Page 95 of Claiming Her Alpha

They walked side by side as much as the dense forest allowed. She walked him through the territory, explaining their patrol policies and schedules to him. They weren’t as strict as he was used to. It would take him time and patience to get to know their large territory, but she offered to help where she could and reassured him that no one expected anything. Mike would be eager to help him too.

After an hour, they reached a small lake surrounded by a moss-covered shore. It was a peaceful place, and Kendra’s thoughts slowed the closer she got to the water. He watched as she walked into the water and shifted, her gorgeous human body halfway submerged. He shifted himself and stepped in behind her. The warm water caressed his skin, sparkling in the rays of the afternoon sun peeking through the trees.

Wrapping his arms around her waist, he gently placed a kiss on her shoulder. “Do you often come here?”

“I did. Sometimes my mind wouldn’t rest, and my wolf would stir so loud I couldn’t hear my own thoughts. The run here calmed her and if I was alone, I didn’t have to hide how I felt.”

He had no words to describe how hearing that made him feel. For a whole year she’d been alone, fighting to keep control of her wolf–and all without someone to talk to. It made what he’d gone through seem easy. Of course, she’d told him before that no one else knew about him, but it hadn’t fully sunk in.

She leaned into his touch, her skin tingling on his. “Don’t feel bad. I had my mind set on getting you back, and once I had a plan on how to do it, everything felt so much easier. I knew one day I would stand here with you by my side. Knowing that gave me strength and at least some peace of mind.”

He nuzzled into her neck, his lips fondling with his mark. With his luna in his arms, he tapped into the bond and soaked up the peace that buzzed in the air around him. Though he still had trouble wrapping his mind around his future, he couldn’t wait for his journey as alpha to his very own luna to begin.

“I love you to the moon and back, little luna.”

“And I love you, my gorgeous alpha.”

The End

Epilogue I

Kendra sat next to Avery, watching over Ryker and her warriors. It had only been a week since she’d freed him and claimed him as hers and they’d already begun to settle into a routine. While she handled pack business, he spent his time with Mike and the warriors, mapping out the territory and getting to know everyone.

He was doing fantastic and what time he didn’t spend with the pack, he spent with her. Even though handling pack business was her responsibility, Ryker helped where he could–even if that meant helping her organize her father’s mess. Every minute she had with him felt like heaven, a dream come true, even the ones spent hovering over the budget. He was finally hers and that’s all that mattered.

“So, are we allowed to take bets, Luna?” Avery asked with a cheeky grin, his sparkling eyes resting on Ryker.

“That I leave up to you. Would you rather want to bet against your alpha or your lead warrior?” Kendra laughed.

“Maybe keeping my thoughts to myself is a wiser choice,” Avery chuckled and handed her a chocolate bar.

“That depends on who you think will be more forgiving.”

“I’d rather not play with fire today.”

“How have you and Ryker been getting along?”

“Very well. I think with time he’ll make an excellent alpha. He just needs to adjust to the role. It’s all still very new and he seems to be held back by not knowing the pack very well.”

“He told me as much, but hopefully he’ll come to know everyone.”

“He does make an effort with every person he meets, but it’s a lot to take in.”

Slowly, the warriors dispersed and found a seat to watch their alpha and lead warrior fight for the first time.

“May I watch too?”

Kendra flinched and turned her head around to see Benjamin bashfully standing a few feet behind the bench.

“Always.” She patted on the bench next to her. “If you like you can even sit with the cool kids.”

Avery let out a bark of laughter next to her and Benjamin couldn’t hide his grin. Though he was still very secluded, Benjamin was venturing into the village more often. He sat next to her though not as close as Avery was, which she didn’t take personally.

A few people had gathered after word had spread that the alpha and lead warrior would fight it out. They didn’t really have anything to fight over–nothing except their pride. Lina and Jenevea sat a little to the side on the grass, eagerly chatting with their babies in their laps. Her father was standing across from them, chatting along with his old beta. He was much more content these days, though he always had an open ear for her when she had questions.

With Ryker by her side, everything seemed so much more at ease. Her wolf was much quieter now, making her whole world more peaceful.

Ryker was the first to strike, his fist connecting with Mike’s cheek bone. They exchanged a few punches. Ryker’s eyebrow bled as Mike’s lip busted. They weren’t taking it easy, both of them wanting the win. With each swing they got more aggressive and it got harder to tell who was winning.