Page 27 of Moon's Call

“Trust me,” Chuck chuckled from his spot by the door. “That man’s been walking around like a lovesick pup all week.”

“Chuck!” Kelly swatted his arm. “Let’s leave so Lorelei can rest before the party. She’ll need her strength.” She gathered up the water glass and straightened the blankets one last time.

Left alone, Lorelei sank back into the pillows, her gaze drawn to the dress. After the chaos of the past week - kidnapping attempts, earth-shaking revelations about her powers, and steamy encounters with an alpha wolf prince - maybe a party was exactly what she needed. A chance to forget about Luna duties and pack politics for one night and just... dance.

She closed her eyes, imagining Draken in formal wear, those muscled arms holding her close as they swayed to music. Her body tingled at the memory of their passionate moments in the wilderness. Whatever this thing was between them, whatever being his “mate” meant, she couldn’t deny the pull she felt toward him.

The dress seemed to whisper promises of the evening to come.

The bedroom door suddenly burst open with enough force to make Lorelei jump. Draken filled the doorframe, his chest heaving beneath his white Henley that clung to his still-damp skin. His hair was wet and tousled like he’d barely taken time to towel it off before rushing to her room. Despite his disheveled state - or perhaps because of it - he looked sexy as hell.

“I heard you fainted.” His voice was rough with concern as he crossed the room in three long strides. “Are you all right?”

The mattress dipped as he sat beside her, one hand coming up to cup her cheek. His touch sent tingles through her body, and she had to resist the urge to lean into his palm.

“I’m fine,” she assured him, trying to ignore how his proximity made her pulse quicken. “Just got a little lightheaded. Probably shouldn’t have skipped breakfast.”

His thumb traced her cheekbone. “I’ve been pushing you too hard with the training.” His eyes darkened. “And other activities.”

Heat bloomed in her cheeks as memories of their passionate lovemaking flashed through her mind. “No, really. Dr. Sanders said it was just dehydration and exhaustion. Nothing serious.”

He didn’t look convinced, but his expression shifted to something more determined. “There’s something we need to discuss.” He glanced at the dress laid out on her bed. “I see Kelly’s already delivered your gown for tonight.”

“Yes, it’s beautiful.” Lorelei ran her fingers along the silk.

“The party tonight...” He paused, his jaw tightening. “It’s to formally introduce you as my Luna. The pack has been waiting to meet you since they sensed your powers awakening.”

Lorelei’s hand stilled on the fabric. Her mind raced back to everything Marybeth had taught her that morning about what being Luna meant - about being his mate, about leading the pack alongside him. The reality of it all suddenly felt very immediate and very real.

Draken watched her intently, clearly waiting for her reaction. His body was tense like a predator ready to spring, though whether to chase her if she ran or protect her if she feared, she wasn’t sure.

Lorelei twisted the silk sheets between her fingers, avoiding Draken’s intense gaze. “I don’t think I’m ready to be introduced to the pack.”

“We don’t have a choice,” he stated firmly. “There are already problems brewing because you haven’t been formally presented. Like I said, the pack sensed your awakening. They’re growing very restless.”

“And they’ll be even more restless when they discover I’m human, won’t they?” The words tasted bitter on her tongue. “Because the Luna is supposed to be a wolf.”

Draken’s shoulders tensed. “Yes. But there’s more to it than that,” he replied. “The pack – the entire supernatural community of wolves – we don’t particularly... like humans.”

The admission hit her like a punch to the gut. The silk sheets crumpled in her fists as anger surged through her veins. “Don’t particularly like humans? What does that even mean?”

“Lorelei-“

“No.” She shoved the covers aside, ignoring the lingering dizziness as she stood. “Maybe I should just go home. Screw all of you and your supernatural superiority complex.” The floor trembled beneath her feet. “And what about you, Draken? How do you really feel about having a weak, despised human for a Luna?”

The tremors intensified, rattling the furniture. A vase crashed to the floor, shattering into pieces. Panic flashed across Draken’s face as he crossed the room in two swift strides.

“Breathe,” he commanded, gripping her shoulders. His touch sent sparks of electricity through her body, but the earth continued to shake. “Focus on my voice. Control it.”

Lorelei squeezed her eyes shut, trying to rein in her powers along with her emotions. The reality of her situation crashed over her like a wave – she couldn’t go home, not like this. Not when a moment of anger could trigger an earthquake.

The tremors gradually subsided, leaving her exhausted and shaking in Draken’s grip. She opened her eyes to find his face inches from hers, concern etched in his features.

“I can’t go home yet, can I?” she whispered, hating how vulnerable she felt. “Even if I wanted to?”

“No,” he confirmed, his thumbs drawing circles on her shoulders. “You can’t.”

Her heart thundered in her chest as his thumbs continued their soothing circles on her shoulders. His touch sent waves of warmth through her body, calming her frayed nerves even as it ignited something else entirely.

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