Amira

"So are you going to tell me about 'the man with the rainbow eyes' or is it some deep secret between you and Robert?" Caine follows me to the library as I examine the books on the shelf, searching for anything that could help me understand who that man was.

"I don't know who he is," I answer Caine, my eyes intensely scanning each shelf as I move to the next row. He follows close behind me.

"What are you looking for?"

"Something to help me know who he is."

"Well did you get anything else from your vision? Other than the fact that he has rainbow eyes? His name maybe?" I turn and look at him.

"Clayton," I say, "his name was Clayton." Caine looks as if he's trying to recall hearing that name before.

"I feel like I've heard it before, but I can't remember where. Why do you think he's important?"

"I don't know. The whole vision, I was just... intrigued, you know?" I run my fingers across the spines looking for some kind of title that might help, but nothing stands out.

"Well, I think we have bigger things to worry about right now. Tyson changes in five days, and we aren't prepared for it at all. I think this Clayton guy, whoever he may be, is going to have to wait," I sigh in realization.

"You're right. Tyson is more important right now."

"Let's go get something to eat. I want you to join me when Logan, Brayden, Tyson, and I talk strategy tonight." I scrunch my brows in confusion at his words.

"Why?"

"Because you're going to be Luna. You should see how everything is run," he smiles and offers me his hand. I take it and let him lead me to the kitchen for dinner.

***************************************

"The new soldiers aren't ready yet. They need another month at least if we even have a chance. Getting to Trenton won't be easy," Brayden speaks from across the round table.

Tyson, Brayden, Caine, Logan, and I are currently in Caine's office, circled around a table that contains a small 3D map of not only our pack territory but the rest of the Northern Hemisphere as well.

"We aren't attacking the week Tyson changes. He will need time to adjust to his new body and status, his enhanced skills," Caine talks in a serious tone, making it very hard for me to concentrate. "The soldiers will have time to well-prepare themselves if we warn them of what's coming in the future. I will contact other pack Alphas and see if we can form more alliances, rather than with just Daniel."

"The only thing is," Brayden speaks again, "if Trenton does have allies, then who are they? Paxton can't be one of them, he would never agree with Trenton's ways. We know Daniel isn't, because he helped us with Tyson and he doesn't take sides unless it's the best for all of the packs. Who does that leave?"

"The rogues?" Tyson speaks.

"The rogues wouldn't participate in anything that includes the packs. My guess is that Trenton lied to his men to encourage him. That spy that we rid of a few weeks ago honestly believed that Trenton had allies. Trenton probably lied knowing that I'd get a hold of him. He wanted to scare me, knowing that I can detect lies. If a wolf honestly believes there are allies, then he can't lie about it," Caine reasons.

"So that leaves Paxton," Logan speaks for the first time.

"Who's Paxton?" Tyson asks.

"Alpha of the Valentene Pack. His pack is all about peace, he wouldn't take Trenton's side," I say.

"How can you be sure? He's going to have to take a side if war does break out, won't he?" Tyson seems confused. Why wouldn't he be? He knows little of the packs, their ways, and their alphas.

"I guess there's only one way to find out," Caine says and we all look at him in confusion. "Take Tyson to him. Show him our leverage."

"I'll do it," Brayden speaks. "Tyson and I can travel to the Valentene Pack tomorrow. We'll speak to Paxton and can be back in three days, just in time for his changing."

"That's cutting it kind of close," I say, worried, and I can see a slight tinge of worry in Tyson's eyes at my words as well.

"No, that will work. We know Tyson isn't changing for another six days, so they'll be back in time if they leave tonight."

"Tonight?" Tyson seems shocked.

"Go get ready, I'll get the travel details arranged right now," Brayden immediately obeys Caine's words. "Brayden," he turns to face his Alpha. "We need Paxton to take our side. We already have Daniel. After Tyson's changing we can arrange further plans and meet with both Alphas, but we need all packs on our side if this is going to be a successful effort." Brayden nods in understanding and motions for Tyson to follow him, which he reluctantly does. They exit Caine's office with Logan following them.

I haven't been seeing much of Logan lately, which is surprising since he spends a lot of time in the library. But, it is a pretty big library, I guess.

"Wouldn't it be more effective if you went with Tyson?" I ask Caine as he picks up the phone on his desk. He shakes his head.

"Brayden is more Paxton's style. He'll be more open to our proposal if Brayden goes."

After a few minutes, Caine has everything arranged and we are standing outside to send Brayden and Tyson off.

"What are we going to do until they get back?" I ask.

