RALPH
Later in the evening, the moon hung full and radiant in the midnight sky, casting a silver glow over the clearing where the pack had gathered. I stood tall with Benita beside me at the centre of the clearing, my gaze solemn yet filled with determination. Around us, the pack members assembled in a circle, their eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Turning towards the pack, I addressed Benita, my voice carrying through the still night air.
“Benita, as the Alpha of the Moonrise Pack, I choose you as my Luna, my equal and partner in leading our pack.”
Benita stepped forward, her eyes reflecting both excitement and reverence. “And I, Benita, accept this role willingly and vow to stand by your side, to lead with wisdom and compassion, to protect our pack with all that I am.”
I nodded, acknowledging her vows before making my own. “As Alpha, I vow to protect and cherish you, to honour our bond, and to lead our pack with strength and fairness.”
Benita stepped into the centre, and I could feel her heart pounding in rhythm with the pack’s energy. She met my gaze, her eyes reflecting determination.
Isabella passed me the shimmering symbol, infused with ancient power-a crescent moon woven with intricate symbols of strength and unity. “Where do you want it?” I asked Benita. On my arm, she replied as she extended it. With careful precision, I pressed the heated metal against her forearm. She flinched, the sensation of heat and tingling spreading, but she gritted her teeth, steadfast through the marking. As I finished, the symbol glowed softly, marking her as my Luna and leader of the Moonrise pack.
Pulling away, she stood tall, a soft smile gracing her lips despite the lingering warmth on her forearm. She met the pack’s gaze, her bravery in the face of the marking ceremony earning their respect and admiration.
The pack erupted into howls of approval, their voices carrying through the night sky.
I looked at Benita, my mind momentarily questioning if I had made the right decision in making her my Luna. I hope I don’t regret it later. My thoughts suddenly drifted back to the human woman, scanning the gathered pack for any sign of her, but she wasn’t there. Before I could dwell further, Benita’s hands found mine, her touch grounding me amidst the pack’s cheers. I gently withdrew my hand from hers as I murmured to her,” I have some things to attend to in my office.” Her smile faltered slightly, but she nodded as I turned away, my steps purposeful as I headed towards the house.
As I reached for the door, Zac, beer in hand, blocked my path with a grin. “Hey, Alpha, the party’s just getting started. You’re not leaving, are you?”
“You can enjoy it without me.” With that, I pushed past him and entered the house.
As I reached my office and prepared to sit, the door swung open, revealing Benita holding two wine glasses. “I’m not in the mood for drinking. Go back, this isn’t something to celebrate,” I said bluntly as I settled into my chair, indifferent to her feelings. I expected her to leave, but instead, she strode up to my desk and placed a glass in front of me.
“But it is for me,” she stated firmly. “And as your Luna, I’m ordering you to join me. Besides, we have one more ritual to complete that will bring your wolf back.”
I looked up, surprised. “How do you know about that?” I asked, genuinely curious.
She rolled her eyes. “Ohh, of course you don’t remember? You told me yourself. It’s why you agreed to make me your Luna.”
Without another word, she left the glass of wine and departed, leaving me unsettled once again. She had a way of getting under my skin.
As Benita left, I slid the glass of wine aside and opened the first two buttons of my shirt, feeling a wave of suffocation wash over me. Leaning back in my chair, I let out a frustrated sigh. The weight of my decision pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe.
I stood up and walked to the window, looking out at the pack. They were revelling in the celebration, loud music and laughter filling the air. Some were dancing, others were drinking copious amounts of beer, and a few were making out, likely too intoxicated to care who they were with. The sight did little to ease my mind.
Just as I was about to turn away, the phone on my desk rang, breaking the momentary distraction. I picked it up, recognizing the number instantly. It was Drake.
“Alpha,” his voice came through curtly. “Why did you suddenly agree to make Benita your Luna?”
I paused, considering my response. “Drake, it’s a long story. One that I’m not sure I fully understand myself.”
“That’s not good enough,” he shot back. “You don’t make decisions like this on a whim. What’s really going on?”
I leaned against the desk, running a hand through my hair. “There are things in motion that I can’t ignore, Drake. Benita… She’s part of it. It’s complicated.”
