Alec drives for almost fifteen minutes before we join the center of the small town near the packhouse. Finally, he parks the car near the enormous park where I used to play when I was younger.

We spent hours there with Elijah, Kate, and Caleb. Poor Caleb had to follow our craziness as he was younger than us. I have so many splendid memories in this beautiful green haven.

As we get out of the car, people bow their heads discreetly to us. Even if I have always been respected as the Alpha’s daughter, bowing has never been necessary for our pack. My cheeks blush as people act this way with us. I grab Alec’s hand and pull him against me.

“Everything’s okay, Liv?” Alec asks me, surprised by my sudden discomfort.

“I don’t think I can get used to people bowing when they see me. It makes me feel uncomfortable. It is not natural for me. I was not raised this way,” I whisper.

He stops and kisses me lovingly. After some romantic teasing of his lips against mine, he ends our kiss.

“You became a princess the moment we recognized each other as mates. You will have to get used to it, as it will happen for the rest of our really long life.” He takes back my hand and pulls me to who knows where.

“I am grateful, Olivia. I know you sacrifice a lot by becoming my mate. You had your plans, and everything changed when I attended this ceremony. I did not thank you, and I am sorry for that.” He tightens his grip on my hand as if he was scared I could suddenly decide to run away and disappear into the outside world.

“I hadn’t plan anything, actually.” As I sense his eyes on me, I smile kindly, my head still focused on the street.

“When you told me I was your mate, I told Elijah I had made up my mind, but it was not true. I did not know if I had to stay in the pack as a human, travel through different packs just to meet people and find some incredible inspiration or epiphany among other wolves,” I say. Alec growls at the idea.

“I don’t like the idea of you among other wolves. They would probably try to abduct you to make you their Luna. You are mine, Olivia,” my jealous prince growls. People stare at us, their eyes questioning me while evading Alec’s gaze.

“Maybe we would have been in the same pack for some events, and you would have found me, eventually,” I say, as my thumb rubs the back of his hand to help him calm down.

“If I had left my pack to join a human city, it would have been more problematic. We probably would have never met,” I add.

“Thankfully, my father had the great idea to send me there. Who knows what I would do if I had not found you,” he adds.

“Oh. Well, in fact, you would probably cheat on your mate with some kind of crazy she-wolf,” I answer. For the first time, I’m not bitter. I know Alec is mine. Since Selene and Ares marked each other, Alexander and I have been connected, and all I receive from him is unconditional love.

Alec grabs my waist and throws me over his shoulder. My head and my chest lean against his back as he firmly wraps his left arm around my legs to prevent me from falling.

His right hand gently spanks my butt. I gasp as I did not expect such an action.

“Hey, you! We’re in the middle of the street,” I shout.

“You upset me, young lady. As the legitimate heir to the throne, I have the right to punish anyone,” he says, amusement filling his voice.

“You wish, big bad wolf. I’ll ask your mother, but I’m pretty sure the Alpha King considers his Luna his equal,” I answer, my right hand meeting his butt as my ultimate statement.

“You will be the death of me, little wolf,” Alec says, putting me back on the ground. He kisses me again.

“But I think I’ll take the risk.”

As I study the storefront, I notice all the jewels in the vitrine. I turn my eyes to Alec’s, and I don’t have to word my thoughts.

“That’s not a mark, but at least you will wear something to show that you are my one and only mate,” he says. He takes my hand and pulls me into the jewelry.

“Chose whatever you want.”

I am amazed at the sight of all the marvelous jewels. I have some beautiful gems at home, but I wear them on special occasions. Most of my days are filled with training, painting, and gardening. I don’t need jewels to do this.

There are so many beautiful things that I don’t know how I could choose something.

I finally turn to Alec, whose eyes are focused on me.

“Everything is so beautiful; I don’t know anything I could wear without being afraid of losing it if I turned and forgot to take it off,” I say to my mate.

“But I think I want this,” I say, pointing at a white gold chain bracelet. Then I move to the saleswoman and whisper something in her ear. She smiles at me.

“Of course, Olivia. Wait a minute,” she says. She goes to the back shop and comes back a few minutes later.

“Here it is, Olivia,” she says as she gives me one chain and a little locket.

I walk to Alec and put the chain around his wrist, closing it with the little lock. Alec looks at me, not understanding what I’m doing.

“I think I am the one who should be afraid of losing you. You’re mine. You can put it in your pocket if you have to shift. It can be opened easily,” I say, a smile on my face.

Alec kisses my forehead.

