Asher and Sienna have been inseparable since childhood. The night before Asher leaves for Alpha training, they share one unforgettable moment, their first night together. He promises her that no matter what happens, when he returns, she will be his Luna, mate or not.

Years later, Sienna stands at the edge of the packhouse crowd, her heart pounding with hope and their young son balanced on her hip. The moment Asher steps out of the car, his scent hits her like a wave, he’s her mate.

Joy floods her chest… until he tenses, barely glancing her way. Without a word, Asher walks around the car and opens the door for a stunning, pregnant woman.

And just like that, Sienna’s world begins to unravel.

"I believed his promise. I carried his child... I waited for him, I was fateful to him and he came back with someone else. He broke his promise, but I won't let him break me."

Sienna’s Point of View

I am halfway through highlighting the same sentence for the third time when I hear a faint tap tap at my bedroom window. My hand freezes midair, and I frown. I pause the music playing and listen for the noise and sure enough I hear it again.

My heart skips slightly at the sound and I push my chair back before making my way to the window.

As I pull the curtain aside, a wide smile spreads across my face.

“Asher?”

I say, shaking my head as I slide the window open. The cool night air rushes in.

“I thought we already said goodbye this morning. Aren’t you supposed to be halfway to training by now?”

I ask, arching my brow at him. He smirks at me, that signature crooked grin that always make my stomach flutter.

“Technically yes, but I wanted to see you again and to give you something. A few more minutes won’t hurt.”

He says and holds out a small box towards me. My smile falters slightly as I take it.

“What is this?”

I ask, and he smiles.

"Just open it."

I carefully lift the lid, my breath catching in my throat, and tears instantly burn my eyes as I stare down at the delicate silver ring, elegant but simple, a single stone glinting softly under the moonlight.

“Ash…”

I whisper and he reaches out to me, gently tucking a strand of hair behind my ear before cupping my face in his warm palm.

He takes the ring out of the box before pulling something out of his shirt. I see a ring on a chain and he holds both of them next to each other. A lump forms in my throat when I see it our initials with a heart in between.

"This is mine. I had them made to match. This is my promise to you, Sienna. A promise that I will come back. And when I do... you will be my Luna. Mate or not. I don't care what fate says, I love you, Si. I love you and l will always love you. You are it for me.”

I open my mouth, but no words come out. My heart swells and cracks all at once. So instead of saying anything, I lean forward, crashing my lips onto his.

He kisses me back and our kiss is full of everything that we aren’t saying. My fingers clutch his shirt as he climbs through the window, his arms wrapping around me like he never wants to let me go.

The kiss deepens quickly. It is heated, and desperate, like we are both trying to make this moment last forever. We move instinctively, like we always have, two pieces that just fit. One minute we are by the window, and the next we are already tangled together on my bed, breathing hard, our lips swollen, our hearts racing.

Asher pulls back slightly, his breathing ragged as he rests his forehead against mine.

“We should stop.”

He whispers and I shake my head my fingers grazing again his chin.

"No... I don't want to stop."

He shakes his head.

"Si..."

But I put my finger to his lips.

“No... I want this. I want you. I want my first time to be with you."

“You deserve your first time to be perfect. Not rushed. Not because I’m leaving.”

He says softly brushing his thumb lightly over my cheek.

"It will be perfect, because it will be with you, and I don't want to do it just because you are leaving, but because I love you, and I want to give you something to remember me by.”

A small, breathless laugh escapes him.

“We don't have to do this, there is no way I could ever forget you, Si.”

I wrap my arms around his neck, my eyes locked on his.

“Then make me yours, Alpha.”

I whisper, my voice barely above a whisper. His eyes search mine, the air between us charged with sexual tension.

“Are you sure about this Sienna?”

He asks me softly, but I don't answer him with words, I just pull him back to me and I kiss him again, slow, certain, and full of promise, sealing a promise of my own.

And this time... he doesn’t pull away from me. Asher kisses me back slowly this time, like he is memorizing the way my lips feel, like he wants this kiss to last until he comes back. His hands are gentle as they slip under my shirt and start sliding up my sides.

Slowly we remove our clothes, our hands wandering, memorizing every curve of each others bodies.

“Tell me if anything doesn’t feel right.”

He murmurs, his lips brushing against my collarbone. I let out a soft moan before nodding my head and threading my fingers through his hair.

He cups my breasts, softly kneading them, then one if his thumb flicks one of my nipples before his mouth closes over it. I gasp, before a loud moan escapes my throat.

