Page 25 of Bonded Beyond Regret

“I only need to look around at this pack to know that you are good enough for me or anyone else. You could have run away; it would have been easier. You could have become just like the previous Alpha family; it would have been less painful.” I reach up with both hands and take his jaw in them. “You are not defined by your past, by your mate or the treatment of your sister. You are defined by your present and the future you’re building above the ashes of that past. Look at what you are accomplishing here. Look at the hope you are bringing to those who desperately need it. That is what defines you, Samuel. You are a male I would be proud to stand beside.”

I swear I see his eyes glaze over with unshed tears, but before I can get a good look, his lips are on mine again. Just like last time, I give myself over to the kiss. But unlike last night, I don’t second guess it and I don’t allowmypast to encroach on this moment.

It wouldn’t be fair of me if I did.

I’ll always love Andrew. I’ll always miss him.

But he’s gone and I’m still here.

I desperately want to be happy.

I move until I’m straddling Samuel’s lap, and I do something I’ve been thinking about since I met him—I tunnel my fingers into his hair and scrape my nails along his scalp. When he moans into my mouth, I can’t help the way my lips curve into a smile against his.

Kissing him feels like changing the rotation of the Earth. Or maybe something is just changing inside of me.

His hands roam over my body. He runs a palm down the length of my spine. He twirls strands of my hair around his finger and tugs. He slides a hand over my breast and gives a squeeze before sliding that hand up and around the back of my neck. Every touch is possessive while also being gentle.

Mine explore him as well. I squeeze his shoulders. I feel the stubble on his jaw against the pads of my fingers. I give a tug on his hair.

He feels different than Andrew did, but I’m starting to realize that’s not a bad thing.

Far too soon he’s easing me off his lap and pulling away just enough for us to stare into each other’s eyes. We share panting breaths in the quiet of the morning, neither of us wanting to move while knowing we should.

“We’ll take this slow, little warrior,” he vows. “I never want to push you to do something you’ll regret. It would kill me.”

With a kiss on my forehead and the promise of seeing me later, he strolls away from my place. I watch him as he goes and find myself smiling because there’s a lightness in him that wasn’t there before.

“It’s because of us,”my wolf sounds all too smug.

I suppose, in this case, she has every right to be.

CHAPTER 11

SAMUEL

Even though I’m doing the most boring paperwork, I can’t wipe the smile off my face. It was just yesterday when Nyx and I sat down, talked, and agreed that we’re going to give this a go. It’s almost unbelievable, but if this is a dream then I never want to wake up.

“Me either. Nyx is my idea of the Moon Goddess’ realm,”my wolf purrs.

Internally I roll my eyes because my big, bad, Alpha wolf is a huge softie for a certain female. Actually, it’s not just Nyx who has enthralled my wolf. Aisley has stolen a piece of his heart, and mine as well.

Last night they joined me for dinner in the dining hall and I don’t think I’ve laughed or smiled more in my life. Hearingabout all the third-grade drama from Aisley isn’t something I would have ever foreseen in my life, but I can’t wait until the next installment.

Even though I love my pack members and have always made sure to eat my meals in the dining hall to ensure that I’m accessible, I can’t say that I ever really looked forward to meals in the dining hall. Now I’m counting down to the next one because I know my females will be there with me.

I’m sure that the pack has noticed, but no one has said anything about it. It almost feels like they’re holding their collective breath while waiting to see how it all turns out.

“I plan on it ending in forever,”my wolf affirms before grumbling,“and the pack better get on board with my plan. I want her to be our Luna.”

“The pack loves Nyx. She’s earned the respect of the warriors and has shown kindness and understanding to everyone else. They will accept her when she’s ready for us to take that step,”I assure him even though I know he doesn’t need it.

When my door opens without anyone knocking on it, I prepare to lay into someone. I look up with a scowl on my face only for it to morph into a wide grin when I see Aisley standing there.

“Hi, Sammy,” she greets me with a shy smile that is totally out of place on her.

I have a feeling it’s because she just walked into my office without thinking twice about it and then saw my face. This is the first time that she’s sought me out and has barged in. I don’t mind at all.

When I push back from my desk, I open up my arms to tell her that she better get over here and give me a hug. With a squeal she races toward me. She’s fast and I barely have time to brace before she slams into me, and we both go rolling across the room.

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