In less than half a second I stand a foot shorter and my dress is in shreds at my feet. Somehow my mate kept control of himself and is still heading this way on two feet. I can see the indecision in his form as he almost crosses me, but instead tackles me off the edge of the balcony. The smooth marble makes it impossible to stop and we both tumble over the side of the balcony. I know the ground is getting closer, but I can't take my eyes off this person.

He looks like he is yelling something. I don't understand. The wind is too fast. "What?" I say forgetting my wolf form so it comes out as a whine.

He pulls me close pushing his mouth to my ear and my face into his neck. My nose, almost as if it has a mind of its own, starts smelling every inch of him. The smell reminds me of the chocolate chip cookies I would make with my Alice. I'm so caught up in his smell I almost don't hear him screaming in my ear, "Phase, Dumbass!"

Change back? How does he expect me to do that? I look down at the ground getting closer with each millisecond. Shit, shit, shit! I try to turn my body for impact, but he grabs me and pulls me close to his chest, "It's okay, just change back."

Strong arms, thinner than I expected, but strong. Those were on my list with my magazines. I focus on his arms and take a deep breath. With an exhale my body grows back to my human form and we are suddenly gliding. I look up and notice something almost like a kite.

"Your wolf form was too heavy," he says and I notice him studying me closely in the moonlight.

I feel heat crawl across my face and I look down. His arms grip me tightly as we drift through the sky toward a forest. I feel lumps pushing into my back from where he's holding me against his chest. The heat on my face gets stronger, these are his muscles. Oh fuck, he's ripped! We land softly just before the forest, I know it's not his first time doing whatever he did

"How did you do that?" I ask.

"Magic," he says sarcastically just as I hear a mechanical whir and the wings begin retracting.

I stand a cool breeze on my skin. Too much breeze. I look down. Crap, my dress is back at the palace. I try to cover myself, but my skin glows like a beacon in the moonlight.

I hear a snicker and look up to see my mate smiling at me. I can't see much of their face behind their hood, but their smile relaxes me and I don't feel as uncomfortable. Mother was right, this moon thing is a hell of a drug.

"Luna has good tastes," he says, there is something strange about his voice, almost like he hadn't quite finished puberty yet.

Heavy fabric hits me in the face, holding it out, I realize its a dark robe, "That's better than going home naked."

I pull the robe over my exposed skin, "So, since you've seen all of me, can I at least see your face?"

He's not paying any attention, instead he's shoving the stolen painting into his book sack and muttering to himself, "Father is going to be pissed! Ha! She's from Luna! There's nothing he can do!"

The painting is of a beautiful black-haired woman, she looks slightly familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it. "Hey," I say, putting my hand on his shoulder, "Can you at least tell me your name?"

My touch makes him stiffen and he turns and look at me, "Sure thing Love," there are a few barks in the distance and he grabs his stuff then takes my hand, "But we should get you home."

.We sneak through the streets while occasionally using the forest to get back to my home. He never lets go of my hand and we make it back all too soon. It feels so different than I imagine. Almost like a small fire lit in my soul. Like I'm a candle That's been waiting my whole life to be lit and now I'm ablaze with a light brighter than the sun.

"Do you think you can make it inside?" he asks as he uses one hand to caress my face. The fire inside glows brighter and my wolf gets excited making me jittery.

"Yes, but you should come in. I can make you some tea or coffee?" I say.

"No, they are looking for me. You should probably keep this quiet until I come to find you again," he says worriedly.

The high I was feeling from the flame diminishes significantly, "What? But-"

"Shhh, it's okay Love. Just tell everyone you didn't get a mate. I promise I won't leave you," he says then leaves a kiss on my hand. He swiftly disappears into the forest taking my light with him.

It's okay, he promised he won't leave me.