Page 55 of His White Moonlight (Dominant CEO Shifter Romance #1)

When I opened my eyes the next morning, I was alone. My hand drifted to Bennett’s spot before I realized what I was doing. The lack of warmth dissipated my lingering grogginess.

Frowning, I sat up and wondered if Bennett was still in a mood.

He hadn’t shaken it by the time we’d gotten home the night before, and hadn’t said anything to me when I’d gone to bed, either.

I’d assumed he would sneak in and sleep next to me like he’d been doing pretty much every night since stealing my bed.

That he hadn’t made me a little nervous.

I glanced at the door and caught sight of the breakfast tray table waiting beside my bed. The mini waffles and fried eggs were still steaming, but that didn’t catch my attention as much as the small vase with a blooming peony in it.

I plucked it from the vase and smelled it, hating how much I liked that he’d picked a flower for me.

A note was pinned under the vase. Pulling it free, I read it.

This is your first clue.

When you’re done eating, go to your closet and find something blue.

Bennett

I read it twice, surprised. What was he up to now? Curious and a little excited, I grabbed a waffle and ate it as I went to the closet to look for something blue.

Another note was hidden in a pair of my blue underwear.

“Pervert,” I said under my breath.

Clue number two.

Finish your breakfast. You’ll find clue three when you’re done with your shower.

Eager for the next clue, I quickly finished my breakfast like it said then closed myself in the bathroom with the blue underwear.

The bed was made and the dishes were gone when I emerged again.

Another note waited next to a set of clothes I didn’t recognize.

Clue number three.

The fourth clue is waiting downstairs. Follow the arrows.

After dressing, I left my bedroom and saw a Post-it on the hallway wall, pointing toward the stairs. Pulling it off, I followed the arrows all the way to Bennett’s office.

A bouquet of peonies waited on his desk with a note. I inhaled their fragrance before reading the next clue he’d tucked between the blooms.

Clue number four.

The flowers are yours. Peonies symbolize prosperity. I hope your life is rich with love, laughter, and family every day. Thank you for being you, Wrenly. You’re perfect the way you are, even if it drives me crazy at times.

The next clue is your choice. You can find your running shoes, or you can check the swing outside.

Choice? What did he mean by that? Was he acknowledging I still wanted to leave? No, the tone of the notes had been playful. This choice wasn’t about anything big then.

Since the door to the swing was closer, I went that direction.

The swing swayed gently in the early morning breeze as I walked to it. There was nothing on or under the seat. Unsure what to do, I sat on it and started to swing, knowing that Bennett would show up eventually.

He did.

From behind, he started to push the swing for me.

“I thought you’d choose to run,” he said.

“The swing was closer.”

He was silent for a second. “I wanted to do this for you for so many years.”

“You should have.”

“It’s not too late, is it?”

I glanced back at him. He was dressed for running.

“Are you going to tell me what this game was about?”

“I wanted to show you that, while I might not be good at it, I can learn to be fun too.”

My heart tried to trip over itself, and I didn’t know how to deal with what I was feeling because of him. Anger was safe. Denial was safer. But I couldn’t do either of those anymore. We were so past that.

“Thank you for the flowers,” I said instead. “What would have happened if I’d picked the running shoes? We would have gone for a run?”

“Why don’t you go check them?”

He stopped the swing for me and followed me through the house to the garage door, where we kept the shoes. I took the note from mine.

If you’d rather skip tonight’s pack run, we can go for one now instead. The choice is yours.

“It’s still your choice,” he said.

“Is this your way of backing out of our deal?” I asked.

“No. Miranda mentioned that you didn’t feel safe going. She said it was her duty as your friend to promise me bodily harm if anything does happen to you.”

I snorted, not doubting that was exactly how the threat had been delivered.

“If you don’t feel safe, you don’t have to go.”

“Whether I’m there or not, your words will have the same impact. I’d rather go.”

“Because of the deal?”

I nodded, seeing no reason to try to lie at this point.

He brushed back my hair.

“I won’t let anything happen to you, Wrenly.”

“It’s not fun eating your own words, Bennett. Be careful of the promises you make.”

We ended up going for a run anyway because I was restless and he could smell it. Homework helped the time pass once we were back home.

Around dinner, Grandma stopped in to check on me.

