Page 26 of Reclaiming His Lost Mate (Secret Legacy #3)

A lexis

I awoke feeling a delicious bone-deep satedness.

With Selina draped over me on the couch, my state of contentment had nothing to do with the quality of my sleep; it was entirely about the woman curled against me.

Her leg and arm were crooked over me, and my cock pulsed, already semi-hard from just the feel of her soft thigh.

The memory of tasting her and having her slick coat my mouth and stubble, had my cock aching.

The sky was darkening outside the kitchen window, and I realized we must have both dozed off after wearing ourselves out over the course of the afternoon.

Selina had been like something out of one of my wet dreams, slick and needy for me.

We’d done it three times – twice here on the couch, and I’d bent her over the workbench the other time, eating her out, before taking her from behind.

Her sweet scent filled my nostrils, a mixture of her natural floral perfume and the herbs we’d been sorting. It was enough to make me want more.

But then I glanced down, and Selina's frown quickly put a damper on my thoughts.

“What’s wrong?” My stomach knotted. She had assured me that our encounters weren’t merely a product of heat, that she had longed for me since I returned from the mountain with that flower. The idea that she may regret our connection sent a pang through my chest.

“I just remembered—I ripped your shirt,” she said, her voice carrying a hint of sadness.

I huffed a laugh, feeling the tension ease as a giddy smile danced across my face. “I ripped your shirt and your skirt,” I admitted, only half-apologetic. I had a feeling that we were going to go through a lot of clothes.

She shook her head. “But the blue shirt’s my favorite one. It brings out the color of your eyes,” she said, the sweetness in her words making me never want to let her go.

“Then I’ll get you an exact replacement,” I pledged, leaning down to plant a soft kiss on her temple.

“Promise?” she asked, her smile making me feel as if I’d promise her anything and everything.

“Promise,” I murmured.

But before I could reach her again, she slid off the couch and grabbed my shirt from the floor, pulling it on and buttoning what remained of it.

The sight of her golden hair spilling over her shoulders and tousled from our earlier exploits, set my heart racing.

I admired how the rumpled shirt accentuated her curves, making her look even more enticing.

She moved to the faucet and filled a glass, and I watched the graceful stretch of her neck.

A primal urge flickered beneath my skin, my wolf rising as I yearned to mark her as mine.

I fought against it, knowing that we still had so much to navigate before that wish might one day be earned and become a reality.

As she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, she remarked, “I’m so thirsty I could drink a lake,” her eyes sparkling with mischief. I imagined them darkening to that stormy shade of forest green that signaled her want for more.

Possessiveness moved through me as I gazed at her, her slender frame dwarfed by my shirt and my scent enveloping her.

“With how good that looks on you, I’m going to gift you my entire wardrobe,” I promised. A rumble of satisfaction moved from deep in my chest ,

“I don’t think that’s what most women mean when they say they want a walk-in-wardrobe,” she quipped, leaning back against the sink.

“Come back to my castle, and you can have as many walk-in wardrobes as you want,” I replied, only half in jest. Beneath the humor, there was an earnestness I couldn't suppress.

“Your castle?” she frowned, uncertainty flickering across her features.

“Yes,” I affirmed, and my heart raced at the thought. “I want to take you and Mia back to the Shadow Moon Pack.”

Now, I envisioned the future I wanted so clearly, one where Selina was always beside me: my Luna.

But as I looked into her eyes, I saw the distance and hesitation clouding them, and my heart tightened.

Surely, she'd forgiven me after everything—the flower and the passion?

But that concern returned again—had the heat clouded her judgment?

“I don’t know, Alexis,” she replied hesitantly. “I’ve got the shop here... Lyvia’s here. I… I need to think it over.”

I nodded, relief washing over me, mixing with understanding.

It wasn’t that she regretted our time together; she was uncertain about leaving her life behind.

I got off the couch and went to her, my fingers threading around her waist as I leaned closer, whispering against her ear, “Of course, take as long as you need, Selina.”

Her shiver sent a thrill through me, and I smiled, savoring the moment. This was enough for now—the warmth of her body against mine, her sweet floral scent surrounding me, all sinking deeply into my senses.

But the serene atmosphere shattered as a sudden sound pierced the quiet kitchen. Instinctively, my wolf tensed, gripping Selina tighter, until the realization struck: it was just my mobile ringing.

I went to the table, unzipping my bag. The caller ID flashed: Rhys.

“It’s my Beta,” I announced, suddenly alert. “Sorry, I have to take this.”

Selina nodded. “Of course. I’m going to throw some clothes on.”

I nodded as I picked up. “Hi Rhys, how’s it going?”

“All good. Just checking to see if you’re going to be back for the new moon ceremony next week? ”

“When’s that?” Tightness gripped my stomach as I realized how out of the loop I’d become since arriving here with Selina.

“Wednesday,” he confirmed. The new moon ceremony was our pack's most sacred celebration, and missing another felt wrong. The responsibility weighed heavily on me. As Alpha, I needed to lead my pack effectively. “I’ll be there by Tuesday,” I assured him, even as the thought that it was Sunday meant that I’d have to leave soon if I wanted to keep that promise.

The thought of leaving Selina stabbed at my heart.

“Thanks, Alpha. It’ll be good to have you back,” Rhys replied, relief evident in his voice.