I arch my back, my fingers tightening in his hair.

After a few minutes he switches breasts before his hand that was kneading my breast starts to slide down my body.

My heart starts to race as his hand trail over my hip and down my thigh before cupping my core.

I can't stop the moan coming from me as my body arches of the bed when his fingers starts to message my folds.

He groans, lifting his head from my breast.

"Fuck... You are so wet already Si."

He murmurs hoarsely before slightly pulling away. His lips start kissing down my body, following the path his hand followed.

He runs his tongue over my hip and again I let out a breathless gasp. Asher sits back, his dark eyes roaming over my naked body, before they lock onto my pussy. For a second I let insecurity take over and I try to cover myself but he lets out a low growl, gripping my hand and moving them away

"Don't hide yourself from me. I want to see everything."

He orders and my heart skips a beat as his eyes scan over my body again. What I see in his eyes make my swallow hard and before I can talk myself out of it, I open my legs, letting my knees fall to the bed, opening myself widely to him.

His eyes darken even more and he swallows hard before licking his lips.

"So beautiful..."

He murmurs again before leaning down and kissing me hard.

His starts kissing and nibbling down my neck and over my breasts.

He latches onto one of my nipples again, softly biting down before sucking on it while his fingers flicks over the other.

His hand resting on my hip slips down again, rubbing against my folds before he pushes a finger into me.

I moan arching my back as he begins to slowly pump his finger in and out of me.

My breath starts to race as he pushes in another one.

"Those this hurt?"

He asks hoarsely and I shake my head.

"No, don't stop. It feels so good."

I whimper, pushing my chest back up to his face. He doesn’t waste anytime as his mouth captures one of my nipples again, while he increases the pace of his fingers pumping into me

He starts kissing lower, over my ribcage, down over my stomach before moving lower.

I try to close my legs again, but he grabs my knees, opening my legs further before diving face first into my pussy. I gasp, and my back arches off of the bed as his hot tongue comes into contact with my wet folds.

"Oh, god."

I whimper, gripping his hair tightly and he pushes me gently back down onto the bed.

He sucks my clit into his mouth as his fingers continue to pump in and out of me.

I can't stop the whimpers coming from my throat as his tongue and fingers continue to work their magic on me.

He suddenly removes his fingers but before I can say anything he replaces them with his tongue.

"Oh god, Ash."

I moan, as I begin grinding myself against his face.

He groans, and the vibrations of it against me makes me jolt and moan.

He slips his fingers back into me, pumping in hard and deep while his thumb circling my clit begins moving faster and I can't stop squirming and moaning as something begins to build in my stomach. It keeps building until finally it explodes.

"Asher!"

I moan out his name as my body shuddering and arching off of the bed from the pleasure. He continues to pump his fingers into me, slower this time as I ride out my orgasm.

He pulls his fingers from me, sticking them into his mouth and moans.

"God you taste good."

He groans before kissing me deeply.

He lifts his head and looks at me, his eyes searching mine one last time.

“I love you, Si.”

The words sound different now, like a promise. A vow.

“I love you too."

I whisper back my voice thick with emotion.

Without another word he pushes his hard cock into me with one swift motion.

I gasp, as I struggle to adjust to his size, but the pain soon vanishes and pleasure starts to take over.

"Move, Asher, please."

I moan, as I begin to move my hips against his.

A groan comes from his chest as he begins to match my movements, pushing himself into me soft and slow.

He kisses me again, but this time it is passionate. There is no rush or urgency. This kiss is filled with everything we feel, and he increases his pace.

After that the world around us fades away, and nothing else matters in this moment, just us. All that matters is the sound of our breaths mixing together, the warmth of our skin against each others.

It isn’t rushed, and it isn’t perfect. But it is ours.

Later, we lie tangled up in the sheets with my head resting on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He is quiet as he lazily draws circles on my back. I lift my head and immediately frown when I see the expression in his face.

"Are you okay? Did I do something wrong?"

I ask worriedly, and try to sit up while he looks at me confused.

"No, that was amazing. Where are you going?"

He asks, pulling me back down.

"I was just wondering how I am going to survive without you..."

He says and my heart skips a beat.

“You will be so busy with training, you won't even have time to think about me. You’ll be fine.”

He shakes his head

“I’ll do what I have to do. But this? You?”

He tightens his arm around me.

“You are home for me, Si. And no matter where I go, nothing is ever going to feel right without you there.”

My throat tightens, and I press a soft kiss to his chest, trying to swallow down the ache that rises at his words.

