: Arrival

Levi

“You’re letting Hope’s birthday go by without being with her?” my sister Grace asks me.

“Do you not know me at all, Grace?” I ask.

“They left an hour ago,” she says.

“I had to wait to get her present,” I say, lifting up the bag from the jeweler where I had her necklace made.

“Do I get to see it?” she asks.

I pull the box out of the bag and open it.

“Oh, Levi. It’s beautiful and perfect for Hope.”

“I think so. I hope she likes it.”

“She’ll love it. She’d love anything coming from you. What time are you leaving?” she asks.

I look at my watch. “I told Beta Carlos that I’d meet them at the restaurant. It’s at the hotel, so that will be easy. Dinner is at six, which gives me time to shower, change, pack, and still stop for flowers on my way.”

“Good luck, Levi,” she says, reaching out to squeeze my arm. “If things go the way you want them to, even if she doesn’t feel worthy of being mated to you, don’t let her reject you. She doesn’t have to accept you right away, it may take her time to understand that the Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes, but as long as she doesn’t reject you, I think she’ll come around.”

My sister and Aunt Angel have the only two wolves, probably the last two wolves ever, who will be blessed by the Moon Goddess herself with a Guardian spirit. It makes them special, stronger, more powerful than normal wolves, and very often, they seem to see or know things that others don’t.

“Do you know something?” I ask her, watching her closely.

“I know Hope and I know you, my brother. Personally, I don’t think there is anyone else in this world who would be a better mate to Hope than you. I know how much you love her. I know you don’t care that she’s a hybrid. Just remember that she may need some time to accept that you are the most perfect man for her. If, of course, I’m right about you being her mate.”

“Well, her scent has certainly gotten stronger lately. I need to get going. Thanks again, Grace.”

“Anytime.”

I shower and pack, then begin making my way to the coastline. Part of the reason that Betas Carlos and Amber brought Hope to the beach was because of her scent. Yes, she has the scent of white spruce trees, a lovely, fresh, foresty scent. But she also smells like the ocean which we assume comes from her polar bear side. She smells like a combination of the ocean and the forest. I find her scent utterly intoxicating. I’ve always enjoyed her scent, but two years ago when I turned eighteen, her scent intensified and Malcolm started acting more possessive of Hope and Qadira, her wolf/bear hybrid. It was my first clue that she and I were mates. Since then, her scent has only become more tantalizing and mouth-watering to me and I have to catch myself so I don’t begin nuzzling her when we’re together. I don’t want to give her any reason to push me away.

I smile as I drive. I can’t wait to hear all about her first day at the beach. I hope that her bear enjoyed the salt water. Hopefully, she’ll let me stay so I can spend the day with her and her family tomorrow.

I stop near the hotel and pick up a bouquet of flowers. My girl isn’t a typical girl, so I don’t get roses. Instead, I get a bouquet that has all different flowers mixed into it.

When I get to the hotel, I mind link Beta Carlos, who lets me know they are already seated in the restaurant. I leave my things, including her necklace in the car and head straight to the restaurant.

I walk in the room and smell her scent immediately. Malcom begins purring softly. He loves her scent as much as I do.

When the waiter walks away from their table, I see her very sensitive nose begin to twitch. When her blue eyes meet mine, it nearly takes my breath away.

I’ve never understood how others could bully Hope. Yes, she’s not a full wolf. Yes, her scent is different than most wolves and she prefers being alone as much or more than being with the pack. But she’s stronger than most wolves, something the packs admire and appreciate. She’s kind, and gentle, especially knowing that she’s part bear. And she’s always been the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life.

I hate that she thinks I wouldn’t be here for her birthday. I know why she wanted to go away. She’s worried about her mate rejecting her. As Malcolm begins pacing in my head, I know that her mate isn’t going to reject her, because I’m her mate. There’s no way I would ever reject such an incredible woman and there’s no way that any woman could smell better to me than she does.

When I kiss her cheek, Qadira begins her deep rumbling purr. The sound is one that can calm me in an instant, or make my body stand at attention ready to show Hope just how much I want her.

