(First update in a double update)

I silently led Carnet up to my room, the space itself had been transformed since the last time I was here, a few of my pack members taking the time to get my room ready for my Luna instead of going to dinner.

Being unmated until now my room had been quite sparse and spartan, which was suitable for me, but not my Luna. The large bed with a thin sheet had been changed to a heavy and soft downy duvet topped with thick furs to keep my Luna warm as he slept.

As an Alpha I ran hot, rarely feeling the cold but Carnet would feel the approaching winter acutely, the bitter and icy wind was unforgiving up high in the mountains and even with a fire crackling in the hearth and sharing my body heat with him I still worried he'd get sick.

It was the reason I'd ordered my pack members to put such a thick duvet and furs on top for good measure.

The lone table by the fire that used to house two chairs and a chessboard had been switched with a larger table, the chessboard still present and how Jan and I had left it mid-game, to continue at a later date when we both had a moment.

A rocking chair had been placed directly in front of the fire, for Carnet to read in the evenings if he so wished, or maybe even knit blankets or little clothes for our pups and the thought made me smile.

A chest of draws, a bookcase and a few shelves had been added also, for Carnet to put his things when they arrived from his old pack, and for all the things I'd spoil him with. The walk-in closet I had was more than large enough for us to share the space and I liked the thought of all his clothes getting covered in my scent.

Some pelts and rugs had been scattered on the hardwood floor and thicker black-out curtains were covering the balcony door, all to help my Luna deal with the cold winter that would soon be on us.

For tonight lit candles had been placed on almost every surface, scented with calming fragrances and illuminating the room in a soft and warm glow.

I'd seen the surprise on my pack members' faces when I'd made such a request, along with some others. I gather they hadn't expected me to be so thoughtful and considerate towards my Luna. I may be an Alpha but I wasn't a thoughtless beast, I wanted Carnet to be comfortable in his new home and relaxed tonight.

I knew he was nervous and probably apprehensive about consummating our bond so I wanted to cause him as least stress as possible, and creating a welcoming and calming atmosphere would help with that.

I had no intention of forcing myself on Carnet against his will and although my wolf longed to just push Carnet down on the bed and fuck him roughly I would hold those impulses back, not just because I promised Jan, but also myself. I would hate to cause Carnet pain or give him any reason to hate or fear me. Part of me was almost too scared to touch him in fear I'd blemish his milky white skin with bruises or cause him to cry.

Alpha's weren't known for being gentle and I'll admit in the past I'd been far from tame in the bedroom. I remembered one time, in particular, I'd been considerably worked up and had taken one of my warriors to bed because I doubted anyone else would be able to handle me. He'd been not much smaller than me and I'd left him a weeping mess by the end, he'd been willing at the start but I bet he regretted it afterwards. I'd been ashamed to find his ass bloody despite the time I'd taken to prepare him, his hips bruised from my tight grip and he couldn't go back to his duties for days because of the injuries I'd caused.

I was terrified of hurting Carnet, the strength of my wolf's instincts to devour Carnet with animalistic need, to destroy his innocence and forever remind him who he belonged to was hard to fight against, but I knew I must.

I watched as Carnet took in the room, his gorgeous amber eyes alight with awe and wonder, beautifully plump lips parted with a ghost of a smile on the soft and deliciously sweet skin.

"Do you like it my Luna?" I asked in a quiet and low timbre, not wanting to startle him or ruin his calm and awed state.

He nodded with a soft hum, the heavy weight of the cave bear pelt still draped over his shoulders and drowning his slight frame from its sheer size and thick downy fur.

I gently took the pelt from his shoulders and folded it over the back of the rocking chair before going over to the bed and sitting down on the edge of it, just watching Carnet wander around the room for a few minutes and explore the room he'd now share with me. Warmth bloomed in my chest from how his golden eyes seemed to glitter in the candlelight, soft gasps and gentle smiles transforming his face into one of such beauty I was the one left breathless.

His fingers gently ran over the carved wooden furniture, brushing against the large tapestry that almost covered one of the walls, staring up in wonder at the image it depicted; a large brown wolf standing on a mountain and howling up at a full moon, the grass beneath his feet littered with purple flowers.

