Page 10
TEN
LORELEI
L orelei stared at her reflection in the ornate mirror of her suite in Draken’s castle, brushing out her damp hair after another day of training. Her muscles ached pleasantly from the physical exertion of manipulating earth and stone. The past two days had been surreal - both exhausting and exhilarating.
“What are you doing?” she muttered to herself. “This isn’t like you at all.”
She’d always been the practical one, the planner. Now, here she was, swept up in whatever this was with Draken. Her skin still tingled from where he’d touched her during their practice session, guiding her movements as she learned to channel her newfound abilities.
The memory of their first intimate encounter made her cheeks flush. One moment they’d been practicing, and the next...pure bliss. Since then, each training session had ended the same way - with them tangled together, overcome by an attraction that felt almost supernatural in its intensity.
There was no logical explanation for how natural it felt to be with him, how her body craved his touch like an addiction. Or why he hadn’t pressured her about this whole “Luna” situation, instead letting her come to terms with everything at her own pace.
“You’re supposed to be focusing on controlling your powers so you can go back home,” she reminded herself firmly. But control seemed impossible around Draken. Something about his presence made her feel more alive than she ever had.
Every night after her training sessions, they’d share intimate dinners in the castle gardens. The moonlit meals were romantic enough to make her forget she was essentially living in a supernatural witness protection program. Tonight, he’d pulled out her chair, poured her wine, and discussed her progress with obvious pride.
But afterward, like clockwork, they’d parted ways at her bedroom door with nothing more than a lingering look. The mixed signals were driving her crazy. One moment, he was all passion and possession, the next keeping careful distance.
Lorelei crawled into the luxurious bed, her mind whirling. She still didn’t fully understand what being a “Luna” meant, or this mate bond thing everyone kept dancing around. Draken clearly wanted her to figure it out on her own, come to some sort of conclusion for her own future, but she felt lost in this new world of magic and shifters.
She rolled over, burying her face in the pillow. Her practical nature warred with the undeniable connection between them, leaving her more confused than ever about what the future held. But as she drifted off to sleep, her last thoughts were of Draken’s touch, and how desperately she wanted more of it.
Lorelei stepped into the castle’s courtyard, the morning sun warming her skin. She’d chosen a comfortable outfit of leggings and a flowing top, perfect for the physical demands of power practice. Her hair was pulled back in a practical braid, ready for another day of working with Draken.
The courtyard looked different in the early light – the ancient stone walls caught the golden rays, creating dancing shadows across the cobblestones. The morning dew still clung to the carefully tended flowers in the garden beds, and birds called from the castle’s towers.
But Draken wasn’t waiting in their usual spot by the stone bench. Instead, a woman with steel-gray hair pulled into an elegant bun stood there. She wore a tailored pantsuit that probably cost more than Lorelei’s monthly rent, and her posture screamed authority.
The woman’s heels clicked against the stone as she approached. “Good morning, Ms. Chanda. I’m Marybeth Sheppard.” Her smile was warm but professional. “Prince Draken has asked me to spend the day with you. It’s time you learned about the Moonshadow pack and what being Luna truly means.”
A breeze rustled through the courtyard, carrying the scent of roses from the garden. Lorelei’s stomach did a little flip. After days of intense physical training and equally intense moments with Draken, this felt like a test. Or maybe an interview. The architect in her wanted to pull out a notebook and take detailed notes, but something told her this wasn’t that kind of lesson.
The courtyard suddenly felt very empty without Draken’s commanding presence. She’d grown used to starting her mornings with his deep voice giving instructions and his strong hands guiding her movements. The way his eyes would darken when she mastered a new technique...
Marybeth cleared her throat, drawing Lorelei’s attention back to the present moment. The older woman’s knowing smile suggested she had a pretty good idea where Lorelei’s thoughts had wandered.
Lorelei shifted her weight from foot to foot, feeling oddly exposed without Draken beside her. “Is Draken...” She caught herself, heat rising to her cheeks. “Never mind, it doesn’t matter.”
“Prince Draken,” Marybeth emphasized the title with a slight arch of her perfectly groomed eyebrow, “has duties to attend to today. As both prince of our sovereign territory and alpha of the Moonshadow pack, his responsibilities are quite extensive.”
The older woman’s voice carried a hint of pride that made Lorelei’s stomach twist. “He’s mentioned being a prince, and obviously we’re in a castle, but what exactly does ‘alpha of the pack’ mean?”
“My dear Luna, Prince Draken is centuries old, beloved by his people. The pack’s devotion to him runs bone-deep.” Marybeth’s smile softened. “That’s part of what I’m here to teach you today - everything about pack politics and who you are.”
Lorelei’s mind stuck on ‘centuries old’ like a scratched record. She knew Draken was different - the whole shifting into a wolf thing was a pretty big clue - but hearing it stated so matter-of-factly made her head spin. Here she was, barely thirty, playing at romance with an ancient prince who commanded an entire supernatural society.
