Page 25

LUNA

Eating breakfast with the guys felt oddly natural—like I belonged here.

“Luna would like to take a run today,” Ash said to Connor, who looked up from his plate.

“Is that a good idea?”

“That’s up to you,” Ash replied. “Best we stay away from others, though.”

“Why?” I asked.

Connor answered, “Because we wouldn’t be liable for our actions if we saw another male wolf near you.”

I shivered. This was all so primal.

“Maybe we should wait,” I said, guilt creeping in. “If I just… did what was needed for the bond, would it make it better?”

“No,” Ash said at the same time as Connor said, “Absolutely not.”

Ash added, “I mean, technically, yes. We’d be bonded. But that would be trading one set of problems for another. And we’re not thinking short-term here. We’re not using you as a means to an end.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me for that.” Ash looked pained.

Quietly, I washed my plate and the pans used for cooking and went to my room, closing the door behind me.

Never could I have imagined this. After three years of refusing to date, now I was supposed to simultaneously accept that I was a wolf shifter and tied to two complicated “family” members. My life was a mess.

I took a long shower, letting the hot water soothe the tightness in my muscles. Then, I dressed in jeans and a T-shirt—my usual uniform. Needing a break from reality, I grabbed a book and settled into a chair on the deck. The sun was soft and warm. I leaned my head back and let it wash over me.

A knock came at my door. “Come in,” I called.

Connor stepped in, and his sheer presence momentarily struck me. Chiseled features, like a sculpture come to life, with messy blond hair falling across his forehead. He smiled easily.

“Enjoying the sun?” he asked.

“Yeah.”

“I just wanted to let you know Ash has gone to work, and I’m heading outside to do some things.”

“Busy work, or would you have really stayed back?”

He paused, caught.

“Don’t worry. I get why you’re not leaving me here alone.”

“It’s not that we don’t trust you.”

“Well, you don’t know me.”

“We don’t know you well,” he clarified. “But we know the essentials. Forgive Ash if he’s protective of a mate we only just found out existed—and who was attacked days ago.”

“Fair.” I stood. “I might read on the couch, then.”

“Nice. Feel free to make another coffee or whatever you’d like.”

“Thank you.” I touched his arm as I passed.

I curled up on the corner of the couch, legs stretched out, propping my book on a cushion. It was a popular fae romance—equal parts epic love and gratuitous smut. I was a few chapters in when Connor walked by—shirtless.

The guy had abs. Like, full six-pack abs.

He paused, sniffed the air lightly. “What are you reading?”

Flushing, I handed him the book. It was better that he thought that caused my reaction than the sight of him.

He scanned a page, then looked at me over the top of the book, eyebrows raised, and kept reading.

“You like this?” he asked, teasing but intrigued.

I nodded. “I mean, in theory. I’ve never actually done anything like that.”

He sat beside me, close enough that his body heat kissed my skin.

“I think I want to read this too.”

“I’ve got the first in the series at my flat,” I offered.

“Cool.”

We sat there in silence, close enough to share breath. He smelled like peppermint and clean mountain air. I leaned in—and he met me, lips brushing mine with aching gentleness.

I melted.

Then he deepened it. His arms wrapped around me, pulling me flush to his chest, and I let myself drown in the moment.

Until I remembered this morning. Ash. His hands. His touch.

I pulled away, breath shaky. “I’m sorry. That was inappropriate.”

“It’s confusing.” His arms stayed firm a second longer before releasing me. His wolf didn’t want to let go, I could feel it.

“You make me feel hope again.” He brushed a finger down my arm, raising goosebumps in his wake. “But you’re his.”

Not ours, the unspoken words hung between us.

Before guilt could settle too heavily in my chest, he smiled again, softer this time. “Why don’t we run?”

His eyes glinted mischievously. I nodded.

He got up and opened the front door, already peeling off his clothes. I retreated to the bedroom, undressed, and let the shift come.

“Stay close to me,” he called, just before he changed.

I padded outside, tail swishing. Shifting near another wolf was strange and exhilarating.

He was much larger, with a light grey coat, while mine was smaller and tinged with red. And then we ran.

We chased across the breadth of their territory, racing through trees, across hills, our paws pounding the earth. Hours—or maybe moments—passed. Time didn’t matter when we ran like this.

Eventually, the house came into view. We sprinted for it, but he was faster, by far.

Inside, he nudged me gently with his snout. I rubbed mine against his, uncertain if I was sending the wrong signal—but too tired to overthink it.

I leapt onto my bed and curled up, content and spent. After a pause, Connor joined me, his much larger form curling nearby. Not touching, but close.

It felt like we’d reached a quiet understanding—there was something here, but nothing like what I had with Ash.

And that made it easier to breathe.

I slept.