Page 15 of Moon's Call

Draken’s wolf bristled at the suggestion that he needed to prove himself worthy of his own Luna. But something in Scorpio’s words rang true even if he wasn’t ready to admit it quite yet.

“She destroyed an entire construction site today,” Draken said instead. “She has no control over powers that could level mountains. And I’m supposed to... what? Start with Luna 101?”

“Well, it would be better than putting her in a dungeon.”

“It isn’t a dungeon!”

Draken leaned back in his chair, the leather creaking beneath his weight. “Fine,” he said. “You’ve made your point. I can’t expect her to understand our ways without teaching her.”

“Was that actual humility from the mighty Alpha?” Scorpio’s eyes danced with amusement.

“Don’t push it.” Draken stood, his height casting a long shadow across the office floor. “But you’re right. If I want a true partner, I need to earn it. Show her what being Luna really means.”

“And maybe learn something about yourself in the process?”

Draken’s wolf huffed at the suggestion, but he tamped down the instinctive denial. “Maybe. She’s... different. The way she handled herself today – there’s strength there.”

“Strength you didn’t expect from a human?”

“She crumbled that wall like it was nothing.” Pride crept into his voice unbidden. “Raw power, untrained but pure. And instead of freaking out, she complained about the dust.” His lips curved despite himself. “Who does that?”

“Your mate, apparently.”

The word ‘mate’ sent a surge of possessiveness through him. His wolf howled in agreement. “She needs to learn control. Understanding. But maybe...” He walked to the window and stared out at the moon. “Maybe teaching her doesn’t have to be a burden. Maybe it could be...”

“Fun?”

“I was going to sayrewarding.” But Draken couldn’t hide his small smile. “Watching her face when she discovers what she can really do – that might be entertaining.”

“Just try not to put her in any more dungeons.”

“Dammit, it is not a dungeon!” Draken’s protest echoed off the walls. “No more stone chambers. I’ll have to win her over the human way.”

“You mean actually courting her? Using charm instead of alpha commands?” Scorpio clutched his chest in mock horror. “Whatever will the pack think?”

“The pack will deal with it.” Draken’s voice held the steel of command. “She’s my Luna. Even if I have to prove worthy of her first.”

“Well, then, I’ll go check on dinner,” Scorpio said, slipping out of the office with a knowing smirk.

Draken remained at the window, his reflection stark against the dark glass. The moon hung brightly, reminding him of the night he’d first felt Lorelei’s powers awakening.

“A human mate.” He shook his head. “Who needs wooing, of all things.”

But the thought wasn’t as distasteful as it had been hours ago. The way her eyes had lit up when she’d crumbled that wall, the sharp wit in her complaints about the dust – she wasn’t what he’d expected. Not at all.

He turned from the window and paced his office, his mind churning with possibilities. “She’s an architect. She understands structure and design.” His fingers traced the spine of an ancient book about pack history. “Maybe start there. Show her the old tunnels beneath the castle, let her see how our ancestors carved homes from living rock.”

His wolf approved, recognizing the strategic value of playing to her interests while teaching her about their ways. But it wasn’t enough. She deserved more than just lessons.

“Dinner under the stars,” he muttered, planning aloud. “She responds to the moon, even if she doesn’t know why yet. And the garden...” He paused, remembering how flowers seemed to lean toward her as she’d passed. “The roses are in bloom. Perfect place to help her practice smaller manipulations of earth.”

The moon’s light caught on his signet ring as he absently twisted it. “Court her properly. Show her this isn’t a prison, but a home. Her home.” His voice dropped lower. “Our home.”

The possessive growl in those last words surprised him. His wolf had never doubted she was theirs, but his human side was finally catching up to that certainty.

Draken pulled out his phone, his fingers moving swiftly across the screen. “Scorpio, change of plans. Move dinner to the garden. Set it up under the stars. Yes, now.”

His wolf prowled with anticipation as he strode through the castle’s corridors toward Lorelei’s suite. The stone walls seemed to hum as he approached - her power calling to his even through closed doors.

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