I woke up the next morning sore. I rolled over in bed and into the familiar warmth of Phoenix. The sparkling sensations of the mate bond had vanished, leaving behind a comforting warmth. I wondered why my hazy mind was unable to comprehend what was going on. Why did he feel different?

My eyes opened against the morning sun and I winced when I adjusted myself better in the bed. Why was I so sore?

Cel stirred, waking. 'Ask your mate.'

I frowned confused but when I looked down at my body under the duvet, I found both of us naked, minus my bra. It was then that I suddenly remembered yesterday. We had mated; we had completed the bond. I ended up blushing and the small sound of my realisation must have woken Phoenix because he began to stir. He rolled over, his eyes cracking open to looking up at me.

"What you doing awake?" He mumbled, his voice a deep, dry rasp.

"How long have I been asleep?" I wondered, looking for a clock.

I forgot I don't have a watch anymore since I was kidnapped and it was bugging me to check my wrist so often when it wasn't there.

"About nineteen hours." He breathed, pulling himself to lean against the headboard. "You fell asleep around three, it's ten-thirty now."

My eyes widened. "You stayed in here the whole time?"

He chuckled and nodded, his arm coming to wrap around my waist and pull me to his side. "I did. I had a lot of wolves questioning me though."

I frowned, snuggling into his chest. "Why?"

He laughed. "We mated, and they felt the change in power."

I blushed at the thought that everyone knew we had sex.

'Well, you weren't exactly quiet either.' Cel mused.

"Oh," I muttered, eager to change the subject. "What did you do whilst I was unconscious?"

He shrugged, "Just kept my eye on you. I did clean you with a cloth not long after you passed out, I didn't think you'd appreciate the wetness."

I laughed, hiding my nerves. Why did I feel so shy and nervous? We had mated fully; I had nothing to be ashamed of.

"Thank you."

"I also had some conversations regarding the breach." He sighed and I perked up in interest.

"Oh yeah?"

He nodded, pursing his lips. "Jess was one of the wolves taken."

I stiffened. "She got out?"

"Yes, we think it's a group of wolves all teaming up. We don't know what for, but since I defeated the King there has been a little unrest at the change of power since I have not declared myself to the world." He explained, "We are not the only pack that lost dungeon wolves yesterday."

I frowned, my eyebrows furrowing as I tried to make sense of what he said. So multiple packs were attacked by witches, who took wolves from jails and dungeons... Was this a cult? An uprising? I felt nervous for Phoenix, being the King now he would be under much more scrutiny.

"Have you heard anything from my old pack?" I asked.

He sighed heavily, his hand squeezing my arm slightly. "I have."

"Well?" I probed.

He sighed. "Sophie is missing."

"Missing? How is she missing?"

"Well, she went missing the day Steven was killed. She walked straight out of the pack and was never seen again." He explained. "I don't know where nor how, or whether she was sad for his death but she left."

"What of the pack?"

"The Beta is in charge, for now. I believe they will be appointing an Alpha bloodline from elsewhere eventually."

I paused, thinking over how Sophie had run. Part of me wanted to visit her and give her all I had for the way she treated me, but I suppose now I would just have to settle for no revenge. I had my mate and that is all that mattered.

"Do you think she's behind these dungeon disappearances?" I asked.

"Do you?" He mused.

I shook my head, frowning. "No. I don't think she is the leader behind it. She was smart, easily persuaded, so I would say if anything she'd be a follower. Going missing randomly is strange."

He chuckled. "That whole pack is strange, they deserve to suffer for a while. I would make it so, but that's just my bias against them. Hopefully, now Steven is dead, and Damien is getting there..."

I frowned. "I'm still conflicted about how I feel about him. He was kind to me, and even as I grew up. But what if Steven was right? What if it was just because I was Lycan?"

"Nova." He sighed, "That whole pack knew you were being beaten and mistreated. Did you ever receive any sympathy more than a cringed expression?"

"No..." I mumble.

'Alpha commanded.' Cel sighed.

We fell into silence as harsh memories of what my life used to be like fluttered through my mind. Of constantly being hungry and working all day, just to be beaten for others' mistakes. It was strange to think how far we had come since then. I was a stuttering, submissive and beaten mess, and Phoenix was a strong, stubborn, hot-headed douche. I chuckled at the memory, thinking how absurd it would be if old me met me now.