As I hung up, Selina emerged from the bathroom in a fresh shirt and skirt. The ache of leaving hit me harder than expected, but I quickly dragged on my jeans and accepted the barely buttoning shirt from her with a grateful smile.

“You’re needed back in Shadow Moon,” she remarked, her expression revealing that she’d overheard my conversation.

I nodded, though my chest felt heavy. “I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

She stepped closer, wrapping her arms around me. “We’ll miss you,” she murmured, and my heart squeezed in response. The words were a sweet victory—until yesterday, she wouldn’t have admitted she’d miss me. But here we were, a tender moment shared.

“I’ll be thinking of you both every moment,” I promised, the words resonating with feeling in my chest. With a final lingering glance at her, I forced myself outside.

Once there, my wolf took over, making short work of the journey home.

I crossed through the harsh, frozen northern lands, eventually reaching the verdant forests of Shadow Moon.

The castle came into view, nestled against the trees.

My heart swelled with pride as I surveyed my domain, the stone walls covered in vines that seemed to whisper of the power within.

Entering the throne room of Shadow Moon Castle, I was instantly enveloped by warmth and energy.

The air buzzed with anticipation, the soft flickers of lantern light—powered by our solar fields—illuminating a space that pulsed with life.

Our advancements stood in stark contrast to the crude whale-oil lighting used by the likes of the Nightwing Pack.

Rhys stood near the entrance, his smile broadening as he stepped forward to grasp my arm in a firm greeting. “Welcome home, Alpha. Things are in full swing for the ceremony.”

I always kept a pair of laundered jeans by the throne, and slipped them on after shifting.

Around us, pack members were diligently preparing harvesting equipment, their movements a well-oiled machine of efficiency.

In addition to the new moon ceremony, herbs were harvested beneath the dark moon and used to reinforce our concealments each month, fortifying our lands.

They were also our primary trade resource with neighboring packs and communities.

Pack members worked seamlessly together, their chatter weaving a warmth deep in my chest. The air vibrated with an electric excitement as we drew closer to the time of renewal.

As I approached my throne, the buzz quieted. Eyes turned to me, reflecting reverence and loyalty. I took a moment to bask in the presence of my pack—a family forged through loyalty and trust. Rhys stepped closer, his cheerful demeanor infectious.

"I’ve scheduled a meeting for this afternoon with the three elders leading the ceremony tomorrow," Rhys informed.

“Have I got time for a shower?” I asked, eager to wash off the lingering fatigue from my travels.

“Of course, Alpha.”

But my moment of respite was cut short as two Shadow Moon warriors entered, leading a woman into the throne room.

Fury surged through me as recognition washed over my features: Marissa. She was clad in black and clearly caught in the act of trying to skirt past our boundaries. Rage simmered beneath my skin.

“That’ll do,” I ordered the guards who held her perhaps ten feet from the throne where I stood. I wouldn’t give her a second chance to ensnare me in her dark magic.

Marissa's eyes blazed with indignation. “How? How did you break our bond?”

“Bond!” I threw back, fury lacing my voice. “You dare use that word to describe your vile magic? ”

Memories of my fight against her dark influence surged within me, building my rage.

Just months ago, we’d stood in this very room with my Beta and three elders and sanctified a mate bond ceremony fueled by Marissa’s dark spell.

The thought made me quake with rage, reminding me that had Lyvia not annulled the bond, Marissa might have marred the renewal of the true bond I shared with Selina.

Suspicion prickled over me as it struck me that Marissa had been hanging out around our borders at the exact time I returned home. “How is it that you knew I was back?” I demanded.

A sly smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. “I used a tracking spell on you using your blood. Once you were near home, I could sense it.”

“The only bond I acknowledge is with Selina,” I declared, my heart swelling with defiance as I took a step forward.

“Selina is the only one I will ever bond with. The vile bond you brought about was undone by a good witch, who will attest to the Shadow Moon elders that our union was only one built on compulsion and dark magic.”

I relished the shock that hit Marissa’s expression as my words hit their intended mark.

I stood firm, forcing calm over the electricity coursing through my tightening muscles.

Thoughts of Selina tempered my anger; despite the animosity between the two women, I fought against the urge to lash out further.

Marissa was still Selina’s blood. Besides, Marissa wasn’t my packmate; technically, I had no right to punish her.

“I won’t punish you for your dark magic this time,” I warned, my voice steady but with an undertone of steel evident.

“But make no mistake: if you cross our borders again, I will rekindle alliances with your father to ensure you receive the punishment you deserve.” I scowled, disgust crawling up my spine as I watched her fury ignite further.

“You’re making the biggest mistake of your life, Alexis! You’ll regret this!” she snarled.

Done with her vile threats, I shifted my focus to my soldiers. “Ensure she’s escorted off our lands.”

With Marissa’s presence finally banished, I returned to the routines of leading my pack.

Yet, even amidst work, my thoughts slipped back to Selina and Mia, their absence an ache that pulsed in rhythm with my responsibilities.

The magic of the upcoming new moon ceremony beckoned, and I kept imagining them here with me.

I pictured Mia running around with the other pups and Selina chatting with the other herbalists, knowing she’d share in their excitement about the coming harvest. Everything seemed like a reminder of the life I dreamed of building with them here.

But for now, I buried myself in my duties, holding onto the hope that time apart would lead Selina to embrace the future we were meant to share.

Each task performed was like a brick laid toward a life I envisioned—a life where my family and pack intertwined seamlessly, united under the strength of our bonds.