“Have you talked about this with your mate?” He asked, his voice steady but probing.
I furrowed my brow, taken aback by the question. “What did you say? What mate are you talking about, Drake? You know, well, I don’t have one.”
He went quiet for a moment before responding. “Wait, did you break the mate bond with her already? But the last time you visited, you told me you were keeping her by your side. What happened then?”
My pulse quickened, and I felt my heartbeat in my ears. My eyes rested on the glass of wine I had slid aside. Without thinking, I grabbed it and downed the contents in one go, the burn of the alcohol doing little to calm my nerves.
“Alpha, are you still there?” Drake’s voice cut through my thoughts.
“I’m here,” I replied. “Look, Drake, I’ll come over to your pack tomorrow. We will talk more.”
“Alright, Alpha.” He said after a pause. “I’ll be expecting you.”
As I hung up the phone, a sudden wave of heat washed over me, and I started to sweat. Cursing under my breath, I wondered if it was the mate bond Drake mentioned that had shaken me or if it was just unbearably hot in my office. I got up to turn on the AC, but as I did, dizziness overwhelmed me, and I staggered, needing a moment to steady myself.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to calm down, my thoughts swirling. When I felt somewhat better, I decided to head into my room to rest. As soon as I reached the doorway, I felt a little more stable, though my vision was slightly blurred. Pushing the door open, my eyes landed on Benita lying on my bed, completely naked.
“You’re finally here, my Alpha,” she said in a seductive voice, her gaze locking onto mine.
“Leave,” I said, my voice rough. “I need to rest.”
“Not yet, Alpha,” she replied, her voice firm yet enticing. “I have to complete my role to bring your wolf back. I’m certain that by the time we wake up in the morning, your wolf will be with you.”
I felt a surge of anger and confusion. “Benita, I-”
“Trust your Luna,” she interrupted, her voice softer now. “This is necessary. Let’s get it over with.”
She rose gracefully from the bed, her movements deliberate and hypnotic. She walked towards me, her eyes locked onto mine with a mix of determination and seduction. As she reached me, she started unbuttoning my shirt, her fingers moving with a practised ease. I felt a strange combination of resistance and anticipation as she peeled the fabric away from my body, her touch leaving a trail of heat on my skin.
Once my shirt was off, her hands roamed over my chest, the contact sending jolts of electricity through me. I tried to speak to tell her to stop, but the words caught in my throat. She took my hand, her grip firm, and led me to the bed. Without resistance, I found myself pulled onto the mattress, her body pressing against mine.
She climbed on top of me, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity. “Let your Luna get your big guy back,” she whispered, her voice a sultry promise.
I felt my willpower slipping away, the combination of her touch and her words breaking down my defences. As she leaned in closer, the room spun around me, and I found myself succumbing to the powerful allure of her presence.
Benita’s hands moved with purpose, skillfully undoing my pants and pulling them off in one smooth motion. Before I could fully comprehend what was happening, her lips wrapped around my cock, sending a shockwave of sensation through my body.
My breath hitched, a mixture of surprise and arousal flooding my senses. Her touch was electrifying, each movement deliberate and calculated to elicit a response. I closed my eyes briefly, fighting against the wave of desire that threatened to overwhelm me.
“Benita,” I managed to gasp, my voice strained with a blend of need and uncertainty.
She glanced up at me, her eyes dark with desire as she continued to explore my most vulnerable edges. Her touch was both intense and confident, leaving me with a sense of awe and intrigue.
As I felt myself getting closer, I pulled her away and swiftly rose up before positioning her on her four. I pushed inside her without a warning, making her gasp my name loudly.
I gripped her hips firmly, my movements becoming more urgent and primal. With each thrust, I felt a surge of desire building inside me, pushing me closer to the edge of control. Her gasps and moans fueled my passion, heightening the intensity of our union.
I could feel myself nearing the edge, the intensity building to a crescendo that threatened to consume me. Just as I reached the cliff, a name escaped my lips involuntarily, carried on a ragged growl of pleasure and turmoil. “Keilah,” I groaned, the sound reverberating in the room like a thunderclap.