Their Time

It had been several weeks since the wedding. In that time, each day had been harder on Isa watching her mate suffer. She had been so scared and obedient that she was regularly redirected by the staff. On multiple occasions, she had even followed the staff into the kitchen and maid quarters attempting to start a shift she did not have. It was now becoming slightly aggravating and yet, even without the bond, the pain in her eyes forced waves of guilt and sadness to wash over Isabella like a tidal wave. The general understanding between those carrying for her was that their Queen and Luna should not be keeping the castle. Isa had tried to explain to Rose on numerous occasions that she was, at least for the time being a Queen and Luna. It was not a comfortable thought for any of those around Rose to let her participate in the keeping of the castle. There were only two things that Isa, Erik and Olivia had agreed on. Rose would be allowed to tend to the indoor garden whenever she pleased, and would be allowed to help the Chef while baking. Isabella had on multiple occasions stood back and watched as Rose tended the garden, planting and harvesting to her heart's content. Even the garden and kitchen staff could agree that Rose had the greenest thumb they had ever seen. The way the plants reacted to her aura was something that only a few forest packs could accomplish, which created more questions around Roses past.

Rose had been constantly tending to the gardens, her delicate hands covered in the sweet smell of moss and dirt as Isabella watched daily from the doorway of the greenhouse. Isa smiled softly at the sight, Rose was smiling and content, a welcome and rare sight that usually only occurred here within the warm walls of the greenhouse. Isa watched intently, her wolf purring loudly within the confines of her mind. There was no denying how Amber felt watching Rose in the dirt, the smell of wet earth clinging to Rose's skin and her creamy skin contrasted with the dark rich soil sent tingles shooting down Isa's spine and resting deep in her stomach. Isa hated how the pull of the bond constantly gnawed at her very core, causing Amber to let out deep guttural growls in warning to those around them. Isa knew that this would not only continue, but would slowly become stronger until either she had mated with Rose or rejected her. The thought of a rejection always caused her wolf to whine and howl in agony, pleading for the bond to be solidified and not broken. Isa knew that a rejection would need to happen quickly and soon if there was ever hope to find a mate to carry on the family blood. She wished more than anything lately that she would receive word from her scouts and the undercover knights that had been planted within the walls of the EdenMoon to gather information. Even though they would not be mated and Rose would not be Luna for long, Isa would get the answers she sought and Rose would remain safe and cared for in the safety of the castle.

....................

A week later.

Isa woke, her eyes fluttering open to the sunlight that peeked through the heavy velvet curtains casting an irridecent sparkle across the bed. Turning over, she looked at Rose, watching as her long lashes fluttered open, allowing the light to reflect across her face, illuminating the crystal clear gray pools that sat so perfectly on her face. It was a sight that Isa had quickly become accustomed to in the last few weeks. Rose's nightmares had not stopped completely but they had lessened. Erik had suggested they share a bed at least for now, as the bond would help to calm Rose and sooth her wolf. Unfortunately for Isa, Erik had been correct in his assumption. The bond created a calming and relaxed effect on Rose, allowing her to sleep more soundly. Amber had enjoyed the closeness to her mate, and Melody reveled in it, purring constantly. The biggest downfall was that it had begun to strengthen the bond between the wolves, in-turn causing her heart to ache and pull at her very being when they were separated. Staring at Roses' delicate features, reflected in the morning light as it filtered through the dark gray curls that surrounded her like a beacon on a dark night. Reaching over, Isa's fingers gently grazed against Rose's soft cheek, pushing a large curl from her face and tucking it behind her ear as a barely audible gasp exited Roses pink lips. Isa smiled at the sound, watching as a light pink hue flushed across Rose's face.

"Good morning dear, I didn't want to wake you just yet." those words hung in a lie on Isa's lips.

Rose's hand reached up to rest atop Isas as her cheeks flushed a deep pink.

"I apologize Ma ...... I mean Isa ...." Her brows furrowing in clear frustration at herself.

Isa laughed softly, brushing a stray hair from Rose's face and letting her fingers linger a moment too long.

"You'll get there soon! However, today we are going to leave the castle, so please do try and remember my dear." Isa's smile faded into worry as Rose sat up quickly, her face a mix of excitement and confusion.

"What?! To Where?! What do i need to do?! What do i wear?!" Rose's questions came quick and slightly panicked as she pushed the blankets off of herself and threw her legs over the edge of the bed. Quickly standing, Rose waited very impatiently for her next instructions, which did not come.

