Last to Love

by Alexa Whitewolf

  I don’t care. The only one I care for, has still not moved. On knees that grow increasingly weaker, I stumble towards Monica and gently pull her into my arms.

  Dimly, I’m aware of the rest of my pack coming around me. They’re all there in silent support, a real family. One I wanted her to be a part of, so she could know the healing possible when you have good people around you.

  Why didn’t I tell her that? I had plenty of opportunities.

  I've said it once, and I'll say it again – I'm not some idiot puppy about to fall in love. But while I've been too damn stuck in this idea that I won’t give in to Ileana's spell, that I won't be another mark on her belt, I’ve ignored what’s been directly in front of me.

  And now Monica’s in my arms, dying – and I'm the only one able to bring her back. And in so doing, tie myself to her – forever.

  Can I do it? Sì.

  Will I, though? After everything I've stood for, and all I've stood against?

  One glance down at her pale cheeks, the lashes fluttering against them, those lips I've kissed so deliciously, and I know my answer.

  Certo che sì.

  Without a fucking doubt.

  I’ll brave Hades himself if it means I get to spend more time with her.

  So I raise my hand over her chest, and close my eyes. When I next open them, I can see her soul wavering above, departing – or trying to, at least. It’s the size of a large snowflake, emitting a soft, blue light that pulses timidly. I gently pick it in my between my index and my thumb, treating it like the most fragile of things. And then, I push it back inside her, willing it to stay. Willing her to stay.

  Like I wasn’t able to do for Matteo, or Mamma. Come back to me, cara.

  Monica breathes in as if she was underwater, then relaxes in my arms. Her eyes flutter open, and those icy orbs land on me once more.

  “Couldn't let me go, huh?”

  A dark chuckle escapes me, and I drop my forehead to hers. “I found it harder than anticipated, tesoro.”

  Monica

  I wake up to sun streaming down my face, and a hot, heavy arm wrapped around my waist. Lucas. The grin spreads on my lips unashamedly, and I turn into his hold, nuzzling his throat.

  I can feel his smile against my forehead as he whispers, “Awake, already?”

  After he resuscitated me only hours ago, Lucas ensured his pack was fine, and brought me to his old room. Everyone split across the house, which is now empty from the craziness of before. It feels weird, in a way, being back here. And yet I feel like I belong. Truly.

  It’s home only because Lucas is here, hence the nuzzling and waking up.

  His hand goes from my waist to my hip, slipping under the t-shirt he lent me and tracing my hip bone. “How are you feeling?”

  I tilt my head back so I can look at him. “Never felt more alive.”

  Then I push him on his back, and straddle him. My nails trace his bare chest, and suddenly even the sweatpants he wears are too constricting. “I want more,” I whisper.

  “I’m all yours, tesoro.”

  With a grin I can’t hide, I bend down and kiss him. It’s soft – for about a millisecond. Then Lucas digs his hands in my hair, angling my mouth to better plunder, and my body overheats. I’m undulating over him, needing more – so much more.

  Feeling it, Lucas lets one hand slide down to my hip, angling me on him, and I gasp as I come in contact with his hardness. Then his other hand releases my hair and goes under my shirt, tracing the underside of one breast, and the other.

  “I’ve missed the softness of your skin,” he murmurs and gets to a half-standing position. His mouth moves over my pert nipples, licking and biting through the shirt – and then it’s gone in an impatient toss, falling somewhere on the floor.

  The moment after, Lucas rolls us over and hovers above me. He freezes, and the moment remains suspended with him staring at me, me staring at him, and then his mouth curls in a self-deprecating smirk. “Merda, but that witch was right.”

  Then he drops his mouth to mine again, kissing me until I lose sight of who I am, and what I’m meant to do. My panties are gone in a flash, as are his sweatpants. And then he’s there, nudging my thighs apart, sliding inside me, and everything clicks.

  I open my eyes, not wanting to miss a single moment of this righteousness. Lucas is still staring at me, and he drops his mouth to kiss my cheeks, my chin, my forehead, and finally my lips. I hold on to him like he’s my salvation, and in a way, he is.

