The broken Luna and the Actor

Moving fast

*Cynamon*

I spend the remainder of the day enveloped in a sensation akin to floating on a pink cloud. Austin is, without a doubt, the most extraordinary man… no, the most extraordinary human being or wolf I have ever encountered.

We are inseparable, engaging in endless conversations, intertwined hands, and tender kisses. Remarkably, no one questions why I am with him; even Ian behaves as though it's the most natural thing in the world.

Zeva is brimming with joy. She has longed for a mate for ages and doesn't mind in the slightest that Austin is human. In her eyes, he is flawless.

In a fleeting moment when Austin is elsewhere, I grasp Ian's hand. "Thank you, for being so understanding and for... sending him my way."

"Austin is one of my closest friends, and he deserves happiness," he responds, gently squeezing my hand. "It quickly became apparent that you might be the one to grant him that joy and I would never obstruct the path to true love."

As I glance at Austin, who is laughing and pausing to converse with someone on his way back, I can't help but remark, "He really is special, isn't he?"

"He is... and so are you." Ian lifts my hand to his lips for a gentle kiss. "You both owe it to me to be outrageously happy forever."

I giggle, feeling a warm blush spread across my cheeks, just as Austin approaches. "Hey, Ian, don't think about stealing her back now."

"As if I would stand a chance," Ian retorts, rising. He claps Austin on the shoulder and jests, loud enough for me to hear, "But you better treat her well, or I might reconsider."

"Trust me, I will." Austin's gaze meets mine, and a tender smile unfolds across his face. Then, he collapses beside me on the large pillow, his head in my lap. "Missed me?"

As I run my fingers through his hair, I wonder aloud, "Would it be strange and clingy of me to say yes?"

"Not in the slightest... because I missed you too," he replies, biting his lip.

"You both are wonderfully weird and clingy, and utterly endearing," Benjamin comments with a grin, observing us from another pillow.

Austin wraps his arms around me, drawing me closer. "I'll happily be clingy with you."

I twist in his embrace, gazing into his bright, joyous eyes. It's a moment filled with elation. "And I will happily let you."

"And I'll happily kiss you," he murmurs, leaning in. His soft lips meet mine, and for a moment, the world fades into the background, leaving only the two of us.

"Hey, you two, find a room or something," Benjamin jests, his voice tinged with laughter, which we blissfully ignore.

After our kiss, I simply cuddle closer to Austin, inhaling his intoxicating scent. I have honestly never been one to notice how men smell, even with my enhanced sense of scents, but Austin's fragrance is irresistible… like delectable candy with a masculine undertone, likely his natural essence. I suspect this is what finding a mate feels like.

My head rests against his broad, sturdy chest, and I have never felt more comfortable or safe in my entire life. Zeva purrs with contentment.

"How do you fit so perfectly in my arms? As if you were meant to be here," Austin whispers, burying his face in my hair as we sink deeper into the pillow with a contented sigh.

"Okay, I'm gonna leave you two lovebirds alone... it's just too much," Benjamin declares, making his retreat to the pool, granting us privacy.

I too sigh, feeling all tension and worries dissolve. My body and mind relax further, and Zeva reassures me that this is the essence of having a mate. "You're right... we are like two unique puzzle pieces, fitting together flawlessly."

I know most people will say we are moving very fast, maybe too fast… but it just feels so right.

*Austin*

“That’s a very accurate description... you are so right,” I affirm, my fingers gently tracing patterns on her back.

I ponder how something can feel so right, so perfect, and in such a short amount of time. But she really is right. I have always felt like that odd puzzle piece that didn’t fit with the others. I have tried to bend and tuck in the weird edges, but it never worked... with her, I don’t have to.

“This is like heaven,” she murmurs softly, her hand slowly drawing little circles on my chest.

“I can only agree,” I respond, looking up at the blue sky, realizing there’s an important subject I need to broach with her. “So... I hate to have to bring this up, especially so soon but well... the publicity...”

To my surprise, she half jumps up. “I... I don’t want that... can we... Maybe just not tell people?”

“You want us to... be a secret? You don’t want to... like post pictures on social media and changing your f*******: status and all that?” I admit I might sound perplexed, but I'm just so used to women having a hard time accepting it... no one ever asked for secrecy before. Usually it is the opposite.

“Is it bad?” She suddenly looks all tense and nervous. “I just... I want to get to know you, Austin... for real... the real true you. But I don’t want attention, and I don’t want to see myself in the media or on social media being picked apart... is that okay?”

I reach for her, and she allows me to pull her back into my embrace. “No, it’s not bad. I’m just used to... kind of the opposite reaction. Most women seem to want to flaunt their relationships and happiness. And feel if I do not want to tell the world I am not serious.”

“Well... I guess I’m kind of weird like that. I never post anything. I’m not on most social media at all,” she shrugs against me.

“I like weird,” I confess, pressing a kiss into her cinnamon-colored hair. “Can I ask if there’s a special reason for it?”

She looks up at me, and a pain I did not expect flashes through her eyes. In that moment, I swear to myself I will do anything to never see that pain in her again. “You can ask... but... I’m not ready to answer it. I hope...”

“It’s okay... You don’t have to,” I assure her, pulling her closer, hiding the hurt I feel that she doesn’t trust me... but also understanding. “When you are ready... if you get ready. I will listen, otherwise, I will respect your wishes.”

“Thanks, Austin. I promise... when I feel ready, I will tell you.” She snuggles into me, and I feel her tremble slightly, making me wonder what dark secret lurks in her past.