Chapter 5

I awoke to the unfamiliar sensation of lying in someone’s arms, an experience I’d never had the privilege of before. My eyes fluttered open, and I realized that I was nestled against a firm, warm body.

Raising my head slightly, the memories of the previous night flooded back as I saw Rayne’s peaceful sleeping face. That was right.

I was now in my comfortable, new home with my handsome new alpha. A warmth spread within me as I closed my eyes and snuggled against him.

None of it had been a dream. I truly was here with him and belonged to him.

Not only was it a fortunate turn of events, but for the first time in my life, I felt like I was with someone who might want to care for me. However, I wasn’t going to be naïve about this.

I knew that I might be fighting an uphill battle when it came to others accepting me as Rayne’s beta. They would certainly know something was very different about me, even if they hadn’t heard of me.

Everyone I had ever met before had sensed that I was more than just a mere Faerie, not to mention there might be the issue of Rayne’s family. While his father and mother accepted his choice, I didn’t know yet if his brother did.

~His brother~, I thought. ~I wonder what he’s like.~

I had seen foxes before, although they rarely ventured through the Western Lands. I’d heard that they preferred the North.

There was also talk that Rin’s father had been a contender to be the ruler here in the Northern Lands but had deferred the position to Lord Jekia. I wondered why.

Was it because he had felt that he’d be trapped if he accepted? Did his son feel the same way in his position now?

The sensation of Rayne shifting slightly brought me back to reality, and I lifted my head to see his eyes opening. He wore that same pleasant smile as he saw me.

“Good morning. Did you sleep well?” he asked me.

“Quite. It would seem that you did too,” I responded, keeping my voice low.

It felt wrong to disturb the beautiful, intimate silence around us. “Very much,” Rayne concurred.

He moved so that we were lying on our sides facing each other and caressed my temple and hair. “It does feel beautiful to wake up beside you, my lovely Luna.”

“You’re quite a charmer, aren’t you? But I can’t say I mind. You have come off as very sweet, and I hope you stay this way for me,” I told him.

I couldn’t resist caressing his right ear, taking in the soft feel of it along with his hair. What a tempting alpha.

Even now, my body craved more of his, although I resolved to pace myself with such things. We would have plenty of time for them.

“I told you last night that what you see is what I am. I have no intention of acting differently simply to win you over. Not only does it go against everything I have ever believed myself to be, but it would do me no favors the longer we are together.”

“I highly doubt that you would wish to stay with an alpha that you feel has led you on,” Rayne answered, sounding a bit contrite. I smiled, unable to keep myself from chuckling.

“Yes, that is quite true,” I acknowledged. “I prefer knowing what I am getting into here, although I wonder if you have done the same.”

“You do realize that you have chosen a beta with quite a unique heritage.”

“I did, but I hold no fear or apprehensions about it.”

“I believe you are more Faerie than demon, and you strike me as one to keep quite extraordinary control, although I will confess to thoroughly enjoying the seduction game you played with me last night.”

“The seduction game, you say? What a way to put enjoying ourselves.” That made Rayne laugh.

“Perhaps so, but as I said, I thoroughly enjoyed it, much more than I believed I would when I decided to choose a beta. I knew I made the right choice when I found you.”

“You truly did make such a life-changing choice as soon as we met?”

Rayne didn’t hesitate as he answered me, “Of course.”

“I trust my instincts, and I knew you would be the perfect female for me.”

His words lingered in my mind throughout the morning.

Rayne was confident that he had selected the right beta, despite being aware of my true nature. Although I harbored no regrets about accepting his offer and belonging to him, I must confess to some unease.

It seemed all too opportune for Rayne to instantly be convinced that I was the sole one he would ever want. Perhaps these concerns stemmed from knowing the other part of my heritage.

I was well aware that I had inherited the blood of one of the most seductive types of demons, and it wasn’t like I hadn’t had others try to lust after me before, especially once my body matured. That was the other reason that I usually kept myself hidden under cloaks.

Not because it was what my masters wished of me, but because I was well aware that I was protecting myself from the lustful eyes of the males around me. I wondered if such things would be tempered down now that Rayne had claimed me.

I had always heard that others could sense the connection between an alpha and a beta, like each had left their marks on the other’s soul. If that were the case, then I may not need to worry about how other males looked at me anymore.

My thoughts wandered as I sat beneath the willow tree that morning and gazed at the sunshine filtering through the leaves. It was such a lovely, warm spring day, almost feeling like my life was starting anew.

I wondered if I could ever get used to these feelings. It certainly was different from anything else I’d ever experienced.

The sound of footsteps approaching brought me back to reality, and I looked to my left to see Rayne joining me. He was neatly dressed in a casual manner similar to our meeting the previous day, sporting a dark blue shirt, half-unbuttoned, paired with dark trousers and black boots.