"Oh, I can think of a few things," Caine winks and I roll my eyes as I turn to go back inside with him close behind me.

*********************************

I raise my head from my book when I hear Caine enter the room. He walks to me and places a light peck on my cheek.

"What are you reading, beautiful?" His deep voice echoes through the quiet room.

"A little bit about the Delphian Pack. I got curious," I shut the book and look up at him. "How are Brayden and Tyson?"

"They just got to Paxton's estate, but things sound good so far," he disappears into the closet.

"Do you think he's ready to change?" I speak a little louder so he can hear me from the next room, but I know it's really not necessary.

"To be honest," Caine reappears, pulling a new shirt down to cover his previously exposed abdomen, "he's scared. He doesn't want to admit it, but Brayden tells me he is. I don't blame the kid. Changing is probably the scariest thing I went through," he pauses. "That and not knowing if my mate is going to fully accept me or not." The atmosphere of the room immediately goes from casual to tense and I freeze.

"Caine..."

"Listen, Amira. I get it. I'm a bad guy and an even worse mate. You don't love me like I do you. I'll be honest, when I think about you rejecting me, it kills me. I've been through hell and back more than once in my life, but the thought of you leaving me because I can't make you happy... that kills me," Caine refuses to meet my stare so I walk over and gently place a hand on the side of his face, turning it towards mine.

I can see the fatigue in his eyes. The constant fighting with his own mind that he tries to hide. I can see how the energy has been drained from him, all because of me, and I feel terrible about it.

The truth is, I've known the answer to Caine's question for a while now. I've just doubted myself. I wanted to be sure. Now, looking into the tired, helpless eyes of my mate, I know I'm sure.

"That's the thing, Caine," I gently graze my thumb over his sharp cheekbone, "I do love you. And I'm not rejecting you, I'm accepting you."

Caine's eyes widened at my declaration and before I knew it he had pulled me closer and smashed his lips down on mine. The need is evident in his kiss, and I let him have all that he wants as I generously kiss him back.

I feel a sculpted chest on mine as Caine presses his body against me and I jump as my legs snake around his waist. His hands firmly grasp my thighs as he holds me up and his lips move to my jaw and then my neck.

I gasp when they find the spot where my mark belongs and I feel Caine smirk against my neck before bringing his lips back to mine.

I feel Caine's hands slide around to my lower back and he quickly turns to throw me on the massive bed.

He crawls on the bed and places his legs on either side of my body as he pushes himself up to his knees. Within seconds his shirt is ripped over his head and I gawk as I stare at his body.

His perfectly sculpted body that I've seen many times before but have never gotten the opportunity to touch.

Caine smirks down at me as he watches my gaze run over his abdomen and he grabs my hand and pulls it towards his chest, lightly grazing it along his abs.

He quickly dips his lips back to mine and moves back to my neck as my hands bury themselves in his hair, pulling him closer.

Suddenly, it's like something snapped and he slows down.

"I love you, Amira," he whispers as he lightly pecks my lips.

"I love you too," I gasp out, and he lightly pecks me again.

"I want this to be special," his hand lightly grazes my hips, lifting my shirt up just the slightest. I groan as me massages the lower part of my stomach.

He lightly kisses my neck, putting barely any pressure on my sensitive spot.

"Caine, no offense," my words come out raggedly, "but if you don't get a little more aggressive with me I might just get up and walk out."

He sits up in shock and looks at me with wide eyes before smirking again, "Can you be anymore perfect?"

I giggle as he mauls my lips again and then pulls away only to rip my shirt down the center and pull it off. He bites his lip at what he sees.

He doesn't need to say anything as his lips graze over my lips, jaw, and neck. He lifts his head to meet my gaze with a smirk.

I can see the blue in his eyes start to darken, and his lips dip back to my neck, right to the spot meant for him.

Soon, I can feel his canines scraping against my skin.

"Amira..." his voice is strained as he tries to hold his wolf back.

"Do it, Caine," I gasp and he doesn't hesitate before he sinks his teeth into my neck, finally marking me as his.

I scream in pain from his teeth sinking into my flesh. After a few seconds, he releases his grip on my neck.

Caine leans down and places a light kiss over the mark and then on my forehead. He pulls me into his chest and I can already smell the blood that had spilled from my neck.

Caine glances down at my neck and his eyes widen as I feel sudden tingles where my mark is.

"What?" I ask, worried.

"Nothing, it just sealed," he smiles and his eyes flicker back to meet mine, they have returned to their normal icy blue. "You're finally mine. I love you so much, Amira. I won't let anything hurt you, I promise."

"I love you, too."

*****************************

☺️

😏