Chapter 2

Throughout my life, I knew I wasn’t meant to belong anywhere, yet I still yearned to disprove that notion in any way I could. I won’t deny that I carried a chip on my shoulder from being prejudged as far back as I could remember.

I wasn’t oblivious to the reasons why. Any being with the blood of a Fallen Angel is often viewed with disdain and rarely trusted by others.

No matter how well we tried to present ourselves, it seemed to make no difference. Those born to the Fallen were always judged the same, and changing minds was akin to finding a four-leaf clover.

You might change one, but it certainly takes a long time to reach that one.

My biggest concern arose when Rayne decided he wanted me to become his beta. While I was aware of the status this would bring me, I also knew that prejudice would likely follow once others learned of my heritage.

I doubted even Rayne’s status could quell it.

However, that was also a secondary concern to me once I’d accepted Rayne’s offer. I wasn’t naïve; I understood a male’s motivations, especially those of a powerful alpha.

It was common knowledge that they desired a female who could please them, both emotionally and physically. I was well aware that Rayne’s initial attraction to me was due to my looks, but I’d also resolved quickly to use that to my advantage.

If he wanted a beautiful lover to please him, then I could be that, and in return, I would secure my place by his side. Yes, it was a low point, but one does what is necessary to survive and prosper.

I pushed all of this to the back of my mind as I stepped forward and looked around the glen that Rayne and I had just been transported to. The Mage who had brought us there, whom Rayne referred to as Emelio, was standing near us.

He was only the second Mage I’d ever seen, and he served the ruler of the Northern Lands and his family. Emelio was different from the mage named Ramone who served Lord Merrick.

He was a pale individual, dressed in dark trousers and a coattail jacket. His hair displayed various shades of red, and his sole good eye gleamed with shifting colors in the light.

What struck me most about this Mage were the scars he carried. It was hard to imagine anything harming a Mage who served the rulers of this world, yet Emelio had been deeply marked.

The scars looked like deep cuts etched into the right side of his face and neck, and his right eye was forever sealed shut by the scar over it. I surmised that he had lost the eye in the assault that had so marred him.

I considered asking him or Rayne what had happened to cause such grievous injuries but decided to wait for now. There was far too much else for me to do at this moment.

The Mage was speaking to Rayne as I stood near them, his voice quiet and matter-of-fact. “I must admit, this comes as a surprise to us. It was unexpected that in choosing to visit Lord Merrick, you would be seeking a beta.”

“I understand, but there’s no need for such concern. I know what I am doing, and I’m certain that Father will be fine with this. I can’t imagine him taking issue with my choosing Luna, even if she does carry forbidden blood,” Rayne responded.

“I doubt that, and had this been forbidden, I would have been instructed to stop you immediately. However, please exercise some caution, Lord Rayne. You are aware of your identity and the significance of the decisions you make,” Emelio cautioned him.

“I am fully conscious of my decision, and assure you it is not made in haste. Inform my father of this, and tell him I will be in touch with him soon.”

“Very well.” Emelio nodded. “I shall take my leave now and inform Lord Jekia of your impending visit to the palace.”

“Yes. Thank you, Emelio.”

Emelio bowed before disappearing in a cloud of white smoke. I continued forward several more steps, taking in the sights around me.

The glen was breathtakingly beautiful, extending twenty feet in every direction and encircled by the towering trees of the expansive forest in which it lay concealed. The grass beneath my bare feet felt soft and was a vibrant green.

As I gazed forward, the quaint house that would become the home for Rayne and me came into view. The house was modest, resembling a single-room cabin constructed from white stone.

It had multiple windows and a large round door as the entrance. A handful of smaller trees encircled it, providing sufficient shade.

To many, it might not seem impressive, but to me, it was a wonderful sight. This was going to be my home, a genuine home that I would create with the man who had chosen me.

Rayne stepped beside me. “Do you like what you see?”

“I do,” I confirmed as I turned to him. “It’s so beautiful here, and seems so peaceful.”

“Yes, I prefer it that way, and you may go wherever you wish here. I’ve established a barrier along the tree line to prevent any feral creatures from the forest from entering and causing harm. However, I would ask that you refrain from attempting to leave here without me. You aren’t familiar with these lands yet, and it could be dangerous for you if you become lost,” Rayne informed me.

“I understand, but such a request could come across as somewhat possessive,” I noted.

Rayne didn’t deny it. “Perhaps I am, to some extent, but you must understand that having chosen you, any alpha worthy of their title would be at least somewhat possessive of their beta, particularly one as beautiful as you.”

Ah yes. I had expected as much from him, although this would work to my advantage. If he was so attracted to me that he felt this way, then it would be easy for me to wrap him around my little finger, not to mention enjoy a game of seduction for the first time.

“You often speak of my beauty, yet you know little else about me beyond my heritage. Is this customary when an alpha selects a beta?” I asked.

“Beauty initially draws us in, so perhaps it’s part of the allure, though I’m eager to learn all about you over time,” Rayne said, drawing me closer and peering into my eyes. “As I’ve said, I trust my intuition, and from the moment our eyes met, I knew I had to have you.”

