"Are the visiting wolves staying the night?" I wondered.

Phoenix was glancing beyond the trees as we walked away from the sparring grounds. Wolves had come to clean up and organise the transportation of the deceased. The King, despite being killed for the throne, would get a grand send-off to celebrate him.

I wasn't sure what time it was, but the moon was high in the sky with not a cloud in sight.

Phoenix hummed, "Yes. They have guest rooms in the packhouse."

"Will that work okay? With so much Alpha blood under one roof?"

He chuckled, his hand warm in mine. "I am more powerful now, so they will naturally settle beneath me. If I wasn't there, then no, it would be chaos."

"Oh," I muttered.

We approached the packhouse and I paused at the bottom step, out of breath. My leg was beginning to ache, a dull throbbing from the base of my spine. Phoenix faltered in his step and turned to me with curiosity. I gave him a weak smile, shaking my head.

"Just a little sore."

He cursed and stepped down to scoop me into his arms. "I should have carried you sooner. It completely slipped my mind. I apologise, Nova."

I lightly tapped his shoulder as he carried me back into the house. "Don't apologise, I am fine."

"You had your leg ripped out of its socket." He spoke sarcastically.

"You were in a huge fight too, with the King of all wolves. You aren't exactly uninjured."

"But mine are flesh wounds Nova, bone takes more time." He chuckled.

I pouted and decided to keep quiet as we ascended the stairs. Talk about an after-party, killing some wolves, getting some spooky healing blood and then going to bed. As if I wasn't now rightful Luna and he wasn't the Kin-wait... If he was the King, was I the...

"What are you thinking about?" He wondered.

"If you're the King, does that mean I am the Queen?" I asked.

He opened our bedroom door and closed it behind us with his foot. "Yes... and no. There are coronation things to be dealt with before official titles."

"You don't sound so sure about that?" I wondered.

He sighed and sat me down on the bed, kneeling before me. His head dropped to the ground for a brief moment before he looked back at me. His eyes searched mine, a frown on his features but I was just as confused as I was a moment ago.

"What?" I wondered.

"I ... I don't want... to be King." He sighed.

My eyebrows creased as I searched his face for any sign of a lie, but he just seemed torn.

"W-wha-why?" I shook my head, confused.

He stood to his feet again and sat beside me on the bed. I shuffled closer to him, grasping his forearm in my hands. I could tell he was conflicted, his emotions all over the place and hard to decipher.

"I challenged him because I knew I would win and he did not deserve to rule when he is not to be trusted. He does not develop with the times and would rather rule with fear than with integrity and care." He began, "I do not want to be King, Nova, because it is not a role I feel suited for. I do not want that entire responsibility on my shoulders. I was trained and raised to be an Alpha, a damn good one at that, not a King, nor even a Prince."

I stayed silent as I mulled over his words. It didn't sound completely unusual, and I could see why he thought that way. I knew one hundred percent I would support him in whatever he chose, and if that means renouncing the throne then that is what it meant. The King was killed as it was the easiest way to rid him of the power and Phoenix now had the power in his hands to create as many laws as he wishes.

"Okay."

"Okay?" He wondered, his chin resting in my hair. "What do you mean 'okay'?"

I giggled at his confusion, "Just okay. I understand, and I want you to do what you feel is right."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. You support me, I support you. That's how this thing is meant to go."

"You are also supposed to tell me when something is a bad idea..." He mused.

I laughed. "This isn't exactly an idea...more a fact. You are King now. It is your power and your responsibility to decide what to do with that power. I'm just thankful you are letting me into your brain."

He chuckled, his arm around my back rubbing into my side. "Thank you, Nova."

"Thank you to Phoenix." I teased.

"Let's go shower, can you get up?" He asked, standing from the bed.

I nodded and shakily stood to my feet. I couldn't help the wince that appeared on my features as I bared the weight on the weak limb and he noticed it immediately. I gasped when he picked me up, only this time I was over his shoulder in a fireman's lift. I shrieked and tried to catch my bearings as he started to carry me to the bathroom.

