It’s been a year since I realized that Emlyn was my mate. When’s she’s here, everything in my world feels right. When she’s gone, no matter how much work I have, my days are long and always feel dreary. Thankfully, between the three packs, there are a lot of birthdays and celebrations so I get to see her on the off weeks and weekends. After I “started” the new process of having the visiting Guardians stay in our packhouse, Emlyn spent every third week at Canyon Ridge. That put her closer to my pack lands than if she were in her own pack. My brilliant mate had the idea to meet at the canyon in between the packs when she stayed there. It wasn’t perfect, but it helped to keep me and Finley from going out of our minds. I honestly don’t know where we’ve had sex more often, my bedroom or the forest. My biggest regret is that I can’t treat her like the princess of my heart and future Luna of my pack that she is. When she’s with me, especially when she’s in my packhouse, I do what I can t

It’s so hard to let Emlyn go as I walk into the fray of the neighboring packs. I know exactly what to expect and sure enough, she-wolves immediately surround us. At least at my ceremony, I had a reason to speak to other Alphas and make arrangements for meetings. Now, I’m just the unmated visiting Alpha that apparently needs a bed-warmer while I’m here, at least according to the brazen she-wolf that just whispered that in my ear. I stop listening to her, watching my mate as she walks out, laughing with Cohen and Clint as she effortlessly guides them through the throng of people over to Emerson and introduces them to the Alphas talking with him. I see her side-eye glance in my direction, and it takes a minute for me to realize the scowl on her face is because the she-wolf beside me has possessively put her hand on my arm. I was so distracted by my mate, I hadn’t even noticed. ‘Get her off our arm before I do.’ Finley snarls in my head. Not happy with the look Emlyn just shot our way.

The Alpha discussion of the evening centered around the rogue attacks that have been increasing. Everyone has had at least one attack. I take that back, our three packs have had one attack, the other packs have been attacked multiple times in the past year. Everyone said the same thing I noticed when we were attacked nearly a year ago. The rogues are more structured in their attacks and more skilled in their fighting than they should be. I was never able to get anything from the two in my cells. Rik and Eli were only able to get one each to interrogate and they didn’t get anything either. It was almost as if they didn’t know anything. No one had any answers, and it was decided that it would be brought to the council for discussion and next steps. After nearly getting caught in the bathroom, I was finally able to get my mate to sneak away back to the second packhouse. That night I pleasured my mate until we both were satisfied, then I fell asleep curled up around her. I heard Cayden

After spending another night making love to my mate, I wake up feeling refreshed and ready to talk to Eli and Emerson about having Emlyn take over as acting Luna of my pack. I pack my bags and take a moment to look around Emlyn’s room. While I was excited to spend time in her room, I’ve been a bit preoccupied with her, not looking at her room. Her room is cozy, decorated in warm colors. She’s doesn’t have it splashed with pink like some she-wolves I’ve seen, my younger sisters included. In this room, one wall has been painted to look like the forest covered in snow. I’m guessing the sprites helped with the painting, as I’ve never seen my mate show any interest in it. Her furniture is light brown with cream-colored sheets. Throughout her room are shocks of color, a royal-blue vase holding a beautiful assortment of flowers in various colors, accent pillows in blue, red and green colors, picture frames in various bold colors with pictures of her with her family throughout the years. I lo

Emlyn has my pack running like a well-oiled machine. If I didn’t already know she was meant to be my Luna, I would seriously have to consider taking her as a chosen mate. She’s perfect in every way. She set up a beautiful Beta ceremony for Jackson, with a huge party afterward. Her family, and my family, along with Cohen and Clint were in attendance. “Damn Em. Did you want to come be my acting Luna when Rich finds his mate? You’re doing a damn good job here.” Cohen says to her. “Fuck off, Cohen. She’s mine. Go find your own Luna.” I say, walking up. “We could share her.” I can’t help the snarl that comes with that statement. I know that no one knows what she is to me, but I won’t be sharing my mate with anyone for any reason. He puts his hands up, palms facing forward. “Okay, okay. I’m just saying. Our sisters are gone, and Riley is still too young. I could use someone like Emlyn to help out when I take over in a couple of months. “What about Hope?” Emlyn asks. “What about her?”