Selene glanced across the river beyond the trees as the last of the sun faded away in the distance. The sky was a canvas of burnt orange and dusty red, mixed with the gray of the overhanging clouds. A flock of birds took flight directly above them, their wings taking them toward the mountains.

The stunning image brought serenity to her anxious heart.

“What do we do now?” Selene leaned back against his chest and cradled her head against his shoulders.

Nick reached beside them and pulled a small plastic sack from their picnic basket. “We eat dessert.” He handed her the fresh baked chocolate chunk cookie they’d selected from the village bakery.

“You’re being silly,” Selene said, smiling, and took the cookie anyway to appease her sweet tooth. She broke a piece off and handed it to him. “My bus leaves in less than thirty minutes.”

What was supposed to be her last meal with Nick before she left for the city had turned into an afternoon of wasting time in the park, sitting at the river’s edge, and napping under the sun.

“I’m aware. We’ve been delaying your departure for quite some time. It’s obvious now that I want you to stay.”

“I could lose my job,” she said. “I have lots of vacation time build up, but that will run out.”

“In case you haven’t noticed from touring the town over the past few days, half of our women don’t work. They have important positions within our community if they so choose to give back. There are those who have careers, but it is only by choice. It’s not customary for Caedmon women to have jobs outside of the home. An old custom, but one that has kept our numbers growing, our children well taken care of and educated, and our men supported.”

She frowned. “I love my work. It’s something I won’t give up.”

“I know. You shouldn’t give up what you love,” he said. “Can you continue your charity work if you were to stay with me?”

Selene turned slightly. “Are you asking me to stay?”

“Yes. I need you to stay.”

“I hope to live up to the expectations.”

“What do you mean?” He rested his chin on the top of her head and interlocked his fingers with hers.

“This thing about true mates. Tamara and the other mated women who I spoke to have more to offer to their men than what I can. I want to be strong for you, but I can’t be your everything if I wasn’t intended to be.”

“Don’t say that. You are everything to me now.”

“And when your true mate comes along…?”

Nick chuckled.

“Why are you laughing?” She was annoyed that he’d think this was a joke.

“Don’t take the nights—and mornings and days for that matter—that we’ve shared in my bed…and outside of it lightly. I don’t.”

“Those moments will always be special to me.” Moments she’d never forget. “But I want to offer you more than just sex and conversation.”

“You offer much more than that, Selene. Why do you think I cannot bear to see you leave now?”

“It’s no surprise that we’re both crazy about each other.”

“Crazy is an understatement,” he said. “You gave me what could never be duplicated. You relinquished yourself to me. Your body, mind, soul, and heart. I accepted. More importantly, my wolf accepted. There is no way the animal inside of me will let me rest until our bond is complete.”

“How do you know he’s accepted me?”

“Close your eyes.”

“I’ll miss the last of sunset.” She looked out across the river again as the top of the sun sat just above the treetops. There were only a few moments left, and they’d be in the dark.

“It will be worth it.” He hugged her tighter. “Trust me.”

She did as he directed.

“You must be completely calm.” He pressed his chest against her back. “Most of all, you must believe.”

“Believe what?”

“That I will cherish and love you with all that I have.”

She nodded and focused her attention on his heart beating against her back. Drowning all sounds out, she let her body relax against him.

“You’ve embraced the Caedmon spirit without hesitation and for that it will guide you always.”

She’d always loved the sound of his voice. It was a mesmerizing tone that she could fall asleep to after a hard day’s work.

“Listen, Selene. Tell me what you hear.”

Nothing struck her as unordinary aside from the sound of crickets chirping and night owls scurrying through the trees above them. She shook her head.

“Listen closely,” he said against her face.

“To the breathing on my ear?” She was confused.

“Pretend that it’s just you and I…and nothing else.”

She strengthened her focus, toning out the sounds of nature around him. Listening to his steady breathing. Feeling the rise and fall of his chest at her back. Hearing the sounds of their heartbeats join together in synchronization.

‘Selene.’

She gasped when his voice permeated her head.

‘Don’t lose focus.’

With all of the strength she possessed, she tried not to break her concentration.

‘Only true mates can hear each other like this.’

Her fingers gripped his palm. She wanted speak, but pressed her lips together for fear she’d lose the connection.

‘We’ll have to work on the communication from your end. It’s likely you won’t be able to respond like so until we complete the bond.’

Selene lifted his hand and pressed his palm against her chest across her heart. It raced in excitement and overflowed with desire and love.

