KNIGHT “Oh, you’re awake.” Kailin pretended to be surprised. I was pretty sure she heard me talking to Nirvana. “How are you feeling, son?” There was still a worry in Case’s eyes. “You should know that she didn’t know what she was doing.” “I’m good, Case. I deserved it after what I did to her. It’s all good.” “I was mad, terrified, and immensely shocked. Everything just dropped on me, and he is fine. You don’t have to defend me, Grandpa.” Her laugh dried in her throat. “And I see what’s going on here. You’re more concerned about his well-being than your own granddaughter.” “He’s the alpha, Nirvana—the leader of the pack. Your grandfather is just showing him respect,” Zarah said. “It’s fine. Really. Thank you.” “So what? People bow for him, kill for him?” “Yes,” Kailin answered confidently. “And he will do anything to protect his pack, give up his life for us.” She slowly turned to me, both shocked and amused. “So he wants me to submit to him? Not gonna happen. Besides, I’m no
KNIGHT “You are maybe her mate, but she doesn’t trust you. So, it protects itself,” Zarah said. Kailin grinned. I thought she had something funny to ask. “So if he, like, touches without her consent, the mark will protect her?” “Yes,” Zarah confirmed my theory last night. I didn’t have any bad intentions. It was just out of curiosity, but it still protected Nirvana. “Well, shit.” Kailin had a lot of fun learning about her best friend. “With bad intentions,” Nirvana added with little emphasis on the word bad. “Then we’ll put it to a test.” “No!” Zarah, Case, and I said in unison to Kailin. “Don’t even try, Kailin,” I warned her. “We don’t know what this mark is capable of or the extent of its power.” “But it didn’t happen before.” Nirvana shrugged. “Because no one has ever tried to hurt you,” I told her. “Yeah, I guess so.” She rubbed the site of the mark on her neck. “So you’ll gonna have another mark soon, then.” Fuck. I hadn’t entirely thought about that. I just wished
NIRVANA The goodbye between my grandfather and me took a while, and I became emotional even though I would be just in California. Knowing what I learned about their world changed my life forever, and there was no going back. I had to accept that this was my life now. “I don’t know we’re traveling by a private jet.” I stepped inside. It looked brand new, but something caught my eye. A coat of arms is printed on the upholstered chair. “The Alpha King lent me his jet,” Knight said. “He told me to take precautions.” I turned to him. “What do you mean? Who’s Alpha King?” “It’s nothing. Sebastien is a lycan, an alpha of all alphas of Lycan, and he’s Zarah’s boyfriend. He’s in New York with his daughter.” “What’s a lycan?” “They’re like us, but their wolves are bigger and stronger.” “So they knew?” “Just a couple of people I trust. We can’t tell anyone about what you are.” “You have to tell me whatever you find out about me, Knight. I came with you because my grandfather trusts yo
NIRVANA “It’s a subject for another time.” “And you will be called as Luna. The Luna is her mate’s anchor and supports the alpha’s decisions. She helps the pack and should be the symbol of hope and serves as the mother of the pack. Just like the first lady.” “Luna like a moon?” I turned to Kailin. “Yeah.” “I don’t think I’m fit for it. I pass.” “You can’t run away from this responsibility, Vana.” “The only way to undo this thing is by rejection, right?” Knight just growled beside me, even if his eyes were closed. “We already talked about it, Vana. You can’t undo once it’s done. Unless he hurt you or forced himself on you, you shouldn’t do such a thing, but I never heard a werewolf hurt his mate unless she cheated on him. Even though so, it will hurt one of them.” Knight blew a breath. “That’s enough for one day, Kailin. Let her rest.” *** We landed. At least two SUVs were waiting for us. I didn’t say anything, but it started overwhelming quickly. We were welcomed by his pa
KNIGHT “Where are you taking that?” Aspen was pushing the tray cart in the hallway. Kaleb told me that Kailin and Nirvana didn’t join them over dinner. I also had to go to the office to catch up with work and missed dinner. “Alpha.” She smiled. Aspen was still in college but lost her parents at a young age. I took her in and gave her a job while I paid for her college tuition. She was a little bit shy, but she was a good person. “Kailin asked me to bring food for her.” “Why can’t she take her own food?” “She asked me to take wine, too.” “Huh. Well, next time, tell her to go to the dining room and have dinner there. Don’t you have school tomorrow?” “I have, alpha, but she doesn’t ask for favors often, so I’m good.” “Let me do that. I’m going there, anyway.” “It’s okay, alpha. It’s not a big deal.” “It’s all right. Go to your room and study.” “If you say so. Thanks.” I pushed the cart towards Kailin’s door and knocked. The door opened wide. Kailin didn’t expect to see me wi
NIRVANA The tasting room was newly renovated and had a contemporary design perfect for the weather. Clients and guests had begun arriving, occupying some chairs and tables. There were great appetizers, fruit and cheese boards, sandwiches and wraps, and Charcuterie boards. “Just call me if you need any help, okay?” Haylo did a great job. She was a sommelier and managed the tasting room. I just met her this morning, and I thought she was fantastic. She was in her early thirties but hadn’t found her mate. “You’re going to be busy. Kailin and Heartley are here to help me.” “And thanks for being here.” She smiled. At least there was no bitch around her who was secretly in love with Knight, and if I was being honest, he was the epitome of a man with power and wealth, and the Moon Goddess showered him with so many blessings on the good-looking part. “No problem, and if I sell some bottles, I’m getting a commission.” She chuckled. “Right. Good luck, Vana.” “Thanks.” I instantly saw a
NIRVANA “Yup.” She was still finding the boyfriend in the crowd. “I went to his house, and he wasn’t there. We’re supposed to meet there, but he’s gonna ghost me again.” Huh. “Try calling him again. If he won’t answer, maybe he’s ghosting you. And maybe he’s not good for you.” “What made you say that?” She arched a perfect brow at me. “If a guy is committed, he won’t be late to your date, and he will come and pick you up. Maybe you should do the same.” I shrugged. I didn’t know why I was wasting my time, but it was probably because she was a client. “Damn it, Knight. Where are you?” She fished her phone and checked for the call, maybe. Wait. Did she just say Knight? “What?” She suddenly turned into a mean girl and just snapped at me. “Nothing.” I swallowed hard. It wasn’t nothing because jealousy was a bitch. It hurt even if I just met that manwhore days ago. What hurt the most was he never mentioned he was dating someone. So he did have a girlfriend, and he didn’t tell me.
KNIGHT Alpha Califf and Luna Shadow stayed for a while until dinner. “If what Zarah told me is true, you didn’t know you were a half-werewolf until last week.” Shadow sat next to her mate as she enjoyed her Wagyu steak. “Yeah, but I like being human. You’re lucky, guys. You know what you were since you were born,” Nirvana replied. “Do you wish you could turn the time and never find out?” She shook her head. “I don’t think I would change a thing, Alpha Califf. I can’t live with regrets. My grandfather kept things away from me to protect me, but he knew the time had come when I needed to know what I was. So, I’m okay with my life right now. At least I’m not insane.” Shadow smiled. “You must have freaked out.” “I thought I was gonna pass out.” She chortled. “My adopted father had experienced the same thing.” “You’re adopted? I thought you have a father.” She swatted her hand a little. “Sorry.” “She found out about Alpha King just recently,” I told her. “Her parents died when sh