"I forgive you" I couldn't believe my ears when she uttered the three words that I have wanted to hear for so long. I knew that I probably didn't deserve it, but I sure was gonna take it.

I stare into her gorgeous brown eyes glistening with happiness. I honestly didn't know why it took this long for me to realize that she was the only woman I needed.

Everything about her was perfect. There was nothing that she could do or say to change the way I felt about her. Her perfect eyes, face, hair, body, everything about her was simply perfect. Of course she was perfect; she was a freaking angel for crying out loud.

Holding her in my arms right now was everything I needed. It was a miracle how I was able to be apart from her for so long.

Now that she has forgiven me, I was never going to let her out of my sight, not that I have since she has been back. I always had someone watching her from a distance, just to make sure she was ok. Or it could have been me just wanting to make sure she never left again.

I know that I told her that she could leave whenever she wanted, but I lied. I would never have let her go. I would tie her to my bed if I had to, but she wasn't going anywhere.

I know that I was selfish, but I couldn't help it. I missed months of having her by my side all because I was too afraid to let her in and admit my feelings. I wasn't about to waste any more time with her. I want her to see that I can be the mate she always wanted and I will be the mate she deserves.

Tucking her stray hair behind her ear, I cupped her face and leaned in to meet my lips with hers. I've always dreamed of kissing those perfect plumped lips again and when our lips connected, it was even better than I had imagined.

Our lips moved slowly in perfect sync with us just enjoying and savoring the taste of each other. I heard her moan and not wanting to get lost in the kiss in front of hundreds of wolves witnessing me pleasuring my mate, with much difficulty I pulled back.

At least I tried to pull back. She pulled me back in for another kiss and wrapped her hands around my neck running her hands through my hair.

I mind linked everyone in the room to mind their own business, while I had my way with Ava. This wasn't the place or time to be making out, but her lips were so addicting and sweet that I just couldn't get enough.

Unfortunately we were interrupted when someone tapped my shoulder. I pulled back from the kiss to glare at the person who clearly had a death wish.

"What?" I snapped annoyed.

"We need to talk" my beta, Mason said as soon as he saw my pissed off face.

"Right now?" I asked irritated.

"It's urgent" he urged with a serious expression.

"Fine" I drawled out.

I turned back my attention to Ava and cupped her face in my hands. She was wearing an adorable pout and I could tell that she already knew the words that were about to leave my mouth.

"I have to go" I told her and she frowned.

"I don't want to leave you, but it's urgent. I'll be back before you know it" I pecked her lips and let go of her face.

She didn't say anything, she just nodded and I took that as my cue to leave. I walked away from her on the dance floor with much difficulty. I walked over to the exit where I saw Mason waiting.

We both exited the room and entered the garden that was empty. I wanted to get this over with as soon as possible so that I could go back to Ava.

"What is the emergency?" I asked as soon as we were out of earshot.

"We just got back word from the spy we have on the inside of the South pack. They are planning an attack. We don't know for sure when they'll attack, but they are coming. They want revenge for the murder of their previous alpha" Mason informed me.

"Murder? I wouldn't call that murder since he was the one who attacked me. I like to think of it as self-defense"

"What are we going to do?" Mason ignored my defense and instead glared at me for taking the situation lightly.

I know that he was on edge more than anyone else right now. If a war was to happen, he would have to protect his pregnant mate, Katie. So I understood why he was so annoyed with my nonchalant behavior.

"Inform all patrols that we are on lock down. We'll clear out the party and as of tomorrow training starts for everyone, no exemption" I ordered him. I knew he understood what I meant, because we have done this many times in the past.

"Also gather all the warriors and elders for a meeting in my office. We need to start strategizing so that we are prepared for an attack at anytime" I told him.

I walked away after I told him what to do. I wanted to find Ava and make sure that she was ok. I knew that she could handle herself, but that didn't mean that I wasn't always going to try to be there to protect her.

"What's going on?" she latched onto my arm looking panicked and worried.

"Let's get out of here" I offered and led her to the way of my office which was located on the second floor of the pack house.

As soon as I closed my office door behind me, she let out a sigh and plopped down on the couch over by the side beside the bookshelf. She kicked off her shoes and made herself comfortable on the couch.

"These shoes were killing my feet" she complained and attempted to massage her ankles.

Seeing her in pain, even though it wasn't anything major, it made my wolf sad and it wanted nothing more than to take the pain away. I moved over to her and propped her legs up across my thighs. I then proceeded to massage her ankles and she let out a satisfied sigh relaxing even further into the couch.

"This feels so good" she moaned.

When she realized what she'd done, she covered her mouth with her hands and looked at me mortified. I on the other hand, wore a proud smirk on my face with the knowledge that I could get this reaction from my mate by just massaging her ankles.

I continued massaging her ankles and she kept on moaning and sighing in satisfaction. I didn't know how long I could hold back before I pounced on her and had my wicked way with her.

Suddenly she pulled back her legs and the next thing I know, she was straddling my waist. As soon as she was on top of me, she planted her sweet lips on my own.

I pulled her closer to me and she wrapped her arms around my neck. Just as I was about to deepen the kiss, a knock sounded at the door.

Right, I had a meeting.

"Come in" I ordered annoyed that we were interrupted.

Ava looked down at me with a frown and I looked up at her with an apologetic look. This meeting was important. What we were doing could wait. I just needed to make sure that everyone was safe and that we would win the war.

Just as the door opened, she got off me and fixed her clothes, while I did the same. Clearing my throat to get everyone's attention focused on me and not on a blushing Ava, I walked over to my desk.

"Alpha, you requested our presence" Elder Neil bowed to show his respect.

"Yes. The South pack is threatening an attack on our pack. They want revenge for the death of their previous alpha, which I killed after he attacked me. It is still unclear when they plan on attacking, but as of now, we are on lock down. Training starts tomorrow, no exemption" I explained the situation to everyone in the room. I cast a quick look on Ava, who had her eyebrows raised and seemed to want to say something.

"Everybody can't train. What about the old and the sick? Not to mention the young. You have to put in other measures for people who won't be able to defend themselves" Ava argued and walked to the front of the group of people.

Normally, I wouldn't let anyone talk to me that way and undermine my decisions, but she was my mate and she was destined to rule by my side. I have only ever seen this caring and compassionate side of her when she was surrounded by the pack members.

In this moment, I knew that she would make an excellent Luna, because leaders were expected to put the needs of their people before all else.

"What do you suggest Luna Ava?" I smirked and everyone focused their attention on her.