‘I love you. My wolf has always known that you are his mate.’

She let her overpowering feelings take over, resulting in the connection being broken. Tears pooled in her eyes making her vision hazy before she turned completely in his embrace.

“Te amo,” she said. “I love you. I was trying to say that I loved you, too.”

He crushed his mouth to hers and pulled her onto his lap. Lifting her arms, she encircled his neck, gave herself willingly, but took what she craved the most. His taste. She felt half-empty inside, and needed him to fill her again. Something was missing and she felt she needed more from him.

Before long, they’d laid out on the picnic blanket side by side. The night sky blanketed them and the crescent moon seemed to shift against the clouds.

Nick sipped at her lips gently. “Let me make love to you under the stars.”

“Now why would I refuse that?” She teased.

He grinned and bent to slide his mouth down the column of her neck. His fingers worked with the buttons of her blouse. He unsnapped the back of her bra and slipped his palm over her breast. His touch was just hot enough against her that the chilly night air did nothing to faze her. The passion building within her was all the warmth she needed.

He quickly helped her out of her pants and underwear, and shed his own in a flash. When his body blanketed hers, she felt secure and shielded from the night air.

His cock was already between her thighs, sliding against the wet folds of her sex. She lifted her hips and he plunged slowly inside of her.

“Yes. Just like that,” he hissed, holding her about the waist. “Offer yourself to me.”

Selene trusted him completely, and this time it was painless. Her raw flesh contracted around him, milking him. He pushed up into her, brushing against her clit. A wave of ecstasy consumed her and her pussy quaked with carnal desire. He moved with ease inside her, rocking his pelvis back and forth.

Nick’s thrusts became faster and more demanding. She gripped at his back, as he pounded into her pussy. Her eyes rolled up to the sky as a wave of euphoria washed over her. She came, panting against his shoulder. Her vision blurred as he continued plundering her with skillful strokes. He rode her through her orgasm, feeding it more energy as he came to his climax. She felt him tense and spasm inside her. A low growl vibrated in his throat, followed by a resounding moan of satisfaction. His hot seed seared her core, and flooded through her like a rupturing volcano.

What had begun as an evening of observing the setting sun had ended as a night of pure passion rising under the moon and stars.

* * *

As soon as Nick entered the Caedmon mansion with Selene at his side, he already knew something was amiss. He sensed the angst and an air of uneasiness from the front door. Not stopping at the kitchen to drop off their empty picnic basket, he headed straight for the conference hall.

Devin and two other members were standing around the Council table when he entered.

“What is it?” Nick asked, his eyes moving across their hardened expressions. He felt Selene grow tense beside him, mirroring his own emotions. This was what he’d wanted to prevent her from experiencing. Everything was in upheaval here, and he didn’t want her worrying over it.

“Darius has sent a written reply to our offer,” Devin said.

“With threats.” Jayson added from the other side of the room.

Heat rose up to Nick’s neck. “He’s a lunatic.”

Devin thrust a slip of paper at him. “According to the land records he holds fifty one percent.”

Nick snatched the paper, and his eyes skimmed the note. His attention fell on one statement despite the many accusations in the letter.

It read: Step down or I’ll destroy you.

He didn’t repeat this aloud, but he lifted his gaze to meet that of the Alpha’s.

Nick pressed his lips together to keep from saying something he’d regret, and swallowed down his building rage. “You know what we have to do.”

Devin frowned. “Yes.”

“Selene and I just got here. Give me an hour, and I’ll meet you back here.”

“Hurry,” Devin hissed. “Before I do something I will regret.”

“Patience, brother,” he said. “We need a plan.”

As they approached the staircase leading to their room, Selene paused. “I know what this means.”

“This was precisely what I wanted to protect you from.”

“If something happens to you…” She buried her face against his chest. “I can’t bear to think—”

He held her at the shoulders. “Don’t worry about me.”

“I’ve seen firsthand what Darius and his followers are capable of.”

“Didn’t we escape, Selene? What does that tell you about his capabilities?”

She grew quiet, but her face still donned a worried expression.

“Besides,” he said, keeping a straight face. “You’ve also seen what I’m capable of.”

“Yes. I remember.”

“Then don’t worry…”

Even though he warned her not to worry, Nick knew she’d do the opposite. One thing was for certain, something needed to be done. The Caedmon people shouldn’t have to live in fear. And he certainly would not live his life being held captive in his own village.