Chapter 4. We Are Strong

We leave a trail of clothes from the lift to our flat.

Impatiently we strip each other, bump into the door while kissing and when we manage to open the door, we almost fall into the living room. Finally on the bed, we're too impatient for extended foreplay. We own one another like two drunken sailors, taking each other to unbelievable heights only to crash breathlessly back down to earth to slowly start climbing back up to the heavens again.

As only werewolves can, we ravage each other's bodies throughout the evening, hot lust raging through our senses. Everything in the apartment is unsafe for our love, from the bed to the sofa, the wall, and even my dressing table. It was late in the morning when we finally fell asleep, completely exhausted.

And it is already late morning when we finally fall back into the disheveled bed, exhausted like hell. Fortunately, the day after the festival is a holiday and the pack is at a total standstill. So, I can keep Jasper to myself for a few more hours. We sleep until noon when hunger drives us out of bed.

"Luna, are you awake?" I hear Jasper whispering from behind me. I lie with my back against his warm body, his hands holding me close like a vice.

I smile.

"I am now. But I don't want to move, it feels so good in your arms," I mumble sleepily. Luckily I'm not the only one who feels that way. Jasper nestles deeper into my neck, breathing in my scent.

"I'd like to lay with you like this all my life, but my stomach is growling. Let's take a quick bath and see what the kitchen made for us," he suggests lazily. We take another quick bath and go downstairs to the kitchen. As we approach the dining room, delicious smells fill our nostrils. The cooks know that a group of hungry wolves will be arriving after the feast. The whole mating process is an intense affair that uses up a lot of energy that needs to be replenished as quickly as possible.

With Jasper's arm around my shoulders, we walk into the dining area and sit down at the head of the table. My mate fills my plate with the food I usually take and places a glass of freshly squeezed juice next to it. Then he starts scooping up food for himself. A displeased sneer crosses the room, causing Jasper to stop in his tracks and look up with steely eyes. But the culprits are now staring innocently at their plates. Jasper glances around warningly before continuing his meal.

In silence, we continue eating.

When it's time to leave, Jasper captures my hand.

"What are your plans for today? If you have time, come to the office with me. There are plenty of books for you to read while I finish some work," he suggests. I peck him on the cheek.

"I'm going to visit my parents today. It's been a long time since I've been there. They must think I have forgotten them,' I tell him.

"Okay, if you're free when you get back, come by my office anyway," Jasper replies.

And we part ways, I go to the garage and choose the Bugatti, my favorite car. Jasper gifted it to me on my last birthday. The robust engine growls on and I slowly drive out of the garage towards the main road of the pack. Two minutes later, I parked in front of my parents' house.

Stepping inside, I find my mother in the kitchen.

"Mum," I call as I kiss her on both cheeks. She holds me by the shoulders and pulls me closer to her.

"My daughter, how are you? It's a long time since we last saw you," she exclaims delightedly. "Is everything going well with Jasper? Didn't he come with you?" We walk to the living room where I drop into one of the soft pillows.

"No, Jasper is busy today. You know that the day after the festival always brings more work," I explain. Even before I can sit up straight on the pillow, I'm crushed by a weight.

"Sister! Are you here at last? How I've missed you!" Lying on top of me now is my youngest sister, Ruth. She has always been so impulsive, acting first before thinking. Ruth has me trapped in the cushions now, making it hard for me to breathe.

"Hey girl. Are you trying to kill me? I still need to breathe, I'm choking," I cough playfully. Quickly she jumps back on her feet.

"Sorry, but I haven't seen you for a while. And you don't host those fun parties anymore either, so I don't have much time to spend with you," she accuses me.

Of course, I can't tell my family that the pack no longer needs my get-together parties. In the first few years, I organized them to boost the bond in the pack and especially to let the young pups get acquainted with the older ones. It was always enjoyable and everyone had a good time. But when it became clear that I wasn't going to have any pups myself, the members lost interest and it was even difficult to find people to help organize the party.

"Yes, it has indeed been a long time since I last held one. I'll see when that comes around again," I replied vaguely. "But tell me, in a few months, you will turn eighteen. Do you already have any idea who your mate might be?" I tease her.

My mother starts laughing, too.

"I don't want a mate yet. I want to study in human town and become the pack doctor," she grunts. "I've already told Daddy to save up for my studies. And also searched online for the best universities to apply to”. I stare at her with pride.

"That's a nice plan for the future. But you can do all that too when you have your mate with you. Studying together is more stimulating and you won't be lonely,” I tell her.

She looks skeptical.

"Rain, only a few wolves in the pack are willing to send their kids to study in Human Town. Everyone keeps their pups in the pack, everything we need is here. And the Alpha grants scholarships only to students with excellent school grades and then only if their mate allows them to leave. I don't want a mate to outline my future".

"And what will you do if your mate shows up on your birthday? You know that the mate bond makes it impossible for you to separate. If he doesn’t want to or can't leave with you, you'll have to stay here in Storm Forest, too," I explain to her.

"No, Rain. Remember, I am your sister. Just like Rachel, we are Beta descendants with ancient, powerful genes, and we stand up for what we believe in. No one stands in our way. We are unstoppable. We are strong!".