Page 32 of Bonded Beyond Lies

I’ve never relished being the center of attention more than I have in this moment. Serenity stands tall, well, as tall as she can get, with a regal and indulgent smile on her face. She’s enjoying watching the way Alpha Thomas and Luna Lori are squirming. The older Beta couple won’t look at my little mate and poor little Todd looks confused.

“What are you talking about?” Todd is fuming, his voice taking on a level of irritation an Alpha shouldn’t show when others can judge his weakness, “You were my mate and I rejected you because you’re not worthy of being a Luna. You’re nothing.”

Serenity giggles and looks up at me, merriment in her eyes and a smile on her face that makes it look like she’s glowing. She’s gorgeous and knowing she’s carrying my pup makes the bond between us even stronger. I’m livid at these wolves who thought they could take her from me, but she is exactly the female she is supposed to be, and her lived experiences are part of that.

Crew chuckles and mutters, “I fucking love a good show.”

Serenity’s eyes harden when she looks back at Todd and her voice is ice cold, “You should ask your parents what they did. The goddess doesn’t make mistakes and there’s no such thing as second-chance mates.”

Todd sputters, but Alpha Thomas steps forward, weakness and a hint of desperation rolling off him. “You’re speaking nonsense. You’re just ashamed that you were rejected by your mate and now you’ll spread your legs for anyone who will have you.” He scoffs and motions toward Crew. “You probably fucked him too. Are you trying to get as many Alphas between your legs as you can? You little whore,” he accuses, venom lacing his words.

I move so fast I barely register that I’ve done it, but then my hand is wrapped around Thomas’ neck where my claws dig into his skin, blood oozing from the punctures. I start to squeeze as he tries to free himself from my grip. Did he forget that an Alpha with his true Luna at his side is stronger and more determined than they were before?

“You’re a weak excuse for an Alpha. This is your only warning, Thomas,” I snarl his name, showing my displeasure. “You will not speak to my Luna again. You will not say anything disparaging about her. You will put your tail between your legs and run along because you do not want the might of the Blood Rising pack and our allies to come knocking on your door for what you have done.”

Thomas’ eyes scan over the other Alphas. I don’t have to turn around to know they’re pissed, not only on my behalf but on Serenity’s as well. Everyone who meets my little mate knows she has a pure soul, one forged in fire and betrayal, and is stronger than she even realizes.

I throw Thomas down and he scrambles to get up. Lori is there trying to comfort her mate, but he shrugs her off and storms away. I don’t take my eyes off him, knowing Mack and Cora will have Serenity’s back, until he’s gone. I’m only a little surprised when the younger Beta female stalks away behind them, having not said a word even though I could see the vitriol on the tip of her tongue.

“We’re so sorry, Serenity,” the older Beta female’s voice drips with pain and regret. I close the distance to my mate and wrap an arm around her waist, needing to touch her. “You have no idea how much we wish things had been different.”

I look into Beta Darwin’s eyes and grunt, “Why?”

He looks down, shame twisting his features. “They knew something happened the day you visited. I don’t know whether they heard part of the conversation with Alpha Nathan or saw the way you looked at her, but they knew. I was commanded to tell them what transpired. I didn’t know anything about a witch, but I suspected when I found out Todd recognized Serenity as his mate and rejected her. I don’t know what the plan was, but I had no choice but to go along with treating our daughter horribly.”

Serenity sighs as if she’s releasing the weight of the world from her shoulders. In a flash she has her parents wrapped up in her arms as she murmurs, “I understand. You couldn’t have fought that kind of command. I wish it had been different, but it wasn’t. You can’t change the past.”

Stacy sobs against her daughter’s shoulder and Darwin looks defeated as he tries to comfort his mate and his daughter. It would be touching if there weren’t so much water under the bridge there. I don’t know if my little mate will be able to forgive her parents completely, but I can feel her relief that it didn’t really have anything to do with her.

My guilt is overwhelming. If I had kept my mouth shut about her being my mate would things have been different for her? If I had just waited in silence without her parents ever knowing, then Alpha Thomas wouldn’t have been able to command them for the truth. I’m the cause of my mate’s pain and it guts me.

Serenity gives her parents a squeeze and then takes a step back. She turns toward me, her eyes blazing as she looks at me. “You are not the cause of anything, my handsome Alpha,” she assures me through our mind-link. “Alpha Thomas made his choices. He involved his son and his pack without thinking of the consequences. That is on them, not you, not me, not even my parents. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to forgive them, but that’s a question for tomorrow.”

I smile at my mate and kiss her lips softly and quickly, needing the connection between us.

“It doesn’t matter what happened, it’s clear you’re still trash,” Nia sneers.

Serenity turns toward the irate she-wolf who probably doesn’t like the attention being on anyone but her. My little mate moves quickly, her claws coming out as she slashes across Nia’s neck. It’s not deep enough to kill her, but it certainly proves a point.

“If you were worth my time, you’d be dead right now,” my mate’s voice is calm and steady, “but you aren’t. Run along.”

Todd’s eyes are blazing with hatred as he collects Nia and ushers her away with Serenity’s parents reluctantly following. Some of the leadership around us are chuckling softly while others are laughing outright. I can only beam down at my Luna with pride.

I pick her up and cradle her against my chest, not bothering to say goodnight or goodbye to anyone. We’ll be having meetings together over the next few days and I’m sure the events of tonight, including the revelations about how far Waning Moon was willing to go for power, will be discussed at length. If they leave here with any alliances intact, I’ll be surprised.

When we make it up to our room, I kick the door closed behind us and make sure it’s locked before I stalk to the bed. I lay my mate down gently, wanting her to know how precious she is to me. I never want her to doubt my love and devotion.

She cups my face in her hands and the sparks between us take my breath away. I undress her slowly, watching her react to my touch. The sweeter vanilla notes of her arousal swirl around us and make my cock start to leak. So many emotions are rioting inside of me—fierce devotion, protectiveness, passion, and love.

“You are my everything, my Luna,” my voice is husky with a hint of my wolf coming through. “You were amazing tonight. Everyone who met you for the first time was entranced by you. You have no idea the power you hold. It’s sexy as hell.”

Serenity smiles up at me, a sweet tilt of her lips that has me needing to taste them. When I press my lips against hers, I intend for it to be brief, but we get caught up in each other, our tongues exploring and twining, until we can’t breathe.

Only when I have her naked underneath me do I stand up next to the bed. Her blue-grey eyes watch me as I undress quickly because the need to feel her skin against mine and those addicting sparks is overwhelming. When I crawl over her body, her legs open invitingly, and her hips cradle me perfectly.

“You’re my home, Tristan,” she murmurs. “I love you.”

I slide inside my mate’s dripping pussy slowly. As much as I want to fuck her hard and fast, I also want to show her how much she means to me by taking it slow, savoring her, and drawing out every second we’re connected. We get lost in each other, her hips coming up to meet my languid strokes, as our hands caress and tease and touch.

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