“As you wish, Olivia. I wanted the world to see you were mine, but I suppose I can deal with just being yours,” he says, getting closer to the counter to pay.

The saleswoman looks at him, ignoring the card in Alec’s hand.

“That’s already paid, your Highness. Olivia paid for it, just like the other bracelet,” she answers, giving me a lovely bracelet made of stone.

“Thanks, Joanna. Say ‘Hi’ to your mother for me,” I tell her before waving goodbye.

I take Alec’s hand and get out of the shop.

“I think I missed something. I was supposed to buy you something, not the other hand,” Alec says.

I hold his hand and put it on my belly while we still walk to avoid insistent gazes. Alec’s breath stops for a second as tiny bubbles explode in my belly.

“Is that?” he says, unable to display more.

“You really need to talk to your mother. Your little gifts are far too active,” I whisper, knowing Alec perfectly ears me despite the surrounding noise.

“When?” That’s the only word he says.

“I noticed some change in the mirror this morning. Then in the shop.” We keep on walking in silence for a few more minutes. Then Alec suddenly stops in front of one of my favorite places.

We stand outside the best pizzeria in the city. More than that, it is probably the best pizzeria in the world.

Stating that I love this place would be an understatement. I could eat there every single day. We often came here with Kate, Eli, Julie, and Caleb. After school, on the weekend, to celebrate birthdays, rain or anything. That was basically one of our HQs.

I turn to wrap my arms around Alec, and he chuckles at my moves. Then I stand on my toes to kiss his lips. That is one of the best surprises he could plan for me.

“Happy to know you like the idea,” he answers before kissing my forehead.

“This is perfect. Thank you very much,” I say.

“Why did you choose this place? How did you know?”

“Some little voices told me you loved pizza and that it was your favorite pizzeria. I did not have to think for long,” he says with a breathtaking smile. He seems more and more handsome as days go by. Damn, I could undress right now if we were not in the middle of a crowded street.

“Eli or Kate?” I ask with a grin, trying to erase all the thoughts growing in my mind. Stupid hormones or instincts. At this point, I don’t know what is responsible for my perverted ideas.

“As a Prince, I have to protect people who talk to me,” he adds with a giant smile, then crosses his fingers in front of his mouth to show me he won’t speak. Of course, he will never tell me. But it doesn’t matter.

“I’m so happy we are here together, Alec. It means a lot to me. You can’t imagine.” My fingers pace on his hand, and my body temperature increases again. He must sense it as he takes his hand away to put it on my back and pushes me inside. The waitress leads us to a table in a corner.

I am starving and could eat three or four pizzas, but I have to control myself to not become a werewhale.

After minutes of intense thinking and lots of advice from me to help Alec choose his pizza, we finally order our meal.

I want to talk about everything but what happens in my pack and the heart-breaking plan we intend to start in a few hours. All I want to do right now is enjoy my first date with the most breathtaking man I’ve ever seen in my life.

“What is it like? Your place?” I ask. There’s no need to ask about what my life will be because I don’t think he knows. We did not plan on having pups - even less quickly growing puppies.

“I live in a four-bedroom house. It stands in the giant yard around the palace, so I can live there even if I must stay close to it. That’s nothing like your house. It’s all made of large windows, really modern style. I love to watch what happens around it even when it rains - which happens quite a lot.” I stare at him, listening to Alec’s life back in the Capitale.

“Most of the walls are white. I’m not good at decorating. But if you want to change things there, you’ll do it. In fact, I love your drawing, and I asked your father who was the artist when I saw your works. I would like to have some at home,” he adds with a giant smile on his face.

“Not much more to say. It was my bachelor’s house until I met you. I always imagined it would turn from a house into a home when my mate would be part of my life, so I spent little energy making it warm and welcoming,” he says, passing his hand through his hair.

The waiter brings us our plates, and the smell of the pizzas could make me drool if I was not afraid to make Alec change his mind and reject me for being too gross.

“Can I ask you a favor?” I look at my pizza. I don’t know if that’s the perfect moment to ask for it, but I’m not even sure there is a proper one to speak my request. Alec looks at me, waiting for me to express my mind.

“Can you take Amber’s stuff out before I arrive?” Alec does not react as I expected. He laughs loudly.

“There is no Amber’s stuff in our house. In our home.’ He takes my hand and kisses it before he lets go of it.

“I used to go to Amber’s most of the time. She never met my parents as my girlfriend and was allowed in the palace only for work. It happened she came to my house, I won’t lie. It happened just before I came here, if you want me to be honest,” I let a growl out as he mentions this bitch in our home only a few ago.

