Dylan
Bert chuckled, and even Jason couldn't hide his knowing smile.
“You’re totally lovesick,” Bert ribbed, throwing an eye roll at Jason.
Jason chortled. “I heard a rumor that you bought a whole store for your mate in Central Seattle.” He looked at me with wonder as if to say that was something huge to do for my Luna. It had been an outlay of hundreds of thousands for the commercial space, but I had complete faith in my mate’s ability to make it a success. I’d bank everything I had on Cherry without a moment’s hesitation.
My eyes darkened with fierceness. “I’m totally in love,” I said proudly. “There's nothing more important in my entire life than being with Cherry and my daughter.”
I excused myself from their light-hearted ribbing and strode out into the cool fall evening, eager to get to my mate.
After a half-hour drive, I parked in Seattle and found Cherry alone at the store. Maisy had gone home for the day, needing to sort out her new apartment.
Cherry grasped my hand and dragged me excitedly over to the window. “It’s so central, Dylan. We’re just round the corner from the Chihuly–”
“Exhibition. I know,” I said, basking in the sight of her smile as if it were sunshine. “I remembered how you loved it. This way, you’ll be able to go every day if you want to.”
She kissed me, and I knew we were completely on display in the bare window front of the store. Our passionate kiss was framed for all of the curious city dwellers passing by, but I didn’t care. Only when I was breathless did my lips leave hers.
I thought of what we’d talked about, of how Cherry would live at her dad’s for the next few weeks, but a territorial urge shot through me. “You don’t have to live at your dad’s, you know. You and Fern could move straight into my house.”
“Not until after the ceremony,” Cherry said.
I interjected. “You know that kind of old-fashioned stuff doesn’t matter. You do realize that everyone knows we’ve already had sex. I mean, we’ve got a banshee to prove it.”
Cherry laughed. “It’s not about how it looks, Dylan. If I stay at my dad’s for the first month, he’ll get to know Fern more before she moves to the Starsmoon compound. And I’ll be nearer the store at my dad’s and can get it up and running and make sure it’s ticking over before running off to the boonies with you.”
I begrudgingly agreed, even though it would be torture not to fall asleep beside her every night.
“Whatever you want, love,” I said as I picked her up, bundling her into my arms. “But I’m going to have to make the most, even more so, of every moment I get you to myself.”
Cherry’s eyes heated with desire, and I practically barreled into the client fitting room, closing the door with my back. I only put Cherry down so I could bolt the lock across the door should Maisy return unexpectedly.
As I stared down at my mate, I knew from the flush staining her cheeks that she was remembering the night in Berlin when I took her against the wall of the other fitting room. I could already scent her as wetness pooled between her legs. The perfume was an invitation to my cock, which stiffened and soon strained at the waistband of my pants.
I pushed my mate against the wall, ripping her lacey knickers down, then spreading her legs. A grumble of approval escaped my throat as I rolled her tight sheath dress up over her hips, exposing her hot pussy. I kissed the smoothness of her thighs, reveling in each of the quivers and moans she awarded me. My mouth was soon on her sex, tasting her, spreading her further as her wetness filled my mouth.
Cherry’s body stiffened as she gasped, her legs trembling as her orgasm rocked her body.
“Dylan,” she cried; the sound was as sweet as the taste of her. As she gasped my name with needy whimpers, I smiled and let her feel the pressure of my cock against her entrance, the needy moan that escaped her, defeating the last of my self-control. I thrust into her, until I was enveloped by her. Lifting her up, Cherry wrapped her legs around me, and her pussy took the rest of me in.
Her exquisite tightness quivered and shook as I rode her hard, pursuing that moment of intoxicating release. As my pleasure climbed, I drove into her faster and deeper, and she was once more calling my name. As an orgasm shook through her again, I was pulled over the edge with her.
It was in the tender moments as we still heaved in breaths so close to one another that I remembered I needed to share with her the news about the coming battle with the Bloodmoon Pack.
I stroked her cheek, caressing her dainty little chin in my hand as I said, “I need to tell you about the Bloodmoon Pack.” I felt her stiffen in my arms.
“They’re determined to fight us for our resources and land. They’ve made hostilities clear over the last few weeks by attacking the livestock of the ranches neighboring Starsmoon. They’ve stoked the human community’s suspicion of us. I’ve announced war on their pack. I’ll lead our pack into battle tomorrow.”
Cherry’s silver eyes filled with worry. “No.” She clung to me. “I can’t lose you now.” Her gaze misted. “Not when I finally have you completely.”
My lips found hers again, then I reassured her. “Starsmoon is a powerful pack. You won’t lose me, Cherry. Your Alpha will lead his pack into battle, and we will be victorious.”
Her lips closed on mine again and again as if feasting on the promise that had just fallen from them.
***************
Cherry
Dylan had rallied the Starsmoon Pack in the lower fields. All the males were gathered, their grey and white coats glinting in the star and moonlight as night swathed the landscape. Heather and I had collected the females of our pack in our old Luna’s house. Those who could fit had taken to the balconies at either end of the huge reception room, wanting to be outside to watch the battle. The rest of the women were gathered in the main reception room, still alert and listening to the quiet ushering around us.