Page 22

TWENTY-TWO

LORELEI

S unlight streamed through the tall windows of the pack’s event center. Lorelei stood beside Draken, her heart racing as she surveyed the hundreds of pack members gathered before them for the celebration. Lorelei’s stomach did a little flip as Draken squeezed her hand, his presence beside her both commanding and reassuring.

“My people,” Draken’s voice carried across the room, commanding attention without effort. “Today we celebrate not just our Luna’s official marking, but a revelation that proves the Moon Goddess works in mysterious ways.”

Lorelei stepped forward, her silk dress rustling against the wooden platform. The crowd’s attention fixed on her, a mix of curiosity and anticipation in their eyes.

“Show them,” Draken whispered, pride evident in his tone.

Taking a deep breath, Lorelei focused on the shift. The sensation was still new, but exhilarating. Her bones reformed, fur sprouted, and within moments, a wolf stood where she had been. Her new wolf form stood proud beside her mate, her coat gleaming like fresh snow in the afternoon light.

Gasps and excited murmurs rippled through the crowd. Someone whooped, starting a chain reaction of cheers and applause that thundered through the event center.

Through her enhanced hearing, Lorelei caught snippets of conversation:

“A white wolf!”

“She’s one of us after all!”

“The most beautiful Luna wolf I’ve ever seen!”

Feeling playful, Lorelei trotted through the crowd. Pack members reached out to touch her fur reverently as she passed. The joy in the room was infectious, making her tail wag despite her usual reserved nature.

The door to the side garden beckoned. She slipped through it, hearing Draken’s footsteps following behind. Once hidden by the rose bushes, she shifted back and quickly pulled on the spare dress she’d stashed there earlier.

When Draken approached her, he wrapped his arm protectively around her waist. “That went well,” he said, his voice deep with satisfaction. “Though I think you enjoyed showing off a little too much with that dramatic exit.”

“Maybe a little.” She grinned. “Did you see their faces? I think we surprised them.”

“Well, you definitely surprised both of us.” He kissed her neck softly where his mark sat. “My clever mate, keeping secrets even from herself all these years.”

Draken led Lorelei back inside to celebrate her new role as the Moonshadow Luna. She gracefully and confidently circulated through the event center, moving from group to group. The joy radiating from the pack members warmed her heart more than she’d expected. Their acceptance meant everything, especially after the rocky start.

“Luna Lorelei, do you have time to look at these blueprints?” an elderly wolf named Martha pulled sketches from her bag. “Our senior center’s falling apart, but we can’t figure out how to expand without losing the historical elements.”

Lorelei’s eyes lit up as she studied the drawings. “The foundation’s solid. We could preserve the original stonework while adding modern amenities. Maybe a glass atrium to bring in natural light?”

Martha clasped her hands together. “That would be perfect for the pack gatherings during full moons!”

From across the room, Draken watched her with unveiled pride. Their eyes met and he winked, making her cheeks flush. Even as she continued her rounds, she felt his protective presence, tracking her movements.

“The pack houses need better insulation,” Gregory, one of the construction workers, mentioned when she reached his table. “But we’re not sure how to retrofit without damaging the structures.”

“I know exactly what you need.” Lorelei grabbed a napkin and sketched quickly. “See? If we use this new eco-friendly material, we can preserve the aesthetic while improving efficiency.”

A deep chuckle behind her made her spine tingle. “Already revolutionizing our territory?” Draken’s arm slid around her waist.

“Someone has to drag you into the modern era.” She tilted her head back to smile at him. “These buildings have good bones, but they need more love.”

“And you’re just the Luna to give it to them.” His kiss on her temple sent shivers through her. “Though I hope you’ll save some of that love for me.”

“Always.” She turned back to Gregory. “Send the current blueprints to our office tomorrow. I’ll start drafting proposals.”

“Our office?” Draken asked, raising an eyebrow.

“Well, I was thinking we could possibly put my drafting table in your office” she smiled back at him.

He couldn’t hide the excitement in his eyes at the idea of sharing his space with her. “Anything for my Luna.”

As they moved through the crowd, Draken kept her close, his presence both possessive and proud. “You’re a natural at this,” he murmured. “I’ve never seen the pack so excited about changes before.”

“That’s because you were too stubborn to ask for help.” She poked his ribs playfully. “Good thing you got stuck with an architect for a Luna.”

His growl was playful. “Stuck? I think you mean blessed by the Moon Goddess.”

Draken extended his hand to Lorelei, his eyes gleaming with joy. “Dance with me, Luna?”

Lorelei placed her hand in his, letting him guide her to the center of the marble floor. His touch sent familiar tingles through her body.

The music shifted to something slow and romantic. Draken pulled her close, one hand splayed possessively across her lower back. His warmth seeped through the silk of her dress as they swayed together.

