Chapter 31

“So what do we do with Alph… Greg?” I ask no one in particular. Gran, Cora, Peter, and Weston make breakfast, refusing to let me help in any way. Ashton and I asked Alph… Maddox—I’ve got to get used to Ashton and myself being the leaders. Anyway, we asked Maddox and his mate Madeline and my dad to join us in the kitchen to discuss the future of the pack. Ashton signs my question so Cora can join in on the conversation.

Cora responds, and Ashton nods. “She said we should let the pack have a say.” I agree, as does everyone in the kitchen.

I look at my newly expanded family with peace of mind. Watching them work to make sure everyone is fed really bugs me. I hate that they think they have to do it. I decide then and there to assign jobs based on skill, not strength. I tell Ashton my idea through the mind link, and he agrees that we will have to have a pack meeting tonight. We plan it for after dinner service. I ask him to contact the entire pack as I’m still not used to linking multiple people at once. I contact Holly and Ciara to assist in the kitchen for dinner service along with two from Ashton’s pack. I shake my head—Ashton’s pack. This is Ashton’s pack. We’re all together, one gigantic pack.

After breakfast, I show Ashton the training grounds. I turn to get back, but Ashton takes my hand, pulling me back to him. “Where are you going? I made you a promise.” I knit my brows. He gives me his sexy smirk. “I’m starting your training right now.” I swallow but let him lead me to a mat.

Ashton teaches me the very basics and makes sure I understand everything before moving on to the next thing. During training, I get to know all of the warriors and guards that are in the training area. There are no women, but I’ll be changing that tonight as well. Every one of the men shows me respect, and some even offer to help teach me. With every pack member’s acceptance of me, my wolf feels stronger.

I pull Ashton to the nearby woods after training. “I want to show you my secret place,” I mind link him, trying to get used to using it.

He gives me his sexy smirk and links me back. “Shift and I’ll follow.” I nod and then go to step away, but he pulls me back to his chest and kisses me deeply. “I love you, Gypsy,” he tells me as soon as he pulls away.

I smile up at him. “I love you.”

I pull my shirt over my head while still in his arms. His chest rumbles, and his mouth falls to my neck. He sniffs my neck, then his teeth nip my sensitive skin. I pull his shirt up. He pulls away to finish where I can no longer reach. I turn around and then slip out of my shorts. I shift faster than ever before. I turn around, and Ashton squats to scratch my wolf. He gives me a smile. “You’re so beautiful. Your wolf has grown. You’re not nearly as small as I remember.” I try to look myself over. I am much larger than before.

I’m ready to show Ashton my waterfall. I nudge his legs then yip. “Okay, I’m coming.” I turn around as he slips his shorts off and shifts. He nips my hind leg, and I bolt forward, rushing through the trees.

We race around the woods carefree for the first time ever in my life. I no longer have to look over my shoulder to make sure no one is trying to hurt me. It’s so liberating, but the best part is that Ashton is here with me. Frolicking has been wonderful, but I really want to share my secret place with him. I cut around a tree and zoom on.

I hear the water and push harder, not even stopping. I jump straight into the water before shifting. A huge splash overwhelms me as I pop my head out of the water. I can’t help the joyful laugh. Ashton pulls me to him and kisses me with passion and desire. I pull away with a smile then disappear into the waterfall and come up into my hideaway. “Gypsy? Where are you, Princess?” Ashton’s voice has a touch of panic.

I mind link him. “Come find me.” I giggle into our link and wait for him to figure out where I am.

It’s almost instantly that Ashton’s head pops up into my cavern. He looks around, the light from the water reflecting on the walls. “This place is incredible. Hang on, I’m coming in.” I knit my brows knowing dang well he can’t fit. His hands turn to claws, and he begins scratching at the stones. He continues to clear out the opening for a while. Chunks of rock fall away until he’s barely able to squeeze through.

I step back but pull his arm to help him inside. The room is just tall enough for him to stand, but his hair touches the ceiling as I’m wrapped in his arms. His wet hair curls just at the ends and frames his face. He’s just as beautiful as the first time I saw him. I subtly lick my lips. His eyes pierce me to my very core, and I forget how to breathe. He holds my face in his hand before crashing his mouth to mine.

I don’t know how it happened, but we end up on the floor wrapped tightly against each other. His nose trails my neck followed by his tongue then his teeth. I’m breathless as my chest moves in time with his. “I’m going to mark you, Princess. It’s time I finally make you mine.”

My mouth is dry from panting into his neck. I let out a breath, then swallow. “Yes, Ashton. I want to wear your mark, proudly.”

He holds my head and guides my mouth to his neck. “Mark me too, my love. Let everyone know I’m yours.” He nips my neck then kisses me a few times. His canines extend and sink into my skin. I cry out in ecstasy, then reflexively bite down into his neck. His breath is strong in my ear. The feeling of our souls becoming one is so intimate, so beautiful, so pure. Tears grow in my eyes as his heart and mine beat as one. Our love is so powerful that it overwhelms me, and my tears fall freely. Ashton pulls back to look at my face with the sincerest of smiles. He brushes my hair from my face and then kisses me before adjusting his knee between my legs. I have no fear as I accept him as my true mate.

“Did I hurt you?” he asks as he lays on the stone floor facing me.

I shake my head. “Not at all. I feel incredible.”

He gives me a sweet smile and then pecks my lips. “We’ll definitely be coming back here, but we have a pack to run, love. We should get going.”

I don’t want to leave, but I know he’s right. I let out a breath then nod.