As Isa laughed at Rose's very quick reaction she stood up from the bed, her cheeks flushing brightly at the state of a very disheveled Rose. In her sudden rush off the bed Rose had not felt the sleeve of her nightgown fall from her shoulders or the way her hem of it had ridden up to expose her thighs. Taking a step forward, Isa reached up, her intention to cover Rose's shoulders thrown completely off course by the tingles that shot up her fingertips. The tiny fires that once shot up through her skin were now a strong and viciously tantalizing surge that crashed into every cell of her being. Spreading through her body like a wildfire, she fought to control her wolf, the feeling of need to mark one's mate making her gums itch. The fire spread rapidly from Isa's fingertips and down Rose's arms and chest, bathing them in the most naturally amazing feeling of euphoria. The call was getting stronger. The unfinished mating bond was now trying to force its way in, growing stronger with each touch. The Goddess was taking it into her own hands and they could both feel it, the compulsion and the need to give themselves fully to the bond. Isa stood frozen, willing her fingers to move, to let go of what felt so natural. She could feel Rose, their emotions entwining and washing over them both in a mix of lust and need.

This was the most delicious torture. The need to mate, yet the need to continue with her resolve a horrid mixture. Isa's fingers slowly trailed across Roses' shoulder, finding purchase on her collar bone with a small circular pattern. Her fingers always searched for Roses' skin, her wolf constantly whining low at her absence. Isa knew that she would need to hold back,that to break the bond completely they could not mate. This however, was proving harder and harder and she knew without a doubt that today, today the bond would refuse to be ignored. Today the attempts would be futile, the need had grown out of control and created its own emotional storm inside them both. She had been trying too hard not to look at Rose in that way and it had failed at every turn. Isa could feel the warmth spreading between Rose's legs and up into her belly, causing her breathing to grow shaky and hitch in her chest. She watched as Rose's eyes swirled with a mix of crystal clear grey and the deep onyx of her wolf fighting to get out. She could feel Amber purring and nipping at the bond between the two wolves. Her own wolf emitted a low uncontrolled growl at the sound of a gentle whine escaping Roses' parted lips. The Goddess had gifted Isa the most precious of treasures, the purest and sweetest she-wolf that she had ever met. Today she would accept that gift, she would give into the bond and the will of the Goddess.

The loud thrumming of Rose's heartbeat was a welcome sound in the quiet of their shared room. Isa stepped closer, closing most of the distance between them. Her eyes watched intently as Rose's nightgown slid lower down her shoulders and chest, exposing her ample clevage. Rose's pink-hued cheeks flushed darker as she stared up at Isa, her long black lashes. Isa could hear as melody made a low, powerful growl through Rose, the smell of cinnamon and sweet vanilla filling the air instinously. Rose reached up with shaky fingers, letting them brush the small lock of silvery white hair from Isa's face. Without a second thought, Isa's emerald eyes began to swirl onxy as she sent out a mind-link to the guard outside the door.

"Ethan, please have Olivia postpone breakfast for an hour for Rose and myself. I have some work to do and she's going to help me out. Thankyou Ethan." Before he could reply, Isa severed the link blocking out all communication.

Rose stared intently as Isa's eyes began to swirl into her own emerald green, but the onyx swirl stayed, letting her know that Isas' wolf was on the surface. Rose squirmed under her gaze, intense and lustful. Attempting to fix herself, Rose began to pull her sleeves back onto her shoulders, but Isa's hand reached out softly brushing her hands away from the fabric. Isa stepped closer to Rose, who had not noticed that she had slowly moved back towards the wall. Rose took another step back, a light gasp leaving her mouth as she realized her back was now firmly against the wall with Isa closing the distance. Rose watched as Isa closed the short distance between them, her breathing becoming unsteady as Isa pressed against her. With one swift movement, Isa had one of her hands pinning Roses against the wall, her other hand pulling her waist flush against her. She watched as Rose squirmed against the wall, her bottom lip pinned between her teeth in a small smirk. Rose was entrancing, the thought of living without her was now filled with pain and sadness that made her heart ache. She would figure it out one way or another, it didnt matter that the pack would have two Lunas. The politics would be worked out another time, but now, now she would be her mate.

Isa leaned in close, her lips brushing hesitantly against Rose's creating a torrent of electric fire to spread through their bodies. Rose leaned into the kiss, deepening it as the smell of fresh lavender and lemns engulfed her. Slowly the kiss became hungry, their lips parting and tongues entwining delisiously. Isa let out a small suprised moan when Rose gently bit her bottom lip, her tounge running across the now sensitive skin. She smiled, Rose may be shy, but this was the way to get her out of her shell. Isa let go of Roses' hands, letting her wrap her small arms around her neck, her own hands greedily running up and down the sides of Roses' waist. Fire spread quickly through every inch of their bodies, their wolves letting out soft low growls as the bond shot through them. Rose's fingers twirled into Isa's hair, her body pushing forward against Isa, trying to get as close as possible. Isa's fingers roamed down the sides of her slender form, fingers hungrily grabbing at Rose's supple bottom. With a soft moan Rose pulled away, her eyes fixated on the swirling emerald of Isa's eyes. Reluctantly, Rose bit her bottom lip, the words leaving her lips sounded foreign.

"Isa .... we cant ... im sorry."