“You’ll come back.”

I whisper. He nods his head and shifts slightly so he can see me better.

“I will. I swear I will. But more than that… I’ll come back for you. Not just for the title. Not because of duty. But for us.”

His thumb brushes the side of my face.

“I don’t want to imagine a future that doesn’t have you in it.”

He says softly and tears burn my eyes, but I manage a smile.

“Then don’t.”

He leans down and kisses me softly again.

“You are it for me, Sienna. You always have been.”

I don't answer him, I just snuggle in closer to his chest and close my eyes, letting the steady rhythm of his heart lull me off to sleep.

Sienna’s Point of View

Five Years Later

"Today is the day, baby. Your daddy is finally coming back home.”

I whisper as I kneel in front of Aiden, brushing a stubborn strand of blond hair off of his forehead.

My little boy beams up at me, his big brown eyes, so much like his father’s, full innocence. He didn’t exactly understand what today means, not the weight of it, not the years, not the quiet ache in my chest that I have carried since the day Asher left, but I had held onto this moment for both of us.

I smooth out the collar of the little button-up shirt that he is wearing, blue with tiny wolves printed along the collar. He looked perfect.

“Do I look like a baby Alpha?”

He asks with a serious face, puffing out his tiny chest.

I bite back a laugh and pinch his cheek.

“You look even better. You look like my little Alpha.”

I say, he beams and spins around once for dramatic effect.

“I think I should be in charge now.”

He says and I chuckle, brushing my hands over his hair.

“Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, there, baby.”

After straightening his sleeves, I stand and make my way to the mirror, just to check myself one last time.

I made sure to keep my makeup light, my hair falling in soft curls down my back, and the green dress I only wore once, the color that always made my eyes look brighter, and used to drive Asher crazy.

I hear the front door creak open before someone calls out.

"Si?"

My best friend's voice drifts down the hall.

"In my bedroom."

I call back, smoothing my dress down.

A low whistle cuts through the room.

“Damn, Si. Who are you trying to impress?”

I turn around, rolling my eyes as Ava steps into my room, her auburn curls piled into a messy bun and her usual smirk plastered on her face.

“No one.”

I say, though I can feel my cheeks turning red. Ava smirks at me, folding her arms in front of her chest.

“Uh huh. Sure. Just a totally normal day to get all dressed up and curl your hair.”

“Stop.”

I laugh lightly, shaking my head.

“He is really coming back, huh?”

She asks softly and I nod my head.

“Yeah... He is... He is finally coming back home, Ava. I just… I want to be there.”

I say softly and Ava’s teasing expression fades and something softer takes over her expression.

She tilts her head slightly, her eyes scanning me, thoughtful and gentle now.

“You look beautiful, Si. Seriously. And if that idiot doesn’t realize what he has the moment he lays his eyes on you...”

“You’ll punch the Alpha’s son?”

I finish for her with a small smile.

“Right in the jaw.”

She says without missing a beat. I laugh again and glance towards Aiden, who is trying to hop while putting on his shoes.

“Do you need some help over there, baby?”

“I got it.”

He grunts, his tongue sticking out as he fights with the velcro strap.

“My shoes are just being bad guys today.”

Ava snorts. “Clearly they didn’t get the memo. Today is a big day for the new baby Alpha.”

Aiden finishes and stands tall with a big smile.

“I’m ready now! Can I drive?”

He asks excitedly and I shake my head.

“No. Absolutely not. Besides, we are going to walk. It's not that far."

I say and he sighs.

“Fine. But when I am a real Alpha, I am buying a motorcycle.”

He says, his face serious. Ava grins and leans down, ruffling his hair.

“Make sure it has a baby seat for your mom.”

He puffs out his cheeks in mock frustration and stomps once.

“I’m almost five!”

We both laugh, and I scoop him up onto my hip, holding him close.

“Come on, let’s go. I want him to see his son, even if he doesn’t know it yet.”

Ava nods, her expression unreadable for a moment.

“You sure you are ready for this?”

I shrug.

“No… not really, but I need to do this anyway.”

I say and with that, we head out the door, hope burning quietly in my chest like the calm before a storm.

Together we make our way to the pack house grounds, weaving through the gathering crowd, pushing our way to the front.

The word spread fast: Asher Grey, the future Alpha, was finally coming home.

I hold Aiden close to my chest, my eyes scanning the driveway as cars pull in and park. My wolf suddenly stirs beneath my skin. I can feel her agitation as she begins pacing.

I frown.

