Page 16

TWELVE

ORION

O rion stood utterly transfixed as Seraphina's lips hovered mere inches from his.

The morning sun cast a golden glow across her face, illuminating those bright green eyes that seemed to see right through his centuries of careful control.

Her scent—a heady mixture of jasmine and something perfectly her—wrapped around him, clouding his judgment and awakening his wolf.

The beast inside him prowled, desperately urging him to claim what was rightfully his.

His arm tightened possessively around her shoulders, the thin fabric of her emerald dress doing little to mask the heat radiating from her skin. The sapphire necklace he'd gifted her that morning glinted in the sunlight, resting perfectly against her collarbone. His mark of intention.

"Seraphina," he breathed again, her name a prayer on his lips. Years he'd waited for this woman, and now every cell in his body strained toward her like she was the gravitational center of his universe.

The wolf in him howled with triumph as she leaned into him farther, her body softening against his hard frame. Her parted lips beckoned, promising secrets and pleasures he'd only glimpsed in their shared vision.

"I've never felt this way before," she whispered, her breath warm against his mouth.

For one wild, primal moment, Orion considered sweeping her into his arms and laying her on the white sand. The thought of claiming her beneath the open sky, with nothing but the rhythm of the waves as witness, sent a surge of heat through his veins.

A sudden rush of cold water crashed against their legs, drenching his black slacks up to the knees and splashing against Seraphina's bare calves.

"Oh!" She jumped back reflexively, breaking the spell between them. Her laugh rang out over the beach, genuine and slightly embarrassed. "I guess the ocean had other plans."

Orion didn't share her amusement. He'd been fantasizing about capturing her lips with his ever since he saw her on the beach yesterday, and it nearly became a reality. It took everything in him not to growl in frustration. His wolf paced angrily at being denied.

"The sea is temperamental today," he remarked, his voice rougher than intended as he smoothed down his wet slacks. "Much like fate."

She tugged his coat tighter around her shoulders, her fingers tracing the necklace at her throat. "This place is simply beautiful, Orion. I can see why you love it here."

"It could be yours too." The words escaped before he could stop them, raw and honest.

Seraphina's expression softened. "I'd like to spend today exploring more of the island, if that's all right. But tomorrow..." She hesitated, her eyes dropping to the sand. "I should really go home tomorrow."

Orion felt his wolf rise to challenge her words. The mere thought of her departing tomorrow made his chest constrict with a territorial possessiveness he hadn't experienced in centuries of ruling. The mate bond pulsed between them, practically visible in the salty air.

"Tomorrow is a long way off," he said, his voice dropping to the commanding timbre he used when addressing his pack. He stepped closer, eliminating the space between them created by that infuriating wave. "The island has much to offer someone like you."

Seraphina's eyes widened, and Orion caught the subtle quickening of her pulse in her throat. Good. She wasn't immune to him.

"I could give you anything your heart desires," he continued, reaching out to brush her black hair from her face. "The sapphire is merely the beginning. I have diamonds that would make the stars you study seem dim in comparison."

She shook her head, looking almost amused. "I've never been one for shiny things."

Undeterred, Orion gestured toward the castle looming majestically on the hill behind them. "Then perhaps the privacy of the eastern wing—quarters where no one or nothing would disturb us. Moments like this," he trailed his finger down her arm, "but with no interruptions."

Her breath caught, her body unconsciously swaying toward his touch before she steadied herself.

"Or perhaps," he pressed on, recognizing an advantage when he saw one, "you'd be interested in what it means to be Queen of Starlight Island."

He circled her slowly, his wolf enjoying the hunt. "You would rule by my side. Every decision and every council, your voice would carry the same weight as mine." His hand found her lower back, possessive yet gentle. "The pack would look to you for guidance and wisdom."

Seraphina tilted her head, her eyes narrowing. "Power and status? That's what you think I want?"

Orion paused, studying her expression. Most women he'd encountered over his long life coveted exactly that—the prestige of standing beside a king. Her reaction was... unexpected.

"I've been perfectly content with my telescopes and my small house," she explained. "I've never needed fancy titles or authority over others."

"Then what do you need?" he asked, genuinely curious now.

She stared at him, those green eyes holding his gaze with unexpected boldness. "I've always valued simple things. Independence. Purpose. Connection."

The last word hung between them, heavy with meaning. Orion felt the mate bond pulse stronger, responding to her unconscious acknowledgment of what was growing between them.

"And do you feel it?" he asked, his voice rough with unexpected emotion as he stepped closer. "This connection?"

Her eyes fluttered closed momentarily as his hand cupped her cheek. The bond between them flared hot like a star going supernova. When she opened them again, Orion saw his answer.

"Yes," she whispered. "That's what scares me the most."

Orion's chest swelled with satisfaction as Seraphina acknowledged the force pulling them together.

Her admission—even with its cautious edge—was enough to make his wolf howl with delight.

Her fear didn't concern him. Fear could be overcome.

The connection between them couldn't be denied, and that was what truly mattered.

"That's precisely why you need to stay," he said, his thumb tracing the delicate curve of her cheekbone.

The contact sent electric pulses through his palm, confirming what his instincts had been telling him since the moment he'd spotted her on that Miami beach.

"These visions you're experiencing, Seraphina—they're not random. They're your Luna powers manifesting and growing." His voice deepened with authority. "You need to learn to control them before they control you."

Her bright green eyes widened slightly, and he could see the analytical part of her mind—the scientist—wrestling with concepts that defied her understanding of reality.

