Page 16
Story: Knotting else Matters
Olivia
The grand estate was a whirlwind of motion, a flurry of laughter, rustling silk, and the sweet, fragrant scent of wildflowers. Sophie was a vision in her delicate, flowing gown, her golden curls crowned with soft, pastel blooms, her wide, bright blue eyes sparkling with a mix of excitement and nerves.
Karl couldn’t stop smiling, his tall, broad figure dressed in a perfectly tailored suit, his normally wild, sandy-blonde hair swept back, his bright, easy grin a constant, infectious warmth.
And then there was Adrian—standing tall and calm, his dark, fierce gaze a quiet, steady presence beside me. But I felt it—the quiet, warm pressure of his hand against the small of my back, the slow, lazy brush of his thumb against the curve of my waist. The subtle, protective way he guided me through the swirling chaos of the estate, his voice low and calm as he introduced me to his family.
“This is Olivia,” he said, his voice steady, his dark eyes flicking to mine, a faint, proud smile curling at his lips. “My mate.”
My heart twisted, a fierce, wild thrill racing through me every time he said it.
“Oh, so you’re the one who finally managed to tame him,” a warm, teasing voice called out, and I turned to see a tall, handsome man with bright, laughing blue eyes and wavy blonde hair stepping forward. He wore a perfectly fitted suit, but his smile was lazy, his posture relaxed.
“Sebastian.” Adrian’s voice was a low, amused rumble, and he pulled me a little closer, his arm slipping around my waist. “I didn’t realize you were here.”
“Of course I’m here. Plane landed lade, but finally made it.” Sebastian grinned, his gaze flicking between the two of us, a faint, wicked light in his eyes. “Yet, I taught Karl was the love puppy, not you. The great Adrian, actually smiling. Gods, I thought the world was ending.”
“Laugh it up.” Adrian’s voice was dry, but there was a faint, playful warmth in his eyes. “Your turn next, man.”
Sebastian’s laugh was a sharp, bright burst. “Oh, not a chance in hell. I like my freedom, thank you very much.”
“Coward,” Adrian muttered, but his smile didn’t fade.
I grinned, leaning into Adrian’s warmth, feeling the quiet, steady pressure of his arm around me, the fierce, wild heat of his touch a perfect, soothing balm against the sharp, aching tension that had once twisted in my chest.
But then the bells began to ring—a soft, gentle chime that seemed to sweep through the estate, the warm, golden sunlight spilling across the garden, the soft, sweet scent of wildflowers drifting in the breeze.
“It’s time,” Sophie whispered, her voice a soft, trembling murmur, her wide, bright eyes meeting mine. “Liv… it’s time.”
And then we were swept away—guided into a line, the grand procession moving down the winding path, the soft, sweet notes of a harp playing in the distance, the warm, golden glow of the sun casting a soft, shimmering light over the lush, rolling hills.
The Moon Goddess temple rose before us, a breathtaking vision of pale, silver stone and twisting, vine-covered columns, the delicate, soft light of the stained-glass windows spilling across the marble steps. The scent of incense drifted through the air, a sweet, calming perfume that wrapped around us, mingling with the faint, silvery mist that curled along the temple grounds.
Inside, the temple was a dream—tall, arched ceilings that stretched toward the heavens, their pale, silver glow dancing across the intricate murals that lined the walls. Soft, silken banners of lavender and white fluttered from the columns, their delicate, ethereal shimmer catching the warm, golden light of the candles that lined the aisle.
Sophie and Karl stood at the front, beneath the grand, silver statue of the Moon Goddess, her serene, graceful figure bathed in a soft, silvery glow. The priestess stood before them, her voice a soft, melodic murmur that seemed to drift through the quiet, hushed air.
“We gather here beneath the light of the Moon Goddess,” the priestess intoned, her voice a quiet, soothing whisper. “To witness the union of two souls, two hearts bound by love, by trust, by the sacred promise of the moon.”
Sophie’s wide, blue eyes were fixed on Karl, her trembling hands clasped in his, her lips curling into a soft, radiant smile. Karl’s grin was wide, bright, his gaze never leaving hers, his thumb gently brushing against the back of her hand.
“Do you, Karl, promise to love, honor, and protect Sophie, to stand by her side in darkness and in light, in sorrow and in joy?”
“I do.” His voice was a low, steady rumble, but there was a fierce, wild joy in his eyes, a quiet, desperate devotion that seemed to fill the room.