  His strokes become deeper, and I feel the wave coming, nearing... “Lucas...”

  “I know,” he whispers, and he moves one hand to my breast, caressing it reverently before bending his head down to sample it. “Let go,” he whispers, and I do.

  Lucas

  I watch her come apart under me, feel her tightness around me, and I can’t hold on any more. Deeper and deeper I go, waiting for that second peak – and when Monica’s skin flushes more, and her eyes widen, I know she’s almost there. I switch the angle of my stroke just so, and she goes off like a firework – I follow a second after.

  And if before I thought the sex blew my mind, this time, I’m left speechless. I drop my head to her chest, trying to keep most of my weight off her, but Monica shifts under me. Her skin is soft under my cheek, and the smell of cherries wafts up to my nose. I inhale it deeply, more grateful than I can ever recall being.

  I almost lost her, earlier. Now, having her breathing, satisfied body underneath mine feels like I’m the luckiest bastard in the world. And maybe, just maybe, I’m starting to get what all the fuss is about, and exactly why my wolves fell so fast.

  A moment passes, then another. Monica’s heartbeat slows down and she starts stroking my hair, her long fingers teasing the strands. It’s then I finally choose to let out the words that have been running rampant in my head. “Just so you know, I love you. Despite my better instincts. Which means you’re stuck with a stubborn, arrogant alpha as your mate, cara. No return policy.”

  Her hands have stopped stroking me, but I can hear her heart beating fast. Then she cups my cheeks, forcing my chin up so she can stare at me. “Are you for real?”

  I prop myself up on my elbows, grinning down at her. “Never been more real, tesoro.”

  A lone tear escapes, and she sniffles. “I love you, too.” I nuzzle her neck, and she adds, “But that return policy needs negotiating.”

  ∞ ♦ ∞

  Later, we head down and the smell of food drags us into the kitchen. Everyone’s there – Dani and Tristan by the oven, Luz and Dom fighting over drinks, and Elle and Finn setting the table. I should feel sad, perhaps melancholic over other dinners that have taken place here. Over Matteo, and Mamma... But the truth is, no scene in this mansion has ever felt more like family than this.

  When Monica and I walk in hand in hand, they all stop – then Tristan breaks the silence with a massive “Hurrah!” that’s soon echoed by everyone else.

  Monica blushes deeply, and I pull her into my side and wave my hand. “All right, all right, settle down, amici. Let’s not scare her off, hmm?”

  Once the food is cooked, we all take a seat and they let me have the head of the table. It takes me a few more minutes into eating and easy banter before I address the elephant in the room. “Dominic, I owe you an apology.”

  “Again,” he says, sipping my father’s best cognac.

  “Scusi?”

  “You owe me an apology, again,” he grins, raising his glass my way. “But who’s counting?”

  Luz elbows him hard enough to make him wince, and I snort. “You are, apparently. But you are correct. I owe you an apology, again. Kicking you out of the pack... It wasn’t deserved. Mi dispiace.”

  Dominic stares into his drink, and for a moment I think he’s playing it to lengthen my apology. But then he looks up and smiles my way, though in a sadder way. “It was deserved, though. You’re right, you and I never settled old accounts, and it was bound to come to a boil. But... Luz helped me
understand, you know? And I think, for what it’s worth, that it was the right call to kick me out.”

  Finn and Tristan don’t seem surprised. Neither do their girls. Everyone’s listening, as though waiting for something they’ve already known. “I’ve tried since the vrykolakas have showed up to split myself between them and this, but the truth is, they need a leader. A proper one. And... Ileana is right.”

  “She generally is,” I mutter. “But what about, in particular? And when did you see her?”

  “After you guys went to sleep,” he says. “She came to say bye. Said she’s returning to Romania, and that my wolves should, too.” He takes another sip, and reaches for Luz’s hand. “And we’ve decided we want to go with them.”

  I stare between him, and Lucrezia, and then Monica takes my hand, squeezing it. I hadn’t expected it, not this soon. But, was there any other way for this to end?