I smile and wish her a happy birthday as well, then wait to see if Hope will invite me to stay. If she doesn’t, I’ll give her her birthday present and leave. I won’t force myself into her weekend, but thankfully, she invites me to stay for dinner.

When I sit down across from her, I greet her family. They all knew I was coming, so they aren’t surprised to see me.

“Hey, Levi,” Faith, her younger sister says, grinning.

“Thanks for keeping my secret, Faith,” I say.

“She almost gave it away,” Beta Carlos says, teasing her.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” Hope says.

“I can’t believe you thought I’d miss your birthday. Have I ever missed a birthday?” I ask her.

She smiles her sweet, embarrassed smile and shakes her head no.

The waiter comes over to take our order. I go last, already knowing that I’ll get some sort of steak. Once he’s gone, I focus my attention on Hope.

“Tell me about your day. Did Qadira like the water?” I ask her.

I watch as her face transforms into awe and wonder. It’s so rare to see Hope relaxed enough to just be herself that I find myself completely and totally captivated by her, listening to how much she enjoyed the water.

“Hopefully you’ll stay the night and join us at the beach tomorrow, Levi,” Beta Carlos says.

I look at Hope as the food arrives. She ordered seafood. It’s another thing that makes her different from a true wolf. Bears like seafood, especially fish, more than wolves do.

When the waiter leaves us again, I focus on Hope.

“That’s really up to Hope. It’s her birthday. If you want me to stay, I’ll stay.”

She frowns. “Well, you drove all this way. You can’t turn around and go back tonight.”

“I could, if you would prefer to have this weekend with just your family.”

She shrugs, blushing again. “I consider you my family.”

I take her hand and pull it to my lips, watching her sweet blush darken. “Then I’m staying.”

“Do you have a room, Levi?” Beta Carlos asks.

“No, I haven’t checked with the front desk to see if they have any availability,” I say.

“Oh, don’t worry. Your sister and Alpha Eli upgraded our room to a suite. If nothing else, you can sleep on the pull out couch. We have plenty of space.”

I look at Hope again.

“Of course. Stay with us. It really is a huge suite,” she says.

“Then it’s settled. I’d be happy to crash on your couch.”

: Late Night Walk

Hope

Levi is one of the few people who never seems to get tired of listening to me talk. And for some reason, I seem to talk much more when I’m around him.

Before I know it, dinner is done.

“Let me get my things from the car and then I’d love it if you’d walk on the beach with me,” Levi says.

I walk outside with him and wait while he gets his things. Then we go upstairs.

When we walk into the suite, Levi whistles low. “Wow. This is nice. My mother found her second chance mate, and he’s a wonderful man, thank the goddess. But he’s a warrior. He could never afford anything like this.”

“How is Paisley?” my mother asks.

“She’s good, Beta, really good. It took her a long time to accept that Nash was nothing like my father, as you know. But they’ve made a nice life for themselves. He’s really good to her and they’re both happy.”

“I’m so glad to hear that, Levi. Please tell her we said hello when you see her again.”

“I will Beta,” he says before turning to me. “Ready to show me the beach, Hope?”

“Sure, let’s go,” I say.

Over the years, I’ve fallen in love with Levi. I didn’t mean to, but I couldn’t help myself. He’s an incredible man, an incredible Alpha. Honestly, he deserved to have his own pack. If his father hadn’t been such a horrible man, he might have had that option.

As we walk out of the room, Levi takes my hand.

“So, now that you’re nearly an adult, what do you plan to do with your life, Hope?” he asks me as we take the elevator downstairs.

“Well, I know that Alpha Xander will eventually take over the family business, but I thought I’d ask Alpha Liam if he needed any more wolves to work for Holstin Enterprises.”

“Is that so?” he growls softly. Levi works for Holstin Enterprises, too.

“Yes. There’s not a lot for me to do otherwise. It’s already been decided that Alpha Clint will take over as Alpha Emerson’s Beta when they come of age. Dad’s not even upset that he never had a son. Honestly, I think he’s happy being a girl dad.”

“He’s a very good girl dad,” Levi says as we walk out to the beach. “Wow, this is gorgeous and so peaceful.”

“I had such a great time today. Qadira didn’t want to get out of the water. She was in her element.”