“And do you, Sophie, promise to love, honor, and cherish Karl, to stand by his side in darkness and in light, in sorrow and in joy?”
“I do.” Her voice was a soft, breathless whisper, her cheeks flushed, her smile radiant.
The priestess raised her hands, her voice a quiet, melodic chant that seemed to sweep through the temple, the soft, silvery glow of the moonlight spilling through the stained-glass windows, wrapping around them in a quiet, ethereal embrace.
“By the light of the Moon Goddess, by the sacred bond of love, I pronounce you mated.”
A soft, gentle cheer rose through the temple, the quiet, joyful hum of laughter and applause, and Karl swept Sophie into his arms, his lips crashing against hers in a fierce, wild kiss.
Beside me, Adrian’s hand tightened around mine, his dark gaze never leaving mine, a faint, quiet smile curling at his lips.
And for a moment, beneath the soft, silvery glow of the temple, beneath the warm, golden light of the moon, I felt it—the quiet, fierce heat of his touch, the wild, desperate thrill that twisted in my chest.
The reception was a whirlwind of laughter, music, and the warm, golden glow of candlelight. The grand hall was a breathtaking vision of elegance—tall, arched ceilings draped in soft, silken banners of lavender and white, the tables lined with delicate arrangements of wildflowers and twinkling fairy lights. A grand chandelier cast a warm, golden light over the polished marble floor, where couples twirled and laughed, the soft, joyful hum of conversation filling the room.
The long, polished dining tables were lined with silver platters of delicacies—roast lamb dripping with rosemary glaze, buttery, golden potatoes, fresh, colorful salads, and delicate, flaky pastries stuffed with sweet, spiced fruit. Glasses clinked, laughter rose and fell like a soft, melodic wave, and in the center of it all, Sophie and Karl glowed. They were radiant, their laughter bright and infectious, their love a fierce, wild spark that seemed to light up the room.
I stood beside Adrian, his warm, steady presence a quiet, comforting shadow beside me, his fingers brushing against mine, his dark, intense gaze flicking to me every few seconds, that faint, lazy smile never leaving his lips.
“Alright, ladies!” Sophie’s voice rang out, a bright, joyful call that seemed to ripple through the room. “It’s time!”
A group of women gathered in a loose, giggling circle near the dance floor, their eager faces alight with excitement, their hands reaching out as Sophie turned, the bouquet of wildflowers clutched in her delicate, gloved hands.
Adrian leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against my ear. “Aren’t you supposed to be over there, battling for the bouquet?”
I shot him a dry look, a faint, teasing smile tugging at my lips. “I think I’ve already got one annoying Alpha chasing me. Why would I need flowers too?”
He laughed, a deep, warm rumble that seemed to wrap around me, and his hand slipped around my waist, pulling me closer. “Annoying, am I?”
“Infuriating,” I whispered, leaning into his warmth, feeling the quiet, steady pressure of his arm around me.
The bouquet sailed through the air, a perfect, colorful arc, and a chorus of squeals erupted as a young, wide-eyed Omega caught it, her cheeks flushing a deep, rosy pink, her friends laughing, cheering around her.
The band struck up another bright, lively tune, the music spilling through the hall, and Adrian pulled me onto the dance floor, his hand warm and steady in mine, his dark, fierce gaze fixed on me. We danced with the crowd, the wild, joyful energy swirling around us, his laughter a low, rich melody that seemed to wrap around me.
But then the music shifted, the bright, cheerful notes fading to something softer, slower, a quiet, familiar melody drifting through the air—deep, slow guitar chords, a low, rich voice spilling through the speakers.
I froze. My heart twisted, the wild, fierce joy crashing into a sharp, aching tension.
Nothing Else Matters.
My smile faltered, my breath catching, a faint, desperate ache twisting in my chest. But before I could pull away, Adrian’s warm, steady hands curled around me, his dark, fierce gaze locking onto mine.
“You did this,” I whispered, my voice a soft, breathless murmur, my heart pounding against my ribs.
“I did.” His voice was a low, steady murmur, his hands pulling me close, his warm, solid chest pressing against mine, his forehead resting against mine. “Because it was clear to me you love this song. But thanks to some garbage human, you can’t enjoy it properly.”
A faint, wild laugh slipped out, a sharp, trembling ache twisting in my chest. “And you thought this would help?”
