Forever in the Past and Forever in the Future

I feel my blood start to boil but I know I need to keep my cool. All I can do is blink at her until I feel calm enough to speak. I unintentionally growl as I say, "Lady Camille, are you aware of my Luna's past? I have always promised her we will do everything at her pace. I won't mate with her if she isn't ready."

"Stand down, Alpha Regent Bronx Mason," as she says in a stern tone, using my full name and title, I feel a disorienting sensation cloud my mind, reminding me how powerful she is, "I'm aware that Luna Iokaste has had to endure experiences that were out of her control and we have been counseling her on how to handle her thoughts and emotions related to those events."

She stares at me for a long moment, then continues with a softer tone, "I recommend you find a way to give her that control back so you two can...enjoy yourselves. You don't need to have her back here until Sunday morning. The connection between you two and your wolf spirits is important. The emotional and the physical. It is very clear that the emotional portion is strong. Now it's time to focus on the physical. Also, she has been working very hard and deserves a break for the weekend."

She hands me a map, "We have a cottage in the woods. You can go here for privacy. All the food and clothing you two need is there. I don't know if you want your guards to go or not. It won't matter because the cottage will only be visible to you and Luna Iokaste. Once you're inside, they will believe you have sent them to an empty field."

What in the world is she talking about? A secret realm inside her secret realm?

"Alright, can I have this map?" I ask cordially. "Of course. I think we are finished here. Let me get you back so you can also prepare for the ceremony," as she hands it to me she touches my hand and we are back in the hallway with Marco.

"The ceremony starts in two and a half hours, gentlemen," Lady Camille bows and walks away.

"Come on Marco, I need you and James to scout out a location. I will stay here with Kas." Marco and James both come to my suite and I show them the map. I give them orders to scout the location, get pictures, and report back. We go to the gardens, they shift into their gray wolves and take off into the forest. An hour and a half later, they come back to my suite, showing me pictures from their cell phones.

"It's just an empty field, Alpha," James flips through the pictures on his phone. There are five or six pictures with a chalet-style cottage in the middle of a clearing in the woods. I look at him suspiciously.

"Marco, did you take pictures?" I ask, feeling myself growing impatient.

Alpha, but there's nothing there," he shrugs as he flips through his

me? There's clearly a cottage in the pictures,"

about?" James looks irritated that I would question him and looks back at his phone before holding up the picture

see it. They really can't see

this, Bronx," Saint says

but I need you to evaluate this house

he huffs, seeming satisfied to have the

on the way they are looking at me, I know I need to choose my words wisely, "Once Kas and I shift, we are going to let our wolves connect for a while, then go to this clearing. Saint is going to check it out. If there is a problem, we will come back right away. If not, you are relieved until Sunday when we come back. If we are not back by Sunday morning, come back

you, sir," Marco says with a confused look. A familiar looking tall blonde woman with ocean blue eyes comes down the hall. She hands me a white robe, "Alpha Bronx Mason, we would like to request you wear this for the ceremony. It will make it easier than having you undress when it is time to shift. We have arranged a platform in the gardens so everyone can watch you and

and blushes as

Delilah?" I say as I

she like a dream?" he asks with stars in his

She's sitting in a chair in a white robe that matches mine. Several women are finishing up her makeup and hair. She looks stunning. She has on light, natural makeup and her silver hair is pinned on top of her head with a little flower crown. I feel my heart race

be back in twenty minutes to retrieve

look out of

"Lex and I are so

and sit in the chair next to her. We make small talk and I describe what shifting to her wolf