Page 16

Lucas

W e narrowly defeat the Lunarcrest Phantoms five to four and once again, I blame myself for the less than stellar game. We may have continued Eldergrove’s undefeated streak but unlike my teammates, I don’t see any reason to celebrate. Not having my Moonbeam in the stands fucked with me. Why wouldn’t she agree to come even after our awesome date last night? I was distracted the entire game thinking about her and trying to figure out how to convince her to come to every game. Because I can’t do this again. I need her. I need to know she’s watching me. If she’s not, what’s the point?

We had a kid on our team a few years ago that went all out if he knew there was a scout in the stands. He’d make incredible plays nonstop. But if there was no scout, he was a totally different player. It’s like he was only worried about putting on a show for the scouts and not playing the game. It infuriated me. I love this game and he was treating it like it was meaningless. Tonight though, I think I understand. It’s not the same anymore. I still love the game. Don’t get me wrong. But without her there, it doesn’t mean as much as it always has. And that scares the shit out of me. So while the guys are off celebrating, I’m escaping to my safe place.

As soon as I step into the woods behind the dorm, my wolf takes over. We transform in an instant. When we’re on four paws, he throws our head back and howls at the sky. Running as my wolf has always been freeing. When I’ve been stressed about school, or ball, or just over stimulated by all the noise at home, I’ve always had my wolf to help me get away from it all and clear my head.

Now, that peace won’t come. As I run through the woods, everything reminds me of my mate. Of our time playing in these woods. I know I just saw her last night, but I miss her so damn much. I don’t know how Liam is staying away from her since he knows she’s his mate. I couldn’t imagine going a day without her.

My wolf runs through the woods, leaping over fallen branches and skidding through piles of leaves as if he’s on a mission. I finally come out of my pity party when I feel the mate bond flare to life. Looking through my wolf’s eyes, I see our mate lying on the beach where we had our first kiss.

She’s a thing of beauty, my Moonbeam. A tiny red fox with four unique tails. My favorite is the snow white tail that matches my wolf’s. But since I last saw her fox, two of her fox tails have changed. One now has bold black stripes like Bas’s tiger’s and the other has the same coloring as Derrick’s green and gold dragon tail. It’s really an amusing sight seeing four very different tails on her fox, but my girl pulls it off.

After admiring her for a moment, I shift back so I can talk to her.

“You didn’t come.” I don’t know why I’m still stuck on that. She’s here now and I already feel better just being in her presence, but I can’t let it go. I need to understand why.

Her fox lifts her head and a part of me breaks at the sorrow in her eyes. I run to her, dropping to my knees beside her and stroking her head.

“Don’t be sad, Moonbeam. I’m sorry. I’m not mad. I just… I missed you.”

She whines and buries her head in my lap as I continue to pet her.

“What’s the matter? Don’t hide from me, Moonbeam. You can tell me anything.”

She skitters back and I pull my hand away. She shifts back to human but doesn’t look at me. I can tell she’s conflicted about talking to me, so I give her space and let her come to me on her own.

“I was too scared. What if he was there? He’d know. Even if I covered up my marks, which I don’t want to do. Bas was so sad when I hid his mark yesterday for class.”

“So don’t cover them. I haven’t even seen mine.” My over dramatic pout pulls a giggle from her and my wolf puffs his chest out in pride. We did that. We made our mate smile.

“Sorry. Yours is the easiest to cover. I never wear shorts, so it’s safe to say I’m the only one who will ever see it.”

“Never say never,” I tease, loving the blush that covers her face at my heated look.

“Since you ditched me during my time of need-”

“Your time of need? It was a baseball game.” She rolls her eyes.

“Yes, and you weren’t there. I always need you with me, Moonbeam. I think you should make it up to me.”

“Oh? And how do you propose I do that?”

I love that she’s playing along with me and not running from the sight of me like she did just weeks ago. She’s grown so much in such a short time.

“Come back to my room. Spend the night with me.”

“I don’t know… I don’t think I’m ready for that .” She flushes a bright red and I can’t fight the smile.

“Not sure what that is, but I was talking about cuddling in bed while we watch a movie. What were you thinking about, dirty girl?”

She glares at me and I laugh.

“Anyone ever tell you, you’re adorable when you pretend to be mad?”

“Who’s pretending?” She arches a brow.

“I’ll let you pick the movie,” I offer.

“What about the others?”

“My bed’s not that big. They’ll have to wait their turn.”

“But they won’t be mad? If I stay the night with you and don’t spend any time with them?”

“Mad? Not at all. Jealous that I get you all to myself for a night? Probably. But not in the bad way you’re thinking. Besides, they’ll get to see you for breakfast.”

“ If I stay all night. I’ll probably go back to my room when I start getting tired.”

“Sure. Whatever you say, Moonbeam.”

She rolls her eyes, but can’t hide her smile. “I guess… I have been wanting to see that new season of Shifter Season . They take 20 shifters of all species and put them in this house then make them do all sorts of challenges until someone wins.”

I try, I really try, to keep the grimace off my face, but judging from her laughter, it doesn’t work.

“You said I could pick, remember?”

“Oh, I remember. Not a mistake I’ll make again. Come on, let’s get this torture started.”

“Oh, so now it’s torture to spend time with me?” She crosses her arms and lifts a brow.

I don’t even think. I just react, lunging for her and tickling her sides.

“Take it back,” I warn as I dig my fingers between her ribs as she squeals.

“What?” She gasps between giggles. “Stop! I didn’t… I didn’t say it. You did!”

