CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY FIVE


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    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY FIVE


    Nn’s POV


    The meeting dragged on longer than necessary. The Elders had so many questions about Silverfang and Talia. Everyst one of them wondered whether I had ended the hunt for my father’s killer. By the time it finally ended, my patience was gone.


    The senior members filtered out one by one, still murmuring about schedules, patrol rotations, and preparations for the uing Luna ceremony. I acknowledged them out of habit, but my attention was already elsewhere.


    I wanted to go home.


    Marco noticed immediately.


    “You’re restless,” he said as we walked out together. “What’s going on?”


    “I have things to do.”


    “Or someone,” Marco said and I shot him a look which caused him tough.


    My wolfughed too. He liked that Marco had noticed the change too. ‘There’s nothing to be ashamed of for wanting our mate,’ he added.


    “You’ve been different since you epted Talia,” Marco continued, clearly enjoying himself. “More rxed, not obsessing over things.”


    “Is that a bad thing?” I asked.


    “No,” Marco answered. “It isn’t. I’m d to see it. Happy to see Nn, my friend not the Alpha, returning.”


    ‘You need to learn to listen to me,’ my wolf said smugly. He had been urging this shift from the moment we knew Talia was our mate. It was a constant string of demands: im her, protect her, be honest. For once, I was listening.


    “Go to her,” Marco continued. “If anythinges up, I’ll handle it.”


    I nodded and headed back toward the residence. I followed Talia’s scent to the main sitting room and then our small kitchen. She really explored today. It made me smile that she was taking the time getting to know where everything was.


    ‘Of course she would. She is our Luna,’ my wolf said.


    I walked to the bedroom to check if she was in there. As I drew closer, I heard raised voices. One of them was unmistakably Talia’s. The other was Maggie’s.


    I stopped just outside the door.


    “Shut up! You don’t know anything about me!” Maggie shouted. “Your mate bond is a curse!”


    My wolf bristled. ‘We should not allow this pup to disrespect our Luna,’ he growled.


    “You are young, girl. You have not found your mate yet,” Talia said. “When you do, you will understand the pull you are cursing, and you will understand how foolish you were right now,”


    “You are a witch!” Maggie snapped. “You seduced him!”


    That was enough.


    I pushed the door open hard enough that it struck the wall with a dull thud.


    “Maggie!” I snarled.


    She spun around, eyes widening as she realized I had heard everything. The anger drained from her face and was reced instantly with panic.


    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY FIVE


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    “I…I didn’t mean…” she started.


    “That is enough!” I snapped, interrupting her.


    I crossed the room in two strides and positioned myself between her and Talia.


    “You do not speak to her like that,” I said. “Ever.”


    Maggie’s gaze flicked to Talia and then back to me. “Alpha Nn, she is just a…”


    “She is my mate,” I said clearly. “And she will be my Luna. You will respect her.”


    I turned and pulled Talia into my arms. Talia stiffened for only a moment before rxing in my arms. She leaned into me.


    “Apologize now,” I said.


    Maggie hesitated. Her face was flushed with anger and embarrassment. I could see in her eyes that she wanted to argue.


    ‘Insolent pup!’ my wolf snarled and I allowed my Alpha aura flow from me. Maggie flinched and dropped her head. “I am sorry, Alpha Nn.”


    “Why are you apologizing to me?” I demanded.


    Maggie swallowed hard. She opened her mouth but quickly closed it.


    “Now,” I growled.


    “I am sorry,” Maggie said stiffly, eyes fixed on the floor. “I spoke out of line.”


    “It was not sincere,” I said. “Try again.”


    Maggie’s head snapped up. She looked at me as if I had betrayed her. She looked at Talia and finally said, “I apologize, Luna Talia.”


    I nodded once. “Leave.”


    Maggie turned and walked out quickly, the door closing behind her with a soft click. I looked down at Talia.


    “I am sorry, Talia,” I apologized,


    “For what?” Talia asked.


    “You should never have been put in that position, I told her not toe in here,” I replied. “I should have addressed this sooner.”


    Talia hesitated before saying, “She likes you. She’s just jealous of me.”


    I sighed. “I know.”


    “You knew?” she asked, surprised.


    “Yes,” I said honestly. “I thought it was a harmless crush. She has been through a lot, and I never encouraged it. I thought she would have grown out of it,”


    “So, you’re telling me you don’t like the attention?” Talia teased.


    “I don’t. I see Maggie as a little sister,” I confirmed. “I took her in when she had nowhere else to go. The Mad rogues nearly broke her. I thought giving her work, structure, and protection would help her and it did, but it does not mean she gets to ignore rank and do whatever she wants.”


    Talia smiled slightly. “I am d you stood up for me. Thanks.”


    CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED & NINETY FIVE


    “There was never another option,” I said.


    “I think you deserve a reward,” Talia purred.


    I raised an eyebrow, my gaze lingering on her. “Is that so?”


    She nodded, eyes bright. “Very much so.”


    “And what would that be?” I asked.


    Talia rose onto her toes, wrapped her arms around my neck, pulled me forward and kissed me.


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