His tail swayed around his legs while he offered me a smile. “Ah, here you are. Are you ready to go?” he asked me.

“Yes, of course,” I said, nodding as I accepted the hand he extended to help me up, then proceeded to smooth out my long brown skirt. My dress was simple yet elegant.

The top, a pristine white, hugged my form perfectly, while the attached skirt, a rich deep brown, cascaded down to my ankles. The fabric was exceptionally soft, surpassing any material I had previously worn.

Rayne had assured me that from now on, I would be adorned in nothing but the finest garments, and indeed, I had come to anticipate such luxury. Rayne appraised me from head to toe.

“Quite charming, exactly as I anticipated. How about we meet with those who can outfit you with more appropriate attire?” he suggested.

“I don’t mind, but there’s no reason to rush. The dresses you brought me yesterday are very nice, and I can use them for a while without worrying about needing more.” I reminded him.

“True, but I’d prefer to spoil you now that I have the chance.” Rayne ran a finger down my right cheek, then under my chin. “My precious Luna. I can’t wait to see how much more beautiful you’ll become now that you’re mine.”

I wasn’t sure how I kept myself from blushing, though I did feel a slight heat rise in my cheeks. This alpha certainly knew how to flatter when he wished to.

Perhaps I should get used to it. It might have simply been that Rayne enjoyed acting like this, though I hoped it would only be toward me.

I managed to respond evenly, “I hope that I’ll always be beautiful for you.”

“I know you will be.”

I gasped as Rayne pulled me against him, my body molding to his.

“I didn’t choose you simply for convenience, no matter what some others may try to say. You’re the one I’ll always want most and I hope you’ll never forget that, Luna.”

“No, I swear I won’t, and I hope you never feel the need to question my loyalty to you. I am what I am, but my only wish is to be with you forevermore,” I told him.

“I believe you, and I won’t question it, no matter what may be said or how things may at times appear. I’m well aware that jealousy can be quite a demon in itself, so I fully intend to avoid it as much as possible,” Rayne assured me. He gave me a quick, light kiss.

“Let’s proceed with our day,” he continued. “I have no desire to spend further time gathering the items you require, and I prefer not to risk having you in the forest after dusk, even with my company. The feral creatures that prowl these woods could pose a danger.”

“It makes sense, but I need to ask, where are we heading?” I questioned as he released me.

Rayne offered me a smile. “Just to a quaint village close by. I’m familiar with several shops there that can supply you with more suitable attire and whatever else you might desire.”

“That sounds nice, but can it be ensured that the dresses have open backs like this one?” I requested.

“Ah, yes. You are part Faerie, aren’t you? I’ll assume you wish for that because you keep wings hidden within your back,” Rayne noted.

“I do. Would you like to see them?”

“I most certainly would.”

I could see the excitement dancing in his eyes.

It was rather impressive how he could act so in control even when that was right under the surface. Perhaps it was a product of superior breeding, or simply just the nature of a superior alpha.

It had been so long since I’d last been able to bring out my wings, and it was wonderful to do so. I’d been warned when I was a young child that bringing them out could be dangerous for me, although now I suspect it was another excuse to hide the beauty of what I was.

I managed to keep my wings tucked within my shoulder blades, and they unfurled smoothly at my command. They matched my height, their pale hue reminiscent of the moon, with ends that curled gracefully.

I stretched them, exhaling a sigh of relief. ~Ah yes. It was wonderful to feel so free.~

It took me a moment to register that Rayne was staring at me. If I hadn’t maintained such good self-control, I believe I would’ve giggled at how wide his eyes had gotten.

He looked amazed. Had he not seen the wings of Faeries like my mother?

Well, I supposed it might have been how he’d never seen any quite like me. “Is everything all right?” I finally asked after a moment more of silence between us.

Rayne quickly snapped himself out of his amazed state. “Ah, yes. Yes, I am fine,” he assured me, chuckling at himself.

“My, I wasn’t expecting how you could be an even more beautiful sight.”

“I take it that you haven’t seen a Willow Faerie before?” I noted.

“No, though I have heard of them. But I believe you would be far above them too.”

“Perhaps,” I conceded, giving him my sweetest smile as I pulled my wings in and stepped closer to him. “If you like, I will keep these wings out for you tonight.”

“I believe I’ll take you up on that offer,” Rayne agreed, the eagerness clear in his voice.

I was becoming quite aware of the seductive power I had over him, although I’ll also admit that he held the same for me. But was it such a good thing that the two of us were playing such a game from the very start?

After all, building a relationship on lust is always a risky game, though, for us, the reward was going to be well worth the risk in our minds. ~Ah yes, let our game of seduction continue~, I thought.

~And I’ll show you how lucky you are to have someone like me.~