We roll around in the sand as she tries to escape my devious fingers until suddenly she’s on top of me, panting and my hands still on her hips. She puts her hands on my chest and pushes herself up so her face is hovering inches from mine. Her long wavy hair hangs around us like a curtain. I caress her face and her breath hitches. Leaning forward slightly, I brush my lips against hers in a tender imitation of a kiss. I want more, but I know she’s not willing to give it right now, so I pull back. The feel and taste of her linger on my skin and the bond warms in my chest.

“You ready, Moonbeam?”

She bites her lower lip, and I groan.

“I meant for Shifter Season .”

“Oh. Yeah… You said we could… cuddle?” she asks hesitantly.

“I will cuddle you so hard, Moonbeam.”

“I think I’d like that.” She smiles tentatively.

“Okay. Time to get up.” I pat the outside of her thigh. If she stays on top of me much longer, things are bound to get awkward.

She wiggles around trying to get up and I groan. She freezes when she feels my undeniable hardness and looks at me with wide eyes.

“Up, Moonbeam. You’re not ready for that, remember?” I say with a groan.

The way she pauses and looks down at my crotch tells me she may be ready sooner than she’d think, but we both stand and ignore the monster in my pants as I turn away to adjust myself.

“Come on, time’s a wasting.” I grab her hand, and we walk through the forest until we come out behind the boys dorm.

I expect her to pull away once we’re out where people can see us, but she continues to hold my hand as I lead the way to the back door. She takes a deep breath as I open the door, and we walk inside. The lobby isn’t as full as it could be, most of the guys are either in their rooms or in town for the night. We still get more than a few looks on our way to the elevator. She squeezes my hand as we pass a group of guys and I quickly stab the button. Once we’re in the elevator, I let go of her hand and wrap my arm around her, pulling her into me. She squeaks but wraps both arms around my waist and holds on as she buries her face in my chest.

“It’s okay, Moonbeam. I’ve got you. No one can get to you as long as I’m here.” I run my hand through her long hair and kiss the top of her head just as the bell dings and the door opens to our floor.

We walk to the door, and I let her in, thankful for the empty dorm. Not that I want to hide the fact that she’s here, but I’d like to keep her to myself for as long as possible. I know Bas and D will try to move in on my time if they were here. But they’re not, so I take her to my bedroom and offer her some comfy clothes to replace her sand and soil covered outfit. When I’m sure she’s got everything she needs I head back to the kitchen and gather some snacks and drinks.

Making my way back to my room I knock and wait for the all clear to enter. I slip back in setting the drinks and snacks on my desk before grabbing my own change of clothes and heading to the bathroom I share with my brother to change. When I get back into my room she’s sitting on my bed looking as gorgeous as ever in my gym shorts and t-shirt. I think this is the most skin I’ve ever seen her expose and man does it do something to me that she’s wearing my clothes. Hints of my mark on her thigh are just barely visible, making me long to see more.

“Wow, Moonbeam. You’re just, wow,” I smile at her and her cheeks pinken.

“It feels odd to be so exposed. My father would flip his lid if he saw me like this.” She hangs her head and wraps her arms around herself protectively.

I can’t keep myself from crossing the room and wrapping her in a hug.

“You can wear whatever you want now. D is talking to his dad to get us some help and if Ranger shows back up, we will protect you.”

“But what if I’m alone? What if he finds out you’re my mate and he attacks you first? He’s found a way to get rid of anyone who’s ever shown me any kindness. He will hurt you if he gets the chance.”

Her worry makes me want to strangle the man who calls himself her father but I don’t think she realizes that she will never be truly alone again.

“Hey, Moonbeam, look at me.” Her glassy green eyes peek up at me from behind her curtain of hair. “You will never be truly alone again. Remember the other night at the theater? D stroked your bond and you felt it even though you weren’t actually touching him.”

She nods her head. “Yeah, he’s been doing it all the time lately.”

“Exactly and you can do it too. Try it now. Find our bond inside of your soul and pull just a little.”

She closes her eyes and scrunches up her cute little nose. It takes a few seconds of quiet focus but then I feel it. It’s not just a pull but a plea. She’s asking me to kiss her down the bond and I can’t keep the smile off my face when I realize it. Without another thought I cup her cheek and plant a kiss on her. Her sweet gasp when we break apart calms something in me.

“That’s it exactly, Moonbeam. Now, let’s get cozy in this bed and watch some reality TV.” I hop up and grab the snacks, getting her settled and setting the drinks on the nightstand before locking both doors.

She chuckles when I go as far as barricading the doors.

“Expecting company?” she teases.

“It’s only a matter of time before someone tries to sneak in. I’m not taking any chances.”

“Thought you were okay with sharing me.” She arches her brow.

“Hundred percent, Moonbeam. I would never dream of keeping you from your mates… for more than a few hours.” I wink.

She shakes her head as she laughs. “Guess that’s fair enough.”

“Damn right. Now, are you sure this is what you want to watch?”

“You said I could pick, remember?”

“I know, I know. Just thought my mate would have better taste in shows, that’s all,” I tease.

She gasps in mock outrage. “And I thought my mate would do anything to make me happy.”

“Oh, I will, Moonbeam. Tonight’s proof of that,” I chuckle as she playfully scowls at me. But when the theme song for Shifter Season starts, her attention is completely fixated on the TV as if I don’t even exist anymore.

She’s so invested in this ridiculous reality TV show and by the end of the first episode, she’s turned me into a fan. We watch episode after episode as we demolish the snack supply. After the third episode, she starts yawning and I hope this means she will stay the night. When the fourth episode ends, she is softly snoring on my chest, so I turn the TV off and snuggle further into the bed keeping her wrapped tight against my chest. The bond warms once more and my wolf whines his pleasure at being so close to our mate.

This is how we should spend every night. Wrapped around our mate.