’m self-taught,” he casually answered.

My eyes widened. I looked at him bewildered. He learnt to cook like this on his own!

He must have seen my reaction as he continued.

“I used to find it difficult to sleep most nights. I used to come down for something to eat. I didn’t want to wake the staff, so I taught myself how to cook,” he replied as he took another bite.

“I wonder what other secret talents you possess,” I spoke without realising. His face twisted into a sinful smirk. He leaned a little closer, resting his head on his enclosed knuckles.

“I have a man of many talents, I assure you,” he replied huskily.

I felt my insides shiver and my core clench. The mate bond was almost suffocating as he leaned into me, as though he was going to kiss me, so I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

“I want to continue training…” I rushed.

He cleared his throat and then sat back in his chair. “Have you trained before?”

“Yeah,” I replied proudly.

“I have someone who can train you. She’s the best of the best.

“Is there anyone you want present at the mating ceremony?” he asked.

The only people I wanted were my family, Caroline, and Noah. Plus, my mother and Caroline would kill me if they never got a chance to plan it. Besides, I was never really into that thing anyway.

“Yeah, I also have some people in mind to plan it,” I said.

“Fine by me,” he replied.

I smiled as I thought of what my mother and Caroline would be like. They would go crazy for something like this.

Then, my mind was transported elsewhere. To the thing that happened after the mating ceremony…

My cheeks heated, and my stomach thumped at the realisation that I would have sex with him. Was I going to disappoint him? Would I even be good in bed? I have no idea what I will be doing, so probably. What if I don’t like it?

It’s not as though I didn’t want this. I did. I was just… nervous. It’s all happening so fast. I never truly prepared myself for it, not mentally. But at the same time, I wanted him like I had never wanted anyone before. His touch sent my emotions on overdrive. His kiss made my body go out of control…

I abruptly stood from my chair as I felt my core begin to clench. If I didn’t leave now, he would smell my arousal, and then I would be in serious trouble.

“Thank you for the… erm… food. I’m full, so I’ll head to bed,” I spurted, then took the steps two at a time until I reached his bedroom.

I removed his shirt and doused my body with freezing cold water to calm my growing nerves and sudden arousal.

I put his shirt back on as I cleaned myself dry. My wolf felt most relaxed in his shirt, and it was unexpectedly cosy.

I walked into the hear Logan in his excessive walk-in wardrobe. The door was open a crack.

No Ariella, don’t look…

I tried, but my wolf was just too curious; well, that’s what I told myself.

I couldn’t help but notice the stunning definition of his chest and the sharp outline of his abs. It was almost irresistible to oppose the temptation to run my hands down his chiselled chest, across his prominent v-line and down to his…

I bit my lip to stifle a moan.

I scurried into bed, hoping he didn’t see or hear me. He emerged moments later in a pair of boxer shorts and took up most of the space beside me.

“Is there anything else you can wear?” I asked, slightly surprised at my bold request.

He chuckled. “You’re lucky. I usually sleep commando. Clothes are too… restricting,” he said huskily with a smirk.

I needed to focus on something else other than… well, him.

“I’m going for a run tomorrow after you are titled Alpha,” I stated.

“You have a point. Maybe it’s time our wolves meet and get familiar with one another,” he replied smoothly.

No! I didn’t mean that.

It was custom to run in your wolf forms with your mate, but I didn’t trust my wolf to be alone with him. We have better control over our instincts when in human form. But as a wolf, it was even more difficult to control.

“Can I go alone?” I asked.

“Out of the question,” he quipped.

“Just because you’re the dominant doesn’t mean I have to listen to everything you say,” I responded sharply.

“Your heat could come again at any time. There is no way I am letting you leave my side until the mating ceremony,” he finished.

He was right. I fought the heat the first time, and because my mate will be close by, the heat will keep coming for me until we complete the mating bond.

I rolled my eyes, annoyed at his logic and a little uneasy at having to face the heat again.

I can only hope the heat doesn’t get to me before the mating ceremony. If it does, there’s no predicting what might happen.