My heart pounded as my body pressed against his, yet I somehow managed to keep myself composed as I responded to him. “You do realize that you may be playing with fire when it comes to sharing a bed with me. I am the daughter of an incubus, even if my mother was a Faerie.”

“I am well aware of that, and it only attracts me more. I adore a strong-willed woman, and I love the idea of a game of domination when it comes to seduction between us.”

“So you would wish a challenge when it comes to such things?”

I wasn’t expecting that response, though it excited me. Even though I had not yet given myself to a man, I had secretly yearned for the one who took me to match the lust that simmered deep within me.

Yet, there was one concern that lingered in my mind. Lust and pleasure, as well as status and respect, were enticing benefits, but the prospect of a loveless arrangement was unappealing to me.

I needed to be honest with him about that. “I do like hearing that about you,” I said, running my hand over his chest and feeling his firm muscles through his shirt. “However, I would hope that this isn’t to be a loveless arrangement between us. I am what I am, but even I long for one to care for me.”

“I understand that, and I would not go into this without feeling that I could love you. I simply feel overwhelming desire with it.” I shivered a little as Rayne leaned down to whisper in my ear. “I have suffered the pains of unrequited sexual desire for quite a while now, and I am grateful to finally have the perfect beta to sate them.”

Goodness, he was quite seductive too. I was tempted to pull him into the house for our first round, but told myself not to.

I needed to wait until we had plenty of time to enjoy it, and there was a chance we could be interrupted. “If that’s what you’re hoping for, then I can make it happen. However, I have a request too,” I replied.

“Really? What would that be?” Rayne inquired.

“It’s nothing much. I simply ask not to be demeaned in such acts. While I take no issue in pleasing you in most ways, I don’t relish the idea of sinking into demeaning or degrading acts in the process.”

“Of course not, and it’s not anything I wish for either. I simply long for all the pleasures we can give each other, and to have you stand by my side as my one and only.”

I nodded, brushing his bangs back. “Very well. Then we’ll agree to that.”

“Marvelous!” Rayne exclaimed, planting a kiss between my eyes. “Come, let me show you our home.”

I consented, allowing him to lead me to the cabin while excitement surged within me. It was taking a lot of my willpower to calm my body of the desire within it, though I kept reminding myself that the time would come soon enough.

The home we were to share was modest in size, yet it exuded comfort as we entered. As expected, it had a single main room with an adjoining smaller washroom at the back.

To the right stood a small kitchen featuring a round table, chairs, and a loveseat, while to the far left, a bed was recessed into the wall, complete with a curtain that could be drawn across the opening.

Although it lacked the grandeur of the homes I had known as a servant, it sufficed for my needs. Extravagance was not my desire; all I wanted was a place to call my own, where I could feel happy and wanted.

“What a charming little home. How long have you lived here?” I inquired of Rayne while surveying the room.

“It’s been just over six months,” Rayne replied. “My brother and I wanted to venture out on our own since we’re adults now, and our parents supported this decision. They believe it’s beneficial for us to understand the world and learn to fend for ourselves.”

“That makes sense. It isn’t good to coddle a child too much as they grow. They will not be able to be self-sufficient, even if they are born powerful,” I stated.

“Very true, and my parents have always embraced that belief wholeheartedly.” Rayne leaned against the table as he continued watching me. “I’m curious; you said you never knew your parents growing up. Have you been in service all your life?”

“I have. I was trained from a young age to earn my keep with those who took me in, and I’ve known no other life, nor was I led to believe there could be one for me. For someone like me, even desiring such a thing was deemed audacious,” I replied.

Pausing beside the bed, I let my fingers glide across the soft blue blanket, memories of those days flooding back. How they used to mock me whenever I wondered aloud if I could ever lead a life like theirs.

~“You would dare to think that?”~ they’d say, ~“You know what you are, and you don’t deserve any more than to serve others!”~

I hardly realized Rayne had approached from behind until he leaned over me and placed his hand on mine. “They were rather harsh to you, weren’t they? It’s not your fault you were born the way you were, and I can’t believe you’d harbor any ill will toward anyone,” he said gently.

“Not at all. I simply wish to be wanted and cared for, and always have,” I confessed.

A shiver went up my spine as he gently kissed the side of my neck. “And now, my beautiful Luna, you are. I will grant you everything your heart desires, and you shall never feel alone again.”

His kisses on the side of my neck continued, and I could feel the blood beginning to race through my veins. Heat filled my abdomen, and all I could focus on was the feeling of his firm body pressed against my back.

It took all the strength I had to try to fight the passion that was starting to overwhelm me. “Please, my lord, I don’t think now is the best time…,” I managed.

“Perhaps not,” Rayne breathed. I gasped as he squeezed my right breast through my dress. “But my control is waning, and I need to sate this desire.”

It was only then that I noticed the hardness pressing against my backside. He truly was aroused, and I would’ve imagined it was sweet torture for him. It was for me too.

That was enough for me to concede. “If that is what you wish, then we could do things a bit quicker then.” I gave in as I leaned back against him.

