The Alpha’s Mate Who Cried Wolf

Chapter 25

Giggling and blushing as Ryker nips my ear playfully, I let out a slight growl. He puts me on the bed and crawls toward me, kissing me passionately.

“I love you, I say, staring into his eyes.

“I love you. I've wanted nothing more in my life,” he whispers.

'l want you to mark me, Ryker. It's time the world knows/ belong to you and you, alone.

"Are you sure you are ready?’ He asks as his eyes glisten longingly into mine.

IL

Ryker pulls me on top of him, so I'm sitting fully on his lap. He caresses my back as we kiss with intense passion.

“Ryker,’ I whisper.

“Astrid, he whispers. He grazes the spot on my neck, readying himself to mark me, and bites down with his protruded fangs. An overwhelming sense of love and euphoria rush through my body.

My fangs protrude, and I hover over the marking spot on Ryker's neck before biting down on his skin. Intense drowsiness overwhelms me. I bite into his nape, marking him before I slump into his chest and instantly fall asleep.

The sun shines on my face and hearing the sound of chirping birds outside the window wakes me. Feeling euphoric, only my neck aches where Ryker has marked me. I sit up slowly,

rubbing my neck.

“Good afternoon, my beautiful Luna,” he says, smiling, sitting on the edge of the bed.

'Is it really afternoon? Did I sleep all day?” I ask, surprised. Ryker laughs.

"You've been asleep for two days, he says, smirking.

“What? How did I manage that?" I'm shocked.

'I expected you to be knocked out for a couple of days after marking you,’ he smiles. I lift my legs out of bed to stand up,

and he races over to me.

“Where do you think you're going?’ He asks and wraps his arms around my waist and kisses my neck.

We snuggle up on the bed. I rest my head and hand on Ryker's chest.

“It feels so right to be with you. It feels so good. Words can't express how much I love you. The thought of not being with you hurts me so much, I confess.

'I feel the same way, Astrid, and wish I could keep you in my arms forever," he says, kissing the top of my head. Knowing ! need to see how all my pack members are going, I have my shower and dress for the day.

When I look at my cheeks in the mirror afterwards, they have a

nice red tinge, and my green eyes seem more apparent and brighter somehow. I feel amazing for the first time. I feel safe and loved. Giggling, we waltz down the stairs like two giddy teenagers in high school. I sit on his lap in the dining room while we feed each other.

“I can't believe how cute you two are, Mia gushes, taking a seat facing us.

We blush and giggle. Ryker gives me a huge grin before quickly pecking me on the nose.

“It's so good to have our Luna home,’ Seth smiles.

“It sure is, Ryker says, kissing and nuzzling my neck. I can't stop squirming and laughing. It tickles so much.

“Ryker, stop it. It tickles," I plead, between laughs. He pulls me closer and kisses me on the cheek. Everyone in the dining room is extremely happy for us. We finish our meals with much joy and love floating around the table.

“What happened to Alice and Vanessa?’ I ask. Everyone pauses and waits for Ryker to explain.

After what they did and tried to do, I couldn't kill them. I couldn't release Alice and Vanessa without monitoring them, though. Now that Alpha Zenith and her sons are dead, Alice is a shell of her former self. I think that's punishment enough for her, Vanessa is more upset about losing her brothers, more than anything. I gave them the options of staying in the cell

indefinitely or returning to their old pack territory to help upkeep the land. Alice is no longer Luna, so she has no power or authority. They're also not allowed to leave the territory without my permission, he explains.

“Hayley and I are thinking of moving there, so we can monitor Shady crest for you and Alpha Ryker, Kane says.

“That's a good idea. Who knows what trouble Vanessa and Alice may cause in future? I'm glad. I won't have to walk on eggshells around them. Now that I have my wolf, I can defend myself. They won't be a threat to us anymore,’ I say.

Everyone nods in agreement and smiles.

“What are the plans for the rest of the day, Alpha?’ Kane asks.

“Our Luna and I have some work in the office we need to start, Ryker says. I smile.

“Really?’ I say, excited.

"You're Luna now. We do everything together,” he says with a beaming smile. I wrap my arms around his neck and nuzzle his mark.

“How are you feeling?" I ask, referring to his mark.

I feel happier than I have ever felt.’ He smiles. “How are you feeling?

I mean your mark: I laugh.’ I'm a little tender from it, but I'll be

fine in a few days,’ I assure him.

Finishing our breakfast, we go upstairs to his office. Ryker pulls up an extra chair next to me and sits. He places a stack of clean A4 paper and some pens on the desk in front of me.

Oo

'We need to write to all the packs informing them Shady Crest is now our territory, and you're now our Luna,” he says. He writes the first letter before I copy everything he has written on a few more bits of paper. I write names and addresses on envelopes and enclose our letters inside them.

“All done!” I say, smiling.

It's getting dark. Do we want to let our wolves out for a run?" He asks.

"Yeah, let's go!" I grab his hand and lead him downstairs, running out the front door excitedly, removing all our clothes and shifting into our wolves. I lunge at Ryker, and we roll over dramatically. I nip at his face, and we bolt toward the woods playfully together. We play like a couple of puppies: nipping, yapping and nudging each other. We keep running until we find a lake, we come to a halt. I jump into the water full speed ahead. Then, in human form, I stand up in the water and flick my hair back in a wet wave high above my head.

Ryker’s wolf is staring at me from the bank. The water reaches up to my shoulders. Ryker jumps full speed ahead into the water, splashing me.

“Ryker!" 1 yell, grinning excitedly. He lingers under the lake's surface before bobbing up again in human form.

We stare into each other's eyes and kiss.

He pulls me against his chest and holds me, stroking my back.

"You're amazing,’ he says. I look up at him.

“No, babe. You're amazing,’ I say, my eyes twinkling.