The rose bushes beside her suddenly seemed intensely interesting. “I’m just an architect from the city,” she murmured, more to herself than Marybeth. “I design buildings. I don’t rule kingdoms.”
“You’re far more than ‘just’ anything,” Marybeth said firmly. “Now, shall we begin your education?”
Lorelei nodded, trying to ignore the flutter of anxiety in her chest. She’d always excelled at learning new things, but somehow she doubted her usual study methods would apply to “How to Be a Supernatural Queen 101.”
Lorelei settled into a cushioned chair in what Marybeth called “the morning room,” though it felt more like a museum with its gilded mirrors and antique furniture. Sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows illuminating dust motes that danced in the air.
“The Moonshadow pack isn’t just any wolf community,” Marybeth explained, pouring tea into delicate china cups. “We’re one of the oldest and most powerful sovereign territories in North America.”
“Like a country within a country?” Lorelei asked, accepting the cup.
“Precisely, Luna. Prince Draken manages both the supernatural and more human aspects of our territory. Everything from pack disputes to economic policies.” Marybeth’s eyes sparkled. “He’s quite skilled at multitasking.”
“How many wolves are we talking about?”
“Over three thousand in our immediate pack, plus others who live and work within our territory.” Marybeth stirred honey into her tea. “There are five other territories like ours, each with their own prince. But the Moonshadow pack is special because of our connection to earth magic.”
Lorelei’s fingers tightened around her cup. “About that... you keep calling me ‘Luna.’ Shouldn’t the Luna be a wolf, not a human?”
“Traditionally, yes. When a female wolf reaches maturity, her Luna powers awaken. The alpha must then find and unite with her, or his powers begin to fade.” Marybeth tilted her head. “You’re certainly unprecedented, but there’s no doubt you’re our Luna. The earth responds to you.”
“And this mate thing everyone keeps mentioning?”
“It’s a soul-deep connection. Two halves of one whole, drawn together by forces beyond our understanding.” Marybeth’s expression softened. “Haven’t you felt it? The pull toward Draken?”
Lorelei thought about how her body hummed whenever he was near, how natural it felt to be with him despite the insanity of the situation. “Maybe,” she admitted.
“He’s waited centuries for you, you know. Running this territory alone, handling pack politics, mediating disputes. A Luna shares those responsibilities, makes the burden lighter.”
The weight of what Marybeth was saying settled over Lorelei like a heavy blanket. Her mind drifted to her apartment in the city, her carefully planned career path, her normal life. All of it seemed very far away from this world of ancient wolf princes and magical responsibilities.
“That’s... quite a job description,” she managed.
“Indeed.” Marybeth set down her cup with a knowing smile. “Shall we continue on with your education? There’s still much to cover about pack hierarchy and protocol.”
Lorelei listened as Marybeth detailed the intricate hierarchy of wolf pack dynamics, her architect’s mind trying to organize it all into neat categories.
“The alpha pair - that would be you and Prince Draken - lead the pack. Below them are the beta wolves, like Chuck, who handle enforcement and protection. Then the delta wolves who manage day-to-day operations...”
Lorelei’s tea grew cold as Marybeth explained the complex social structure, complete with rules about eye contact, proper forms of address, and pack etiquette. It was like learning about a whole new culture, complete with its own customs and taboos.
“Never challenge an alpha’s authority in public,” Marybeth cautioned. “And during full moons, the pack runs together - though you’ll need to learn to ride horseback to join them until you’re properly mated.”
“Properly mated?” Lorelei’s cheeks flushed, remembering her intimate encounters with Draken.
Marybeth’s expression turned grave. “Yes. And speaking of that...” She set her cup down with a sharp click. “We need to discuss your current situation. You’re in considerable danger.”
The morning room suddenly felt colder despite the sunlight streaming through the windows. “Because of my powers?”
“Precisely. An unmated Luna with awakened powers is incredibly vulnerable. There are those who would seek to control your abilities for their own gain - usually dark purposes.” Marybeth’s eyes hardened. “The man who attempted to kidnap you won’t be the last.”
The reality of her situation hit Lorelei like a physical blow. Her carefully ordered life - the projects she was designing, her comfortable apartment, even her weekly game nights with friends - all of it was gone now. She couldn’t just go back to normal, not when she had these powers that made her a target.
“But I can’t just...” The room started to tilt alarmingly. “I have deadlines, and clients, and...”
“Your safety must come first,” Marybeth’s voice seemed to come from very far away. “Until you’re properly mated to Prince Draken...”
Lorelei stood abruptly, her vision swimming. The antique furniture blurred together, the gilded mirrors reflecting a thousand spinning images. Her last thought before darkness claimed her was that she really should have eaten breakfast before this conversation.