Page 14

FOURTEEN

LORELEI

L orelei’s heart hammered in her chest as she stood before the mirror smoothing nonexistent wrinkles from her green gown. The intricate gold embroidery glinted in the light, vines seeming to dance across the fabric with each movement. She took a deep breath, watching her reflection’s ample cleavage rise and fall with the motion.

“You can do this,” she whispered to herself, running her fingers through her loose brown waves. “Just pretend it’s like presenting designs to difficult clients.”

Except difficult clients didn’t turn into wolves. Or hate humans on principle.

The sound of Draken’s voice drifted up from below, announcing her presence. Her cue to descend. Her knees trembled as she stepped onto the grand staircase, gripping the banister perhaps a bit too tightly.

“Don’t trip, don’t trip, don’t trip” became her silent mantra. The faces below blurred together into a sea of shocked expressions as the cheering died away into uncomfortable silence. Her earlier lessons with Marybeth echoed in her mind: never show weakness to wolves.

She lifted her chin and straightened her spine, though her insides felt like jelly. Each step brought her closer to Draken, his powerful presence drawing her like a magnet. When she finally reached his side, his arm slid around her waist, warm and steady.

“My Luna,” he announced, his deep voice resonating through the hall.

Lorelei tried not to flinch at the increasing murmurs. A muscle ticked in Draken’s jaw as he addressed the crowd’s obvious concerns about her humanity. His grip tightened protectively around her waist.

“You’ve got this,” he whispered against her ear, so low only she could hear. “Show them the strength I see in you.”

The warmth of his words steadied her more than his touch. She managed a small smile, though her thoughts raced. What had she gotten herself into? Five days ago, she’d been worried about building permits and designs. Now she stood before a pack of wolves as their supposed queen-to-be.

Draken’s words about wooing her brought heat to her cheeks. The crowd’s murmurs turned more positive, though she caught fragments of whispered conversations:

“But she’s human...”

“The prince seems certain...”

“Did you feel those earth tremors?”

She squared her shoulders. If she could handle New York real estate developers, she could handle this. Probably.

Lorelei’s initial tension melted away as she soon moved through the grand ballroom on Draken’s arm. The crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the gathered wolves, who proved far more welcoming than she’d thought. Her gown swished against the marble floor as they approached different groups.

“You’re an architect?” A silver-haired woman’s eyes lit up. “My house desperately needs updating. The wiring hasn’t been touched since electricity was first installed.”

“Really?” Lorelei leaned in, her professional interest piqued. “What era is the house from?”

“Early 1800s. Most pack homes are from that period.”

“The structural bones must be incredible.” Lorelei’s mind raced with possibilities. “Have you considered keeping the historical facade while modernizing the interior?”

Soon she found herself surrounded by pack members, all eager to discuss their homes. Her fingers itched for her sketchpad as they described crumbling stonework and drafty windows.

“The pack territory has so much potential,” she said to Draken, gesturing animatedly. “We could preserve the historical architecture while incorporating sustainable technologies. Solar panels, geothermal heating?—“

“We?” Draken’s deep voice rumbled beside her, amusement evident in his tone.

She grinned. “I mean, hypothetically speaking. The buildings here deserve to be honored and updated, not torn down.”

His hand settled on her lower back, warm and possessive. “I think it’s an excellent idea. The pack could use someone with your expertise.”

Lorelei’s heart fluttered at the pride in his voice. She glanced up to find him watching her with intense focus, his eyes dark with something that made her breath catch.

“You’re handling this remarkably well,” he murmured for her ears only.

“Oddly enough, it feels natural.” She surprised herself by meaning it.

“And the Luna aspect?”

“Ask me again when I’m not trying to prevent my powers from accidentally demolishing your ballroom.” She offered him a small smile. “One impossible thing at a time.”

His laugh drew appreciative glances from nearby wolves. “Fair enough.” His grip tightened possessively as another group approached.

Before long, Lorelei tilted her face toward the moon, its silvery light bathing the castle gardens in an ethereal glow. The sweet scent of rosemary filled the air, mingling with the earthy aroma of fresh-cut grass. Her earlier anxiety had all but melted away like morning dew, replaced by an unexpected sense of belonging.

“The gardens are really beautiful tonight,” she said, running her fingers along a stone balustrade. The stone hummed beneath her touch, responding to her earth powers in a way that no longer frightened her.

“They’re yours to redesign if you wish.” Draken’s deep voice rumbled close to her ear as his arm tightened possessively around her waist. “Though I suggest keeping the moon flowers. They’re sacred to our pack.”

“I wouldn’t dream of removing them.” She paused to admire the silvery blooms. “Though this courtyard could use some strategic terracing to create more intimate gathering spaces.”

His chest vibrated with quiet laughter. “Already planning renovations?”

