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LORELEI

L orelei bent over her drafting table as her fingers traced the lines of her latest housing design. The morning sunlight streamed in through the large windows of the office she shared with Draken, casting a warm glow over her work. The scratch of her pencil mixed with the sound of Draken typing on his laptop, creating a comfortable symphony she’d grown to love over the past six months.

She glanced up at her mate, admiring how the sun caught the angles of his face. Even focused on pack business, he radiated power and authority. A smile tugged at her lips as she remembered how adamantly he’d once believed a human couldn’t be his Luna. Now here she was, not just his mate but a wolf herself, and more importantly - his equal partner.

“You’re staring again,” Draken said without looking up from his screen, a hint of amusement in his voice.

“Can you really blame me?” stretched, rolling her shoulders. “I’m married to the sexiest alpha in North America.”

He finally looked up, his eyes darkening with desire. “Just North America?”

“Well, I haven’t met all the alphas worldwide yet.” She winked at him, loving how his possessive growl filled the room.

Turning back to her drafting table, she studied the housing plans spread before her. “The pack deserves better than these outdated homes. Look at these foundation plans - they’re ancient.”

“And my Luna’s going to fix that.” Pride colored his voice as he stood and moved behind her, his hands settling on her shoulders. “Though I hope you’re not planning to demolish the castle.”

“Of course not.” She leaned back against his chest. “But these family units need updating. Modern amenities, better insulation, proper ventilation. Our people deserve homes as strong as they are.”

His chest rumbled with approval as he studied her designs. “You’ve thought of everything.”

“That’s why you mated me. My brilliant mind.” She tilted her head up to look at him.

“Among other things.” He dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Your earth magical powers certainly help with the construction costs.”

She laughed, her heart full of joy. She traced her finger along the blueprint’s edge. “Remember, my friends are coming over tonight for a sleepover. Like old times.”

“All five of them?” Draken’s hands tightened slightly on her shoulders. “I better make myself scarce. Last time they were here, Helena kept staring at my abs when I walked through shirtless.”

laughed, tilting her head back to look at him. “And if I recall correctly, you deliberately flexed.”

“A wolf prince has to maintain his reputation.” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “But tonight, I’ll stay in my study. Let you girls have your fun.”

Later that evening, settled into the plush cushions of her private sitting room as her friends sprawled around her on the floor, couches, and oversized chairs. The castle’s stone walls glowed warmly in the firelight, and empty wine glasses littered the coffee table alongside half-eaten snacks.

“I still can’t believe this is your life now,” Thea said, hugging a velvet pillow to her chest. “Married to a smoking hot wolf prince, living in a castle, and oh yeah - you can literally move mountains.”

“Small ones,” corrected with a grin. “And only when Draken isn’t distracting me.”

“Girl, I told you thirty would shake things up!” Isolde raised her wine glass. “Though I was thinking more along the lines of a promotion, not becoming an actual wolf princess with magical powers.”

“Luna,” Seraphina corrected, always the precise one. “Though I have to admit, the astronomy geek in me loves that title.”

“Remember when we thought the earthquake on your birthday was a bad omen?” Everly grabbed another chocolate. “Turns out it was just you coming into your powers.”

Helena leaned forward, eyes sparkling. “Speaking of powers, how’s married life with Mr. Alpha? Still as intense and spicy as ever?”

“Better.” felt her cheeks warm but couldn’t stop her smile. “He’s still the most stubborn, protective, occasionally infuriating man I’ve ever met. But he’s all mine.”

“And you’re all his,” her friends chorused, dissolving into giggles.

slipped into their master suite, the morning sun casting dancing shadows across Draken. He lay sprawled across their massive bed, the sheets tangled around his waist, leaving his muscled chest bare. Her wolf stirred inside her at the sight of her mate, and she padded across the room.

“Missed you last night,” Draken rumbled without opening his eyes, lifting his arm in invitation.

crawled into bed and curled against his warmth. “You survived.” She traced her fingers along his chest, smiling as his muscles twitched under her touch. “Besides, I needed girl time to decompress from all these renovation plans.”

“What’s the status update?” His hand stroked up and down her spine, making her melt further into his embrace.

“The foundation work on the Thompson pack house starts next week.” She yawned, inhaling his familiar scent of pine and mountain air. “Then the Martinez family after that. I’ve got the next six months mapped out.”

“My efficient Luna,” he whispered into her hair. “The pack really loves what you’re doing with their homes.”

smiled against his skin. “It feels good using both my powers and my professional skills to help them. Though juggling that with my remote work for the firm and pack duties keeps me busy.”

“Too busy to start thinking about pups?” His hand stilled on her back.

Heat rose in her chest. “Never too busy for that.” She propped herself up to look at him. “Though fair warning - our kids will probably redesign their rooms weekly with their earth powers.”

“As long as they don’t bring the castle down.” His eyes sparkled with amusement and love.

settled back against him, contentment washing over her. Who would have thought turning thirty would lead to all this? She’d gone from being solely focused on her career to becoming a wolf shifter, pack Luna, and mate to the most powerful alpha in the region. And somehow, she’d managed to keep both worlds - still designing buildings while using her earth powers to help her pack thrive.

nestled deeper into Draken’s embrace, her body molding perfectly against his muscular frame. She pressed her palm against his chest, feeling his steady heartbeat beneath her touch. Their mate bond hummed between them, a constant reminder of their connection that still amazed her daily.

Draken’s chest rumbled with contentment as he tilted her chin up with his free hand. His eyes, dark and intense, held hers with that possessive gleam that never failed to make her breath catch. Even after six months, one look from him could still make her heart race.

“I love you so much,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion.

Before she could respond, his lips captured hers in a kiss. It wasn’t demanding or urgent like their passionate encounters - this was something deeper and sweeter. A promise wrapped in a caress. His fingers threaded through her hair as he deepened the kiss, pouring all his love and pride into the gesture.

melted into him, her wolf preening at the attention from her alpha mate. Through their bond, she felt his joy, his fierce protectiveness, and his dreams of their future together - of little ones with her earth magical powers and his strength running through the castle halls.

When they finally broke apart, she couldn’t help but smile. “I love you too.”

The look he gave her was pure alpha male - possessive, protective, and utterly devoted. It still amazed her how far they’d come from his initial rejection of a human Luna. Now here they were planning a future that seemed bigger and brighter than any full moon.