  “I respect your choice,” I nod at him. “Just know you’re always welcome to return.”

  Dominic grins then, his usual mischievous self. “You’ll regret saying that.”

  ∞ ♦ ∞

  Later, when the food is almost done and the wine completely drank, I head onto the patio for a breath of fresh air. A few moments pass by, then Lucrezia joins me.

  “You’re really okay with this?” I ask her. “Going to Romania, leaving all of this behind?”

  “Yeah. Dominic would’ve stayed, trying to split himself and make everyone happy, but I didn’t want him to. He has so much to offer, and I really believe he’ll help those poor souls.”

  I nod, reaching out to hug her. Showing emotions seems to get easier...same as letting people go. For the right reasons. “If you ever need me, or any of us, you know where to find us.”

  Lucrezia pulls back then. “What, here? You’re okay with staying?”

  “Sì. We need a new home and... These walls have seen much, but we can make new memories here. Plus, it’s easier than showing up in some other town, or separating the pack.”

  “What of Alessandro’s wolves?”

  I shrug. “I’ll go talk to the ones lingering behind. If they’re serious, and want to stay, they’ll be following a new rule of law from now on.”

  Lucrezia smiles. “I’m happy for you. And for Monica.”

  We head back inside, to the raucous laughter and food tossing started by Tristan. Lucrezia heads by Dominic’s side and leans over for a kiss. And when I reach Monica, she holds out her hand. I pull her into my arms and kiss her deeply, amid hollering and cat-calling – and a new kind of happiness blossoms in my chest, chasing out the darkness.

  This is family. This is love.

  And this...is our new beginning.

  ∞ ∞ ∞

  Far away from the laughter of the wolf party, Ileana walked the woods alone. The moon would soon rise, but she enjoyed these moments between the sun going down, and moon rising. They helped calm her down.

  And calm she would need, to deal with her next tasks.

  Footsteps joined hers, and she didn’t have to look up to find Făt Frumos, her consort. His profile was etched in her mind, as beautiful as if he was carved from stone. “What bothers you, draga mea?” he asked.

  Ileana sighed, then turned to face him. “I saw Hades, the other day.”

  His normally open expression shuttered, and she reached out to cup his cheek. “I know you have your differences, but I had to go down there. Lucas needed a little nudge in the right direction.”

  Făt Frumos toyed with the collar of his shirt, then his cufflinks, his agitation clear. Ileana did not understand his love of these garments modern men called suits, but men would be men.

  “Did he say anything?” he asked.

  “Only pleasantries. However, the Underworld doesn’t feel as...safe as before.”

  “What makes you say that?”

  “For one, Cerberus is running wherever he pleases. And for another, Charon and his machinations.”

  “Are you sure you’re not just focused on them because of these wolves you love so dearly?”

  Ileana’s hold on his jacket tightened. “No. Hades does not realize it, otherwise he would have done something about it.”

  Făt Frumos sighed, annoyance etched on his features, but finally he nodded. “Very well. Do you know what causes this disturbance?”

  “I believe our rather powerful prisoner, Declan, started something, when he was at his old home. Tytus is on his way there to fix it, but we need to do damage control.”

  “You speak of becoming involved, really involved, Ileana.”

  “Da,” she nodded. “I do.”

  His love for her shone in his eyes, as did his exasperation. “And what is your reasoning this time?”

  Ileana looked away, knowing he would be angry. “Constanza is.”

  “Constanza? What does our daughter have to do with any of this mess?”

  Ileana met his gaze then, silently pleading. “She wanted to spend some time with Persephone, and I allowed it. Only....”

  “Now you’re afraid the Underworld is too dangerous for her, too.”

  “Yes.”

  “And we cannot force her to come back, nor is it safe for us to return.”

  Ileana bowed her head then, fighting back a tear. These emotions were unusual for her, but her daughter was so beautiful, so innocent... “Exactly.”

  “And what do you propose we do about it? Hades himself banned me from the Underworld, and I will not let you fight this battle alone.”

  A small smile formed on her lips. “I would not have to. We have someone we can use, someone who will be eager to serve in return for a prize.”