"Have you thought more about being King?" I wondered, staring up at him.

He looked down at me and kissed my temple. "I have contacted my cousin regarding changing it over."

I inhaled sharply. "Are you sure?"

He nodded, his nose in my hair. "I am. I had a lot of time laying here as you healed to think about it."

"Okay. It is your decision, and if you don't feel comfortable with being King, then I will support you."

His face lightened as he came down to kiss both my cheeks. I smiled up at him, pulling myself to a sitting position in the bed. I glanced down at my bra, eager to get it off, feeling dirty from the day before. I was glad he had washed me after our ordeal, I could only imagine how sticky it would be after.

"I'm going to shower...care to...join me?" I wondered.

He smirked, hauling himself up in the bed in a flash. He scooped me into his arms and with a squeal, I clung to his neck. He carried us to the bathroom and sat me down on the toilet. I asked for privacy and he took his opportunity to go and get fresh towels whilst I relieved myself. I winced as a sharp pain ran through me, but was pleased there was no blood. Once I flushed he entered the room again, a huge grin on his face. He told me to stay seated and I was happy too considering the aching I felt.

Once the hot water was running he turned to me with a hesitant expression. "You okay?"

I nodded, smiling as I shakily stood to my feet. "Yeah, I'm just sore."

"Well it was our first time, you can't expect no soreness." He smiled, picking me up once again. "We'll have plenty more practice."

I laughed, running my hand down his chest as the droplets flushed his skin clean. "Well... There is always something I could do."

His eyes darkened as I fell to my knees, his head falling forwards as I took hold of him. I grinned innocently, before bringing him to a hot, needy pleasure. The water of the shower beat down on my legs as I kneeled before him. He was so godly, water cascading down his every muscle and v/line; his hair a wet hot mess. He was groaning and spluttering curses above me the whole time I took him, and once he was finished, I grinned up at him with a sly expression and stood to my feet.

He cursed, pulling my face to his to kiss me. "I could never get tired of that."

I laughed, "I bet you couldn't."

He smiled at me before taking the soap and beginning to wash my body. He was gentle in places and rough when it came to scrubbing my back. I had moaned that he needed to go harder there and wasn't expecting the pleasure that came with having my skin scrubbed with a loofah. I could never reach the middle of my back and it felt amazing. He had laughed at me, of course, even as he gently wiped at my sensitive areas. I winced slightly, feeling sore and used so I was grateful for how careful he was being.

Once my hair was conditioning, I began to work on him. All the time he fiddled with my hair or kissed my neck, which was extremely distracting especially when he would suck on my mark. I ended up smacking him away, telling him I wouldn't be able to finish if he kept it up. He had retracted like a child scorned, grimacing at me with a pout. Once he was clean, I tip-toed to kiss his lips and he grinned like the Cheshire Cat.

I leaned away with a roll of my eyes and rinsed the conditioner from my hair. Once we were all clean and dry, I took Phoenix's offer of helping me out of the shower and stood on the bath mat waiting for a towel. I caught sight of myself in the mirror and had to do a double-take.

I had changed... Somehow. I don't know how but I looked different. I knew the mate-bond was to blame; when you fully mated you shared strengths and weaknesses. I was a Luna now, an almost-queen in fact.

I was still pale, but I was littered with small dark pink bruises along my stomach, neck and chest. My body was thin still but held more strength than I had ever felt before. My shoulders were square and tight, my body holding itself as it should do.

I felt strong as I glanced over my appearance, and the marks of Phoenix made me feel loved. My body was littered with the whispers of love, my cheeks tinged with the slightest of pink. My hair was healthier, and despite being wet I knew when it dried it would be a thicker, deeper blonde than it ever was before.

Phoenix wrapped the towel around my body and smiled down at me in the mirror. "Beautiful."

I blushed and shook my head at his compliment, still not completely accepting of so much praise.

He chuckled and kissed my jaw. "You are beautiful, Nova. I could list one hundred and one reasons why you are so; inside and out."

