Chapter 82 : A Promise

The world had moved on, as it always did. Seasons shifted, and time continued its relentless march, but for Alex, the days bled together in an endless ache, a raw, unrelenting pain that had become his constant companion. The moon had risen and fallen countless times since Luna's death, but the grief was still there, carved into his soul like a permanent scar. He had not fled, not this time. His duty called to him, and he answered. But beneath the armor of the Alpha King, beneath the strong hands that led his pack, his heart was shattered, still yearning for her.The forest, where they had shared their final moments, had long since healed. The rain had ceased, and the storm had passed. But the place still held the scent of her, the memory of her, and every time he stood in that sacred space, a part of him thought he could still feel her presence lingering in the air.But it was never her.The weight of his crown had not lightened. The battles had not stopped. But in every decision, in every strategy, Alex had borne the weight of his grief with unwavering resolve. His eyes, once vibrant with fury and pride, had dulled somewhat, though they never lost their fire. He fought, he ruled, but he waited. He would wait. He would wait forever if he had to.The sun had set, casting a deep blue light through the tall windows of Alex's chambers. He entered his room after a long, exhausting day, his muscles sore, his mind weary. But tonight was different. Tonight, his chest ached in a way it never had before. It was as if the world had grown quieter, and he could hear the beating of his heart louder than ever.The air felt charged, thick with a presence he could not understand, but it was familiar, a scent he had once known. The door clicked shut behind him, and for the first time in a long while, he paused in the center of the room, his breath catching in his throat. He didn't need to look. He felt her before his eyes could find her.And then, there she was.Luna.She stood before the window, her back to him. The faintest light from the moon illuminated her delicate form, casting long shadows across her. Her silver hair—no longer the luminous white of her goddess days—was midnight black, the strands cascading down her back like a waterfall of ink and a black knee dress hug her curves in a perfect way. But she was no mere shadow. She was magic incarnate, as otherworldly and stunning as the moon itself. Her skin glowed softly, her eyes—those ocean blues—captured his gaze like a tide pulling him under.For a long moment, Alex stood frozen, his breath ragged, his heart hammering. She was not a god. She was not human. No, she was something more, something just like him. A wolf. His wolf. His mate. And the world seemed to hold its breath, just as he did."If you let me, just once more," her voice trembled, soft yet unwavering, "and hold me again... no force in this world will ever tear me from you, Alex."His pulse quickened, the pain of longing clashing with the fiery rage of everything he had suffered. She was here, but it was not enough. It would never be enough. He stepped forward, his anger boiling, his need for her so overwhelming that his hands clenched at his sides."Don't you dare," he growled, his voice hoarse with emotion. "Don't you dare think you can leave me again."Luna turned slowly, her gaze never wavering from his, her expression soft but filled with a certainty that left him breathless. She took a single step toward him, her eyes now glowing, radiating with a raw, untamed power that spoke of the deep bond they shared.And still, she was just a wolf—just like him. Her beauty was the wildness of nature, of the moon, of the stars. She was everything, and she was his.Alex's chest tightened as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. He could feel the rush of rage and pain, but it was eclipsed by the need to hold her, to remind himself she was real, that she was here. His hands reached out, grasping her by the neck, pulling her toward him with a ferocity that left no room for doubt.The kiss came like a storm, powerful, furious, and filled with desperation. His lips crashed against hers, as if trying to consume her, to take everything he had lost and more. His hands were on her neck, feeling the pulse of her life, her warmth, her very essence. And in that moment, all the pain, all the anger, all the longing flooded into him, and he kissed her as if he could drown in it.Luna's body responded to him instinctively, her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. She kissed him back with the same fiery intensity, her mouth open, allowing him to drink her in. It was a kiss filled with rage and desire, with a thirst that could never be quenched, no matter how much they gave.He pulled back, his breath ragged, his chest heaving with the weight of every unspoken word, every long-held fear. His eyes burned with the need that had been building inside him for so long, a need that now felt impossible to contain."I thought I lost you," his voice was hoarse, filled with vulnerability that tore through the air between them. "I thought I would never hold you again."Luna's eyes softened, but there was a storm in them—a tempest of longing and unspoken desires. Her hand reached up, fingers grazing the line of his jaw, tracing the sharp edges with a tenderness that only made his heart ache more."I'm