  Făt Frumos frowned. “Who?”

  “Declan.”

  The name sounded like a gunshot in the otherwise quiet woods. After a beat, Făt Frumos nodded, and his expression finally eased. “Yes, that could work, draga mea.” He offered his arm out to Ileana. “Shall we go pay him a visit, then?”

  The immortal glanced over her shoulder one more time. In the distance, she could almost hear Dominic’s laughter, and Lucas’. The rest of the pack was at ease, their mates content. In her heart of hearts, she knew they would be safe, now. And though she would miss them, another story required her focus... And another challenge awaited.

  For an immortal, eternity never did get boring.

  Keep your eyes peeled for more of Ileana and Făt Frumos, as well as Tytus and Declan, in the Moonlight Rogues spinoff duology, Flaming Rogues! Spring 2020 ☺

  Or better yet, sign up for my newsletter and I’ll keep you up to date on any new releases, bonus content, and more ☺

  Preview of Tytus’ story, Fanning the Flames (Flaming Rogues, #1)

  A Moonlight Rogues Spinoff

  Tytus

  Millenia I’ve lived, and for the first time I feel like I’m connected to something. To more than something, to someone. And I’ve just left them behind in a small town filled with secrets, because I have something more important to do.

  I lied when I said I needed to heal. It’s what I do – because the truth would be too much to explain. In the mountains of my youth lies a dark, dark secret. One my brother rediscovered, and one I must hide from humans at all cost.

  Because if it’s let loose, it’ll fracture the supernatural world in a way no one has foreseen.

  Deep in my thoughts, I’ve made it so far as the meadow. I dig inside, accessing that raw, primal energy, ready to let my zmeu loose. And then I catch the sound of footsteps – slow, timid. I turn around and find the witch emerging from the trees.

  “Looking for something?”

  “Yeah. You, as a matter of fact. I want to come with.”

  That... I didn’t see it coming.

  Fiona

  I’m probably crazy, signing up for something I’m nowhere prepared for. But I’ve lived the last of these years in captivity. And despite his hard exterior, Tytus is a good man. Or, at the very least, he’s not like the ones I’ve known.

  Given the hav
oc I helped cause, and everything else that happened as a result, I need to do some good. Maybe I’ll fail. Maybe I’ll lose my life. But... I have to try.

  Drawing in a deep breath, I meet those grey eyes of his and say, “You’re wounded. Having a witch on hand wouldn’t hurt, right?”

  He frowns at me, as though he sees right through my bullshit. He probably does. “And what’s in it for you?”

  “I only ask...that after I help you, you drop me somewhere with as few people as possible.” The frowns deepens, causing me to blab. “I’m done with this world, with being used. I just want to be left alone, to live in peace.”

  More moments pass, and then he nods, those stormy grey eyes filled with understanding. “Alright.”

  Preview of Declan’s story, Igniting the Ice (Flaming Rogues, #2)

  A Moonlight Rogues Spinoff

  Declan

  Something changed in the air. Unsure, yet intrigued, I lift my black muzzle off the ground and sniff. Nothing.

  Perhaps I was mistaken.

  Incredibly bored out of my mind, I drop my head back on the cave’s cool ground and rest it on my front paws. One would think living permanently in my zmeu form would be comfortable, and offer heat, at least. And one would be correct.

  Yet I also miss the human. See, as a Romanian dragon, I’m a shifter. Among many, many qualities, I can use elemental magic to the point of becoming a storm myself. And yet I have once more become imprisoned by a witch’s hand, all thanks to my dear, fucking brother.

  Tytus.

  A growl escapes me, reverberating in the cavern. Patience. Soon enough, they will figure out this prison will not last. When I shift to a more comfortable position, the massive gold cuffs around my paws catch the dim light.

  And then... It happens again. The air changes, and the scent of cinnamon permeates it fully. My eyes open once more, landing on my hated jailor.

  What now?

  Constanza

  “Constanza!”

  I cringe at the loud booming voice. Part of me wants to cower away, and the other part, well... I share a mischievous glance with my best friend, Persephone. “Oops.”