Chapter 0366

The dining hall buzzed with energy as we gathered around the long oak table. Seated among us were Adrian, Evelyn, Sebastian, Seraphina, Adrian's Beta Donovan and his mate Genevieve, his Gamma Nathaniel and his pregnant mate Willow - carrying twins no less. It struck me that every ranked member of Adrian's pack was expecting simultaneously. Alpha Alistair and Luna Seraphina completed our dinner party.

Adrian formally introduced our group to his pack, announcing our intention to establish Sanctuary as an official pack. As he explained our origins, I noticed subtle glances exchanged between pack members - they clearly knew others who might seek refuge with us.

Over dessert, we planned to meet tomorrow and explore how the female Guardians could combine their abilities. Adrian hesitated when Evelyn suggested participating, but she shut him down swiftly. "It's not the Guardian gifts that exhaust me, love. I'll be fine." End of discussion. I smirked - glad to see I wasn't the only mate willing to push boundaries for their partner.

Later, we enjoyed the crisp night air on the terrace before retreating to our chambers.

Isolde turned to me as we settled into bed. "Adrian mentioned you had a name idea for our pack?" I pulled her close, her back molding perfectly against my chest as my arm encircled her waist.

"I wanted your opinion first. Most packs take names from geography or landmarks, but..."

"But?" She twisted to look at me over her shoulder, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.

"I was thinking...Sanctuary. I know it's unconventional-"

"I love it." She cut me off. "It's perfect. Exactly what we represent. The pack will embrace it."

"Really?"

"Absolutely." Her immediate approval eased my nerves. Who knew naming a pack could feel so daunting? It carried the same weight as naming a child - a permanent decision with lifelong consequences.

"I'll confirm with Alistair tomorrow and begin the formalities. Now," I nuzzled her neck, "tell me why the Luna's Challenge tournament spiked your anxiety earlier."

She tensed in my arms. I pressed a kiss to her shoulder, breathing in her scent as I waited.

"My father will attend." The whisper barely reached my ears.

The realization hit me like a physical blow. After all these years, facing her abuser... "You don't have to go. The pack can establish our ranking without you, love."

"Excuse me?" She whipped around in my arms, eyes flashing. "I'm a Guardian. Our pack won't compete for status without me. I'm our strongest fighter - possibly excepting you."

"Wow, one day with Evelyn and Seraphina and suddenly it's all 'I'm a Guardian' this and 'Guardian' that," I teased in a ridiculous falsetto.

She smacked my chest. "I do not sound like that!"

"How would you know? That's exactly your voice. 'I'm a Guardian and Alpha female, hear me roar!'" I continued the playful mockery.

In a flash, she pinned me beneath her, thighs straddling my hips, hands trapping my wrists. "Would you like to hear exactly how loud I can roar, Alpha?"

Thank the Moon we slept naked. My hands found her hips as I slid effortlessly into her welcoming heat. "Every damn day, darling," I growled before thrusting upward.

She arched beautifully, taking me deeper, hands roaming her own body with confident ownership. When her knowing gaze locked with mine, fingers teasing her nipples to stiff peaks, I nearly lost control. My growl of approval vibrated through us both as I guided her movements until she found her rhythm.

Then I took over, pinching and rolling her nipples while she rode me with Alpha female dominance - powerful, relentless. My mouth claimed one breast as my fingers found her clit, circling in perfect sync with her pace. When her walls began fluttering around me, her hands gripped my shoulders as she drove us both over the edge with primal cries of completion.