𝖍𝖊𝖆𝖛𝖊𝖓

I woke up to an empty spot beside me, the pillow indented and the blankets still warm.

I rubbed my eyes tiredly, clearing them of any cloudiness as I awoke.

Glancing drowsily around the room, I searched for any sign of August.

As my senses slowly began to reappear, I noticed the faint trickling sound of the shower running from the conjoined bathroom.

Resigning that August had decided on a shower, I crawled unsteadily out of bed, making my way over to the large walk-in closet.

Deciding to dress in something nicer than August's oversized t-shirts for once, I rummaged through all of the fashionable clothes that Tara had forced me to buy when we had went shopping.

I placed on a form-fitting plaid miniskirt, tucking a loose black turtle neck into it. I then slipped on a large grey denim jacket and pair of hoop earrings to complete the look.

Running my fingers quickly through my straight hair, I stole a quick glance into the full-length mirror, admiring how well I did at choosing an outfit.

Tara would be proud.

I offered my reflection a quick smile. It was strange; no more than three weeks prior, I had been looking into a dirty mirror, staring right back at a pair of broken, soulless eyes. Now, the eyes in my reflection beamed of something new, the deep midnight color sparkling with an emotion that I hadn't seen since before my dad had died.

I was abruptly pulled from my reminiscing by the sound of the closet door swinging open. I must have been too enthralled in my own thoughts to have heard the shower shutting off.

August strolled leisurely in, nothing but a white towel hanging lowly off of his hips keeping his decency.

He stopped in his tracks the moment he saw me, his eyes scanning me from head to toe, and back up again.

"Wow," August choked out, his eyes still taking me in, "You look...nice."

With his confidence-boosting comment, I strolled up to him, his intimidating height towering over my small body.

But this time, I was the one in control, and it was fun.

I placed my hand leisurely on August's bare chest, loving the look of the water still glistening off of his toned body.

I smiled sweetly, enjoying the nervous look in his eyes as he watched my every move.

I leaned forward on my toes, placing my spare hand on his head, twining my fingers into his hair that had just begun to form into soft curls.

"You don't look so bad yourself," I murmured lowly into August's ear, and pulled back to see the look on his face.

His eyes flickered momentarily to a brighter shade of amber, and I could tell that I was triggering the more animalistic instincts in him.

A low groan left his lips.

"What are you doing to me?" He whispered, wrapping his arms around my waist, pulling me flush against him.

He leaned in slowly, placing his lips softly against mine. The kiss was deep and long, and it revealed emotions that neither of us could express merely in words.

We pulled apart slowly, as if we were both upset that we needed to come up for air.

August leaned our foreheads together as we each took a moment to catch our breath.

August lifted his head to meet my eyes, still keeping me wrapped securely in his arms.

"Before we get too carried away, I had an idea that I wanted to talk to you about." August said, breaking the tense silence between us.

"Well, how about you get dressed first, then we can talk." I responded jokingly, eyeing his minimal attire.

"Please," August spoke dramatically, "From the way you've been eyeing me, I can tell that you're enjoying the view."

I rolled my eyes at his statement.

"Cocky much, are we?" I joked.

"Just joking baby," he chuckled, running one of his hands smoothly through my hair.

Ever so slowly, he bent down to place his mouth directly beside my ear.

"Besides," He whispered, causing my entire body to shiver at his near-touch, "You're the one that has me wrapped around your little finger."

He gave me one last smirk before turning towards the small portion of my closet that had begun to accumulate some of his clothes.

"Now, gorgeous," He called over his shoulder, "Although I'm entirely willing to let you watch me change, I don't think that you would exactly be comfortable with the idea."

I snapped out of my staring, blushing profusely now that I had been caught.

"R-right," I stuttered out, embarrassed, "I'll be downstairs then."

I raced out of my room, hearing August's deep laugh sound out from behind me.

I made my way to the kitchen, deciding to simply grab an apple for a light breakfast.

As I peacefully had my breakfast, a loud bang of a door slamming, and urgent footstep came from a few rooms over.

The sound must have alerted August from upstairs. In merely a moment, he was by my side, assisted by his superhuman speed.

"What was that?" August asked, fully on guard, keeping an eye out for any signs of danger.

August was dressed now in a pair of grey sweatpants and a nicely-fitting black t-shirt. I looked him up and down appreciatively, not paying any mind to his tense mood.

I eyed him lazily, completely unaffected by his urgent tone.

"There's no danger August," I dully assured him as I turned away and continued to carelessly chew on my apple, "Unless you count being talked to death."

And with that, Tara burst dramatically into the room, dressed in her signature loud clothes, as usual.

"Heaven!" She shouted, crushing me in an overexcited hug.

"Hey Tara," I smiled.

I saw August relax out of the corner of my eye as he saw that I wasn't in any immediate danger, besides being crushed to death in one of Tara's suffocating hugs.

"I came with a mission," She stated, pulling herself out of the hug, "We need to look awesome for the pack gathering tonight."

"Pack gathering?" I questioned, turning to look at August, who looked at me wide-eyed, like a child who had just been caught in the cookie jar.

"Oh, shit," Tara cursed, staring between the two of us, "Was I not supposed to say anything?"

I kept my gaze fixed on August.

"That's what I wanted to talk to you about earlier." He said sheepishly.

"And what is this pack gathering for?"

"Well, I was thinking that I could officially introduce you as Luna," He spoke nervously, seeming to be in fear of upsetting me," B-but that's only if you want, of course"

"Wow," Tara muttered into my ear, "I've never seen the Alpha look nervous before. Good job girl."

She stuck her hand out for a fist bump. I rolled my eyes, then returned it.

I faced back towards August, sighing deeply as I thought over my options.

Well, it's going to have to happen eventually.

"Okay," I announced, "Let's do it."