Chapter 148: Chapter 42

LEXI

I wake to the sound of birds chirping, my body stiff and sore. What did Cole do to me last night?

I try to stretch, but my limbs are blocked. I look around to see I’m surrounded by two extra-large wolves; one beside me and one in front of us. Another, more dainty wolf is on my right side.

I recognize Cole to my left. I think the other two are his parents. Not exactly who I hoped to wake up next to after my first time.

Oh, Goddess, did they see me naked? No doubt they know what Cole and I did last night.

~You’re in your wolf, Lexi.~ Haley’s voice enters my mind.

~What do you mean I’m in my wolf?~ I take stock of my body parts and quickly realize it’s nothing like what I’m used to. Holy shit! I’m a wolf!

Haley’s wolf stands and stretches. She licks her mate’s face, who also stands to stretch. ~You’re a very beautiful wolf at that. Your shift took longer than normal so the Starlight Sister helped you.~ She informs me.

~So you did see me naked? Wait, Dara helped me shift?~

~No, Lexi. Dara has given up her immortality. Another Starlight Sister arrived last night to help you. Her name is Ina and I’m sure she will be by to visit. In the future, you’ll find that nudity isn’t a big deal for our kind.~

Cole’s wolf licks at my face with a soft whine. ~How are you feeling, my magnolia?~

I stand up to stretch, having a vague recollection of last night’s events. All I can remember is being with Cole intimately then pain. Lots of agonizing pain.

~My body is stiff,~ I answer. I feel Cole’s concern for me wash over me as if his emotions are my own. ~I’m not in any pain now.~ His wolf rubs his face against my shoulders and neck.

I flex my... paws and turn to see that I have a tail that is swishing back and forth. This is so strange, but it feels so right. This is who I was always meant to be.

I shake out my fur then sniff around. Cole’s scent calls to me and I smell him in my fur. He nudges my forehead with his, then licks my ears and face.

~I love you, Lexi. Your wolf is just as beautiful as you are.~ His words are enhanced by his emotions and I feel just how much he loves me. I hope he feels how much I love him in return.

Virgil’s deep voice enters my mind. ~It is customary to welcome new wolves to the pack with a run. How does that sound?~

~I think a run would help with my stiffness.~ I answer him, at least I think I do.

His wolf throws his head back into a howl. I guess I did answer him.

Cole’s wolf stretches then shakes out his fur. He tosses his head back with a howl then takes off running. I follow behind with Haley beside me. Virgil runs behind us.

Cole’s pace isn’t too fast, neither is it slow, yet I still have to push myself.

~Cole, your mate is having trouble keeping up. Remember she had a harder shift than ever.~ Haley’s voice enters my mind. I’m grateful that she’s including me in the conversation.

Cole slows his pace and I’m able to stay behind him. The run warms my muscles and wakes me from my rough night. But what I notice above anything else is the air blowing through my fur. It’s invigorating.

~How long did it take for me to shift?~ I ask everyone and no one in particular.

Cole makes a turn and I continue to follow his lead. ~It took you over an hour. Normally a shift takes roughly five minutes. I’m so sorry you had to suffer for so long,~ he answers.

I mull that information over for the duration of our run. I begin to feel tired, luckily Cole leads us back to my place. They all shift and pull clothes out of random places.

I keep my eyes locked on Cole while his eyes are trained on me as he slips on a pair of basketball shorts. He gives me his half smile then kneels before me.

“Hi my magnolia. Are you ready to shift back?”

A whine escapes my throat. ~Is it going to hurt?~

His smile lights his handsome face. “No, Love. You already had enough pain.” He pats my shoulders then runs his fingers through the fur on my neck. His touch feels so good and sends tingles through my body.

~What about your parents? They’ll see me naked.~

Cole softly chuckles. “They were here last night to help you shift. They were sharing their strength with you.”

Virgil steps forward to pat my head. “It’s all right. Cole can take it from here. Welcome to our pack, Lexi.”

“Congratulations on your wolf. Welcome to the family,” Haley says with a smile.

~Thank you both.~ I hope I tell them. Virgil pats my head again then takes Haley’s hand and they walk away.

“Relax and picture yourself in your human body. Let the change happen,” Cole guides, and I do as he suggests. My body tingles and I open my eyes to Cole’s strong stubble-covered chin.

He smiles, and the feeling of pride washes over me. I lean in to him and he wraps his arms around my still naked body. “Let’s go shower then I’ll make you breakfast. We can spend the rest of the day in bed.”

I hum. “That sounds perfect.”

Cole takes extra care to massage every inch of my body as he washes me. The hot water, his firm hands, and his intense love for me soothes my body and I’m in complete bliss.

I hold on to his body as he washes then rinses my hair. Once we’re finished, he wraps a towel around me then carries me bridal style to the bed. My eyes are so heavy.