“What’s going on in that brilliant mind of yours?” Draken’s breath tickled her ear.

Lorelei smiled, resting her head against his chest. “Just thinking about how different everything is from what I expected. A week ago, I was worried about turning thirty. Now I’m a wolf shifter with earth magical powers, mated to an alpha prince.”

“Having second thoughts?” His grip tightened slightly.

“The opposite actually.” She lifted her head to meet his gaze. “It feels right here like I’ve finally found my true home. I’m really excited to start redesigning the pack houses, maybe add some sustainable features. And you have to admit, my drafting table will look absolutely perfect in your office.”

“Our office,” he corrected, spinning her in a graceful turn. “Though I might get distracted watching you work.”

“I think you’ll manage.” She smiled up at him. “I was also thinking that I could work remotely for my old firm too. Best of both worlds.”

His eyebrows drew together. “You still want to work for humans?”

“Hey, those humans pay me well and my connections might just help us out here too.” She poked his chest playfully. “And… if you’re not opposed to the idea, I was thinking of inviting my best friends over for sleepovers. This castle has way more space than my apartment.”

“Sleepovers?” He looked scandalized. “This is a royal residence, not a-“

“Perfect place for girl’s night?” She batted her eyelashes. “Come on, Alpha. You can hide in your wolf form if it bothers you that much.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest. “You’re lucky I love you.”

“I know.” She stretched up to kiss his jaw. “And I love that I don’t have to choose between my old life and this one. I get to keep both.”

“As long as you always come home to me.” His tone held that commanding alpha note that made her wolf want to roll over.

“Always,” she promised, letting him pull her closer as they continued to dance.

Later that night, the moment the door to Draken’s master suite clicked shut, Lorelei felt the air shift between them. His presence was overwhelming, as always, but tonight, something sparked in her that she couldn’t ignore. She faced him, her back against the door, and smirked. His eyes darkened, a low growl rumbling in his chest as he took a step toward her. But Lorelei wasn’t about to let him take control—not this time.

She pushed off the door and closed the distance between them, her hands immediately going to the buttons of his dress shirt. He watched her with a mix of curiosity and hunger as she stripped him of his shirt, her fingers trailing over the hard planes of his chest.

Lorelei didn’t wait for him to make the next move. She shoved him backward until his legs hit the edge of the bed, and he let out a surprised chuckle as he sat down. “Feeling bold tonight, aren’t we?” he teased, but the heat in his eyes told her he wasn’t complaining.

“You have no idea,” she said, climbing onto his lap with a predatory grace that made his breath hitch. Her dress hiked up around her thighs as she straddled him, her hands braced on his shoulders. She leaned in, her lips brushing his ear. “Tonight, I’m in charge.”

Draken’s hands settled on her hips, his grip firm but yielding. “Is that so?” he murmured, his voice thick with amusement and desire.

She pulled back just enough to remove her dress over her head. “You’re mine, Draken. And tonight, I’m going to remind you exactly what that means.”

Her lips crashed onto his, fierce and demanding. Draken responded instantly, his hands tightening on her hips as he kissed her back with equal fervor. But Lorelei wasn’t content to let him take the lead. She nipped at his lower lip, eliciting a growl from deep in his throat, before pulling away and rising to her knees.

Her hands moved to the waistband of his pants, and she made quick work of them, freeing him with an ease that made Draken’s breath catch. She didn’t give him a moment to recover. Settling back onto his lap, she guided him inside her, her breath hitching as she sank down, inch by inch, until she was fully seated.

Draken’s hands gripped her thighs, his muscles tense as he fought to let her set the pace. “Lorelei,” he rasped, his voice strained.

“Relax,” she teased, her hands moving to his shoulders for balance. “I’ve got this.”

She began to move, her hips rolling in slow, deliberate circles that made Draken’s breath come in sharp gasps. His hands slid up to her waist, his fingers digging into her skin as she picked up the pace, riding him with a confidence that left him utterly at her mercy. Her own pleasure built with every thrust, her moans mingling with his as she lost herself in the rhythm.

Her inner thoughts raced, a mix of pride and exhilaration. This is what it feels like to take control, she thought, her nails scraping lightly over his chest. He’s mine, and he’s letting me have this. Letting me take what I want.

Draken’s growls grew louder, his hips lifting to meet her thrusts as his control began to fray. “Lorelei,” he growled, his voice raw with need.

She grinned down at him, her fast pace never faltering. She leaned down to capture his lips in another searing kiss.

The tension between them suddenly snapped as their climaxes hit, their bodies shuddering against each other as they rode out the waves of pleasure. Lorelei collapsed against Draken’s chest, her breathing ragged, but a satisfied smile played on her lips. She had taken control, and he had let her—something she knew wasn’t easy for an alpha like him.