The next morning, sunlight poured through the oversized windows of my garish quarters, rudely announcing the start of a new day. I groaned, throwing an arm over my face in protest. My body felt heavy, my mind sluggish as it replayed everything Alpha Devon had said the night before.

“You are already an Irving.”

“This island is home to the Alpha and his Luna.”

“And that is you.”

Gaia help me. My heart hadn’t stopped racing since. Was I his mate? Was that why I was so viciously attracted to him?

I rolled out of bed, trying to shake off the memory of him and his words, and the way they made my pulse flutter like an idiot bird trapped in my chest. There was no time to dwell on his unclear declarations, not when I had a full day of” whatever it was I was supposed to be doing here.

Julia and Luciana bustled in shortly after, their arms full of dresses that looked way too formal for my liking.

“Good morning, Lady Celeste,” Julia chirped, her tone cheerful enough to make me wince. “We’ve brought options for today. Alpha Devon mentioned you’ll be touring the estate.”

Touring? I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. “Of course he did.”

Luciana raised an eyebrow. “Shall we prepare the silver gown? It complements your hair.”

“No,” I said, shaking my head as I eyed the silver gown. “Nothing too formal. Just” something comfortable.”

Julia and Luciana exchanged a glance, but they didn’t argue. Within minutes, they’d outfitted me in a soft, flowing white tunic and fitted grey pants, practical, and elegant. It was a relief to wear something that didn’t make me feel like I was about to sit for a portrait.

Once ready, I made my way downstairs, where the architecture looked even more excessive in the morning light. The polished floors gleamed, and every gilded detail sparkled like it had a personal vendetta against subtlety.

I found Alpha Devon waiting for me in the grand foyer. His sharp eyes swept over me briefly, and I could’ve sworn there was a flicker of approval before his expression reverted to neutrality.

“Lady Celeste,” he greeted calmly, as if he hadn’t completely upended my world the night before.

“Alpha Devon,” I replied, keeping my tone equally composed. Why did we continue to address each other so formally?

“Ready for the tour?” he asked, his lips curving into the faintest suggestion of a smile.

“Of course,” I said, lifting my chin. “I’m eager to see this island you’re so set on keeping me in for four seasons.”

“Good,” he said, gesturing for me to follow. “Let’s begin.”

The tour started innocently enough. Devon led me through the main halls, pointing out countless historical artefacts and architectural details with a surprising amount of pride. That way he talked about his home, and the portraits of long-gone Irving’s that hung in Stoic watchfulness, was oddly charming.

“Here.” He pointed to a particularly impressive painting showing a fierce battle. “The Second War of Sovereignty. The Irving’s held the eastern territories for Gaia’s forces, outnumbered ten to one.”

“Bragging, are we?” I teased, but I was genuinely fascinated.

“Merely stating facts,” he replied.

The tour didn’t stop at the manor. Devon guided me around the sprawling grounds, pointing out some of the most interesting things. The lush, meticulously tended gardens. The stables, which housed not only horses but a few creatures I hadn’t expected, like the silver-feathered gryphons that eyed me quietly from their pens.

And then there was the beach.

The path opened to a stretch of sand so pristine it felt untouched by time. As the waves rolled in, the surface of the water shimmered like liquid silver under the sun.

“This is my favourite place on the island,” Devon said.

I glanced at him, surprised by the softness in his tone. It was the first thing he’d said without his usual careful detachment.

“It’s beautiful,” I admitted.

We stood there for a moment, not entirely uncomfortable in the silence. Then, as if remembering himself, Devon straightened and motioned for me to follow him again.

He led me back toward the estate, but this time, the path he chose was different. Narrower, quieter. So carefully hidden that if I hadn’t been watching his every step, I might have thought we were simply wandering into the dense woods that bordered the main grounds.

“Where are we going now?” I asked.

“You’ll see,” he replied.

The trail wound deeper into the trees, the sunlight dimming as the canopy above thickened. Here, the air was cooler, heavier, and smelled like earth and moss.

Finally, the trees parted, revealing a small stone archway half-covered in ivy. Beyond it, a narrow staircase spiralled downward into the shadows.

“What is this?” I asked.

Devon glanced at me. “The heart of the estate,” he said simply.

Then he descended into the darkness, leaving me to follow. Stepping closer, I craned my neck to see what lay beyond. “The heart?”

We walked out into a sprawling, sunny courtyard. The centre was dominated by a massive tree with golden leaves that looked unreal. Surrounding it were pools of crystal-clear water, each reflecting the sky above.

“It’s beautiful,” I said in awe.

Devon’s gaze lingered on me. “It is,” he said quietly. “And it’s yours, Celeste.”

I turned to him, startled. “Mine?”

