Filed to story: Tangled in Moonlight Unshifted Novel by Lenaleia
I shut off the water, straining to hear. It’s hard to smell anything over the powerful scent of Ava’s bodywash—something I’ve gotten into the habit of using when I miss her.
Quickly exiting the shower, I slap a towel around my waist, tracking water everywhere as I head to the living room. Whoever it is, it isn’t pack. Must be Aspen.
The scent hits me first, feminine and familiar.
Ivy.
What the hell is she doing here?
There are no guards; they’re out with Ava. There’s no need to guard this place when she isn’t here. Ava’s absence means Ivy waltzed right in without hindrance. Irritation flickers at the breach of protocol.
“Ivy,” I call out, keeping my voice level. “What are you doing here?”
Her eyes rove over my half-naked form. Something in her gaze makes my skin crawl. She takes a step closer, too close for comfort.
I let out a strong pulse of alpha power, stopping her in her tracks. Her eyes widen. There’s fear, yes, but something else I’d rather not name. I’ve been doing my best to pretend I don’t notice it.
“Alpha,” she says breathily, recovering quickly. “I apologize for the intrusion. I have urgent news about the food supplies. We’re running dangerously low on—“
I cut her off with a raised hand. “And this couldn’t wait until morning? Or be relayed through proper channels?”
She blinks, her bright green eyes wide and innocent. “I thought it best to inform you immediately. Our people’s welfare is at stake.”
It sounds legitimate on the surface. But I’ve been an alpha too long to fall for such transparent manipulation. And the way she says our people sets my hackles to rising.
“Ivy,” I say, my voice low and dangerous. “There’s no reason for you to barge into the Alpha’s quarters for such a paltry reason. Food supplies, while important, are not an emergency that requires you to enter my private space uninvited. Further, you can speak with my Luna.”
She opens her mouth to protest, but I continue, “Furthermore, my Luna is in charge of the food situation here. Any further concerns should be brought to her attention first, as she’s the Luna of this pack.”
Her face twists for a moment before smoothing out. “Of course, Alpha. I meant no disrespect. I simply thought—“
“You thought wrong,” I interrupt, my patience wearing thin. “Now, I suggest you leave. Immediately.”
She hesitates, her eyes darting around the room. Looking for what, I wonder? But then she nods, backing away slowly.
“My apologies, Alpha. It won’t happen again.”
I watch her go, my jaw clenched. Something about this doesn’t sit right. Ivy’s always been ambitious, even when she was younger. She has more drive and thirst for power, probably from living in her brother’s shadow.
But she’s never seemed to be the kind of person to play such strange games.
Aurum growls in my mind; her scent is strong, and he doesn’t like it.
I flex my hands, frustration coursing through me as I watch Ivy’s retreating form. The door closes behind her, but the unease lingers. With a low growl, I turn and head back to the shower. The warm water cascades over me once more, but it does little to soothe my agitation.
My mind races, replaying Ivy’s unexpected visit. Her flimsy excuse, the way her eyes roamed over my body—it’s a sign that the situation’s growing untenable. I’ve done my best to avoid anything remotely questionable between us, underlying Ava’s position at every possible chance.
But it seems like things are escalating.
It all sets my teeth on edge. I scrub my skin harder than necessary, as if I could wash away the memory of her presence in our home.
“Dammit,” I mutter, rinsing off the soap. The scent of Ava’s body wash fills my nostrils again, and a different kind of tension coils in my gut. I close my eyes, letting the familiar scent wash over me. It’s not enough. I want—no, need—my mate here.
Now.
My cock twitches, responding to thoughts of my mate. I groan, leaning my forehead against the cool tile of the shower wall. The contrast of temperatures sends a shiver down my spine, and I can’t help but imagine Ava’s cool hands on my heated skin.
“Fuck,” I breathe, struggling to control my thoughts.
Two seconds after I make it through the door, a dark figure pounces on me.
For a split second, panic jacks up my heart rate. Then campfire smoke and amber fill the space around me, and I realize it’s Lucas.
A squeal escapes my lips as he shoves me against the door, his mouth crashing onto mine. The cold from outside vanishes in an instant, replaced by a searing heat that threatens to consume me whole. His lips move with a desperate urgency, stealing my breath and scattering my thoughts.
For a moment, I lose myself in the passion of our reunion. My fingers tangle in his hair, pulling him closer as if I could meld us into one being. But reality intrudes as I feel the snow melting between us, dampening his skin.
“Lucas,” I mutter against his lips, trying to push him away. “I’m covered in snow.”
He doesn’t budge an inch. “Don’t care,” he growls, capturing my mouth again.
His hands cup my face, thumbs stroking my cheeks as he deepens the kiss. The heat radiating from his palms feels like a furnace against my chilled skin. It’s almost too much, too intense. I wonder briefly if I’m that cold from being outside, or if he’s running hotter than usual.