I sat down on the vanity side and already had my arms crossed and a frown waiting when he looked at me. His face moved into a sly smirk, pecking a kiss on my nose. Damn it, that was cute.

I felt my stern expression falter and he chuckled at me, "Stay there."

What am I? A dog?

He turned around to adjust the knobs of the shower but I wasn't going to sit here like a plant when I could be getting towels ready. I gently slid off the side and set my feet calmly on the floor. It didn't hurt, just a mere ache. I moved to the towel cupboard on the other side of the room and pulled out two towels.

Phoenix suddenly growled, "I told you to stay there."

I spun around crossing my arms. "I am capable."

"I don't want you to hurt yourself."

"I have healed Phoenix, I'm okay. It aches and nothing more. I just killed two badass wolves for the right to hold my own blood and have you as a mate, I think I can bear the pressure of getting two towels."

"Two?" He wondered, dropping the conversation.

"Well yeah, one for my hair and one for me."

He pouted, "Where's mine?"

"Yours?"

He nodded, crossing his arms. "Mine. I don't want you to slip and hurt yourself."

I couldn't help but let my eyes wander through his every contour. His dark skin was illuminated by the dull bathroom light that buzzed above him. His features were dark under the longer mess of hair, unruly and filthy on top of his head.

"Okay." I breathed.

He grinned like a Cheshire cat and took my hand. I dropped my eyes in sudden embarrassment when he went to lift my dress over my head. It swiftly fell to the floor and I crossed my arms in front of me, looking away. His hands met my cheeks and I risked a glance to see him staring at my face.

"You have nothing to hide from me, Nova."

I blushed when I realised that we were both as naked as can be, but took his hand once again as he helped me into the shower. I stood beneath the warm water and sighed when the droplets rained down on my shoulders. I jumped when Phoenix's rough hands came to massage the muscles there, his thick fingers digging in deep as they trailed down my spine.

I moaned slightly into his touch, feeling myself turn to jelly from the release of pressure on my back. They disappeared, only to come back with a shampoo bottle. I went to take it from him but he snatched it away as quickly as I could blink. I growled lowly in annoyance and turned my head to face him.

He was smiling with innocence as he held the mango shampoo in his palms. I eyed him as he lifted his hands to my head and began to rub the soap into my scalp. My eyes fluttered shut on their own accord and I found myself almost purring as he washed my hair. When he moved to my body, he took his leisurely time with the pouffe, rubbing the suds in slowly. He was extra gentle when it came to my private regions and I found myself blushing when he rose to his full height once again.

Sponge discarded, his hands grasped my head and placed a kiss on my mouth. I succumbed to it, but the sudden pelting of water had me jerk away in surprise. He laughed at me, as I practically drowned under the current. He had pushed me under the water on purpose. I glared at him but he just kissed me again, a small peck on my lips that had me wanting more.

Once I was rinsed off, I stepped to the side and grabbed the shampoo from the side. I eyed his height, unsure how I would return the favour of washing his thick hair. He took the bottle from my hand, saying he'd done it since I was so small. It only made my eyes narrow further. For a man who just killed the King, he sure was feeling cockily confident.

Once his hair was washed, I took the sponge he used and filled it with his own soap. I trailed it down his arms and back, admiring the way his skin curved and stretched. I took it gently over the healed cuts and bruises, admiring how quickly he could heal. He really was a strong werewolf, and it set my nerves on fire at the image of him above me once again. The soap was creamy and bubbling, and as I dragged it over his stomach and v-line, I found myself having to hold back the desirable thoughts.

"Your heat is due in two days."

"It is?" I gasped, my hand faltering and rubbing over his groin.

I pulled it away quickly, apologising rapidly but he just smirked and washed his body instead. I stepped backwards, feeling cold from the lack of water, and wrapped myself in the nearest towel.

"I can smell it, it's moved closer. It's going to be Saturday now." He nodded before tilting his head back under the showerhead.