“She never had your position. You are the only one to be the rightful future Queen. She’s never been considered my mate by anyone, even if I thought about choosing her in the past,” he says. I hate the idea, and even if Selene is probably in her nest, I can feel her discontent.

“Listen, Olivia. We can decide to get over the mate-bond because we don’t know when or if we will ever meet our true mate. As the future King, my father would have never allowed it. He almost made this mistake before he met my mother, and trust me, he learned his lesson. I was stupid. Never compare yourself to any other woman.” He takes my hand, and my body turns on fire again, easing all my fears.

His touch works like matches on gasoline. My body begs for his. I can’t help but bite my tongue. My heart beats faster and faster. Alec must be mind-linked to one of the guards who came with us as the man nods and goes to the counter. Alec stands up and pulls me a little harshly.

“Alec, the pizzas,” I say, looking at our table.

“Come. We’ll order new ones,” he gasps. As I turn my face, I meet his eyes shining with lust. We go to the back of the pizzeria and enter a small office.

“Alec, what are you…”.

I can’t end my sentence as his lips jump on mine. Mine answer back, and my tongue enters his mouth to find his the moment he cracks his mouth.

Why does he have to push like that when he knows I can turn crazy to mark him at any moment?

“I want to enjoy you while I can. So just forget about everything else, Liv.” His husky voice unlocks the last barrier of sanity I have maintained since I woke up this morning.

I grab his hair with one hand and wrap the other around his neck, assaulting it with my mouth. My fangs elongate to taste his skin.

As Alec realizes how close I am about to mark him, he passes his hand under my dress and enters my panties to push on my clit without hesitation. The fire in me is burning more than ever. I let out a loud growl, releasing a breath I did not notice I was holding. Moans come out of my throat with every breath as Alec drifts his hand to my entrance.

“I want you to cum for me, Liv.” I look into his gleaming eyes. I nod with a moan.

He enters two fingers in me, and my walls tighten around them. Alec’s breath is hot against my skin, wild raspy growls escaping his throat. His fingers thrust harder and harder in me, a third one joining the others. My moans turn into roars of pleasure.

As his body pushes against mine, his rigid member grows against my lower belly. Finally, I let go of his neck and hair and unbutton his trousers.

“What are you doing, little wolf?” he asks, surprised by my action but with a lusty grin on his face. His fingers keep moving in me, rattling me in my deepest core.

“I want to feel you cum when I do. We’ll do it together, mate,” I answer with a husky voice melted with some whimpers as I can’t even think about anything but my mate’s length filling me.

I want it wild, knowing I must live without it for the next days.

Alec takes his fingers out of me, tasting my fluids.

“You taste so good, Liv. You have no idea.” I whimper as I want my mate.

“Your wish is my command, Princess Olivia,” he whispers in my ear. He turns me so I can lean against the wall. His hands grab my hips, pull them against his, and move my panties to one side, so his way is free.

I feel him hard when he enters my core. Back and forth. His moves are solid and rough, even if they are slow.

“Don’t be shy, Alec. Make sure I remember it until next time for the Holy Moon,” I scream at him. His thrusts are getting faster, and loud cries fill the air whenever he hits my cervix. Not knowing it was possible, his manhood is harder than before as his hands clench my hips, moving them to deepen his movements.

I’m about to come, but I don’t want to do it without my mate. I want it to be the perfect communion of our two beings. That’s all I can think as my body stiffens, trying to hold that moment for my mate to join me in ecstasy.

Just do, little wolf.

Alec’s voice orders me in my head. My body shivers, the ultimate pleasure released in all my being. Alec fills me with his semen, his body leaning against mine so he can hide his nose in my hair.

“Fuck, Liv. You’re so perfect for me,” he says, hardly breathing.

“That’s all your fault, Your Highness,” I say, fighting to breathe slowly.

"Anywhere that you go is where I wanna be, perfect mate," he murmurs.

Then he pulls his member out of me, cleaning me with some tissues he took from a box on the desk.

“Here you are, Princess,” he says before kissing me slowly.

“Lucky you can’t be more pregnant than you already are,” he whispers. I chuckle at his words, caressing the soft skin on his cheeks. We mind-link how much we love each other, my guts knowing what will happen tomorrow morning.

We make ourselves presentable, and we go out of the office, his hand intertwining mine, leading me out of the room and back to the dining hall.

My cheeks turn red as the waitress brings us new pizzas when we return to our table.

Why does this day have to end for this darker tomorrow?