“That is fine. We can always enjoy it longer tonight, but for now, I’ll go ahead and claim you,” Rayne agreed, still massaging my breasts through my dress.

I leaned my head back, a soft moan escaping my throat as his lips covered mine and his tongue invaded my mouth. Who would have imagined a kiss could feel so exhilarating?

It was like the feel of his tongue sent lightning bolts through me as it sparred with my own. Rayne’s hands released my breasts, tracing down my sides as our kiss deepened.

They followed the curves of my body before moving up to where my dress was tied. I felt the fabric loosen as he undid the string.

Smiling, I stepped forward, allowing the dress to fall to the floor, leaving me in only my underwear and white corset. I wasted no time in undoing his pants as Rayne removed his shirt.

Excitement filled me as I freed his erect manhood. He was quite large, and I couldn’t resist kissing his head, hearing him let out a soft moan.

“You’re more excited than I realized,” I teased, holding his manhood and licking his tip. Rayne moaned as I wrapped my mouth around his head, gently sucking him.

The heat coursing through my veins intensified as I did, all coherent thoughts leaving me. The only thing I could focus on was the pleasure I was giving him.

Even between my legs was growing wet in anticipation of the pleasure to come once he penetrated me. Rayne groaned as I continued, beginning to thrust into my mouth.

I allowed him to do so, pumping him as I ran my tongue around his head and up his shaft. But for as much as I was enjoying this, the need in my own body was intensifying.

Having him in my mouth simply wouldn’t do. I needed more. “Not yet,” I whispered, releasing him and leaning back on the bed. “I still need you inside of me.”

Rayne moved in front of me, giving me another slow, sensual kiss. I felt him run his claws under the sides of my underwear before cutting and pulling it off, bringing out a gasp of surprise from me.

A cocky smile crossed his face. “I am not one for patience either at this moment,” he warned me before forcing me to turn around.

What a change from the gentlemanly nature he’d shown before, but I confess that I loved it. A little roughness was enticing too.

“Then do it. Fill me with you,” I breathed, pushing my hips up for him. He took my invitation, rubbing the head of his manhood against my opening before pushing it into me.

The heat surged through me as he filled me, burying his long thickness inside me. He was so big that I swore he was touching my womb.

“Ah, you’re so hot and tight!” he moaned as he held himself there. I could barely stand being still. I needed to feel him moving inside of me.

I needed more of the intense pleasure only he could give me. “Please! Please move inside of me! I need it!” I begged.

I could sense the smile that accompanied his sensual chuckle. “You do, do you? Well, what kind of lover would I be to disappoint you?” he teased.

His thrusts started slow, with him moving almost completely out of me and then thrusting deep into me, but picked up as he went on. My hips moved in time with his as they did, and the only thing I could focus on was the movements of our bodies together.

I couldn’t say that there was much more than passion and need in this, but neither of us cared. All we needed was the sweet release of this pleasure.

It wasn’t long before Rayne’s thrusts slowed down again, and I moved my hips with him as he grasped my breasts and ground himself into me. The knot that had formed within my abdomen began moving down, and I cried out as my climax exploded inside of me.

Rayne moaned loudly as I did, his climax erupting with mine, and I felt his manhood jerk violently as he released, filling me with his essence. A warmth enveloped my soul as he did, and I knew instinctively that our connection as Alpha and Beta had just been made.

~Well~, I briefly thought, ~they can’t dispute us now.~ Both of us worked hard to catch our breath as we began coming down, and Rayne leaned over me, kissing the back of my neck.

“That was as intense as I’d hoped. I can’t wait to take my time and explore your body tonight,” he whispered.

“Neither can I,” I breathed, rolling my hips to milk out the last little bit of his seed into me.

He pressed into me as I did, squeezing my breasts through my corset again. They were a bit sore now from how hard he’d held them during our act.

After another moment, he slowly let me go and pulled out of me. I leaned forward on the bed, my breathing deep and feeling the wetness dripping down the insides of my thighs.

“It is too bad we don’t have more time right now, but I know better than to push things too much. The last thing we need is for Emelio to come to fetch me and irritate my father.” Rayne sighed.

I managed to turn and lay back on the bed. “I know, and it is fine. We will have plenty of time later, and this was enough to sate us for now. You also must do what you must do, and it isn’t my place to stop you,” I reminded him.

Rayne leaned over me. “That is true, and I promise you that I will be quick about returning to you.

“For now, why don’t you allow yourself some rest so that you will be ready for me tonight? I do plan on continuing this for a long time when I return, and it would be disappointing if I wear you out too quickly.”

“I doubt that, but I certainly invite you to try,” I teased before stroking his cheek. “But please do return soon. It will be lonely here without you.”

“I will. I promise.”

The kiss we shared was much sweeter than the first one, full of the promise of not only lust but possibly real love. Yet even though Rayne had told me that he believed we could love one another, I still had this twinge of doubt inside me as he went to get cleaned up and dressed.

Could one like me truly achieve real love, or would I simply end up remaining his object of lust?

It was something that I’d have to wait and see.