I chewed on my lip, unashamedly admiring the water falling down his head, neck and shoulders. I trailed my eyes along his chest, his stomach, his hips and his...yeah. He was delectable.

My heat was going to come on Saturday. I was nervous but after the taste, I got the other day, I couldn't but admit I was feeling the buzzing excitement. Cel was too.

Wait.

"Saturday?" I suddenly questioned. "Isn't that when Lyra is to have her mating ceremony?"

The water shut off and Phoenix stepped out, smoothing his hair back. I passed him a large towel as he rubbed his face and neck dry.

"It is."

"You are the King now, can't you stop it?"

"I will."

"When? How? Will the Beta be angry?"

"He will be furious." He chuckled, wrapping the towel around his waist. "But I am King now, and I revoke the rule of the Alpha matches. I already have the paperwork drawn up; I just have to sign it in the daytime with lawyers present. Then Lyra is her own person once again."

"What do you think she will do?" I wondered.

He shrugged and made his way to the vanity. He passed me my moisturiser, and I watched with fascination as he popped the cap into his own. Oh, I do love the fact he takes care of his skin. Is there anything more attractive than someone who has a hygiene routine?

"Knowing Lyra, kill the Beta."

My eyes widened in surprise, my mirrored reflection staring back at me as I smoothed the cream over my nose. "Oh. I see."

He chuckled, "Don't worry, she has every right to. She'll get pardoned by me."

"That's...good."

He passed me my toothbrush next, already covered in minty paste and together we brushed our teeth. It was weird, doing this in sync, but it felt comforting and brought warmth to my chest. We weren't fully mated, but the fact he was all mine was all I needed.

Once we were clean and dry, I pulled on one of his clean shirts as he did boxers, and we climbed into bed. My hair was still partially damp, so I chose to keep it down my back for now. I curled up into his side, my cheek against his shoulder and chest, my legs intertwined with one of his. I instantly felt relaxed, like the weight of the week had been lifted from my shoulders when I needed it most.

"How are you feeling about...what happened?" He asked.

I tensed, the dark pools of blood surrounding the enemy flashed into my mind, but I swallowed it down, pushing it away.

"I feel slightly bad, but they knew what they were getting into. I had no choice."

He hummed, his face in my hair sniffing slightly. "You have come so far my little Luna."

"I have?" I chuckled, "How so?"

"You couldn't even look me in the eye when we first met, nor talk or even think about hurting somebody. You've grown so much Nova, you are so strong."

I blushed; this pillow talk was going to be the end of me. "Thank you. But you've changed too."

"I have?"

I almost laughed at the repetitive conversation but chose to nod with a grin. "You have. You are a lot softer now."

"I am not soft."

"Oh, I know that." I teased, feeling bold.

A deep rumble sounded from his chest, and I shrieked in surprise when he rolled on top of me. "Keep on teasing me little mate, and I will show you just how much I can grow."

My eyes widened, the blood rushing through my ears. I know he was trying to sound sexy but... I burst into laughter, the cheesy pick-up line was just too much. His face lost the smirk and he frowned at me in confusion, which only made me laugh harder. He rolled back to the side of me, muttering about who knows what.

"I'm so sorry, that w-was just so..." I laughed again, my hands coming to wipe the tears away.

"I was trying to be sexy, thank you very much." He grumbled.

I stopped laughing to grin at him, feeling so content and comfortable. I had everything I never thought I wanted. I didn't like the idea of mates in the beginning because I didn't want to be used as a trophy or as a baby incubator that cooked and baked all day for her always-grumpy man. I mean Phoenix was mostly grumpy, but he was thoughtful and smart. He let me be my own person, and I was so thankful that he did. He was everything I never dreamed of.

My mate.

••••

The countdown to the end is on! 5 more chapters !

Are you doing anything nice this weekend? Going anywhere with anyone or not?

Or just work or homework lol

© ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2021 © XDeafening_SilenceX on W a t t p a d