Chapter 2

2

NEW BEGINNING

Octavia

Over the next six days, our connection has deepened as we spent more time together. I quit my job at the diner and was trying to focus on the fact I was upending the life I've known, for the mate who just found me. We talked as I packed up my small one bedroom loft above the diner. All that consisted of my life was cramped in one duffle and three boxes. Wyatt carried two of the boxes and my duffle out to his blacked out SUV as I locked up the only home I had known for the past nine years.

As we drive to what will be my new pack, I learn about Wyatt’s life as the Alpha of the Waterton Pack, nestled in the majestic Flathead Forest. He shares stories of his adventures during Alpha Camp, the challenges of leadership after taking over after his father gave up the title, and the struggles he faced with Rachel, a she-wolf from his pack who wants nothing more than to be by his side as Luna. I didn’t particularly like hearing about women he had been with before me but I couldn’t expect him to be a monk, now could I. But Wyatt only seems to have eyes for me, and I can see the conflict within him as he navigates his responsibilities while yearning for the bond we share.

I can feel the bond grow stronger with each passing moment, and I know it won’t be long before we succumb to the chemistry that pulses between us. Catching the heated glances Wyatt keeps giving me, is making my panties uncomfortably wet.

Wyatt takes a turn down a long dirt road up to an extremely tall iron gate with what looks like cement walls leading from each side with evergreens fanning out.

With my mouth hanging open I draw in a deep breath as I say, “Wyatt, this is amazing! I can't believe you live here.”

“It’s not just me who lives here anymore, gorgeous. You will live here now too. I found you and you're mine,” he almost growls out in the sexist demand I've ever heard.

The moment we step into the pack house, I can feel the weight of tradition and history pressing down on me. It is more than just a structure; it is a living testament to generations of wolves who have come before us. The scent of pine and dry earth mingle in the air, thick with the essence of my new home. I can feel the pulse of the pack, a rhythmic thrum that resonates beneath my skin, and I know I am stepping into a world far larger than myself.

Wyatt stands beside me, a reassuring presence in a sea of uncertainty at this moment. He is a force of nature — strong, confident, and undeniably magnetic. A true alpha in every meaning. As he guides me up the winding staircase to his suite, I find myself stealing glances at him, taking in the way his broad shoulders move beneath his fitted black shirt, the way his dark hair falls just right against the bottom of his jaw. I have noticed he tucks the strands behind his ears often, and I find that I love even something as simple as that too. Wyatt is everything I have ever wanted, and yet, standing at the threshold of his world, I feel a mixture of excitement and trepidation.

“This is it, baby girl,” he said, pushing open the door to his suite. He hasn’t called me that before but my insides turn all gooey so it’s safe to say I like it. The room is spacious, decorated in earthy tones of greens and rusts that echo the forest outside. A large floor to ceiling window frames the breathtaking view of the moonlit woods and mountain, casting a soft glow across the polished cherry wooden floors. It feels intimate and safe at the same time, the kind of place where secrets could be shared and dreams whispered between mates.

As I step inside, the reality of what is happening settles over me like a warm blanket. He is showing me where my clothes will go, where my life will intertwine with his. I open the closet door, revealing a space just for me, hanging beside his. The sight sends a flutter of warmth through my chest. I can imagine my own clothes nestled against his, our scents combined, our lives intermingling in a beautiful tapestry of love and companionship.

“Here,” Wyatt says, nodding toward the empty drawer beside him. “Baby girl, your silky strings and stuff can go here.” There was a playful glint in his eyes, and I can’t help but smile at the thought of sharing such intimate spaces with my mate. I take a step forward, my breath hitching as I place a few delicate pieces of lace into the drawer, feeling the weight of this new chapter settling comfortably on my shoulders.

But it is when he comes up behind me that my heart races in a way that leaves me breathless. His hands slide over my shoulders, long fingers stroking softly, sending shivers down my spine. I lean into his touch instinctively, wanting more, needing more. The warmth of his body envelopes me, grounding me in a way I have never experienced before.