The whole family knew that I thought something bad was going to happen at the pack run.

That everyone knew reduced the chances of something actually happening, but only marginally.

After all, Bennett was rich, handsome, and a shifter, and he and I weren’t from the same world.

We were a shitty match in everyone’s eyes, outside of the Wulf family.

And the Wulfs were outnumbered, even if they were the ruling pack family.

Grandma reassured me that nothing would happen and that Bennett wouldn’t take his eyes off me. I nodded, pretending to go along with it, but she could smell my disbelief. Just before dusk, she kissed my cheek and reminded me to be a menace.

“I always am,” I said.

The meetup location was about twenty minutes away from Alpine Run. Bennett drove us since he was familiar with where we needed to go. It gave me time to overthink everything.

The pack ran on a swath of land that covered over twenty square miles. Trees covered the majority of the land, with a few meadows along the river that meandered through the north side. I’d need to avoid the meadows and stick to the trees. Climbing was my only hope.

I was so lost in thought that I didn’t realize we were close until Bennett pulled into a gravel parking lot already partially filled with cars.

His hand covered mine when I reached to unbuckle myself.

“I can smell your nervousness,” he said softly. “No one will hurt you.”

I studied him in the dim light, seeing his concern but also his tension. The way his gaze dipped to my mouth showed the direction of his thoughts, though. It brought back memories of my last visit here and the unbridled matings that had occurred.

“You’re thinking about everyone else, but what about you?” I asked.

His shock was pretty clear in the fading light.

“Never.”

“I’ve been to one of these before, you know. Mating during the rush of the run is a common occurrence. What are the chances we’re going to mate tonight?”

His mask slipped into place.

“Have you changed your mind about accepting your place as my mate?”

“No.”

“We won’t mate until you do.”

“Are you sure? Because then I’ll never be your mate.”

I reached for my door and got out without waiting for him. His answering growl and knowing what waited for me in the trees kept me by my door until he joined me.

“Ready?” I asked, holding out my hand.

He glanced at it, his conflict visible in his expression, before he motioned for me to follow without taking my hand.

I internally sighed. By not holding my hand, he was essentially declaring he didn’t care about me, which would incite the females to act against me.

While that worked for me in terms of gaining my freedom, it was counterproductive for leaving this run without serious injury.

Several more cars pulled in as we walked the path to the small clearing just inside the trees. People were already talking and undressing, preparing for the run. The moon was bright in the twilight, its light hiding nothing.

I didn’t look, and I didn’t let myself feel any embarrassment. The people here already had enough fuel to reject me as their future Alpha's mate. I didn’t need to humble myself more.

Mom and Dad stood near the front of the clearing, talking with another couple. Thankfully, they were both still dressed. When Mom saw us, she smiled and motioned us forward.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she said.

My nod of acknowledgment was the best I could do because I wasn’t glad. I would have preferred a quiet night at home—alone—eating a pizza and watching a show.

“You probably don’t remember the Duneklins…”

Mom slipped into her hostess role and began reintroducing me to the pack members. She didn’t say I was Bennett’s mate, but rather, I was the daughter her heart always yearned for. She kept me close to her side with an arm around my shoulders.

Her presence made the introductions more tolerable and less awkward since the number of people without clothes was increasing.

Bennett stayed next to Dad, chatting with anyone who approached them as Mom and I moved around the clearing. It was fully dark when Mom excused us, and we made our way back to Bennett and Dad.

Bennett’s gaze searched mine as we approached.

I couldn’t tell what he was looking for, though.

Nerves? Fear? He wouldn’t find those anymore.

I’d already made peace with both and accepted the outcome of the night as soon as I got out of the car.

And each stilted greeting and long look from the females Mom had introduced was enough to confirm what I’d suspected the moment Bennett told Olivia I was his mate: I wouldn’t hold the position of potential mate for long if they had anything to say about it.

“Before we begin, we have some welcome news to share,” Dad said.

He looked at Bennett.

“The mate I found twelve years ago has finally acknowledged me.” Bennett intertwined his fingers with mine before lifting our joined hands high. Shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd.

Mom and Dad beamed, either pretending or oblivious.

“On that happy note, let the pack run begin!” Dad said, unbuttoning his shirt.