“I’m so happy for you and for her. You both needed something, a place where you feel that you belong,” he says, as always understanding me better than I understand myself.

“Can I tell you something, something private?”

He turns and looks at me, his amber eyes flashing in the moonlight. “I hope you know I will always keep your secrets, Hope.”

I know he will because he always has.

“I want to try and find my biological father.”

Levi stops and turns to look at me. “That’s new. When did this come about?”

I shrug. “I’ve been thinking about it, wondering if he survived whatever they did to him to get his sperm, if he ever got away like mom and I did. I wonder if he wonders if somewhere he has a child but never knew where to find me.”

“You’re hoping to use Holstin Enterprises to find him,” he says.

“Yes, but I also need a job. I’m strong. There’s no reason I can’t be a body guard or even a construction worker.”

“And what if you find him?” he asks me as we start to walk again.

I shrug again. “I guess I see if he wants to know about me, if he wants to get to know me. I’m not looking for a father. I have Carlos for that, and he’s been an amazing father my entire life. But I just want to know if he’s alive and if he’s ever wondered about me.”

“I’ll help you, Hope. I’ll help you find him. You should tell your parents, though.”

“I don’t want to hurt Carlos. I don’t want him to think that I don’t love him as a father. He’s been an amazing father, better than I could have ever imagined since I’m not his biological child.”

“Carlos never cared about that,” Levi says.

“I know. That’s my point. He’s never treated me any differently than he’s treated Faith. He’s always raised us as if we’re both his biological daughters and I don’t want to hurt his feelings by letting him know that I want to find my biological father.”

I watch Levi as he looks out over the water. “I think, if you keep it a secret, it will hurt him more. He’s your father. You know him better than I do. But if it were me, I’d want you to be honest with me.”

He turns and looks at me, stroking his fingers over my cheek. “Just think about it, okay?”

“Okay,” I say, unable to say no to Levi.

Something in the air shifts between us. It’s happened before, but right now, the pull to him feels so much stronger than it ever has before.

“We should get back,” I say.

“What are you afraid of, Hope?” he asks, his voice soft. It sends a wave of electrified tingles through my body, making me shiver.

“I’m not afraid,” I say defiantly.

“No. No, you’re never afraid, are you?” he murmurs, his thumb gently caressing my cheek and jaw.

He’s wrong. I’m terrified of what will happen at midnight. I’m terrified that we might be mates and what that means, for him and for me.

“You know I love you, right Hope?”

“Levi …”

“You know that I’m hoping that tonight, Qadira and Malcolm will call each other mate and I’ll know that you’re truly mine forever.”

“Levi, don’t,” I say.

Rather than pull away, he leans forward, running his nose over my jaw to my ear.

“You know that there could never be any woman for me but you, Hope. You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved.”

“Levi, you deserve …”

“Don’t, Hope,” he says, putting his fingers over my lips. “Don’t tell me what I deserve. I deserve to have my goddess given mate. I deserve an opportunity to prove that I can be the man and mate that you want and need in this life. I deserve a chance, Hope.”

He holds my face in his hands, watching me. I didn’t even know what time it was, but Levi did. He knew it was almost midnight and as he holds my face, as our gazes are locked together, I feel it. I feel the mate bond connect.

Qadira pushes forward. “Mate.”

I watch Malcolm push forward, making Levi’s amber eyes turn dark brown. “Mate,” he growls. That one word is so possessive, such a powerful claim, that I gasp.

Levi takes that as an offer and his mouth crashes against mine. It’s not the first time he’s kissed me. He’s pressed his lips to mine gently in the past. But there is nothing gentle about this kiss. This kiss is meant to claim, meant to possess, meant to brand my body with his.

I whimper as my beast gives herself to the kiss, leaving me desperately clinging to Levi and trying to maintain some semblance of reality. But it’s no use. His lips are warm against mine and when his tongue slides into my mouth, his taste overwhelms me.

I growl, feeling Qadira answering Malcolm’s claim with her own, desperately wanting to possess this man and his wolf that we both love with every part of our being.

So, I let go, surrendering to Levi’s kiss with the full moon shining down on us and the soft sound of the ocean waves lapping against the shoreline.