Ronnie.
I have no idea whose lips touched whose first, but I gasped and he swallowed it, and my grip on his shoulders tightened.
I shifted in his lap, my body burning with a need, an ache I couldn't describe. His hard chest against me felt so good, too good and I didn't want the kiss to end.
He pulled away from me so fast that I felt a loss immediately.
"I shouldn't…we shouldn't…I shouldn't have done that." He pulled me from his lap and dumped me on the bed, beside him.
My nipples were hard nubs in my bra, and his scent drifted around me. My tongue slipped out, licking at my lips. Trying to get one last taste of him.
His gaze followed my tongue and he groaned, before he stood abruptly. His blue eyes were dark pools of…desire and he looked like he wanted to say something.
He swallowed and I watched his Adam's apple bob, remembering how it'd felt, when I'd rested against his chest, my face in the crook of his neck. "I have to get ready for the mating ceremony, Ron."
I watched his back as he left my room, my face growing red with embarrassment. My hands flew to my heated face and I let out an embarrassed groan.
I shouldn't wish he'd continued doing it. I shouldn't be in such a twisted, hot state right now, just thinking about it.
My face colored as my eyes closed guiltily. How was I ever going to face him now?
Maybe it was because I'd been in such a troubled state of mind. Why did I do that? I'd have never done that before.
My wolf stirred and I jumped, stunned by the feeling. I had not felt her before.
It was a powerful pull. Like an inner part of you woke up and locked with your physical state and you become a lot more powerful, more grounded.
I tried to run over to my window, and the speed was startling.
She felt just as restless as I did. She stirred and I could feel the powerful stretch and the change in me. A sweet smelling scent filled the air, making me heady.
***
I dressed up in a short ruffled white dress and ran a brush through my hair. The annual mating ceremony was going to start in a few minutes and I would get mated.
My wolf had risen tonight and that meant my mate bond would be announced at the ceremony.
It's the most important ceremony of the Fourth moon pack, and I know that's probably why my brother returned.
But there's no Jaden.
I sobered up at the thought. Before, I'd hoped he'd be my fated matee. I'd been wanting so badly for my wolf to wake before this mating ceremony.
I glanced at the wall clock hanging over my dresser and my eyes rounded. It was already a quarter to one. I'd missed the start.
I slipped on a pair of crystal embellished heels, giving myself a few extra inches and rushed out of my room, the ends of my dress swishing around the back of my thighs.
I entered the great hall downstairs which was teeming with pack members. I pushed through the crowd, hurrying to the front. All around me, I felt the anticipation.
I reached the dais and smiled. Dad was sitting in the throne at the very top of the dais, and Lucan stood beside him, with one hand holding the howling wolf's jaws that were at the ends of the throne's arms.
His eyes found me and he gave me a little smile, before his face turned serious again. Lucan's high cheekbones and hard blue gaze made him look formidable, and almost scary up there.
Nothing like the Lucan I knew. I returned his smile, before turning my gaze to Dad, who was saying something.
"...now, my son has returned back to the Fourth moon pack. There's a time when a man has to step down and relinquish control and the order of leadership."
I glanced at the long row of elders that stood at both sides of the throne in half circles. Their faces plainly said they were well aware of this.
"I am proud to have a strong wolf for a son. It is time he led the pack into the future as Alpha."
A hushed silence descended on the hall minutes before a strong cheer erupted. The hall shook as the wolves gathered cheered.
Loud, long howls filled the air and I tottered on my heels, afraid the force of it would make me fall.
A lot of people revered Lucan and I knew they'd been waiting for this.
I watched with eyes filled with adoration and pride as the pack elders converged around Lucan and my dad.
Dad climbed off the throne and immediately, I felt a sadness in my chest. But then Lucan took the throne and I was filled to overflowing with pride and love. So much love.
I cheered with all the others as the crown was placed on his head.
Lucan was a powerfully built man. 6 '7, huge and intimidating, he carried with him an effortless aura of strength and power. The crown amplified it ten times more.
He looked magnificent on the throne. He just…fit.
Pack elder Jameson came forward. "Now, the mate bonds of the newly awakened female wolves will be announced."
A list of names were called out and the line of girls around my age or a little older formed before the dais.
I clasped my hands together and joined the line as I heard my name. The moon goddess had chosen our mates.
Each time a girl stepped forward, Elder Jameson gave them a little cut on the inside of their palms.
He then held their hand over the orb, placed on a low pedestal before everyone. I wasn't certain if it was the faces of their mates or their names he saw, but he saw something.
The orb glowed an ombre red and yellow after the drop of blood touched it and Elder Jameson would step back, and then announce the girl's mate.
I'd watched the last mating ceremony when I was younger and I'd been so excited whenever the glow filled the hall.
Now a different kind of excitement with a mix of trepidation filled me. My heart beat rapidly as girl after girl's mates were announced.
There was a charged air of anticipation when it got to my turn, and I knew why. A lot of werewolves would give anything to be mated to the Alpha's daughter.
No.
I was no longer Ronnie Dane, daughter of Alpha of the Fourth moon pack, I was Ronnie Dane, sister of Pack alpha, Lucan Dane.
Anyone would want to be mated to me. But, I didn't want to be mated so soon after Jaden.
I was the last one standing before the throne.
I faced Lucan directly and there was no way I could miss his eyes on me. I couldn't read his face, but he didn't take his eyes off me for one second, and I remained entranced, my eyes stuck on him.
Elder Jameson took the pocket knife to my palm and made a straight cut through the middle of my palm. I winced as he drew my palm over the orb and a drop of my blood hit the top with a little splatter.
He dropped my hand and let me step back. My heartbeat echoed in my ears as I watched the little cut on my palm close up.
There was no blood and no cut in the span of seconds. It entranced me. I almost didn't hear Elder Jameson announce it.
"Ronnie Dane." He sounded hesitant.
My head came up as I dragged my eyes to the orb, now emitting an effervescent blue light.
"The moon goddess has decreed your mate as Alpha Lucan Dane."