Page 21 of A Luna’s Dynasty (Celestial #1)

L ita stirred, feeling herself being held in a strong, warm embrace.

She was blanketed with an amazing scent after having had the most incredible night’s sleep.

Primal urges were surfacing as her animal instincts clawed to take over.

She was being held by her fated mate, and her instincts demanded she mate with him.

Her wolf, Mira, purred contentedly within her. This is where we belong.

Asher chuckled softly, the sound rumbling through his chest. “You have no idea how much restraint it’s taking not to ravish you right now.”

Heat flooded Lita’s cheeks. She turned in his arms, meeting his intense silver gaze. “Oh? And here I thought the big bad alpha had perfect control,” she teased, arching an eyebrow.

His eyes darkened with desire, but a playful smirk tugged at his lips.

“I do. But you test that control like no other.” His fingers trailed along her arm, leaving goosebumps in their wake.

“I want nothing more than to show you how much I want you, how much I need you. But I’ll wait until you’re ready. ”

Lita’s heart raced at his words. Part of her longed to give in, to let the mate bond take over. But the cautious side of her, the one that had been hurt too many times, held back.

“Thank you,” she whispered, her hand coming to rest on his chest. She could feel the strong, steady beat of his heart beneath her palm. “For respecting my boundaries.”

Asher’s expression softened, his silver eyes filled with warmth. “Always.”

Lita’s gaze flickered to Asher’s lips, her own parting slightly as she imagined how they might feel against hers. The urge to kiss him was overwhelming.

“I want to kiss you.” His hot breath fanned her lips.

She decided to be upfront and get straight to the heart of the matter. “I won’t lie, I do want to kiss you. But I’ve never kissed anyone on the lips before, so this is a significant moment for me. I just want to make sure that this is meant to be.”

“It is.” Asher’s voice was barely above a whisper as he looked at the full, tempting lips in front of him. Desire shot through him like an electric shock, and his breath quickened with anticipation of what was to come. He couldn’t wait to taste those succulent lips.

Lita playfully placed her hand in front of his mouth, which he teasingly nibbled on. “Slow down,” she said with a smirk.

Asher let out a frustrated grumble but couldn’t resist kissing the fingers that were blocking his lips. “I have plans for those lips later,” he said with a sensual and rough voice.

What if this was just the bond talking? What if he really didn’t want her but a fated mate to strengthen the pack? There was her secret, and then there was him. Should she throw caution to the wind and dive in head first? She wanted him so badly.

This damn mate pull was making her think irrationally.

Why does he have to be so incredibly attractive?

I wonder what his lips taste like. Maybe just a small taste wouldn’t hurt …

No, Lita, focus. You can’t give in to this pull.

Remember, Felicia just kissed those lips.

She was his fiancée until just recently.

Good job, self. You’re sticking to your self-preservation tactics.

And now I’m talking to myself in my head.

That’s definitely a sign of insanity. Lita finished the ridiculous conversation with herself in her mind and finally managed to scoot a few inches away from Asher.

You know, Lita, if you talked to me, then you wouldn’t seem insane, Mira laughed, listening to the mental dilemma.

I prefer my logic to yours. Lita clicked her tongue at Mira.

You know how I feel about packs and our life, but I trust him.

I know you’re trying to protect yourself, but I can tell that he’s committed to us.

And his wolf is completely smitten as well.

I want to become the luna of this pack. I want my mate.

She could feel Mira’s impure thoughts starting to push through.

It was clear she was trying to force the connection between her and Asher.

“And I’m up.” Lita sighed as she sat up.

Asher gently ran his fingertips over her lips, tracing their contours with care. “What is it, baby?”

“Mira is interested in sealing the bond.”

“Well, then I’d have to say I agree with her.” Asher chuckled.

“You would say that,” she teased, trying to keep her voice light despite the intensity of the moment. “But Mira’s thoughts are far from pure, I assure you.”