The slowly made his way around the room until he reached the table, kohl-lined doe-shaped eyes finding the chessboard and he glanced up at me. "You play chess?"

I inclined my head and smiled. "Yes, Jan and I usually play when I have a free moment, it can take us days to finish a single game though."

Carnet looked down at the board, fingers ghosting over the remaining king of the black chess pieces and then over to the white. "Which colour do you usually play?" he murmured softly.

"Black, of course, the winning colour, Jan has never been able to beat me," I said with pride and the smallest of chuckles came from his chest.

"Since my pack are major strategists, chess was always a big part of my childhood. My father and I would play a few rounds every evening and until recently I could never beat him, but now I win as much as I lose." a small and fond grin curled his lips. "I've only ever played white though," he whispered after a moment of silence and caressed the black queen with a longing expression.

I was pleasantly surprised that he knew how to play, but I guess I shouldn't be considering the pack he came from. "We must play sometime then," I suggested, intrigued at just how good my Luna was, I'd love to get a glimpse into that wonderful mind of his and see how it ticked.

"I'd like that." he smiled, still staring down at the board with almost wistfulness.

He'd looked around the entirety of the room aside from the balcony and seemed at a loss for what to do, continuing to stand by the table, staring down at the chess pieces frozen mid-game but appearing not to see the small carved wooden figures on the checkered board.

"Come here my Luna." I requested and held out my hand for him to take and he hesitatingly slipped his much smaller and cool hand into mine, allowing me to guide him in front of my sitting frame, his nerves coming back with vengeance.

I gently took his other hand in mine and gave them a slight squeeze, staring up at him with what I hope was a reassuring expression. "There's no need to be afraid Carnet."

"I can't help it," he whispered, his amber eyes leaving my silver and staring down at our bare feet. "I don't know what to expect and it terrifies me," he admitted, his voice wavering a little and he swallowed thickly.

I slowly guided him onto my lap and held him in my arms, placing a brief kiss on his forehead and nuzzling our cheeks together whilst letting out a quiet sigh.

His sweet scent was comforting to me and I hoped my own scent brought him some semblance of the same despite its intensity because I was an Alpha.

"What will happen tonight is the most natural thing Carnet. Your parents might not have told you what happens between an Alpha and their Luna but your body already knows deep down."

He glanced up at me from behind his lashes and I had to hold in the growl that bubbled up in my chest when he nibbled on his plump and pretty pink bottom lip. "T-then why did you tell me to put more food on my plate?" he asked tentatively, his pale cheeks turning an adorable rosy red and I couldn't help myself, I kissed the flushed skin, one cheek and then the other, only making them turn a deeper shade of red.

"It can be tiring my sweet Luna," I murmured against his impossibly soft skin and pressed another kiss to his cheek.

"It-it won't hurt will it?" he whispered fearfully, his whole body tensing up. "I heard the whispering of your pack members in the halls, they made it sound like it would hurt."

I was furious my pack had been so careless with their gossiping, I would have had a hard enough time keeping Carnet calm without their nosy and perverted speculations of how I'd take my Luna in bed, and to think they hadn't had the sense to avoid speaking of it in Carnet's presence or any of the other contender's.

I will be having words with them tomorrow, they'd be too terrified to ever speak again after they heard my stern scolding.

"It's my job to keep you happy and safe Carnet. Why on earth would I cause you pain?" I wasn't just asking him that but also myself. Thinking of my wolf's wants in that way helped me reign him in further, enough that I could believe I wouldn't intentionally cause Carnet harm and would have a clear enough head to take care in my actions to not accidentally make him feel pain and limit his discomfort to the absolute minimum.

He parted his lips to speak but just ended up frowning, deep in thought. "Then why...?" he mumbled to himself with a deep furrow between his brows, his expression the picture of confusion.

I sighed heavily and gently rubbed our noses together, my hands trailing up and down his back soothingly and waiting a few moments until Carnet had relaxed against me once more. "As their Alpha, they see quite a hard and cold side of me, I'm strict with them and any punishments I give out are harsh to discourage any reoccurrences. They think that because I treat them that way I will treat you the same, but that just isn't true.

You're my Luna, the keeper of my heart, and the carrier of our children, I would only treat you with the utmost care and gentleness." I professed honestly, hoping that I would never break that promise.