“I’m making you new memories.” His thumb traced a slow, gentle path along my cheek, his dark gaze soft, steady. “Better ones. I’m cleansing you of whatever pieces of him are still left in your mind.”
“Pretty sure that’s not how therapy works.”
“Good thing I’m not your therapist.” His lips brushed against my ear, a slow, lazy whisper that sent a wild, desperate thrill racing through me. “And if I have to, I’ll keep making you new memories. Even if it means fucking you over and over again while listening to this song.”
A wild, breathless laugh burst from me, the fierce, aching tension crashing into something warm, something wild. “Wow. That’s romantic. Nothing says healing like emotional trauma with a side of sex.”
“I’m serious.” His voice softened, his hands tightening around me, his dark, intense gaze never leaving mine. “Every time you hear this song, I want you to think of me. I want you to feel this—feel me.”
A wild, desperate ache twisted in my chest, but this time it wasn’t fear. It wasn’t pain. It was something warm, something fierce, something terrifyingly perfect.
“Adrian,” I whispered, my voice trembling, but his lips caught mine, a slow, deep kiss that seemed to melt away the sharp, aching tension, the wild, desperate ache that had twisted in my chest for so long.
The soft, slow melody washed over us, the deep, rich voice spilling through the room, the quiet, steady strum of the guitar a perfect, soothing hum that wrapped around us.
And I felt it—the quiet, warm pressure of his hands against my back, the slow, steady beat of his heart beneath my fingertips, the faint, lazy warmth of his breath against my cheek.
I was falling. But this time, I wasn’t afraid.
“Better?” he murmured, his lips brushing against mine, a faint, warm smile curling at his lips.
“Not bad,” I whispered, pressing a soft, teasing kiss to his jaw. “I’ll give you a seven out of ten.”
“Seven?” He leaned closer, his lips tracing a slow, lazy path along my neck, a faint, wicked smile curling at his lips. “Guess I’ll have to work harder.”
“Please.” I laughed, my fingers curling against his chest, my heart pounding, a wild, desperate thrill racing through me. “You wouldn’t survive.”
“Try me.” His voice was a low, lazy growl, his hands tightening around me, pulling me closer, his dark gaze burning against mine.
In the warm, golden glow of the faerie lights, wrapped in the soft, slow embrace of his arms, surrounded by laughter and light and the quiet, gentle hum of music, I realized that I wasn’t running anymore.
I wasn’t hiding.
I wasn’t the lost, reckless chaos I’d always thought I was. I was Olivia—wild, fierce, imperfect, and finally free. I was home. Not because of the pack, not because of the family I’d once tried so hard to escape, but because of him—Adrian, the impossible, infuriating Alpha who saw me, who chose me, who loved me without trying to tame me.
And as his lips brushed against mine, as his dark, intense gaze held me, I knew I wasn’t falling. I’d already fallen. And for the first time in my life, I wasn’t afraid. I was exactly where I was meant to be.
The End
Out Now
Moonligh
In the roaring streets of 1920s Chicago, survival isn't a right—it's a bloody battle.
Elena thought she had surrendered long ago. Sold to a ruthless alpha, tethered to a life of lies and betrayal, she buried her wolf deep, learned how to smile on command, and forgot what it meant to dream.
Until Christian Black tore her world apart.
Leader of the notorious Black Night pack, Christian is everything Elena was taught to fear—merciless, untouchable, a king in a city of smoke and blood. But when fate shoves them into each other’s arms, Elena discovers a bond far stronger—and far deadlier—than anything she’s ever known.
Now, with old enemies rising from the ashes and the city ready to burn, Elena must choose: cling to the ruins of her past, or claim the savage, beautiful future that could destroy her... or set her free.
Power. Blood. Loyalty.
And a love that refuses to be tamed.
Coming Soon
Starlight
Dana has survived the blood-soaked streets of Chicago by playing the game better than anyone— fast deals, faster bullets, and never letting anyone close. Especially not humans.
Detective Dominic Cross built his career on hunting wolves, not trusting them. Not fearing them. Until Dana crashes into his world like a loaded gun with a wicked smile and a body built for sin.
She's everything he despises.
He’s everything she laughs at.
And the deeper he digs into the darkness surrounding her pack, the harder it becomes to decide whether he’s hunting her—
Or falling for her.
In a city where loyalty is a death sentence and love is a weakness no one can afford, two enemies will either destroy each other... Or set the whole damn city on fire.