Chapter 8

8

PARTY PLANS

Octavia

The soft, dim light of Wyatt’s office bathes everything in a gentle glow, casting shadows that dance across the walls lined with bookshelves and trophies from pack events. The air is thick with the scent of leather and pine, uniquely Wyatt — warmth, strength, and a hint of something sweet. As I lean back against the plush ink black crushed velvet of the couch, I can’t help but feel a sense of comfort being here with him.

The menu options for the Luna Ceremony scatter across my lap like colorful confetti, but my thoughts drift elsewhere. Rachel’s words from earlier linger in my mind, echoing with the weight of her concern. “If we play our cards right, we can make sure she never stands by him again. It’s time to remind him of what he’s missing.”

But what does that even mean? I glance up at Wyatt, who sits behind his large oak desk, focused on the paperwork before him. His brow is furrowed in concentration, and the sight of him — strong and determined — makes my heart race.

“Wyatt?” I ask, breaking the silence. “What do you think about cake for the reception? I was thinking something elegant, maybe vanilla with raspberry filling?”

He looks up, his eyes locking onto mine, and I see a spark flicker in his gaze. “Cake?” he muses, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. “I suppose that could work. But honestly, baby, I don’t think anything could ever compare to how sweet you taste.”

Heat rushes to my cheeks, and I can’t help but bite my lip, trying to mask the flutter of excitement that rolls through me. “Wyatt, stop.” But the playful reprimand falls flat against the underlying thrill of his words.

He leans back in his chair, arms crossed, an amused expression playing on his lips. “I’m serious, Octavia. Ever since last night, I can’t stop thinking about how you felt under me. My wolf — he’s been restless, craving you. I want a repeat. Now.”

My breath hitches at the raw honesty in his voice. The memory of last night floods my mind — his body against mine, the heat of his skin, the way we melted into each other. It’s intoxicating, and I can feel my body responding, yearning for more.

He stands up from behind the desk and strides toward me with a predatory grace, and I drop the menu options to the ground, suddenly feeling vulnerable yet exhilarated.

“Wyatt—” I begin, but the words die on my lips when he comes to a stop beside the couch, looking down at me with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine.

Without a word, he bends at the waist, sweeping me into his arms effortlessly. I let out a small gasp as he cradles me against his chest, and my thighs instinctively wrap around his waist as he sits on the couch.

“Wyatt,” I breathe, a mix of surprise and delight coursing through me.

He doesn’t respond verbally; instead, he captures my lips with his, kissing me deeply. The world around us fades, leaving only the taste of him — warm and intoxicating — as he slides his calloused hand around the side of my neck. His thumb brushes over his bite mark on my skin, igniting a fire that consumes me from the inside out.

I can feel his wolf, wild and untamed, begging for closeness, and I respond instinctively, deepening the kiss as my fingers tangle in his dark thick hair. The kiss is electric, a connection that transcends the physical, binding us in a way that feels profound and necessary each time.

But just as the kiss grows more heated, he pulls back slightly, his breath mingling with mine, eyes darkened with desire. “I want you, Octavia,” he says, voice low and husky. “I want you like this, always.”

I look into his eyes, seeing the truth behind his words, and my heart races. I’ve never felt so wanted, so desired. “I want you too, Wyatt,” I admit, heart racing. “But we have to focus on the ceremony. It’s important for the pack. Time for naked romps tonight, baby.”

He groans, frustration mixed with longing. “The ceremony can wait. What I need right now is you .”

The tension hangs between us, thick and palpable, but I know we can’t forget our responsibilities. “Just a little longer?” I plead, though my voice is shaky.

Wyatt’s gaze softens, and he brushes his thumb over my cheek, his expression shifting from hunger to understanding. “Alright, just a little longer. But you have to promise me we’ll revisit this.”

A smile breaks across my face, and I nod, feeling emboldened. “I promise my Alpha.”

He leans in to kiss me again, and I sink into it, allowing the world to fade away once more. The weight of our roles hangs over us like a storm cloud, but in this moment, it’s just the two of us, lost in each other’s arms, tangled in our desires. Just two mates.