“Force of habit.” She grinned up at him. “But admit it – those stone benches are practical but hardly comfortable for long conversations.”

A group of pack members passed by, offering respectful nods to Draken while smiling warmly at Lorelei. Their growing acceptance felt genuine, nothing like the forced politeness she’d expected. Throughout the evening, they’d shared stories, asked her opinions, even joked with her about Draken’s notorious perfectionism.

“You’re thinking too hard,” Draken murmured, guiding her toward a quieter corner of the garden.

“I’m thinking that I might have judged too quickly.” She leaned against the balustrade, watching the party continue around them. “Your pack – they’re not what I expected.”

“And what did you expect?”

“Honestly? Snarling wolves ready to chase the human interloper away.”

His eyes darkened possessively. “No one would dare.”

“My big bad wolf.” The words accidentally slipped out, but his pleased growl made her heart skip.

The moonlight gleamed across the angular planes of his face, highlighting the intensity in his gaze as he stepped closer. “Your wolf,” he agreed, his voice pitched low enough to send shivers down her spine.

Draken stood close enough for Lorelei to feel the heat radiating from his body. His scent – pine needles and mountain air – wrapped around her like an invisible embrace.

“Dance with me?” he whispered, extending his hand.

Lorelei’s breath hitched at the intensity in his eyes. “Here in the garden?”

“Inside.” His lips curved into a smile that made her knees weak. “Where I can show off my Luna properly.”

He led her back through the French doors into the grand ballroom where crystal chandeliers cast rainbow prisms across the marble floor. The orchestra played a waltz, its melody wrapping around them like silk.

Draken pulled her into his arms, one hand settling possessively on her lower back while the other clasped hers. His touch sent electricity coursing through her body, making her powers buzz beneath her skin.

“I should warn you,” Lorelei said as they began to move, “I haven’t danced like this since my friend’s wedding three years ago.”

“Trust your body.” His voice dropped to a rumble that she felt in her bones. “Like you do with your powers.”

She relaxed into his lead, surprised by how naturally they moved together. “Is this another wolf thing? Being naturally good at dancing together?”

“No.” He spun her in a graceful turn that made her forest-green skirt swirl. “This is a mate thing.”

The word mate still sent butterflies through her stomach, but she couldn’t deny how right it felt being in his arms. Her body knew its place against his like two pieces of a puzzle finally clicking together.

“The pack seems to be warming up to me,” she said, glancing at the smiling faces around them.

“They’d be fools not to.” His grip tightened possessively. “Though I’d protect you regardless.”

“My big bad wolf indeed.” She grinned at him. “Though I think I proved earlier I can handle myself.”

“That you did,” he said softly. “You’re nothing like I expected.”

“Disappointed?”

“Enchanted.” He dipped her suddenly, making her gasp. When he pulled her back up, their faces were inches apart. “Completely, utterly enchanted.”

The world fell away as they danced, the music carrying them across the floor. Lorelei’s architect’s brain couldn’t help but appreciate how perfectly the ballroom’s acoustics carried the melody, but mostly she focused on the feel of Draken’s strong hands guiding her, the way his eyes never left hers, the electric current that seemed to flow between them.

The last guests filtered out of the ballroom, leaving Lorelei alone with Draken. The orchestra continued playing, their melody softer now, more intimate. Her gown whisked against the marble floor as Draken drew her closer, his muscular frame pressing against hers.

Her heart fluttered as his hand splayed possessively across her lower back.

“You’re perfect,” he whispered in her ear, his breath warm against her skin. “The way you handled everyone tonight, the grace you showed...”

Lorelei’s breath hitched as his lips brushed her earlobe, then traced a path down her neck. Each kiss sent electricity coursing through her veins. Her fingers curled into the fabric of his jacket.

“I’m hardly perfect,” she managed to say. “I nearly caused three tremors when that one wolf questioned my ability to?—“

“But you didn’t.” His voice rumbled against her throat. “You maintained control. Proved yourself stronger than anyone expected.”

His praise made her feel warm all over. When had she started caring so much about his opinion? About fitting into this world of his?

Draken’s hand cupped her cheek, tilting her face up to his. His eyes blazed with a fire that made her knees wobbly. “My Luna,” he growled softly before capturing her lips with his.

The kiss started gentle but quickly deepened into something more passionate. Lorelei melted against him, her body molding to his as if they’d been perfectly designed for each other. Maybe they had been.

The earth beneath their feet trembled slightly – not from fear or anger this time, but from the pure pleasure of his kiss. Draken smiled against her lips, clearly pleased by her response.

For the first time since discovering her powers, since being brought to this castle, since learning about wolves and Lunas and mates, Lorelei felt truly content. Maybe, just maybe, there was a place for her here after all – not just as the Luna, but as herself.