“This is insane,” I mutter. “No one would ever accept me.”
“They already do,” Ryansays quietly.
I jerk my gaze to him. He’s watching me with a clear-eyed focus I haven’t seen in months—maybe years. “Sofia, the warriorsworshipyou. When I broke, you held things together. When the rescue mission went to hell, you made the calls that brought us home.”
His mouth twists into something like a smile.
“Your brother’s right,” Dad cuts in, and the raw pride in his voice nearly knocks me off my feet. He steps closer, wrapping an arm around my shoulders as if he could pass his strength straight into me. “You’ve got your mother’s fire, and my stubbornness. But you’re also fierce, compassionate, and when you believe in something, you don’t let go. That’s what makes a leader. I want to claw myself apart for every day that I missed out on you becoming the wonderful shifter you are.”
My eyes sting with unshed tears. Part of me wants to make a snarky joke. To diffuse the realness in the room with us. But I don’t. I let myself feel it.
“Dad…” I start, but I’m not sure how to finish.
He nods, his jaw working. “I failed you, honey. I acknowledge that. But I won’t fail you now. If you step up, I’ll stand behind you. Every step. So will Ryan. So will Luca. You have our full support.”
My eyes track between the three most important men in my life. Unwavering support written across their faces. My wolf purrs and puffs out her chest with pride. How did I get here in just a few short weeks? From the girl who felt she always had to prove herself to the one who already has.
“So, are you going to be my luna then?” I ask Luca to cut the tension. His answering growl tells me what I already know. Hewon’t be my luna, but he will be my second in command. My beta. Enforcer of my word if I need him to be, emotional support when I need that. He’ll be my everything.
“You know damn well I won’t be. But I think you already know who would be perfect for the role.”
Emily. My soul sister. The only shifter besides Luca I’ve ever felt such a strong connection with. And knowing there’s not a hint of jealousy or possessiveness in Luca makes it all the more perfect. He doesn’t need to feel those things. He’s secure enough in our bond now.
“Yeah,” I smile. “I think I do. We’ll have to convince the council and the elders too, you know?”
“Leave the elders to me, honey,” Dad says.
“And fuck the council,” Ryan says. “We already know they’re full of shit and don’t have the best interests of all shifters at heart.”
I grin at him, glad to see there are already signs of the big brother I grew up admiring coming back. Fates, I’ve missed him.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Luca
“I’m going to spank your ass so fucking hard for this that even your alpha wolf will struggle to heal you, Princess,” I grit out. I pull and twist at my restraints, but it’s no use. Sofia has been thorough, using multiple cable ties to secure my wrists together and has secured them to a fucking silver bar.
It’s not touching me, so it doesn’t hurt, but it does prevent me from shifting and reduces my strength. Leaving me fully at her mercy.
“Shhh, Beta,” she says while cupping my face and then sliding a hand down my neck and then my chest, stopping just before the waistband of my jeans. “You’ll enjoy what I have planned for you. Now, be a good boy and wait there quietly while I go for a shower.”
She smirks at me before pulling off her cropped top and dropping it to the floor. She reaches a hand around her back to unhook her black lacy bra, letting the straps slide down her shoulders while she holds the cups in place for a moment. My mouth waters, and I strain uselessly against my bonds again.
“Sofia,” I growl, low and rough, “get your sexy ass over here. Now.”
“Ah, ah, ah,” she says as she finally drops the bra and moves to her shorts. She tucks her thumbs under the waistband and shimmies her hips as she pushes them down. She stands out of reach in her lacy panties, and I feel my boxers grow damp as pre-cum leaks from my hard as steel cock.
A growl works up my throat as she lowers the last of her clothing, standing bare in front of me. Fates, she is beyond stunningly beautiful. The scar from where she was shot is still visible, but it only serves as a reminder of how incredible she is and how I should never underestimate her again. She picks up her panties from the ground and walks over to where I’m lying.
“I thought I told you to be quiet?” she says, smirking at me as I lunge towards her as much as I can. “Open your mouth.”
I’m so fucking desperate for her right now. I need to taste her. Need to snap out of these ties and show her who the hell is in charge.
“I have my hands free. I can make myself come as many times as I want to. But you won’t get to enjoy any of them unless you behave and do as you're told. And I said, open your mouth, Beta. Don’t make me use my alpha command.”
The base of my spine tingles, and my balls draw up. Fuck it. I do what I’m told and open up. Sofia stuffs her panties inside my mouth and pushes my chin up to close my lips around the sodden lace. Jokes on her; this means I can taste her. And damn it, she’s so sweet it drives me closer to madness.
“Be a good boy,” she soothes, “and hold on to them until I get back.”
