entire body tingled as Alex’s hands gripped my waist<b>, </b>his touch leaving trails of heat through the thin fabric of my blouse. I hadn’t expected this reaction–hadn’t expected that the mere proximity <b>of </b>him would awaken sensations I’d thought long dead.
When his mouth found my neck, I couldn’t <b>help </b>the small gasp <b>that </b>escaped my <b>lips</b>. How long had it been since I’d been touched like <b>this</b>–with desire rather than possession? My wolf<b>, </b>though dormant, stirred somewhere deep inside me, responding to his scent<b>, </b>to the primal <b>call </b>of an Alpha who saw me as something precious rather than property.
“Alex<b>…</b><b>” </b><b>I </b>breathed<b>, </b>surprising myself with the need I heard in my own voice<b>. </b>
His responding growl vibrated against my skin<b>, </b>sending shivers down my spine. This was dangerous territory–we had <b>only </b>just agreed to this arrangement hours ago, and already the lines were blurring between convenience and something far moreplicated.
Part of me wanted to pull away, to establish clearer boundaries. But another part–a stronger part–wanted to surrender <b>to </b>this feeling<b>, </b>to let myself be imed by someone who had always seen me, always protected me.
My fingers trembled against his shoulders, uncertain whether to push him away or pull him closer as his mouth traveled <b>across </b>my corbone. The pure masculinity of him surrounded me–his scent like Cedar and Lavender and something uniquely Alex that had always called to me, even when we were younger.
Just as I felt myself giving inpletely to the sensation, Alex suddenly stiffened, his body going alert in a way that immediately pulled me from my haze of desire.
<b>“</b>What’s wrong?” I whispered, my heart still pounding.
His eyes, which had been dark with desire moments before<b>, </b>now held concern. “Lyra’s back.”
“Lyra?” The name brought me back to reality with jarring speed. “<b>Is </b>she okay? Did something happen?”
Alex’s sister had always been kind to me. Though our friendship had been cut short when I became Alpha Foster’s mate, I still
remembered her gentle spirit.
“Ethan says she’s upset,” Alex exined, already helping me to my feet. “Won’t tell anyone what’s wrong.”
My protective instincts red. “Was she hurt? Did someone-”
“I don’t know.<b>” </b>The muscle in Alex’s jaw ticked with tension. “Let’s go find out.”
We made <b>our </b>way quickly through the packhouse, following the distinctive scent of Alex’s sister. The smell <b>of </b>salt–tears<b>–</b>hung heavily in the air as we approached the sunroom at the back of the house.
Lyra sat curled into <b>a </b>corner of the sofa<b>, </b>her knees pulled to her chest, looking smaller and more vulnerable than I remembered. Her usually bright eyes were red–rimmed and swollen<b>, </b>her red–brown hair tangled as if she’d been running her hands through it repeatedly.
The moment she spotted Alex<b>, </b>sheunched herself off the couch and into his arms, sobbing against his chest.
“I missed you so much,<b>” </b>she <b>cried</b>, her words muffled against his shirt. “I just needed toe home.”
Alex’s arms came around his sister, his expression a mixture of concern and confusion. “What happened, ty? Talk to me.”
I stood awkwardly by the doorway, feeling like an intruder in this family moment. As I began to quietly step back<b>, </b>intending to <b>give </b>them privacy, Lyra’s head snapped <b>up</b>.
“Summer?<b>” </b>Her tear–stained face registered genuine surprise. “What are you doing here?”
I froze, uncertain how to respond. This wasn’t how I’d envisioned reconnecting with my old friend–standing in her brother’s packhouse as his soon–to–be mate of convenience.
Without hesitation, Alex reached for me, pulling me into the solid line of his chest<b>, </b>steady and reassuring. “Summer is going to be my Luna,” he said simply<b>, </b>though the possessive note in his voice sent a shiver through me.
Lyra’s eyes widened, darting between us with growing curiosity. For a moment, her personal troubles seemed forgotten. “Since when? How did this happen? When did you finally convince her to give you a chance?”
Finally? The word caught me off guard. I nced at Alex, whose ears had reddened slightly.
“It’s<b>… </bplicated,” I offered, not wanting to exin our entire situation in Lyra’s clearly fragile state.
<b>“</b>Complicated,” Lyra repeated, a hint of her old mischief briefly lighting her eyes. “That sounds like code for ‘there’s a good story here.“”
Alex cleared his throat. “The important thing is that Summer and Felix are part of our pack now.” His voice softened as he addressed his sister again. “Now, are you going to tell me what’s going on with you?”
Lyra’s expression clouded again. “Not yet,” she whispered. “<b>I </b>just need some time.”
I recognized that look–the protective wall that came up when a wound was too fresh to expose. I’d worn it myself for years.
“That’s okay<b>,</b><b>” </b>I said gently, stepping forward. “You don’t have to talk until you’re ready.”
Lyra’s gaze met mine, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. “Thanks, Summer.”
An ufortable silence settled over the room. I shifted my weight, again feeling like I was intruding.