With a herculean effort, I manage to slip out of his grasp. My breath comes in short pants as I move to take off my jacket and boots. Lucas prowls behind me, his presence almost palpable. There’s something different about him, an edge of agitation that isn’t normal. His movements are more predatory, reminding me of a wolf at hunt.
Concern creeps into my voice as I turn to face him. “Are you okay?”
His golden eyes bore into mine, pupils dilated. The intensity of his gaze sends a shiver down my spine that has nothing to do with the lingering cold. He doesn’t answer immediately, just continues to watch me with that predatory focus.
“Lucas?” I prompt again, really worried now.
He takes a step closer, and I instinctively back up until I hit the wall. His scent envelops me, stronger and more potent than usual. It’s intoxicating, making my head spin.
“I missed you,” he finally says, his voice a low rumble that I feel more than hear.
Relief floods through me, but it’s short-lived as I notice the slight tremor in his hands. Something isn’t right. “I missed you too, but you’re acting strange. What’s going on?”
Lucas leans in, burying his face in the crook of my neck. His breath is hot against my skin as he inhales deeply. “You smell so good,” he murmurs, nuzzling the spot where my neck meets my shoulder.
A gasp escapes me as his teeth graze my skin. Heat pools in my belly, desire warring with concern. “Talk to me. What’s wrong?”
He pulls back slightly, his eyes meeting mine. There’s a wildness there that both thrills and terrifies me. “Nothing happened,” he says, but there’s a tension in his jaw that tells me he’s not being entirely truthful.
Before I can press Lucas further, his lips capture mine again. The intensity of his kiss steals my breath and scatters my thoughts. His hands slide down my sides, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I melt into him, my body responding to his touch even as my mind struggles to keep up.
He backs me against the wall, his body pressing against mine as he trails hot kisses along my jaw and down my neck. A soft moan escapes me as he nips at the sensitive spot just below my ear. Right over my scar. My mating mark.
My fingers tangle in his hair, holding him close.
Another searing kiss, his tongue sweeping into my mouth.
My body arches into his touch. One of his hands slides under my shirt, calloused fingers skimming across my bare skin. Sparks of pleasure shoot through me, and I can’t help but respond, my own hands exploring the hard planes of his chest. He’s only wearing a pair of jeans, leaving nothing but skin to welcome my touch.
He breaks the kiss, both of us panting for air. Eyes of molten gold are filled with a hunger that makes my knees weak.
My legs wrap around his waist as he lifts me, my hips cuddling against him. He carries me to the bed, never breaking the kiss, and we fall onto the mattress in a tangle of limbs, hands roaming and exploring with frantic urgency.
Clothes are shed hastily, tossed aside without care. His mouth leaves a trail of fire across my skin, driving coherent thought from my mind. All I can focus on is the feel of him, the taste of his skin, the sound of his ragged breathing.
Lucas’ mouth is heaven, but it’s his hands that steal the breath from my lungs. They skate across my thighs, my hips, tracing paths of fire over my skin. Rough fingers twist and pinch at my nipples, hard and aching for his attention. My fingers weave through his hair, nails digging into his scalp as I feel the mattress shift with his movement.
He dives between my legs, spreading them wide as he licks and laps at the very core of me. A whimper escapes me, half moan, half sob.
The warmth of his tongue slides between my folds, the tip slick and hot against my clit. Lazy licks build a pleasure so intense I can barely stand it. My hips buck off the bed, seeking more friction. I want to grind against his face, to shove myself against that wicked mouth. But he holds me down with firm hands on my thighs, his growl vibrating against my sensitive flesh.
“Please,” I beg. It comes out half-strangled, the word torn from my throat as he teases my clit with the flat of his tongue.
One of his large hands moves to my breast, thumb rubbing over the aching peak. My back arches off the bed, my hips pressing up into his mouth.
“Lucas,” I gasp, my hands fisting in the blankets. My fingers find the edge of the mattress, knuckles turning white as he continues to torment me with slow, languid licks. “Please, Lucas. I need…”
I can’t finish the sentence, but he knows what I need. What I’ve always needed from him. His mouth leaves my pussy, and I whine in protest, hips circling the air as I search for his tongue.
Lucas shifts, crawling up my body until his mouth hovers over mine. His breath fans across my lips, his eyes burning into mine. “Tell me what you need, mate,” he whispers, voice hoarse with arousal. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
I want him to devour me. To make me forget everything but the feel of him against me, inside me.
“Say it,” he insists, lips brushing against mine. “Tell me what you want.”
“You,” I whisper, hands skimming down his sides. “I want you.”
His cock is hard against my thigh, thick and hot. I wrap my hand around it, stroking him slowly as he kisses me. It’s not enough. Not nearly enough.