“Octavia,” he murmurs, his voice low and rich, sending a thrill through me. I close my eyes, savoring the sensation of his hands on me, the way he makes me feel cherished and desired all at once is mind blowing.

“Wyatt,” I breathe, turning my head slightly to catch a glimpse of his face in the dim light from the closet. The moment our eyes meet, something electric sparks between us. I can see the heat in his gaze, a hunger that I know matches my own.

And then, without hesitation, he leans in, his lips brushing against my neck. The scratch of his beard against my skin is intoxicating, igniting a fire deep within my belly. I let out a soft gasp, my body arching instinctively toward him, craving more of his touch.

His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer against his chest and upper stomach, and I feel the world around us fade away. It is just him and me, two souls entwined in a dance as old as time. I run my fingers up the back of his neck, relishing the feel of his warmth beneath my fingertips, and I tangle my hands in his hair, my heart racing with each gentle tug.

“Goddess, you’re beautiful,” he breaths against my skin, sending a rush of heat flooding through me. I can feel his breath, warm and tantalizing, igniting every nerve in my body.

“Wyatt…” My voice is barely a whisper, and I can hardly think through the haze of desire that envelops me.

He turns me around slowly, our bodies mere inches apart. His gaze seared into mine, filled with a mix of affection and something deeper — something primal. The connection we share is undeniable, a bond forged in the fires of our fates and solidified in this very moment.

“Are you sure about this?” he asks, his voice a rough whisper, as if he is afraid I might disappear if he speaks too loudly. “Once you say yes, there is no going back for me. There might not be, honestly, even if you say no.”

I nod, my heart pounding in time with the rhythm of the world outside. “Mate, I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life.”

And just like that, he closes the distance between us, capturing my lips with his in a kiss that feels like destiny itself. It is gentle at first, filled with all the sweetness of new love, but quickly deepens into something fervent and all consuming. His hands roam my back, pulling me into him as if he were afraid I might slip away.

I melt against him, feeling the heat radiating from his body, the strength that surrounds me like a protective cocoon. The taste of him is absolutely intoxicating, and I can’t help but lose myself in the moment, my fingers dancing through his hair, mapping every contour of his ridiculously handsome face. The hard strokes of his tongue against mine and the gnashing of our teeth just add to the fever running through me.

Time stands still as we kiss, the world outside fading into a distant memory. All that matters is the here and now, this moment between us. Mates . I feel alive, electrified, as if every part of me is awakening for the first time.

When we finally break apart, both of us are breathless and dazed. I rest my forehead against his, our eyes searching each other in a silent exchange.

“Wow,” I breath, feeling a smile tug at my lips. “That was… incredible.”

Wyatt chuckles softly, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “Incredible is an understatement baby,” he replies, brushing his thumb across my flushed cheek. “I’ve been waiting for this moment since the day I met you.”

My heart soars at his words, a mixture of joy and disbelief washing over me. “Really?”

“Really,” he confirms, his voice steady. “You will always be special to me, Octavia. I just didn’t know how to tell you so soon.”

I feel a blush creeping up my chest, a mix of embarrassment and delight at his confession. “You could have just kissed me at the diner,” I tease, a playful glint in my eyes.

He grins, the warmth of his smile melting away any lingering insecurities. “Well, I suppose I’ve made up for lost time then, huh Gorgeous.”

With a newfound confidence, I rise on my tiptoes to lean in closer, brushing my lips against his once more. This time, the kiss is filled with promises of what is to come — of laughter and love, of challenges faced together, and of a future that sparkles with possibilities.

As I pull away, I glance around the room, my heart swelling with a sense of belonging. This is more than just a place; it is a home, a sanctuary where I can build a life with Wyatt. I am ready to embrace it all — the love, the laughter, the adventures that await us.

In that moment, I know without a doubt that I have found my place in the world, which is right beside him. And as we stand together, surrounded by the warmth of our connection, I can’t help but feel that the best is yet to come.

The night feels alive with possibilities, and I am ready to dive headfirst into whatever adventures are on the horizon for us, hand in hand with the man who has captured my heart.