Chapter 131 LET ME SHOW YOU HOW MUCH I MISSED YOU

Chapter 131 LET ME SHOW YOU HOW MUCH I MISSED YOU
CHAPTER 131

DORIAN

The moment Charlotte stepped into the pack house, something inside me ignited. The bond surged hot and bright, flooding my chest with a warmth I hadn’t felt in weeks.

My shoulders loosened for the first time since she’d left. I crossed the space between us in three strides and pulled her against me, burying my face in her hair. Her scent—soft vanilla mixed with the faint trace of Italian sun and travel—hit me hard.

I inhaled deeply, letting it settle the restless ache that had been gnawing at me.

She’s here. Real. Mine. The thought repeated in my head, pushing back the fog that kept creeping in at the edges of my mind.

I had missed everything about her: the way her dark eyes fixed on me like I mattered more than anything else, the sharp little mouth that never hesitated to challenge me, and the dark strands of hair that always framed her face.

She pulled back slightly, her hands still resting on my chest. Her fingers pressed into my shirt as if checking I was solid. “Okay, before we talk, Dorian, tell me honestly—are you okay?”

Her voice carried real worry, the kind that made my gut twist. I smiled and cupped her face with both hands, my thumbs brushing over her warm cheeks.

The contact sent another pulse through the bond, strong and insistent. “Are you worried about me?”

She gave me that suspicious, scrutinizing look, her brows pulling together as she studied my face. The intensity of it made me laugh, a low sound that rumbled in my chest.

I shook my head. “Stop looking at me like that. Have you forgotten I’m an Alpha?”

She frowned, her lips pushing out in a pout that made my pulse jump. The urge to kiss her hit me like a wave—hot and demanding.

I wanted to taste that pout, to pull her closer until nothing else existed. But I held back, jaw tight. It’s the bond pushing this. Calm down. You need to stay in control for this conversation.

“Being an Alpha doesn’t mean you can’t be not fine,” she said firmly, her hands tightening on my shirt.

I shook my head, forcing my voice steady. “I’m perfectly fine. You shouldn’t worry about me.” The lie sat heavy on my tongue, but I pushed it down. She didn’t need my confusion on top of everything else.

She nodded slowly, though doubt still lingered in her eyes. “Okay. What is it you want to talk to me about?”

I took a deep breath, my chest expanding against her hands. The air in the room felt thicker now.

I knew this moment would hurt her, and the guilt already pressed down on me like a weight.

How do I say this without breaking what’s left between us?

I had rehearsed it in my head a dozen times, but facing her made every word feel impossible.

Charlotte’s eyes searched mine, her body tensing. “What is it? You’re scaring me, Dorian. Talk to me.”

I sighed, the sound heavy with guilt. I reached up and brushed her hair back, tucking the loose strands gently behind her ear.

Her hair felt soft under my fingers. “You need to be scared of what I’m about to say. Even I can barely bring myself to tell you.”

She shrugged, trying to look unbothered, but I caught the slight tremble in her shoulders. “There’s nothing too big that the earth can’t take. No matter how hard it is, just tell me. I’ll handle it.”

A small surge of relief moved through me at her words. She was stronger than she knew.

I stepped back slightly, needing space to get the words out, but kept one hand on her arm.

My fingers gripped her sleeve lightly. “The Council of Wolf Elders sent for me after you left for Italy. Someone reported that I chose you for the moon blessing.”

Charlotte’s eyes widened, shock flashing across her face. “That’s fucked up. Who would do this to you?”

I shook my head, frustration building in my chest. My free hand clenched at my side. “That’s just the start of it. A matter that had been pending for years came up again.”

I paused, swallowing hard. The next part stuck in my throat. I forced myself to continue, voice low. “They gave me an ultimatum. Take a Luna for the pack or lose my throne.”

The words dropped between us like stones. I watched her face, my stomach knotting tighter with every second of silence.

She deserves better than this. Better than me dragging her through Council politics and my own broken head.

The bond flared again, warm and insistent, urging me to pull her close and forget everything. But I stayed rooted in place, fighting the pull.

Charlotte leaned forward, her hands still resting on my chest. Her fingers pressed firmly into the fabric of my shirt as she searched my face. The warmth from her touch spread through me, but her next words hit like cold water.

“Have you agreed to taking a Luna?”

My eyes widened. I stared at her in shock, my grip on her arms tightening without thinking. “What did you just say?”

The bond flared hotter in my chest, mixing with a sharp twist of disbelief. She just thought I'd gone through with this?

Charlotte held my gaze, her dark eyes steady but tired from travel. “Come on, Dorian. You weren’t dumb enough to actually refuse to get a Luna and keep your throne. Don’t tell me you refused because of me.”

Her voice carried quiet resignation that cut deeper than any shout. She was being kind and it made my chest ache. How can she sit here and suggest this after everything?

I took her hands in mine, squeezing them gently. Her skin felt warm and slightly rough from the journey.

“I would have refused if Zade hadn’t talked to me,” I said, my voice low. “But I have to face this.”

I watched her face carefully. She stayed quiet for a long moment, her fingers still in mine.

I feared she was angry, that this would push her away. Then she sighed heavily, her shoulders dropping.

“It wasn’t like we didn’t know something like this would happen,” she said, her tone flat but accepting. “You can’t mate me until I anchor my wolf myself, and that’s not going to happen fast enough for you to keep the throne. So the decision is for you to take another woman while I watch.”

The words landed hard. I shook my head immediately, my jaw clenching. “That won’t happen.”

I pulled her closer, needing her to understand. “This is my plan. I’ll take this woman as my Luna temporarily. Then I’ll help you with more training to anchor your wolf. We should be able to do it within a month. After that, I’ll mate with you and remove her as Luna. I’ll make you my Luna.”

Charlotte looked at me, doubt clear in her expression. She shifted on the bed, the mattress creaking under us. “How is this supposed to work? Won’t you be expected to impregnate her and produce an heir?”

The question made my stomach turn. I cupped her face with both hands, my thumbs brushing over her cheeks.

Her skin felt soft under my rough palms. “My heirs will only come from my mate. That’s you.”

Relief washed over her face. She smiled warmly, the kind of smile that reached her eyes and made my heart beat faster.

She hugged me tightly, her arms wrapping around my neck. Her body pressed against mine, solid and real.

“I’ve missed you,” she whispered against my shoulder.

I held her close, breathing in her scent again.

“Did those rogues lay hands on you?” I asked, my voice rough with anger. My arms tightened around her. “I’ll go through heaven and earth to find them and make sure they go through hell for touching you.”

Charlotte laughed softly, the sound light against my neck. She pulled back enough to look at me, her hands resting on my shoulders. “They didn’t hurt me. You needn’t be scary.”

I kissed her softly, my lips pressing against hers with careful restraint. Her mouth felt warm and familiar. “I can be scary and dangerous for you.”

She asked, her voice quieter now, “Have you found a woman to make Luna then?”

I nodded, my hands sliding down to her waist. “I’m having a meeting with the Alpha tomorrow.”

Enough of this heavy talk. I needed her closer. I lifted her off the bed and onto my thighs in one smooth motion, settling her there.

Her weight felt good, grounding. “Enough of this discussion. Let me show you how much I missed you, princess.”

Charlotte giggled lightly, the sound sending warmth through my chest. She looked at me, her eyes bright. “Show me then. Because I’m dying to see it.”

I smirked, the tension in my shoulders easing for the first time. I took her lips roughly and fiercely, pouring everything I had held back into the kiss.

My hands gripped her hips, pulling her tighter against me.