Filed to story: Luna Graced Book by KristiferAnn Thorne
Roman settled the basket between them as they both sat.
I asked Bell to pack us lunch.
Abby lifted her chin and met his gaze.
Because its what thewomen do.
He sighed and sat back.
Let me have it.
Roman! How could you expect the women to defend themselves without any skills? What if you and the guard are needed all the way out here on the eastern border? What happens then? I can protect my pack, he growled.
But memories of the rogue attack that killed his mateand decimated his packflashed through his head.
His throat tightened and he swallowed hard.
Shed touched a nerve.
But she also had a point.
She shook her head.
I didnt say you couldnt protect the pack.
I wanted to know how the women would defend themselves if you were spread out.
Well, what do you suggest? Train them, starting at age eight, both males and females.
Im not suggesting everyone be trained, just the ones who are capable.
Not everyone has the warrior blood you carry.
He held her fiery gaze.
But everyone has a warriorheart , especially when it comes to defending their pack.
His eyes were glowing and his wolf started to purr.
He liked her response.
Ill talk with Logan and Rye.
I assume you would be interested in training them? No, Alpha, she made a cute huffing sound.
Ill be too busy making pancakes and warm syrup.
Growling, Roman moved the basket out of the way.
Come here.
Abby laughed and leaned toward him, and his purr got louder as she got closer.
He stuck his face in her neck and inhaled.
You smell good, mate.
ABIGAIL Roman nudged Abby onto her back, and she looped her arms around his neck, nuzzling him in return.
Thank you, she murmured.
You smell good too.
She liked the way his cologne mixed with his own scent.
He kissed her gently, removing her ponytail holder and running his hand through her hair, and they shared a quiet moment in the shade, enjoying each others company between soul-searing kisses.
After a while, Roman pulled away and took a sandwich out of the basket.
But instead of biting into it, he held it out for Abby to take.
A simple act, but a significant one.
It showed he saw her as his luna.
Her heart swelled.
How was it possible they were at odds just a short time ago, and now he was offering her the greatest respect an alpha could give? She, in turn, fed him from her sandwich, and he purred, happy with the attention she was giving him.
They stayed on that blanket, wrapped up in each other, until the sun started to lower.
Roman nipped her neck, purring as she exposed it to him.
How are you feeling? He rubbed his nose along her jaw.
Her wolf purred, and she stretched.
Im feeling very well, thank you.
Id like permission to mark you, he rumbled in her ear, giving her goosebumps.
She closed her eyes at the complicated feelings washing over her.
Shed been marked before, and Carson had betrayed her.
Hed essentially sentenced her to death.
Roman had saved her.
But what if something went wrong again? What if he decided he didnt want her as his mate, his luna, his second chance? If she refused him, shed die.
But what would happen if she accepted him and he rejected her the way Carson had? That would kill her.
ROMAN
Abby withdrew from him suddenly, her eyes clouded with concern.
Id like to talk to the Oracle, Roman.
I dont know what to expect with a second-chance mate and marking each other.
What if it doesnt work? He frowned.
What do you mean? What if I still…die? Her voice trembled and her eyes filled with tears.
What if being rejected as a graced luna means I dont get a second chance? Roman pulled her onto his lap and held her close.
The Oracle would have told us.
She can interpret what the Moon Goddess intends.
She pressed her face to his chest and cried as he stroked her hair.
He hated the sound of her weeping.
He wanted to chase away any fears she might have.
She sniffled against him.
But what if you change your mind about being mates? His heart hurt for her, for the betrayal shed already faced.
I promise you that wont happen.
I will protect you, Abby.
Ill be loyal to you.
When she pulled away to look into his eyes, he was glad to see hope shining through the tears.
He brushed a soft kiss over her lips, then deepened it, until Abby pulled away with a shy smile.
Yes, Alpha, she said softly, Id like us to mark each other.
Joy rushed through him at her words.
She not only wanted him to mark her, she wanted to mark him too.
He nosed the hollow of her neck.
If youre feeling up to it…do you want to let your wolf out and we can run back to our house? Id love to.
He jumped up and whistled for one of the guards, linking a request for him to grab their things after theyd shifted and drive the truck back.
He held up the blanket for Abby while she stripped and shifted, then disrobed and shifted himself.
He shook out his fur and chuffed at Abby, and she trotted over to him and lay on her belly.
His wolf nipped her ear, and they took off running.
The guards kept their distance while Roman and Abby played and chased each other all the way back to his house.
They were both exhausted and happy when they arrived.
He shifted back first, while Abby sat on her haunches with her back turned to him, and grabbed a towel from a bin on the front porch and wrapped it around his waist.
Then he held up a large bath sheet for her.
He bared his teeth at the guards, who had the good sense to turn their backs when she started to shift, and gently wrapped her up in the towel when she was done.
Together, they went into the house.
Hungry? he asked.
Are you? Starving.
He started to purr.
He liked seeing her wrapped up in nothing but a towel.
She smiled.
May I make you something to eat, Alpha? Id like that.
He moved closer to her, and she tipped her face up for another kiss.
Slower this time.
Reluctantly, he pulled away.
I need a shower.
She lifted one brow.
Ill allow you to use soap.
He growled and grabbed her, and she started giggling.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?