Bonded

Sarah Skuld Paranormal

“Relax,” he tells me. “I’m never letting you go.”
I nod, but I still feel a little scared and wrap my arms around his neck to help hold myself up. We stay like that, enjoying the closeness between us and the cool water on our skin.
“Celeste,” he says, looking around us to make sure no one will hear. “I still don’t want to tell the pack that you’ve already shifted.”
“I thought you said it would be alright once I started training.”
“I did, but the more I think about it, the more I worry about the danger it could bring. I just want to keep you as safe as I can.”
I sigh, feeling disappointed. “People think that you’re just using me. Keeping me around to breed.”
“People can think what they want, as long as it keeps you safe.”
“You holding me in the water isn’t going to help the rumors, you know.”
He nods, but he doesn’t say anything for a moment as he leans forward, placing his head on my shoulder and breathes in my scent.
“What if you are my second chance mate?” he asks, and I’m shocked to hear him say it. “What if you just can’t smell that I’m your mate until the moon at your 18th birthday?”
“And what if you’re not?” It's a thought that has, and will probably continue to weigh heavily on my mind.
He sighs, lifting his head to look into my eyes and pulling me completely against him. “I’m becoming very fond of you, Celeste. I tried not to, truly, but it's impossible. You're too delightful to be around.”
“I’m very fond of you, too, David,” I whisper, afraid of my own words. “Do you think it’s possible that you’re really my mate? Willow thinks I should be able to scent my mate now, even though I'm not of age.”
“I don’t know, but I find myself hoping more and more each day that we are,” he says softly to me, causing butterflies to form in my stomach.
-----------
After her family is murdered, Celeste is forced to flee to another pack for safety. The new Alpha finds himself in need of a Luna and Celeste steps into the role. Though they attempt to resist, the bond between Alpha and Luna pulls them together, leaving them hopeful that they will find each other as mates on her 18th birthday as they slowly fall in love. Will a mate appear? And if he does, will she choose her true mate instead of the man she loves?

Unfold