🌘Kate
The first thing I noticed was warmth.
Not the heat of my Lycan flames, not the adrenaline of battle, but the deep, steady warmth of Ryker's body against mine. Morning light spilled in through the tall windows, turning the gold threads in the curtains into molten streaks. The air was thick with the mingled scent of us — heady, grounding, and intoxicating all over again.
I blinked slowly, the memory of last night unfurling in my mind like the slow stretch of silk. The claiming. The way his touch had been equal parts demand and worship. The way the mark I gave him had made our bond snap into something tighter, sharper… unbreakable.
Ryker's arm was heavy around my waist, his hand splayed over my stomach as though even in sleep, he couldn't bear to let me go. I turned my head slightly, drinking in the rare sight of him at peace. No commanding glare. No Alpha stiffness. Just the man — my mate — hair mussed, lips parted slightly, breath warm against my temple.
"You're staring," his voice came, rough from sleep but laced with amusement.
I almost jumped. "I thought you were asleep."
"Hard to sleep when my Luna is memorizing every inch of me," he murmured, his eyes cracking open. They were softer this morning, a deep molten amber that caught the light in a way that made my stomach flip.
I smirked. "Well, someone has to make sure the mighty Alpha doesn't lose his edge."
He rolled us so he was half over me, his hand trailing slowly up my side. "You marked me," he said, almost accusing but with pride lurking beneath the words. "Fiercely."
I arched an eyebrow. "You deserved it."
The low growl he let out vibrated through me. "Say that again."
"You deserved it," I whispered, my lips brushing his jaw.
He dipped his head, kissing me with a slow thoroughness that made it hard to remember why I'd wanted to get out of bed in the first place. When he pulled back, it wasn't his voice I heard.
You're mine.
I froze. I'd heard the words, clear as day… but his lips hadn't moved.
You heard that?
I jerked back. "Ryker—"
His smirk turned almost boyish. "You heard me. In your head."
I blinked. "We can—"
"Mind link," he finished for me. "It's part of the bond now."
He sounded pleased, but I could feel his curiosity brushing against my thoughts like a feather. I tried it back — focusing, sending the words rather than speaking them aloud.
You're smug about this.
His grin widened. And you like it.
I shoved him playfully, rolling out of bed before he could start round two.
By the time we left the room, the pack house was buzzing. The scent of breakfast mingled with fresh bread and roasted meat. Conversations paused as we walked past. Eyes flicked to the two marks on our necks — his on mine, mine on his — and the energy shifted.
Respect. Curiosity. Even admiration.
Lila caught my gaze from across the dining hall, leaning against the doorway. She gave me a slow, deliberate smirk and a tiny nod before disappearing into the crowd.
As we crossed the room, a ripple of something strange brushed my mind.
Her hair really is beautiful in the morning light.
I stiffened, glancing toward a nearby warrior who was sipping his coffee. He hadn't spoken aloud. The conversation around us carried on as though nothing had happened. I said nothing, filing it away with a flicker of unease.
After breakfast, Ryker and I lingered near the hearth. A runner entered, handing Ryker a sealed note. His jaw tightened the moment he read it.
"Something wrong?" I asked.
"Just a visiting Alpha in a few days," he said lightly, tucking the letter away. "Nothing for you to worry about."
Lysandra's voice slithered through my mind, calm but sharp. That's a lie.
I schooled my face, saying nothing.
Ryker reached for my hand, his thumb brushing over my mark. "This afternoon, I'll show you the territory. You've seen the heart of the pack… now you'll see its soul."
I smiled, but the truth was, everything felt different now. The bond thrummed between us like a living thing. The pack saw me with new eyes. And somewhere in the background, the hum of unspoken thoughts lingered, just waiting to be heard.