His eyes met mine. “Everything here is yours, Luna.”

I stared at him. The words rang in my ears like an incantation.

“I may not understand,” I admitted. “Are you saying” I’m your mate?”

Even saying it out loud felt odd, but as the words left my lips, everything Gwen had said made sense. Devon didn’t bat an eye at my question. He didn’t laugh or brush me off with one of his infuriatingly cryptic comments. He just stood there like the answer was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Yes,” he said simply.

Gaia, help me.

On the one hand, I was absolutely smitten with him. I mean, how could I not be? On the other hand” this was Alpha Devon. He was considerably older than I was, with four grown children who were also considerably older.

Already I could hear my parents” shrill, outraged voices in my head. They’d never agree to this. Not in a thousand seasons.

And yet”

I realized I didn’t care. Not one bit. My parents” approval, or lack thereof, was the least of my worries. The only thing that mattered now was understanding what he meant. Was this really what he wanted? Did he truly want me?

The thought of having someone like him in my corner was more gratifying than I could ever imagine.

Taking a deep breath, I looked at the golden tree, its shimmering leaves swaying gently in the breeze. “What does it mean to be your Luna?” I asked, lifting my eyes back to his. “Because this feels a little sudden.”

The corners of his lips quirked into that infuriating almost-smile. “It means you belong here. With me.”

“I don’t recall agreeing to this,” I said, arching my brow, but my voice wavered slightly enough to betray the traitorous butterflies in my stomach.

As he stepped closer, the space between us shrank. “You didn’t need to.”

“Is that so?” I challenged.

“It is,” he replied. “But if you’re unsure, Celeste, I won’t force anything on you. The choice will always be yours.”

I blinked at the sudden gentleness of his voice. For all his intensity, there was an honesty in his words that made me feel giddy.

“There’s something else you need to explain to me,” I called out, stopping him just before he stepped away. “So, what am I supposed to do here for four seasons?” I asked, crossing my arms. “Am I going to shadow you on your duties? Learning how to” what is it exactly that you do all day?”

If I hadn’t been watching him so intently, I might’ve missed a flicker of amusement across his face. “Do you think I spend my days doing nothing, Lady Celeste?”

“I didn’t say that,” I replied quickly, even though the thought of him lounging here, brooding handsomely and barking orders crossed my mind. “I just wanted to know” doesn’t your house look after the Sovereignty’s security and sentinels? It seems like something I should learn if I’m going to be stuck here.”

“Stuck?” he said, with a slight curve in his lips. “You wound me.”

I sighed. “No, that’s not what I meant. You’re in charge of protecting the entire realm, and as far as I know, Lycans aren’t exactly known for their magical prowess. That’s always baffled me why the Sovereignty relies on you for security.”

I was a bit uneasy now that he smiled, not because it was threatening. But it was the kind of smile that makes you feel like you just asked the wrong question on a test you knew you had studied for.

“Lycans may not be able to wield magic, but we’re not lacking in strength.” He stepped closer. “Magic is abundant in the sovereignty, but magic alone doesn’t protect a realm, and Gaia has given us the power to protect Wridel. We are the warriors, protectors, guardians of our realm. Without us, there would be no peace.”

I swallowed. “Are you saying I’m here to learn that?”

“In part,” he said. “You’ll shadow me, yes. You’ll see what leadership is. More importantly, you’ll learn what it means to defend what’s yours.”

“What’s mine?” I asked, tilting my head back.

“This realm,” he said. “And everything you will one day protect as Supreme Eminence. If you don’t understand how to protect it, you’ll never understand how to rule it.”

Ah, yeah. Only one day with him and somehow forgot I was the supreme successor. But his words hit a chord I didn’t expect. His tone wasn’t teasing any more. Just quiet conviction.

“Well,” I said, clearing my throat and lifting my chin a little. “I am a sponge, Alpha. I’m a quick study, too. I’m looking forward to this” learning experience.”

His lips twitched, and there it was again: amusement flickering in his eyes, like he had a secret he wouldn’t tell. “I wouldn’t expect anything less from you, Lady Celeste.”

“Don’t you think you should stop calling me that?” I asked, arching a brow. “Lady Celeste?”

He tilted his head slightly. “What would you prefer I call you?”

“Celeste,” I said simply. “Just Celeste.”

Then his lips curled into a smile—not that faint, elusive smile he usually wears, but something warmer, sweeter that made me want to burst.

“Celeste,” he repeated.

My next words tumbled out before I had time to stop them, a dangerous side effect of his presence.

“Would you mark me?”

While his expression didn’t change immediately, his eyes darkened just enough to send shivers down my spine. “Are you sure you know what you’re asking, Celeste?”

Trying not to back down, I swallowed hard. “I think I do. That’s what mates do, isn’t it? To” reaffirm our bond?”