'What is it Ally?'

I asked, confused about what has her so worked up.

'I don't know... I just feel like something is about to happen.'

She mumbles back.

Before I can respond, I see a black SUV coming up the hill.

And my breath catches in my throat.

“It’s him.”

I whisper excitedly, pulling Aiden closer to me.

The SVU stops, the doors clicking open.

I hold my breath, watching the SVU intently as I wait for him to step out of the car.

Then it happens the door opens and suddenly a delicious scent hits me like a shockwave.

'Mate.'

Ally howls in my head, wild and ecstatic. My knees almost give out, but I steady myself.

I can't believe it. He is my mate.

My heart swells and I take a step forward, a big smile breaking across my face.

He steps out slowly, his entire body tense. His gaze sweeps over the crowd, but Asher doesn’t even look at me.

I hesitate, slightly hurt and confused.

“Ash…”

I whisper under my breath.

I watch as he walks around the car and opens the passenger door.

A slender hand extends from inside the car, reaching out, and Asher takes it.

My smile fades away and my stomach drops.

My wolf whimpers in disbelief as a woman steps out of the SUV. Tall. Gorgeous. Long dark hair and glowing skin. And then, the final blow...

The woman turns slightly and rests her hand on her round, very pregnant stomach.

Everything around me starts to blur as I struggle to breathe. The crowd, the noise, even Ava’s hand gripping my arm tightly.

My mate, the boy who promised that he would love me forever and would come back for me, had returned…

… but he came back with someone else.

Sienna’s Point of View

Everything around me fades into a muffled hum, almost like I am underwater.

The only thing that I can see is her.

The only thing that I can feel is the weight in my chest.

Her hands are resting on her very pregnant stomach, her face glowing when she smiles up at him.

My mate.

My Asher.

He came back… but not for me.

I struggle to breathe, my breath catching in my chest. Instinctively my arms tighten protectively around Aiden’s small body, and he shifts slightly against me, confused by my sudden reaction.

“Mama?”

He asks softly, his little hand touching my cheek, pulling me out of my daze.

I blink rapidly, and swallow hard. I feel tears starting to sting my eyes. I can’t fall apart, not here. Not with everyone watching.

Not with my son in my arms.

I quickly turn back around, not bothering to say a word to anyone. I push through the crowd with purpose, clutching Aiden tightly to my chest.

“Sienna? Si! Hey, wait! Wait!”

Ava’s voice calls out after me and I hear footsteps crunching quickly on gravel as she rushes after me.

"Si!"

She calls out again, but I still don't stop.

My vision blurs from the tears threatening to spill over. I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek to keep them at bay.

Ava catches up just outside the edge of the packhouse lawn, her hand wrapping around my forearm gently but firmly.

“Sienna, stop. Please, talk to me.”

She pleads quietly. I stop walking, but I don’t look at her.

Ava steps around me and the minute she sees my face, her expression shifts from concern to anger.

“Oh, Si…”

She whispers softly before pulling me into her arms.

“I’m going to kill him.”

She says after a few seconds. I let out a broken laugh that sounds more like a sob.

“He didn’t even look at me, Ava. Not once.”

“Come here."

She leads me to a bench under the trees and sits down next to me. She takes my hand and squeezes it softly.

"Just breathe, Si."

I nod my head slowly. I try to control my breathing while at the same time I am also still trying to keep my tears at bay.

“I thought...”

My voice cracks and I take a deep breath before trying to speak again.

“I thought this would be the day he came back to us. I thought that he would see me, that he would see Aiden, and everything would be okay.”

Ava brushes a tear from my cheek with her thumb.

“Don't let him or this destroy you. Do you hear me? You are strong and brave. You are not that naive little girl that he left behind anymore.”

"Are you sad, Mommy?

Aiden whispers quietly and I glance down at him

I see him glancing between me and Ava with wide, confused eyes and my heart breaks all over again.

I give him a small smile and kiss the top of his head.

“No, baby. Mama is just… surprised, that is all.”

"Was that my daddy?"

He asks, a hopeful glint in his eye and I close my eyes for a few seconds, asking the Moon Goddess to forgive me before I open my eyes and give him another small smile as I shake my head.

"No, baby. Unfortunately not. That was just someone that mommy used to know."

I say, wiping some hair off of his forehead. Aiden frowns.

"Why is seeing him making you sad?"

Before I can say anything Ava crouches in front of us.

“You don't have to worry your little head about that man, baby. Why don’t we go home, huh? Or maybe we can go get some ice cream, and sit outside?”