“Get some rest, love. I’ll bring breakfast to you.” I hum with a nod, then grip the pillow that smells like him and let my eyes close.

IAN

It’s been almost two months since I last saw Dara. That day in the cell was a rollercoaster. I told Dara how much I loved her that night on the beach, and she gave herself to me.

Goddess, I still remember the feel of her skin and the taste of her kiss. But that prisoner ruined everything. Why did the Goddess want me there?

I could’ve lived the rest of my life with Dara, had I not found a second mate. I swear the Goddess hates me. First I’m cursed, then rejected, then I live as an outcast.

I finally meet someone that isn’t afraid of me and I fall in love with her just to find a new mate in a crazy she-wolf living in a dirty cell.

My pleas for Dara to forgive me must have fallen on deaf ears. She promised to return, and I hold out hope for her, but I fear she may have moved on.

I understand; Dara is a goddess. How could I ever be good enough for her?

Every night, I dream of her. I think of her as I sit here on the beach, alone. I open my palm and watch the flames of my fire morph into my goddess.

“I’m sorry I messed up. I never should’ve gone to that cell. I know I broke your heart. I just wish you would let me explain. Let me apologize for not fighting the damned mate bond as soon as it hit me. I’m so sorry, Dara. I love you. I will love you until the day I die. That I can promise you.”

Mate bonds, what a joke. At least my second mate was killed. I wonder if, since I never got the chance to reject her, we will be mates in the Moon Goddess’s realm?

Goddess, I hope not. I was going to reject her, but I didn’t know her name. Hell, I still don’t know it.

I don’t care about her anyway. Dara is all I care about. Where is she?

Even her star hasn’t been in the sky. I’ve watched the sky every night, waiting for her to make an appearance. I saw a star fall the night she left me, but she never showed up.

My heart aches for her. My hands long to touch her. I can still remember the way her hair smells when I run my fingers through it.

I let out a sorrowful breath. I hurt her and she can’t forgive me. I toss a stick at my bonfire, then close my palm to extinguish my flame.

She’s never coming back because I ruined the best thing that ever happened to me. The sand gets tossed around my bare feet with each step I kick in frustration. It only takes a minute to make it back to my house, the house I designed for her.

The entrance for the widow’s watch is part of the master bedroom. There are two more rooms that are empty, but otherwise the house is finished. After a hot shower, I head up to the widow’s watch and look up at the newly darkened sky.

Once again, her star is missing. “Dara. Wherever you are. I’m so sorry. I love you so much it hurts that you’re gone. Please come back to me.”

I watch the sky a moment longer then relent. I stop in my tracks when I see a fire on the beach out of the corner of my eye. I squint to see through the foliage, but I can’t make out any shapes.

My heart begins to race. Could it be her? I race down the steps then through the sand to find my bonfire blazing, but no one is around.

How careless of me to leave this burning. Idiot, Ian. You could’ve lit this whole forest on fire. That would go over great.

The James’s would have my neck; especially Cole. He and his mate are my closest neighbors living two miles inland from my house. She had her first heat two weeks ago.

I know because I could hear the commotion of getting her locked inside their place while I was out scampering. Her scent would’ve gotten to me, but Dara’s scent is what I crave.

Cole… I bear him no ill will. He released Dara once he saw how much she means to me. Lexi is a sweet girl.

Her dad is pretty nice too. He came to live in her old place once his niece got control of her fire. They even brought the girl to meet me.

June. She’s a sweet kid. I hope my curse isn’t hers. She has such a sweet countenance that I think she’ll be all right.

I look to the sky once more. “Dara.” My whisper gets stolen by the breeze.

“Yes?”

My mouth drops open and a gasp of breath fills my lungs. My whole body trembles as I slowly turn around. I drop to my knees when I see Dara’s beautiful figure standing before me in only a bikini top and a wrap around her gorgeous hips.

The breeze tosses her hair to the side, but it also carries her scent. Her fragrance, like a floral vanilla, ignites every nerve within my body. It calls to me.

I look up to her emerald green eyes and I’m mesmerized. The large gems pull me in like a moth to her flame. How can this be?

Her mouth parts into a perfect smile. “Hello, Ian.”

I shake my head in wonder. “Where have you been? I’ve missed you every single day.”

Her eyes soften and she takes a step forward. “I’m sorry I’ve kept you waiting.”

I reach out to take her hand, but instead she sinks to her knees. Her scent. Her eyes. My teeth salivate to mark her and make her mine.

I hold her cheek then pull her lips to mine. She softly giggles then presses into me.

I savor every flavor of her then pull away to rest my forehead to hers. “This is where you’ve been. You gave up your immortality?”

She shakes her head. “I did not give it up. I exchanged it for my mate. I received the wolf that was destined for you. I choose to be with you, Ian.”

My fingers run through her hair and I’m afraid I’m dreaming, but she’s really here in my arms.

“Dara.” I whisper her name then kiss her with all the love I have for her.