"And what makes you think I can control them?" she asked, folding her arms protectively across her chest, and stepping away from his touch.

Orion smiled, recognizing the defensive gesture. His Luna had spirit. "Because you already are." He gestured toward the castle with a confident sweep of his arm. "Since arriving on my island, have your visions been as chaotic? As frequent? As overwhelming?"

Her hesitation told him everything. His wolf preened with satisfaction.

"That's because of me," he stated matter-of-factly.

"Our proximity strengthens your control.

The bond between Luna and Alpha is ancient and powerful.

" He allowed his fingers to trail over her arm, feeling the goose bumps rise in their wake.

"I can help you master these abilities, Seraphina.

Together, we can ensure they serve you rather than disrupt your life. "

Seraphina's brow furrowed, suspicion clouding her expression. "Wait. Are you manipulating me? Making promises just to keep me here for... for whatever strange reason?"

The accusation stung his pride. He clenched his jaw, his eyes flashing with momentary anger. No one questioned his honor—not even his mate.

"I am a king," he stated firmly, drawing himself to his full height. "I have ruled the Starlight pack for four centuries. I do not need to resort to manipulation to get what I want."

Her eyes widened at his sudden change in demeanor, and Orion immediately regretted his harsh tone. This was his Luna —untrained in their ways, unaware of the respect his position commanded.

He softened his expression, though his stance remained proud. "Yes, I want you to stay. I would move mountains to make that happen." His voice dropped lower, the rumble in his chest almost a growl. "But I genuinely want to help you, Seraphina. Whether you choose to remain here or not."

The thought of her leaving made his wolf snarl in protest, but he pushed on.

"I would hate to see you go, but if you must, I'd rather you at least know how to control these powers.

" He reached for her hand, enveloping it in his much larger one.

"Living in fear of when the next vision might strike is no life at all. "

Seraphina studied him intently, clearly weighing his words against her instincts.

"I just..." she began, then paused, her free hand unconsciously touching the sapphire necklace at her throat. "I don't understand any of this. It's not... scientific."

Orion chuckled, the sound warm and sincere.

"Not everything in this world follows your human sciences.

Some things are older and more wild." He brought her hand to his chest, pressing it against his heart.

"Feel that? That's not just a heartbeat.

That's the rhythm of something ancient in my blood—the same blood that calls to you. "

Her fingers splayed against his chest, and he felt her pulse quicken in response.

"I suppose..." she said slowly, her scientific mind clearly still struggling with acceptance, "learning to control these visions would be beneficial." Her eyes met his, still wary but with a newfound determination. "But I'm not promising to stay."

Orion smiled, satisfied with this small victory. His Luna would come around eventually—the mate bond would ensure that. For now, he had bought himself time.

"Let's start today," he said, leading her farther down the beach, his hand possessively settled on her back.

The late morning sun beat down on them as they walked, warming Orion's skin.

The scent of salt mixed with Seraphina's natural jasmine aroma created an intoxicating blend that made his wolf pace restlessly inside him.

Strict discipline was the only thing keeping him from pulling her against his chest and claiming those full lips that had been tantalizingly close just moments ago.

Seraphina shrugged under his touch, her shoulders stiffening slightly. "I don't think it really matters much if I learn more control. I'll keep having visions. I'll just have to accept it and deal with it."

Her dismissive tone grated against every alpha instinct in Orion's body.

Did she not understand the gift she possessed?

The power she held? His muscles flexed under his white dress shirt as he fought the urge to simply command her to listen to him.

That might work with his pack, but his Luna required a different approach.

"You don't truly believe that," he challenged, his voice lowering to a deeper register. "Have you already forgotten what happened outside your house? The vision that terrified you so much you passed out after screaming?"

He stepped in front of her, halting their progress along the shoreline. The waves crashed behind him, mirroring the intensity in his eyes as he stared down at her. His Luna was stubborn—a quality that both infuriated and impressed him.

"What if your visions get worse?" He traced a finger along her arm, feeling her shiver beneath his touch. "What if they become increasingly terrifying? How long do you think you'll last in the human world if you randomly dissociate and start screaming in the middle of a meeting?"

The wind whipped Seraphina's black hair across her face, and Orion gently tucked it behind her ear, using the gesture to maintain physical contact with her. The bond between them hummed with each touch, strengthening his resolve to keep her with him.

"No one there will understand you or what's happening to you," he continued, his tone softening even as his words grew more direct. "They'll think you're unstable. You'll be locked up in a mental institution for sure."

Orion watched the flash of indignation spark in her bright green eyes.

His words had hit their mark—perhaps too effectively.

Her body tensed, her fists clenching at her sides as color rose to her cheeks.

He could practically feel the heat of her anger, but he wasn't about to back down.

He was her alpha, and it was his duty to protect her, even from herself.

"You'll never get to fully live a life of freedom," he pressed on, his voice becoming a seductive rumble as he leaned closer. "You won't understand your true nature or become who you were always meant to be."

Her eyes narrowed dangerously, her mouth opening to deliver what he was certain would be a sharp retort. Orion felt a surge of pride at her fire. His Luna was no meek follower—she was worthy of standing beside the King of the Starlight pack.

Orion studied her beautiful face, now flushed with anger. She hadn't responded to his statement about being locked away, but her rigid posture and flashing eyes told him everything. She was fuming at the implication that she could be considered unstable or crazy.

Despite the tension, Orion couldn't help admiring how the sunlight caught in her hair. Even angry, she was breathtaking—and entirely his, whether she accepted it yet or not.