She asks, and Aiden immediately nods his head excitedly.

"Yes! Please!"

He yells and she chuckles at him, ruffling his hair before she stands.

"Great! Now come on, let's go."

I once again tighten my grip on Aiden as we walk away making our way to the ice cream shop.

After getting some ice cream, we decide to head over to the playground.

Aiden runs ahead of us towards the playground, his entire face covered in melted chocolate.

A small smile tugs at the corners of my lips despite everything. At least he is okay. At least he didn’t understand what just happened, what I just lost. Again.

Ava walks next to me in silence, but her eyes keep flicking over to me every now and again. She doesn’t say or ask anything, so I know that she is waiting. I know she wants me to open up about what just happened, but I don’t know if I can say the words out loud without breaking again.

We reach a bench near the sandbox, and I sit down slowly.

"Aiden! Come here please."

I call out, after pulling out a packet of wetwipes. I quickly clean the chocolate off of his face and hands before he rushes away again. For a few minutes Ava and I just watch Aiden climb the jungle gym with ease.

"I smelled him..."

I whisper softly and Ava’s head snaps towards me.

"Wait... What? Are you sure?"

She asks and I scoff, giving her a look. She shakes her head.

"Sorry... I just... wasn't expecting that."

"Yeah... Me neither..."

I say bitterly before glancing at her.

"When he stepped out of that car… the second the door opened, I smelled it. That pull, the warmth. My wolf started howling.”

I press a hand against my chest, hoping it would somehow dull the ache.

“I was so happy... I mean she heard me... The Moon Goddess actually mated me with him. The only man I have ever loved. Even after all these years… after everything. It is still him. It has always been him.”

I say quietly, swallowing hard as the lump forms in my throat again.

Ava quietly stares in front of her for a few seconds, her eyes narrowing as if she is mentally vaporizing Asher on the spot.

“So let me get this straight. He is your mate. He finally comes back here after all these years, after leaving you pregnant and alone, and not only does he not acknowledge the bond between you, he shows up with a pregnant woman on his arm?”

I don’t answer her. I just let the silence speak for itself.

“I am going to kill him.”

She mutters again, as she stands and begins pacing in front of me.

“And no, not like in a joking way, I mean like actually kill him. Mate bond or not, that man doesn’t deserve you, Si.”

I press my lips together, blinking fast.

“I used to dream about this day. About him coming back home and seeing Aiden and realizing what he had missed. I thought that maybe…"

My voice cracks again and I clear my throat.

"I thought that maybe if he saw us..."

I trail off and shake my head as I let out a bitter laugh.

"God Ava, I just feel so stupid."

I whisper and she immediately shakes her head and stops pacing. She crouches down in front of me and grabs my hands.

"Look at me Sienna."

She waits until my eyes meet hers before she continues.

“Don’t you dare say that. You are not stupid. You were in love. You were left alone with a baby and you raised him into the most incredible little boy all by yourself.”

I glance towards the playground where Aiden is giggling on the swings. His laugh rings through the air and soothes the ache inside of my chest just a little.

“I just don’t understand, Ava. How can the Moon Goddess bind me to someone who clearly doesn’t love me anymore? Who moved on. Who has another family now…”

Ava sighs, and folds her arms in front of her chest as she sits back down next to me.

“I don’t know, Si. I wish I had the answers you are looking for. But I do know this, he might be your mate, but you get to decide what you do with that bond.”

I turn towards her slowly, but before I can ask her what she means she continues to speak.

“You don’t have to accept it. You have already built yourself a life without him for you and Aiden. Aiden is your heart, and I will support whatever choice you make, whether you want to tell Asher, confront him, or just keep walking.”

“He didn’t even see me, Ava. He looked straight past me like I was a stranger.”

“Then he is blind. And if he’s too dumb to recognize his mate, that is on him. Not you.”

She says and I give her a watery smile.

“Thank you, Ava. For always being here for me.”

“Always. You and Aiden are my family, Si. And no matter what happens next, we are going to figure it out together. I promise.”

She says, playfully bumping her shoulder against mine.

Aiden runs over to us a few minutes later, breathless and bright-eyed, and throws himself into my lap.

“Mama, I climbed all the way to the top! Did you see me?”

He exclaims proudly and I nod my head quickly as I smile at him and kiss his forehead.

“I saw, baby. You were amazing.”

And in that moment, with Ava beside me and Aiden in my arms, I realize something.

Even if Asher never chooses us…

I already have everything that I need, right here.