Chapter 65

**Luna**

My heart races as Milo leads me out of my nest and down the stairs to where the others must be waiting for us. When we enter the entertainment room and all eyes turn to me I feel the urge to turn and run. My face heats knowing that every guy here is aware of what Declan and I had done. Subconsciously I reach up and brush my finger over the bite mark on my neck. I catch Kai's eyes following the motion and I quickly drop my hand.

Milo walks me over to an empty spot on the free couch and takes a seat next to me. He doesn't let go of my hand and I keep my eyes low. I'm not ready to see the emotions in the other guy's eyes now that one of them had bitten me. Are they angry? At the moment I wasn't really thinking about what the consequences would be. It was all overwhelming and it felt so right, but now I feel like I've made a huge mistake.

A few moments later the other side of the couch dips and I know it's Declan when his strong arm wraps around my waist. I could recognize that scent anywhere, and now that scent was all over me. If no one was aware just by looking at me what we had done, the thick layer of his scent on my skin would easily give it away.

My stomach is tight with unease and worry, so I chance a glance at the guys and see their mouths moving with discussion. Rowan seems angry but the others look concerned. Do they think Declan forced me into this?

I couldn't let them think that! I turn to look at Milo and tap his hand that still held mine to get his attention.

I pull my hand free and sign, *"Are they angry with Declan?*"

He nods. "*They think he forced you.*" He signs back and anger flares up in me.

"*He didn't! I wanted to be with him!*" I sign quickly and adamantly.

Forgetting that the others can't understand me I turn to them and start to sign frantically. "How could you think he would hurt me? He is my Alpha, and I know he would never hurt me!"

Milo reaches out and grasps my hands.

"*Calm down, it's okay*." Milo signs to me and I take in a few deep breaths. "*They know he won't hurt you but they were worried that it may feel too soon for the bond mark. They want to make sure you don't feel pressured. We wanted to discuss it with you first before we took that step.*"

Understanding finally tames that anger that had boiled up inside me and I relax.

They wanted to be sure I was ready for the bond mark. I can understand their concern since I wasn't sure I was ready either until that moment. It felt right to let Declan mark me, and now I feel even more relaxed and safe with my new mark. Like I really belong to him now, and it's creating a warm feeling inside me.

"*I know it is soon, but I am happy he did. Now I feel like I'm part of the pack. It feels nice.*" I sign to Milo and a slight smile forms on his lips.

"*You are a part of this pack, mark or not but I understand.*" He sings back before turning his attention to the guys again.

I sink back into Declan as I watch the guys talk and I enjoy the warm feeling of his body against mine. Every touch feels heightened now and it makes me want to climb into his lap and snuggle as close as possible to him. I'm not sure if he could read my mind or the shifting I was doing gave me away because a second later I was right where I wanted to be. I glance at him and he gives me a knowing smile that makes my insides melt instantly. His arm wraps around my waist again and this time it's to pull me as close to his chest as possible. My head easily falls to lay close to his neck and I move just close enough to take in a deep breath of his scent.

My eyes feel too heavy and I can't stop the pull of sleep once it takes hold of me.

So peaceful.



**Kai**


Seeing Luna curled up to Declan is making me want to stomp over to them and pull her away. Freakin prick marked her before any of us could and now he is going to hog all of her attention. Honestly, I don't care that he marked her, I'm just upset that he was first.

Sure it's only a temporary mark but I'm still pissed.

"We were supposed to discuss this before marking her Declan that's all I'm saying," Rowan says sounding tired.

I'm tired too and we seem to be talking in circles.

"Look it doesn't matter. What's done is done, but from here on out why don't we allow Luna to decide the pace of things. I know that my instincts are going crazy telling me to mark her, but I think when she's ready we'll know." Milo adds and we all nod in silent agreement.

"So what was it like?" I ask Declan after a few silent moments.

He narrows his eyes at me and I give him an innocent look.

"It was intense." He says and we all sit silently and wait for him to continue. "She was very...responsive."

"Lucky bastard," Bennett says under his breath and I chuckle.

As much as we get under each other's skin in this group, I'm happy for him that he will be able to form some kind of bond with Luna even a small one as they have now. I would have felt terrible that he wouldn't be able to feel that kind of bond with her. His having half Alpha DNA probably feels a lot more like a blessing now. Bennett has struggled with trying to balance himself with the conflicting natures of his two sides. His condition is extremely rare, and it hasn't been easy for him. It's one of the big reasons he is with us.

Usually, a child is born as one thing, but somehow Bennett was born displaying both Beta and Alpha characteristics. In our world that makes him a bit of an oddity, but it also makes for an interesting time. He can face off any Alpha but also take on the everyday things that Beta's enjoy. I kind of envy the guy sometimes.

"Well, one good thing is that Luna now bears a temporary mark. That should help ward off any other Alphas wanting to get close to her. Let's get some dinner going and make sure our girl is fed and comfortable. She seems to enjoy watching movies so we can pick something out to watch and eat dinner here." Rowan says and we get to our feet to follow his orders.

All except for Declan who is clinging on to Luna like she is a precious treasure, which she is. I stop next to him and give her a good long look. She's beautiful and I long so badly to hold her like he is.

"Do you think she would be okay with me snuggling in with you guys tonight? I'm sure she'll want you there after today." I say.

He nods. "I think she'll like that."

I think she'll like it too. The woman from Haven did say that we should make more of an effort to join her in her nest, and that is exactly what I will do as long as she will let me.

My hand reaches out of its own accord and I tuck a strand of her hair away from her face before I turn and leave the room. I decide to grab a bunch of blankets and a few extra pillows so that Luna can make a little makeshift nest on the couch. Instead of grabbing fresh blankets though I pull some from my room. Now she'll have my scent all over her too.

When I return to the game room Luna is sitting up in Declan's lap and facing the TV. Milo is sitting on one side of them scrolling through the channels and I decide to take the space on the other side of them. As soon as I'm seated I hold the blanket I have in my hand to Luna and she gives me a sweet smile.

She stands and wraps the blanket around her but doesn't sit back down in Declan's lap. Instead, she stays standing in front of me and nervously chews her bottom lip. I watch her, unsure of what she wants. I know what I want and now seems as good a time as any to make a move. So I reach out and grab two corners of the blanket and tug on it hard enough to make her move closer to me.

When her knees bump against mine I reach out and grab her hips. Her wide eyes watch me as I turn her slightly and tug her down into my lap. Her scent instantly wraps around me and when she finally relaxes and leans into me I wrap her up tight.

Perfect.