Page 16 of Moon's Call

He knocked, and when the door opened, his breath caught. Lorelei stood there in a flowing sundress that Kelly had chosen, the soft fabric highlighting curves his wolf very much appreciated. The dress was the color of spring leaves, making her brown eyes shine like amber in sunlight.

“You look...” His voice came out rougher than intended. He cleared his throat. “Would you join me for dinner?”

“That depends. Is it being served in another dungeon?”

The corner of his mouth twitched. “I told you, that wasn’t a dungeon.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” She stepped into the hallway, and the scent of her - earth and rain and something uniquely her - made his wolf howl with satisfaction.

He led her through the castle and out into the gardens. Scorpio had outdone himself - dozens of candles floated in glass bowls among the roses, their light dancing off crystal glasses and silver place settings.

“This is...” Lorelei’s voice trailed off as she took in the scene.

“Too much?” He pulled out her chair.

“No, it’s beautiful. It’s just...” She sat, but her shoulders remained tense. “This morning I was worried about building permits. Now I’m having dinner with a wolf prince who says I have magical powers.”

His wolf bristled at her tone. A proper Luna would understand the honor being bestowed. Would already know her place in their world. But he remembered Scorpio’s words about earning victory.

“Try the wine,” he said instead. “It’s from our own vineyards.”

She took a sip, and finally - finally - her lips curved into a genuine smile. “That’s actually amazing.”

“We do know a few things about the finer things in life.” He leaned forward, letting his voice drop to a playful growl. “We’re not all dungeons and stone beds.”

Her laugh, when it came, was unexpected and delightful. “Good to know. Though I have to say, as an architect, your castle is fascinating. The stonework alone...”

Her eyes lit up as she talked about flying buttresses and Gothic arches, and Draken found himself entranced. Not just by her beauty, but by her passion. Her intelligence. Maybe there was something to be said for a mate who saw his world through fresh eyes.

“Would you like to see more of it tomorrow?” he asked. “The old tunnels beneath the castle are particularly interesting.”

“Really?” She beamed at him, and his wolf preened at having put that expression on her face. “I’d love that.”

The rest of dinner passed in comfortable conversation, and Draken discovered that making his mate smile was oddly addictive. Perhaps courting a human wouldn’t be such a hardship after all.

Moonlight spilled across the garden path as Draken guided Lorelei around his ancestral grounds. The scent of night-blooming jasmine mingled with her intoxicating natural fragrance, making his wolf rumble with contentment.

“The roses lean toward you,” he said, watching as another bloom tilted in her direction. His own powers thrummed under his skin, reaching for hers like a magnet.

“Maybe they’re just friendly.” She trailed her fingers along a petal, and the entire bush shivered. “Oh! I didn’t mean to do that.”

“Your power responds to your emotions.” He stepped closer, drawn by the way the moonlight danced in her hair. “The more relaxed you are, the more natural the control becomes.”

“Is that why you brought me out here? To relax me?”

“Is it working?”

Her laugh sent a shiver down his spine. “Maybe. Though it could be the wine.”

“Would you also like to learn more about your powers tomorrow?” The words came out deeper than intended, his wolf pushing forward at the thought of teaching her. “After the tunnel tour?”

“Yes, please.” Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. “Though maybe somewhere less dusty than that stone dungeon?”

“How many times do I have to say that it wasn’t a dungeon?” he growled, but without heat. Her teasing smile was doing dangerous things to his self-control.

Before long, they reached her suite door far too soon for his liking. She turned to face him, and the moonlight filtering in through the windows made her skin glow. His wolf urged him to claim her right there.

“Thank you for dinner,” she said. “And the walk. It was... nice.”

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