As the kiss deepens, I can’t help but think about the future — the Luna Ceremony, the pack, our bond. Everything seems to converge at this moment.

Just as I’m about to lose myself completely, a knock on the door pulls us back to reality. Wyatt pulls away, frustration flickering across his features. “What now?”

“Alpha Wyatt? It’s Dalton,” a voice calls from outside. “We need to discuss the security arrangements for the ceremony.”

Wyatt groans, running a hand through his hair. “Can’t they see I’m busy?”

I can’t help but chuckle as he scowls, but I know the pack’s needs come first. “You should probably let him in,” I suggest gently. “We can’t ignore our responsibilities and everyone else in the world as much as we want to at the moment.”

Wyatt exhales sharply, clearly torn between desire and duty, but he nods reluctantly. “You’re right, Gorgeous.”

He stands, setting me back down on the couch as he walks to the door. I watch him, a mix of admiration and longing swelling within me. He’s a leader, strong and unwavering, but he’s also mine .

As he opens the door, Beta Dalton steps in, his demeanor professional, but I can sense the tension in the air. He glances between Wyatt and me, a knowing look passing over his face. “Am I interrupting?”

Wyatt narrows his eyes but says nothing, and I feel a rush of embarrassment wash over me. “No, not at all,” I reply, trying to sound casual as I smooth my hair down at the sides.

“Good,” Dalton continues, unfazed by the tension. “We need to finalize the details for the ceremony and ensure everything runs smoothly. There’s been some discussion about potential threats during the event.”

Wyatt’s expression hardens, and I can see the protective instinct surge in him. “What kind of threats?”

Dalton shifts slightly, glancing at me before responding. “There have been whispers of unrest among some of the neighboring packs. They might see this ceremony as an opportunity to make a statement.”

The weight of his words hangs heavily in the air. The Luna Ceremony is not just a celebration; it’s a declaration of power and unity. If there are threats lurking in the shadows, we need to be prepared.

“Then we’ll increase our security measures,” Wyatt says firmly, his voice cutting through any uncertainty. “I won’t let anything disrupt this ceremony or put Octavia in danger.”

I feel a swell of pride at his words, knowing how fiercely he protects those he cares about. Those that he loves. But there’s also a flicker of fear in my chest. What if something does happen?

Dalton nods, taking notes as he speaks. “I’ll coordinate with the guards and warriors to ensure we have a solid plan in place. We can’t afford any mistakes with our Luna.”

“Good,” Wyatt replies, his jaw clenched. “Keep me updated.”

As Dalton leaves, the atmosphere shifts back to the intimate tension we shared moments ago. Wyatt turns to face me, a mix of concern and determination etched on his features. “I hate that we have to deal with this right now.”

I step closer to him, reaching out to cup his bearded cheek. “I know, but we’ll get through this. Together baby, always.”

He leans into my touch, his expression softening. “You’re right. I just hate the thought of anything happening to you. I can’t lose you baby girl, my gorgeous Luna.”

“You won’t let that happen,” I assure him, heart swelling with affection for this man who carries so much responsibility on his shoulders. “You’re strong, Wyatt. You’ll protect me and our pack.”

A flicker of a smile breaks through his serious demeanor, and for a moment, the weight of the world lifts just slightly. “I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you safe, Octavia. Just like I keep telling you, you’re my world now.”

His words wrap around my heart like a warm embrace, and I feel a surge of determination well up inside me. No matter what challenges lay ahead, we would face them together, as mates, as a pack.

As the evening drifts on, we return to discussing the details of the Luna Ceremony, but the undercurrent of our earlier connection remains, a promise of what’s to come once the responsibilities of the pack are set aside. I can’t wait for the moment when we can lose ourselves in each other once more.

The night feels electric with potential, and as I lean into Wyatt’s side, I know that our journey together is just beginning. Together, we will forge our path, face the darkness, and celebrate the light that is our bond.