not going anywhere," she whispered, her words steady but heavy with meaning. "Not now. Not ever."Alex's heart pounded as the truth of her words sank into him. She wasn't just here physically. She was his, in ways he couldn't explain, as if every inch of him had been waiting for this, for this moment to finally shatter the distance that had kept them apart.He reached for the hem of her dress, his fingers trembling with the need to feel her, to bring her even closer. The fabric slid through his fingers as he tugged it, the tension between them electrifying. With one sharp pull, the fabric fell loosely over her body, leaving her exposed in front of him. But he didn't stop there. His hand, unyielding and sure, placed the fabric over her hands, securing them lightly over her head, pinning her gently to him. She was vulnerable, but not helpless. The trust between them was undeniable, the air thick with the weight of their connection.Without hesitation, he leaned down, his breath hot against her skin, and traced the curve of her neck with his lips. The softest of shivers ran through her, and he felt it like an electric current. His tongue slid across the delicate skin of her nape, and he pressed a kiss there, a possessive claim, as his in the most primal way.His tongue flicked out, tasting her, the warm, salty sweetness of her skin driving him to the brink. He placed an open-mouthed kiss there, his teeth grazing lightly, teasing the spot he intended to mark. Luna shivered, a soft, involuntary moan slipping from her lips, and Alex's grip on her tightened, his control fraying at the edges."You taste..." He groaned against her skin, his voice a husky growl. "You taste sweet, Luna."His hands slid down, skimming over the curve of her waist, his thumbs brushing against the swell of her hips. He pulled her closer, pressing her against him, the heat of his body searing through her. Luna's hands found their way to his chest, her fingers curling into the fabric of his shirt, anchoring herself as his lips and tongue worked a trail along her neck, each touch igniting a fire beneath her skin.Alex's hands roamed lower, his fingers teasing the edge of the panties still wrapped around her waist. With a deliberate slowness, he tugged it down a little, baring more of her to his gaze. Luna's breath hitched, but she didn't stop him, her heart pounding in her chest as his hands explored, his touch firm yet achingly gentle."Alex..." she whispered, her voice trembling.His breathing grew heavier, his control hanging by a thread. "I wont stop. This past year, I have always regreted not marking you" he warned one final time, his voice thick with the mixture of desire, desperation, and the hunger of his wolf."Don't stop."Those two words shattered whatever restraint he had left.He pulled back slightly, his dark eyes locking onto hers, the intensity in his gaze stealing her breath. "I'll be gentle," he promised, his voice a low rumble that sent a thrill through her as he pushed her onto the bed and climbed over her.Luna's lips parted, a soft moan escaping as his hand slid up her thigh, his fingers brushing against the heat between her legs. She gasped, her hips arching instinctively into his touch, and Alex growled low in his throat, the sound vibrating against her skin."So responsive," he murmured, his lips returning to her neck. He nipped at the tender skin, soothing the slight sting with his tongue, his other hand unhooking her bra and then sliding up to cup her breast, his thumb circling her nipple until it hardened under his touch. Luna's hands fisted in his shirt, her body arching into him, her breaths coming in shallow, ragged gasps."Alex," she whimpered, her voice barely more than a breath. "Please..."He growled, the sound raw and feral, as his lips brushed against the delicate skin of her neck. His teeth grazed the spot he'd chosen, teasing her flesh with a mix of danger and desire. "This will hurt," he warned, his voice thick with need, his control hanging by a thread.Luna's nails dug into his shoulders, her grip desperate, grounding herself against the overwhelming pull between them. "Do it," she urged, her voice trembling, not with fear, but with anticipation.Alex didn't hesitate. His teeth sank into her skin, sharp and deliberate. She gasped, her body arching instinctively as the sting jolted her senses, but the pain was fleeting. A wave of searing warmth replaced it, cascading through her veins and pooling low in her belly.His tongue moved over the fresh mark , slow and deliberate, lapping away the sting as he sealed the bond with agonizing tenderness. His hands wandered, exploring her curves with an unhurried, possessive reverence. Every touch sent ripples of heat through her, drawing soft moans and gasps that only seemed to fuel the fire between them.When he finally pulled back, his lips glistened and swollen from the intensity of their connection. His breath fanned hot against her skin, and Luna's eyes fluttered open, meeting his gaze. His darkened irises held an untamed hunger that made her heart pound."Is it too much ? should i stop ? ," Alex rasped, his voice a dark growl filled with restraint. But Luna, her breathing uneven and her body aflame, managed a faint smile. With trembling fingers, she brushed the mark on her neck, her voice a sultry whisper. "Its always a torture when you stop at the most critical time "