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When her body stopped trembling, Avelyn climbed off him and settled by his side, her head nestling under his arm.
“Wow!?
? he said.
“That’s what you always say after we have sex.”
“That’s only because it’s more and more mind-blowing every time.”
Avelyn huffed. “Like I believe you.”
“What do you mean?”
“You’ve probably had all the women in your pack. I’m not that naïve to think I’m better than them.”
Max turned on his side to face her. “Never say that. You’re the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, and no one has ever made me feel this way. I’ve no idea how you do it. I’ve no idea how you manage to bring the wolf inside me to the surface and tame it into submission. You’re driving me crazy, Avelyn. Not only with lust. With love.”
Her heart jumped and her blood boiled in her veins, almost making her dizzy. Did he just say “love”? She looked into his eyes, but she couldn’t see any trace of deceit. Did that mean that he meant it? She gulped, unable to find any appropriate reply. He tucked a red, fluffy strand of hair behind her ear and stroked her cheek.
“I hope it’s not too early for me to say this, but I think you’re getting closer to being ready for the ritual. Maybe not for the Seed Moon, but surely for the Flower Moon.”
“Seed Moon? Flower Moon? What ritual?” Avelyn was confused.
“The mating ritual. I keep forgetting that you’ve been educated in the Vulpes culture and you don’t know many details about the Lupi one.”
“What is a… Seed Moon?” It definitely sounded dirty.
“It’s not what you think it is.” Max laughed when he realized what she was probably thinking. “It’s just the name werewolves use for the April full moon.”
“Oh…”
“The Flower Moon is in June.”
“Right,” she could almost breathe normally again. The combination of “mating ritual” and “Seed Moon” had made worrisome images flash in her mind: her naked, exposed body in the middle of a moonlit forest, and naked werewolves in their human bodies circling her, their hard cocks waiting to take her one by one. She shuddered.
Max squeezed her in a tight hug. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. It’s just… this mating ritual thing. It’s the first time I hear of it. As far as I know, the werefoxes don’t have it.”
“Probably. There’s nothing to worry about, though.”
“The Vulpes brides don’t have to attend many classes on the wolves’ culture at Alma Venus. I do know that the full moon has an important significance to the werewolves.”
“Yes, it makes us stronger. We celebrate it each month, but don’t expect anything fancy. It’s just a night of lighting bonfires, eating, drinking, and partying.” Max smiled when he felt her relax completely. “And the mating ritual is mostly symbolic. The eldest of the clan blesses the newly-mated couple, and the two lovers have to say their vows. That’s it.”
“It sounds like more of a protocol. Why is it so important?”
“It means a lot to the Alpha’s pack and the whole clan. It’s the moment the wolves accept the Alpha’s bride and recognize her as their mistress.”
“Oh…” She doubted Max’s wolves would ever reach that point.
Max was studying her intently. He saw the flicker of disappointment in her eyes, but he understood it differently. She still didn’t want to become his bride officially.
“Yeah… it might be too early to talk about the ritual.” He drew her closer and buried his face in her curly hair. “Don’t worry. There’s enough time for everything.” He said it more for him than for her.
Avelyn allowed the warmth of his body to envelop her and drown all her worries. She was too tired to think of anything else. After all, the ritual was not her immediate problem. Tonight, she had managed to distract him with her daring proposal, but what would she do tomorrow night? He had nearly taken her despite her blatant “no”. He knew her body wanted him more than anything, and he couldn’t understand why the rational part of her refused to give in. Next time, he might take it upon himself to override it for her.
CHAPTER TWO
