Chapter 13-

The men cleaned up and changed before joining us women in the main hall. Devastation and fear racked through me as I thought about my sweet Lucas. Even though most of us were unhappy it looked like acceptance for what was about to happen was sinking into our group as well. I think we all knew running wouldn’t get us anywhere.

When James entered the room followed by his men all of the air in the room seemed to disappear. He looked directly at me as he addressed the room. “As the Alpha of this pack and victor of our competition I will choose my mate first, followed by the others in their ranking order. Nothing brings me more pleasure than to introduce you to your new Luna and my queen.” Heavy hands pulled me out of my seat and away from Ava. Tears wet my face as his heavy presence shadowed me. I have never felt so small or carried such heaviness before, I knew he would choose me but now with his hands on me and his hot breath fanning my neck all hope was lost. When my eyes opened, I saw the heartbreak written all over Lucas’s face his eyes on the floor but as I scanned the rest of the room the men looked happy, they eyed me with pride and respect. Seeing them this way made me think of all that they have lost. I only hoped that at that moment that I could be strong, strong enough to not break under the weight of the man behind me.

“Ember Black Luna of the Black Moon pack.” Shock followed by searing pain rang throughout my body. It felt like fire ran through my veins and black splotches covered my vision. The only sound I could make out other than the wild cheers ringing throughout the large room was the thundering of my heart. His strong hands held me up against him as my body sagged. When my senses began to clear I realized his sharp teeth were still buried inside my neck. The burning feeling began to subside as James released his fangs from my tender skin, but the weakness in my body became almost overwhelming. James ran his wet tongue over his bite moaning along my skin making me shudder. His eyes locked with Lucas’s red burning eyes and roared out to the room. “Mine!” He picked me up and set me down in his lap as he sat next to the fire his hands stoking my hair as if I were his pet. I still felt weak being held in his arms like I would crash to the floor if I wasn’t being held onto by James.

Lucas was next to pick a bride and he gave me a sad small smile as his hand reached out to Ava. He didn’t bite her like James had done to me, he only brought her to stand next to him on the side of the room. She cried softly but didn’t move or object, I hated the jealously raging through me knowing he had picked someone else. I knew he would choose another, that he had to now that I was claimed by the Alpha, but it made my stomach turn thinking about his hands on her. Hands that I wanted only touching me. It surprised me but none of the other men bit the women they chose, and the ceremony didn’t last long the men seemed to have a pretty good idea of who they wanted ahead of time.

I was happy to see that Shane had chosen Rachel they seemed well matched. I know that he gave off a scary I’m the boss vibe, but I got a strong sense of loyalty and a kindness as well, all though they might not be as apparent. Despite the fact that she had not been happy before the games about not having a choice, she now seemed to accept the situation. It appeared much to my surprise that most of the women had a quiet resolve about them. I was also happy to see that Ian was excluded from competing and choosing a bride. He still bore the bruises from his punishment and you could tell the other men scorned him. The thought of him with one of the women made me feel sick.

At the conclusion of the choosing of brides James stood and grabbed my hand leading me from the lodge. There was a part of me that wanted to run but I still felt weak from his bite and I knew he would catch me anyway. I turned and looked at Lucas my heart sinking; all I wanted was to be wrapped in his arms. I had the feeling James would not be a gentle as his brother.

James:
I wonder if she hates me. Part of me hates myself for not being able to give her to my brother, I know that’s what they both want. The second I saw her coming off that ship something in me shifted. I am drawn to her in a way I didn’t think existed anymore something that is rare and precious. She is my true mate, made for me by the moon goddess. How could I have even considered letting go of her?
Long ago when our race of shifters was created by the moon goddess, she gave us gifts. The power to take on wolf form, strength, speed and quick healing were some of them, but the greatest gift was that of true mates. A woman who was made for you, to match you, provide you with companionship and strong heirs. It was also a way to prolong our species, to make our numbers grow and our communities to be strengthened. It’s said when you are connected with your mate it gives you a whole new level of strength. A male shifter can mate any woman but when one is destined for you created with a soul to match your own, it makes your seed that much more potent. Therefore, making conceiving that much easier and the strength of the offspring that much greater. When a true mate bond is recognized it also sends the woman into a hormonal frenzy driving her body wild with lust until she is pregnant. In turn the pheromones the female releases during this period makes her partner equally lust driven.
When we had displeased our goddess by waging war with our own kind; her other creations she took that precious gift from us, making our numbers plummet. A true mate is now a rare treasure only given to those blessed by our goddess, our creator. I was mated before but by my own choosing, a beautiful woman that I grew up with, that was my friend. Rebecca was the one I lost along with my son Adam. He only lived one week on this earth before he was stolen from me.

After they were taken from me, I thought every good thing in me died along with them, but Ember makes my heart race I want to try to be whole again with her. I’ll make her see that we belong together and that we can have a good life, leading our pack and rebuilding all that we lost. In time Lucas will move on with his chosen bride. He told me that Ember was his destined mate, but I know she can’t be, not when I feel the pull to her the way I do. I will show her and everyone in this pack that she belongs to me. Having her near me now even though I know she is distressed fills me with a gentle peace.

I drag her along behind me her small hand dwarfed in my own, I made sure the cabin as ready for her. I Put all the clothes I bought for her in the closet and got all the things I know a woman needs and put them away for her. I built this cabin after Rebecca and Adam died, I burned down the home we shared after they were murdered, I couldn’t stomach it existing without them in it. I almost feel like I am betraying them by starting again but I know Rebecca would want my happiness. There is a pain in my chest as I look at Ember but also a deep longing to make her love me as I used to feel loved. We reach the house I built for her and I know she is afraid. “We are home wife. I hope you feel comfortable and safe here. If there is anything you need you only have to let me know. “Thank you.” She answered me quietly pulling her hand out of mine.

Ember:
I looked up at James and gave him a small smile. I peered around the house it was so well built and comfortable. I was surprised by the size it was much bigger than the home I had shared with my family and we had five people living together. Thinking of them pains me. I wonder what my parents and sister are doing now. Even though I am here in this new community and not living the life I thought I would be I will strive to be someone that they would be proud of. I now understood why bringing women into their community was important, but I hated that my choice of partner had been taken from me. There was something though and I wasn’t sure what is was that drew me even now to James, even though all I wanted was to be in his brother’s home not here.

“Let me show you around, this is your home now so feel free to change things if you see fit.” James took me into the kitchen and breakfast nook. The living room was lovely with chairs, fur rugs and a large fireplace. It had everything that homes in town would but also had simple homey touches. Upstairs were four bedrooms and a bathroom. Three of the bedrooms were simple with beds closets, a small desk and a nightstand. James led me into the last room down the hall it was much larger than the others and beautiful. It had a large log framed bed, a small fireplace with chairs to the side, and a large armoire. The feature of the room was a large tub next to a huge window overlooking the forest. It also had a changing screen next to the tub and full mirror. “This is our room; I have already placed clothes in the wardrobe for you. I want you to be comfortable here.” “It’s a beautiful home Alpha, it’s much bigger than I thought it would be.” “Please call me James. I wanted it to be big enough for our family.” My blush and nervousness did not escape him as he mentioned children. “There is also a small den downstairs I can show you; I use it as an office, and it holds a small library.” I nodded and took in the lovely space. I did appreciate all the effort he put in to make me comfortable. This was not what I had been expecting when I woke up today, but I hope that we can eventually find our footing and maybe even someday try to make each other happy.