“And yours?” Asher’s voice dropped lower, his eyes darkening with barely concealed longing. She could feel Mira’s approval, her wolf practically purring for her mate.

“I think,” she said slowly, her voice barely above a whisper, “that we’re both playing a dangerous game here, Asher Chain.”

“Who’s playing a game?”

“I want to fully embrace this, but I’m still nervous about the commitment. I always thought I would end up moving into the city and living on my own. The idea of becoming a permanent part of a pack, one that might not want me later … I don’t want to be trapped in that world.”

“Lita, that isn’t going to happen.”

“But there is something about me.” She sighed and pursed her lips. “Besides that, I’m not sure about you and Felicia, and I want to see if I’m going to end up a third wheel here.”

“You could never be the third wheel,” Asher growled. “You are my everything.”

“And Felicia? Who was she to you a few days ago, and who is she to you now?” She watched as he slowly sat up on the bed. His face looked a bit troubled, like he didn’t know what to say.

“Lita Silva, you are the missing piece of my soul. I’ve waited my entire life for you, and now that I’ve found you, I’m never letting go. We belong together, and I’ll spend every day proving that to you if I have to.”

“Waited? But did you? You were engaged. You just happened to stumble upon me before your mating ceremony.” Lita gave him a small smile. “I’m not judging you for finding a chosen mate, but you have to understand. The idea that I’m your everything and she means nothing … I can’t believe that.”

Asher frowned. How would he tell her that Felicia meant nothing?

He wanted to reassure her, but he didn’t want to sound like a heartless ass.

Should he just come out with it? Tell her that, because he felt guilty about her brother, he was going to accept Felicia as his mate?

If he told her that, would she ever believe that his feelings were sincere?

Lita stared at Asher’s troubled face, her own doubt swarming inside of her.

If Asher knew her secret, would he just go back to Felicia?

Or for strength, would he keep his fated mate?

How would she find out the truth, especially when her body didn’t want to hold off anymore from being claimed by Asher?

She scooted off of the bed, away from his intoxicating touch.

“Baby, wait.” Asher reached for her, hooking his fingers in the band of her pants. He let out a throaty growl, seeing her exposed skin. “Let’s talk.” His voice was husky as his pupils dilated.

“I don’t think we’re going to be able to talk right now.

” She smiled, seeing his reaction to her skin.

It was completely different now that she wasn’t injured.

He made her feel wanted and desired, something she was sure he was used to feeling.

Not only was he the alpha of the pack, but he was gorgeous.

Every woman wanted him. She remembered them talking about him in her old pack and how attractive he was.

It was hard to believe that this man was now looking at her with those desires.

Maybe it was all a bit too hard to believe.

She sighed and stepped away from his touch. She walked over to her dresser and began pulling out clothes to wear for the day. Since she would be wearing a dress later tonight, she wanted something comfortable for now. She pulled out her thong and bra, listening to Asher groan.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m getting my clothes out for the day.” She turned and looked at him with a laugh. “Honestly, Asher, sometimes I wonder about that brain of yours.”

He let out a rich, dark chuckle that had her stomach turning in excitement. “Are you trying to provoke me?”

“Provoke … that’s a big word for you, isn’t it?” She grinned, standing up. “This is my room, ‘Alpha’. ” She emphasized his title. “I’m free to get changed, right?”

“I—” She didn’t let him finish as she stripped off her clothes. He had already seen her naked, and she was going to get a shower. She stepped out of her shorts as she headed to the bathroom.

Asher’s voice was a low growl as he warned her, “You’re playing with fire.”

“This is a game? Well, then … am I winning?”

He stood up and was in front of her in an instant. “I don’t know. We didn’t establish the rules of this game. Are you tempting me to touch you? Is that how I lose? What if you want me to touch you? Is that how we both win? Well, Lita? Do you want me to touch you?”

She could feel the heat of his skin against hers, so torturously close. She looked into his eyes, seeing the color flickering between his and his wolf’s. Suddenly getting devoured by the ‘Big Bad Wolf’ had an entirely different meaning.