There was a flash of surprise on his face, but it faded too fast for me to catch. As he stepped closer, the gap between us shrank to nothing, and I had to tilt my head back to keep his gaze.

“The mate mark is more than a formality,” he said. “It’s a declaration. A promise. Once it’s done, there’s no undoing it. We’re mates for life, through this life and into the next.”

Even though my heart was beating so hard, I didn’t flinch. I know that, and I want you to mark me.”

His hand lifted, hovering near my face but not quite touching, like he was holding himself back. “If I do this,” he said slowly, “you’re mine, fully and completely. This is a decision not to be made lightly.”

“Mark me, Devon,” I said, the words spilled out with an assurance that even surprised me.

His eyes narrowed a little, and I didn’t know whether it was because I called him by his name. As far as I was concerned, I didn’t need to think about anything. It was there right from the first time I saw him, then met him, that spark, that electric I’d been longing for.

Staring into those beautiful, intimidating eyes, I knew that spark wouldn’t go away. All it would do was grow and consume me.

With a feather-light touch, his hand finally brushed my cheek, sending a shiver through me. “You’re sure?” he asked.

In this moment, I was able to say, “Yes,” with more strength than I thought I could. “I’m certain.”

Then he did nothing for a long, agonizing moment. He watched me with an intensity that felt like he could peel my soul apart. Slowly, his hand glided to the back of my neck. His touch was gentle, like he was holding something precious.

“You understand what this means, Celeste?” he asked quietly. “This can’t be undone.”

I swallowed hard. “Stop trying to talk me out of it. My mind’s made up.”

A tiny smile tugged at the corner of his lips; dangerous, breathtaking, and totally unfair.

“Very well,” he said, brushing his thumb along the edge of my jaw. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

And then, before I could brace myself, he leaned in, his breath warm against my skin. His lips brushed my neck, a soft, deliberate caress that sent every nerve in my body into overdrive. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to scream, melt, or both. The warmth of his breath followed, teasing the sensitive skin as he hovered there, drawing out the moment like he knew exactly what it was doing to me.

“Last chance to change your mind,” he murmured, and his voice was so low and impossibly intimate.

“I won’t,” I replied. My hands clenched at my sides, though everything in me screamed to wrap them around him, to pull him closer. “Just” get on with it.”

As he chuckled, the sound vibrated against my skin, making my knees just a little weaker. “Impatient, are we?”

My face heated up with embarrassment as I huffed. “I’m fine,” I whispered. “You’re taking too long.”

His lips grazed my neck again, this time lingering a fraction longer, and I couldn’t stop the shiver that raced through me. His grip on the back of my neck tightened slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to make my heart trip over itself.

He said, “Hold still,” and the command in his tone sent a wave of heat through me.

I obeyed, but not exactly by choice. My body seemed to be on autopilot, completely swept up in him and the sheer rightness of the moment.

And then it happened.

His teeth scraped against my neck, and an indescribable sensation shot through me like lightning. It wasn’t pain, not exactly. It was heat, raw and searing, an energy that burst from where his teeth sank in and radiated outward, igniting every nerve, every inch of me in its wake.

I gasped, the sound torn from my throat as my hands flew up to grip his shoulders. Whether I was steadying myself or anchoring him closer, I couldn’t say. All I knew was that my entire world had tilted, narrowed to the points of contact between us, and then expanded, overwhelming me with a rush of something I couldn’t begin to name.

There was a connection now, invisible, but it was there. It wound itself around me, bound me to him in a way that defied explanation. I felt him—his strength, his presence, his very essence settling over me like a shield I hadn’t realized I’d been missing until this moment.

When he pulled back, his gaze locked with mine, and it stole whatever breath I had left. His eyes were a storm at dusk, smouldering and untamed, as though they held all the fire of a sun dipping below the horizon. It was a promise, an unspoken declaration that he had me, that I had him.

It was as if the boundaries that had existed between us, the walls I hadn’t even realized were there, dissolved in an instant. What replaced them was a profound understanding, a clarity that let me see him in ways I never could before. His soul, his emotions, they played out before me in a kaleidoscope of colours, vibrant and unfiltered.

I felt his confidence, strength, and beneath it all, deep, unwavering devotion.

“You’re mine now,” he said.

“And you’re mine,” I replied without hesitation, surprising myself with the fierceness in my tone.

The corner of his mouth curved, a faint, wicked smile that truly excited me. “So it would seem.”

As the tingling in my neck began to subside, replaced by a faint warmth, I couldn’t resist touching the mark he’d left behind, my fingers brushing the tender skin. The bond was there, unyielding and alive, and with it came a clarity that left no room for doubt.

Devon was mine!