Wyatt

I sit across from Octavia, her brow furrowed in concentration. The Luna Ceremony is just around the corner, and she’s been tasked by my mother with organizing the seating arrangements. I watch her, mesmerized by the way her fingers skim over the parchment, tracing the intricate lines and names. Octavia Bellmont, the delicate wolf shifter who’s somehow managed to invade my thoughts more than I’d like to admit.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, pulling me momentarily from my reverie. I shift slightly, trying not to distract her, and retrieve the phone. The screen lights up, revealing an unknown number. My gut tightens; messages from unknown numbers often bring trouble. With a cautious glance at Octavia, I click on the message thread, curiosity getting the better of me.

Unknown

Hey, Wyatt. We need to talk. It’s urgent.

I frown, my heart racing slightly. Who is this? I glance up to see if Octavia is paying attention, but she’s still immersed in her task, her lips moving silently as she makes adjustments to the seating plan. I type a quick reply.

Me

Who is this?

Before I can put the phone back in my pocket, another message comes through.

Unknown

It’s not important who I am right now. What matters is that I have information about something important to you. You need to know this.

A chill runs down my spine. The Luna Ceremony is supposed to be a celebration, a time when our pack unites and strengthens its bonds. But there are whispers in the wind, rumors of unrest among the other packs, and I can't shake the feeling that something dark is brewing beneath the surface.

I look over at Octavia again. Her hair, a cascade of dark waves, catches the light as she leans closer to the document. I can’t let her get caught up in whatever this is. She has enough on her plate without me dragging her into the potential chaos that might unfold.

I type back, my fingers hesitating over the keys.

Me

What do you know?

The reply comes almost instantly, as if they’ve been waiting for me to respond.

Unknown

Meet me at the old oak tree by the edge of the West territory at midnight. I’ll tell you everything then.

My heart pounds in my chest. Midnight? That’s when the wolves are at their most restless, caught between the remnants of the day and the mysteries of the night. I can't just leave Octavia here, especially not with the tension building outside these walls.

Glancing at her, I can see the determination etched on her face, the way her brow creases when she’s deep in thought. It’s both beautiful and disarming. I know she can handle herself, but I can't shake the protective instinct that flares up whenever I think of her in danger.

“You can’t just leave now”, my wolf says, as I bite my lip and I contemplate my next move.

Octavia looks up, catching me staring. She raises an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. “What’s going on in that head of yours, Wyatt?”

I shake my head, trying to hide the unease swirling inside me. “Just a message from… someone,” I say, keeping my voice light. “Nothing to worry about.”

Her eyes narrow slightly, but she doesn’t press. Instead, she returns her focus to the seating arrangements, flipping the parchment over to jot down a few notes. I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart.

“Do you think the seating plan is alright?” she asks, her voice soft but laced with the hint of uncertainty.

“Looks perfect to me,” I reply, leaning back in my chair.

Octavia’s cheeks flush slightly at the compliment, and I can’t help but feel a sense of warmth spreading through me as I watch her. “Thanks, Wyatt. It’s just… I want everything to go smoothly.”

Her determination inspires me. I lean forward, resting my elbows on the desk. “You’re doing great, Octavia. They’ll see the strength you bring to this pack, just like I do.”

She meets my gaze, and for a moment, the air between us crackles with unspoken words. The bond is forming, binding us in ways I never expected. And yet, in the back of my mind, the message looms heavy, a reminder that danger could be lurking just around the corner.

As the minutes tick by, I can’t shake the feeling that I need to confront whatever is waiting for me tonight. But at the same time, I don’t want to leave Octavia alone, especially not with the stakes rising as they are.

“Why don’t we take a break?” I suggest, hoping to lighten the mood. “I could use some fresh air.”

She nods, her smile returning. “Sounds good. I could use a break from all this too.”

We stand together, the tension in the air dissipating as we step out of the office and into the cool evening air. The sun is setting, casting a golden hue over the landscape, and for a moment, I forget about the looming threats. I’m just Wyatt, and she’s just Octavia, two mates enjoying a moment of peace.

As we head toward the kitchen, I ponder the midnight meeting. I’ll have to figure out a way to go without alerting Octavia. The last thing I want is to drag her into something dangerous.

But deep down, I know I can’t protect her from everything. The world outside is shifting, and if the rumors are true, we may soon face a darkness that neither of us is prepared for.