“This vacation has been like a dream,” I said softly, fingers absently tracing the cool glass of the window. “I wish we could stay longer.”
I felt Dominic’s approach before his arms encircled me from behind, his chin coming to rest atop my head as he joined me in gazing at the view. Everything about him seemed more vivid to me since the marking.
“Every year on our anniversary,” he promised, his deep voice vibrating against my back, “we’ll return here. Just the two of us.”
I smiled, my hand automatically finding the engagement ring on my left hand. The platinum band felt both foreign and completely right, the diamond catching the morning light in fractured brilliance. As I twisted it around my finger, my expression grew more serious.
“Everything’s going to get complicated again when we go back, isn’t it?” I turned in his arms to face him, searching his eyes.
His blue gaze was steady, a calm center in the storm I knew was waiting for us. “No matter what happens,” he said, “remember that you’re my mate now. After the bonding ceremony in two months, you’ll officially become Luna of Silver Shadow Moon Pack.”
Luna. The title still felt too grand for someone like me–a small–town girl who’d stumbled into this world of ancient traditions and primal power. I nodded slowly, trying to project confidence I didn’t entirely feel.
Dominic leaned down to press his lips against my forehead, the gesture both tender and possessive. “Let’s go home,” he murmured against my skin.
The drive back to the city gave me too much time to think. Questions that had been easy to ignore in our beach paradise now pressed against my mind with increasing urgency.
“The bonding ceremony,” I began, rubbing my temple as a mild headache formed. “What exactly will change afterward?”
Dominic glanced over from the driver’s seat, his profile strong against the passing landscape. “The ceremony will take place during the next full moon, about two months from now. It’s… different from a human wedding. More primal.”
“And after that, I’ll be Luna,” I said, testing how the words felt in
my
mouth.
“Yes. The pack will recognize you as their Luna, my equal in leadership.”
I frowned, staring out the window as we passed rolling hills that gradually gave way to suburbs. “But I barely understand your laws, your traditions. How am I supposed to lead a clan of werewolves when I’m just…” I gestured
1/2
Fri, Sep 20
Chapter 180
13
n
at myself, the words failing me.
“Just what? Human?” His voice was gentle but firm. “Being Luna isn’t about physical strength or even knowledge of traditions. Those can be learned. It’s about heart, compassion, seeing what needs to be done and having the courage to do it. His hand left the steering wheel to find mine, squeezing reassuringly. “Besides, you’re carrying our future within you. There’s no greater power than that.”
At the mention of our child, my free hand instinctively moved to my stomach. Still no visible sign yet, but knowing it was there–growing, developing–filled me with both wonder and terror.
Suddenly, a sharp, unpleasant odor hit me. I wrinkled my nose, looking around for the source. “Do you smell that? Like… burned rubber or something?”
Dominic frowned, inhaling deeply. “I don’t smell anything unusual.”
“It’s really strong,” I insisted, feeling slightly nauseated by the intensity.
His expression shifted to concern. “Your senses might be changing due to the pregnancy and our marking. The baby carries my genes… it could be affecting you already.” He checked the time on the dashboard clock. “When we get back, I want you to see Dr. Winters.”
“I’m fine,” I protested, though the headache was growing stronger. “It’s probably just stress or-”
“Rebecca.” The tone of his voice stopped my objections cold. “This isn’t just about you anymore.”
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