Page 24

Luna’s body was pressed close, warm and genuine. She was still fully clothed, the fabric of her shirt soft beneath my bare chest. I could feel every breath she took, every subtle movement as she shifted closer into my arms.

I stayed still a moment, letting the quiet morning wrap around us. Her scent—fresh, faintly sweet—drew me in, a magnet pulling at something deep inside me.

I traced the curve of her back with one hand, feeling the heat of her skin through the thin cotton of her shirt. Her fingers found mine under the blanket, threading between my own with a gentle strength.

Her touch was tentative at first, but it grew bolder, exploring light strokes along my ribs, fingertips pressing into muscle, sending ripples of warmth through me.

I bent my head to kiss her temple, savoring the softness there before letting my lips trail lower—across her cheek, down her jawline, tasting the skin beneath.

She trembled slightly against me, and I caught her gaze. Her eyes were wide and bright, shimmering with something new—curiosity, desire, maybe even a hint of wonder.

My hand moved to cup her face, thumb brushing her cheekbone as I leaned in for a slow, deep kiss.

Her lips parted beneath mine, and the heat between us deepened, electric and alive.

Her hands slipped under my chin, fingers splaying against my throat, grounding me as I traced the line of her collarbone over the fabric.

Every touch was a question, every sigh an answer.

I pulled back just enough to catch my breath, forehead resting against hers, heart pounding in sync with hers.

“I want this,” I murmured, voice low and rough. “Slow. With you.”

She nodded, breath hitching. “Me too.”

I let my hands wander, careful and reverent, tracing the gentle slope of her shoulders, sliding down to her arms, memorizing the feel of her skin beneath her clothes.

Her warmth was intoxicating, her presence a balm to every restless thought.

I kissed her again, soft and sure, hands gentle but insistent as they moved to cradle her face and shoulders.

We stayed like that—exploring, discovering, building a fire that burned bright but steady.

No words were needed—just the slow, tender dance of two bodies learning the language of each other.

And in that quiet morning light, everything felt possible.

Downstairs, Connor shifted into wolf form—massive, powerful, alert.

Luna greeted him calmly, fingers trailing over thick fur.

“Is it okay to touch him like this?” she asked softly.

I grinned. “He wouldn’t mind.”

Connor nudged her gently, eyes flicking between her hand and me.

He’d caught our scent—the mark of what we’d shared.

Something passed between us: possessiveness, curiosity, maybe respect.

We had to tread carefully—this was new territory for all of us.

Space, patience, trust.

That was the only way forward.

“What does it feel like when we’re touched like this?” Luna asked, her voice a curious whisper.

I thought for a moment. “It’s hard to say. Not many people touch us when we’re in this form. But I imagine it’s soothing. A connection of sorts.”

She nodded, her gaze drifting to Connor. I could see the way she was processing everything, her mind working through it all as she traced the muscles of his back with her fingers.

It was then that I saw it. Connor’s eyes flicked from Luna’s hand to my face, a flicker of something I couldn’t quite place passing between us. He’d caught the scent—the mark of what we’d shared.

I had no idea if he was jealous, relieved, or something else entirely. All I knew was that this was a balancing act. The bond between Luna and me was still in the process of being forged, but we had to figure this out as a family, as a pack. Slowly, carefully.

I needed to give them space—to give myself space. Something unspoken still cracked the air between us.

The rich scent of bacon filled the kitchen as Luna came and leaned against me, warm and solid at my side.

The sizzle of the pan, the hum of the fridge—it all felt ordinary, except it wasn’t.

She leaned into my side, her warmth against me as natural as breathing.

I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her closer.

I liked her openness and how natural it felt to be let in.

Claire had never been physically affectionate outside of the bedroom. This felt different. This felt real.

“He went upstairs, I presume to change in private,” she said, her voice low but warm as she took a sip of the coffee, humming in appreciation.

I nodded. “Probably.”

She looked up at me, her eyes a little brighter, a little more focused. “Hey, could we run together?”

I didn’t need her to elaborate. I knew exactly what she meant.

My wolf had quieted, more content now that the bond had been fed, but still restless beneath the surface. “I don’t see why not.”

She rubbed her chest again, a subtle gesture, but I saw it. She went to sit at the counter with her coffee. Connor had returned, looking a little more somber than before. His expression wasn’t angry, but there was something in it that suggested he wasn’t entirely at ease.

Luna had seen it too. But I wasn’t about to address it now. We’d figure it out later.

“Has anything changed for you?” I asked, keeping my tone casual, but with purpose. I didn’t want to make things awkward, but I needed to know where she was with this, with us.

She flushed, a hint of the same vulnerability I’d seen earlier in her eyes. I wanted to taste that blush again.

“In what way?” she asked, shifting slightly on the chair, her legs dangling just above the foot bar.

I watched Connor, who had quietly taken over preparing bacon and eggs, take my coffee cup with a nod as he went about his task. His presence, his steady silence, told me he was aware of the delicate balance here as well.

“With the bond,” I clarified.

“I know. You can say whatever. It’s okay,” Connor assured her, glancing at her with a surprising gentleness that caught me off guard.

There was a quiet moment, the air thick with unspoken words, before Luna finally spoke. “I feel like half of me is eased. But there’s something... like heartburn. Under the surface. Like something’s still missing.”

My chest tightened at her words. I could feel it too—the bond was growing, but it wasn’t complete. Not yet.

“You didn’t complete?” Connor asked, his voice low, curious.

Luna looked at me, and I answered for both of us. “No. Not complete.”

Connor’s expression shifted slightly, like he’d connected the dots. He understood now.

I wondered how long it would take for Luna to accept Connor and what their relationship would look like. I knew it wouldn’t be soon—not when she was still trying to make sense of her bond with me. There was a delicate line to walk here.

I could feel the pull in my chest, but it needed time to sink in.

And so did we.