Page 201 of The Alpha's Pen Pal

“Because you don’t know for sure when my birthday is,” I finished for him, and he nodded, a wistful look on his face. “You’re hoping the oracles can ask Selene,” I realized. He nodded again. “But-but if I am Selene’s daughter, wouldn’t that mean I’m not human? Would you still have to mark me under the correct moon phase?”

“That’s not a risk I’m willing to take,” he said, shaking his head vehemently. “Marking a human under the wrong moon phase can kill them. I will not assume that we don’t need the proper moon phase. It’s not worth the potential outcome. But even if you’re not her daughter, I’m hoping they’ll learn when your birthday is. So then I can mark you. I want to mark you as soon as I can. I don’t want to wait any longer than necessary. I mean,”—he cleared his throat—“I mean, if that’s what you want,” he mumbled.

I reached my hand up to intertwine my fingers with his, where they still lay against my neck. “Of course, that’s what I want, Wesley. I already told you that.”

He moved my hand to his lips and placed a kiss on my knuckles. “I just want you to be sure. It’s like marriage for us, but even more permanent. The mark can only be removed by the king or the council, and only under extreme circumstances.”

“I made my choice, Wes. I choose this. I choose you.”

He smiled, and I let go of his hand to pull the blanket up higher, my body already relaxing more with him nearby. His hand moved to my back and rubbed it in gentle strokes.

My eyelids grew heavy, but there was still one more question I wanted to ask him before I forgot about it. “How will I mark you?”

“What?” he asked.

“How will I mark you? I want everyone to know you’re mine too,” I repeated, lifting my head to nip at his abdomen.

He laughed. “I don’t know, Haven. But we’ll figure something out, okay? I’d be honored to wear your mark, whatever it is, and however you choose to give it to me.”

I nodded, and he shifted his body underneath mine, moving so we lay next to each other. His arms wrapped around me, and his lips brushed my forehead as I drifted off to sleep.

**********

The rest of our trip to the hidden island passed in a blur. I barely had the brainpower to absorb the view of the little island as we approached on the boat.

But I forced myself to take it all in. I didn’t know if we would ever return to this place, and I wanted to remember it, remember this part of our adventure.

Upon initial inspection, the island looked almost identical to Santorini or any other Greek isle. Set on the hill of the island, there were white houses with blue doors adorning many of them. But one major difference was the wolves trotting up and down the stairs and along the shore, mixed in with others still in their human forms.

The air crackled with magic as well, an energy that zipped and zinged over my skin and through my cells. There was a protective magic, one that hid the island and its inhabitants from prying eyes. But there was also another magic mixed in, something I couldn’t identify the nature of, but I could feel it nonetheless.

I said nothing to Wesley or Nolan about it as our guide led us to our quarters for our stay. Wesley already believed I wasn’t just human, and I was having my doubts, but I didn’t want to give him any more ammunition.

Our guide led us through the stone pathways and white houses and pink and white flowering trees to a small villa tucked into the shadows of the hill overlooking the sparkling, clear, blue sea. There, a young woman with brown hair and green eyes stood waiting for us in the doorway. Our guide walked by her and set our bags in the small sitting area as she introduced herself.

“Hello, and welcome,” she said in a bright voice. “I am Cassandra, and I am the acolyte who will assist you during your stay.”

“Nice to meet you,” Wesley said, extending his hand. “I’m future alpha Wesley Stone, and this is my luna, Haven Kenway, and our future gamma, Nolan Shepard.”

She shook each of our hands and gave us a smile. “We’re happy to have all of you here,” she said. “The high oracle will send me to summon you after sunset when she is ready for you. You can rest and eat and prepare yourselves while you wait. We have provided you with the attire you must wear in the temple. You will find it in your rooms. You must wear only what we provide and nothing else. And there is some moussaka fresh out of the oven that I prepared for your arrival,” she informed us, stepping aside and gesturing into the lodgings.

“Thank you, Cassandra,” I said as we walked in, and she nodded, then turned and left without another word.

We took the time to do as she’d recommended, sitting down at the narrow brown table under a chandelier in the dining room and digging into the provided freshly baked moussaka.

“This is delicious,” Nolan said as he wiped his mouth. “Wes, you should learn to make this.”

“Doesn’t Rachel cook for you?” Wesley asked.

“Yeah, Mexican food. Tacos. Beans. Homemade tortillas. Salsa. Tamales. Don’t get me wrong, I love Mexican food, but sometimes I want more variety.”

“I’ll learn how to make it for you, Nolan,” I chuckled.

“Thanks, Luna.” He beamed.

“What about me?” Wes pouted.

“That’s up to Nolan if he wants to share.” I shrugged.

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