* * * Max’s POV * * *‘Alpha, we have visitors,’ a voice calls in my head. Can I seriously not get a break? Can’t I just live in peace with my mate? Even for a little while. ‘Everyone, we have unexpected visitors. Warriors, please adopt your usual positions for now. Jasper, Damian, Jessica, Jason, and John come with me to the gate. Everyone else, please make your way home and stay inside.’ I instruct my pack. And lead the way to the pack entrance gate. I can’t help but repeat Darius’s words in my mind, to watch my back and my borders. But I can’t help but feel that the visitors mean no harm. Why else would they approach the main gate without causing alarm? It feels good pushing Nate and feeling his muscles flex and stretch as they work. We train often and practice various scenarios, but nothing can beat first-hand experience. Often, I train with Jasper. I’d like to be able to say I beat him often, but more often than not, by the time I hear him coming, I’m on my arse. He pushes us
* * * Eve’s POV * * *This is the first time in so many years that I’ve gone to bed with hope in my heart. My world has changed dramatically in such a short space of time and now we are blessed to be able to change the world of those here in the new New Moon pack. Here, with my mate, I will begin the Moon Goddess’s work. First, I must heal, train to become strong, rebuild this pack and make allies. I fall asleep quickly. A deep and dreamless sleep, probably due to a combination of the last couple of days' events, lack of sleep and the extremely soft and comfy mattress I’m laid on. I’m startled awake by the sound of tormented screams. I race from my bed to find the sound coming from Max’s room. I open the door to find he’s thrashing in bed, eyes closed and screaming. I try to rush forwards to soothe him, but Cora stops my movement. ‘Stop, you can’t startle him awake, he could lash out’. She tells me. While Cora is speaking to me, the sound of the front door being kicked down reaches
* * * Max’s POV * * *Seeing the pups' faces the morning after we had spent the night putting together play equipment had made the sleepless night worth it. The pure joy on their faces when their parents had brought them to the packhouse, and they saw that their usual playing green contained everything they had asked for. That’s what being an Alpha is all about. The last couple of days have been boring and uneventful. Much of my time has been spent inspecting every house and the land, while Damian has looked at the finances and businesses of the pack. There’s a lot of work that needs doing and now I find myself having to retype the to-do list in order of priority. I hope the pack understand that I’m not placing one family above another, and it’s purely based on living standards. The boundary walls and security are the top priority. I can’t take Darius’s final words lightly. We’ve created a 24-hour patrol schedule, with increased bodies. And work on the walls has already begun. We’re
* * * Eve’s POV * * *It’s been two weeks since Max has taken over as Alpha and the New Moon pack has been reborn, and while things are far from perfect, life in this pack has drastically improved for everyone. There’s a clear training program in place for all wolves. The classes are arranged according to their abilities. Even the she-wolves and pups over the age of eight are training, it’s clear to see they find it empowering and uplifting.I’m only allowed to train with Max, Damian, and Jasper. While we don’t believe any of the pack mean any harm, nobody wants to take the chance. With their tuition and Cora’s abilities, I’m becoming stronger. I can feel the healthy weight I have gained from proper nutrition and safe training. There’s been a ridiculous number of volunteers to help build the boundary wall around the perimeter and building work has been going on non-stop day and night. Due to the sheer volume of people working, we’ve already built half of the 12-foot wall. Jasper has
* * * Eve’s POV * * *I feel the most at peace and the calmest I’ve ever felt as I lay in Max’s arms after he’s made love to me. I’m no longer a virgin, and yet it doesn’t feel wrong or right. It’s just meant to be, being here with this man who cares so much for me already. Our fate is written in the stars and has now been sealed beneath the moon.I’m going to tell him that I’m ready for him to mark me the night before the ceremony. I want the mark to be fresh as we announce our next chapter before everyone’s eyes.His arms are protectively wrapped around me. My head is laid on his chest and the soothing rhythm of his heartbeat is sending me to sleep. Max has been asleep for about an hour, but my mind has been racing, from thoughts of how perfect this night is, to how to help my mother, how and when I will tell Max of the Moon Goddess’s plan for me, and to find a solution for David. Eventually, I feel my eyelids drooping and I drift into a deep sleep while within my mate's arms.* *
* * * Max’s POV * * *We’re about to leave the sisters with a lot of work to be done. Combining two spells to make a new one is apparently tricky and dangerous work. The slightest wrong wording within the incantation or using the wrong herb or plant can lead to disastrous effects. They have asked that they be left undisturbed and have given me specific times for their meals to be delivered to them and advised us that we won’t hear from them until it has been completed. We are being ushered out of the house when a thought strikes me, “Where is your other companion? I haven’t seen her since you arrived and pledged into the pack.” I ask Mags.The three of them laugh, “She’s an old hermit and old habits die hard. She’s still scared of being around wolves. Give her time,” Mags answers me.“I’m NOT a hermit, and I’m not scared, and who are you calling old? You’re 30 years older than me,” a voice snaps in the back room. The tone is sharp, but there is humour hidden within it. “Well come and
* * * Damian’s POV * * *’I can’t help but plan to give Max some stick. I’d had no idea I was going to walk in on that. I’m just thankful that I wasn’t a few minutes later. Nobody needs to see one of their best friends’ balls deep. Oh, he’s never going to live this down. Unless he catches me in a compromising position, then we will call a truce. “Bye Eve, make sure you be good. And if you can’t be good, don’t get caught again,” I tease as she rushes out the door laughing at herself, while casually flipping the ‘v’ over her shoulder. I’m still chuckling to myself as I shut the office door, laughing even harder, when I turn and see Max glaring at me, with his hands covering his crotch. “Damn Maxi, I know you love me. But do you want to tell Mr Happy to calm down? He’s making me nervous,” I laugh, as I nod to his pants. “Perhaps if you were able to last a little longer yourself, I could have finished”,” Max quips. “Do you want some whiskey in this coffee buddy?” I ask him. “Would yo
* * * Eve’s POV * * * I can hardly believe that a whole week and a half has come and gone. Time seems to have moved at warp speed. We are now days away from hosting guests and holding the ceremony. The area by the lake has been transformed. There are a large number of benches and seats all placed around a small stage. The stage is 15ft by 8ft, just high enough to elevate us, so that everyone in attendance can see us. Hayley has prepared the decorations for this area and the dining hall, which she will set up on the day. Given how little notice she was given, she’s outdone herself. When she’d shown me the mock-up of the ceremony area and the dining hall, I’d been impressed but doubtful that we could achieve it. I can’t believe it’s the same area. I’m beyond nervous about taking my vows in front of the council and other pack Alphas, the only thing that calms me is that Becca will also be taking hers. That, and knowing that Max will be with me the whole time, soothes my nerves to a man