I smiled thanks at him before continuing with my post-shower routine. By the time I was dry and dressed, it was lunchtime. Phoenix had 'helped' me choose my underwear and it was another lacey number much like yesterday, only blue.

It was sunny today, with clear skies, and taking the confidence I felt from within, I slid into a pretty knee-length dress. It was a pale blue with tiny light blue polka dots, thin spaghetti straps and a ruffled hemline.

I slid into a pair of white trainers, ruining the look perhaps, and met Phoenix in the bedroom. He had been dressed well before me, the debate of my dress taking longer than expected. He was in simple jeans and a white polo-style shirt, with black trainers on his feet. I grinned at his appearance, happy to see him so dressed down. His stubbled jaw and longer hair were doing things to me.

He placed his hand on the small of my back and we walked down the hallway, heading towards the kitchen for food. I ended up singing Selena Gomez on the way down, love you like a love song stuck in my head. Phoenix had raised an eyebrow at me but I just smirked at him and descended the stairs.

The first person we encountered merely bowed his head and carried his food into the dining area. I could smell a mix of foods but my senses were overwhelmed to split them up. I couldn't decide on my choices and found myself getting lost in the scents.

Phoenix's hand came to my back again as he forced me out of my daydream. I followed his lead into the kitchen and despite my nerves, I found myself feeling comforted by the wolves nearby. My eyes found those of Charlie who dropped what he was doing and came right over. He embraced me, pulling me into his arms so suddenly I was taken aback.

He squeezed me tightly enough I felt my breathing cut off and when I awkwardly patted his back, I looked over him to see Phoenix rolling his eyes. Charlie pulled away and scanned me from head to toe, his eyes smirking with mischief.

"What?" I muttered.

"You look wonderful." He smiled.

"Thanks." I blushed.

"I knew when I first met you at the party you were meant for greatness, Nova. I could just feel it in the way you breathed." He smiled, stepping away to continue grabbing food. "I said to myself, this little she-wolf is a spitfire underneath. You just stared at me, not even bothered just worried about the drink in my tux."

He laughed, before pausing to sniff. "You know, I keep smelling this amazing scent of a lemony citrus but it always disappears before I can latch onto it. There are far too many smells in this damn smelly house, and it's driving my wolf insane."

I quirked an eyebrow in interest. "I can't smell any lemons today?"

Pollux and Sean suddenly appeared with Leo who rolled his eyes at me.

"That's because you reak of Alpha." Leo huffed before embracing me. "Like really bad. It's taken over you."

I pouted, casting a look to Pollux and Sean who agreed with a frown. I huffed and marched my way away from the meanies to plate myself some food. I glanced at my mate who stood waiting for me patiently, his plate piled high with what appeared to be peppery chicken pizza and cheesy fries. My mouth watered at the sight; I hadn't eaten in twenty-four hours and that looked amazing.

Deciding on cheesy chips and some kind of battered chicken, I poured myself a glass of water and followed Phoenix into the dining room. I was met with crowds and murmurs of congratulations with my given Luna title. I had thanked them with a blush, unable to think of anything else since the thought engraved in my mind was; they knew we had mated.

I sat opposite Phoenix, my eyes drawn to the way the sun cast over the side of his face. "Can we go to the hill tonight?"

His eyebrows creased but he nodded. "I just have to deal with Alexandar, he is visiting today, for me to give him the title. So far, I have done nothing whilst being King and he's getting impatient."

"Oh okay," I smiled before hesitating. "You don't have to kill each other do you?"

He chuckled. "Not at all. I am willingly giving it up so all I have to do is submit, and make a blood oath to him as my King."

'Ares submitting? That's something I'd like to see.' Cel mused.

I grinned an okay at him and we continued our dinner in mutual silence. My brothers had already eaten since we came down so late so I didn't see anyone other than the friendliness of the pack.

The energy between Phoenix and I thudded with my heart in my chest. I could feel his every emotion and breath if I concentrated hard enough. I could sense what he was going to do next, my every fibre enlightened with his. It was soothing, and I relaxed into the comfort of his mind.

I could never get tired of this.

•••

Hello, hope you're all enjoying these updates!

There is only one chapter left after this! Waaaaaat

I am going to be editing Lost Luna and then the Sequel will be in the works on Wattpad!

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