Born To Be More

Jewel Moon Pack

Max

I knew Rainey might be a little pissed about me showing up at lunch today, but I couldn’t stay away. I needed to see her, make sure she was okay. Besides, I’ve known the guys at Heritage Management for years—especially Kennedy. Sure, he’s a flirt, but he’s also loyal, and he damn well knows better than to mess with what’s mine. Our packs are close allies. He wouldn’t cross that line.

After lunch, I walked her out of the hotel, making plans to see her later. I needed to be near her—have to be near her now that I’ve found her. Pulling her into a hug, I kissed her cheek, feeling that usual jolt of peace and heat she gives me.

“Max,” she said, her voice tight. Her entire body stiffened in my arms.

“He’s here. It’s Mark,” she whispered.

Fuck.

I looked down and followed her gaze, spotting a man just as he disappeared around the corner. My blood boiled. I locked her against me and turned fast, scanning the space. “Sam!” I barked, my voice sharp. “Mark’s here. Call the others. I want the tapes and eyes on every goddamn entrance. Meet us at Raine’s apartment.”

I got her into the car and we raced home. The whole ride I was on the phone with Rion, losing my s**t.

“How the f**k is he still out there after what he pulled in L.A.?” I roared.

Raine’s hand slid into mine. s**t. She was shaken, and here I was yelling like an unhinged lunatic. Tyson growled in my head.

Thank f**k one of us has a brain. You trying to scare her more? he snapped.

I took a breath, running a hand down my face.

“I’m sorry, Angel,” I said, pulling her hand to my lips. She didn’t pull away.

I had to pull it together. For her.

Because I swore to the moon I’d protect her—and I damn well will.

We settle for a while, clinging to the comfort of just being close. It helps. For both of us.

Then Raine’s phone rings. I recognize the voice instantly—her aunt. My wolf hearing picks up the entire conversation from the kitchen. The woman is a nasty piece of work, manipulative and cold, asking Raine for money like she’s owed something. My blood simmers, but I hold it together. I’m proud of Raine—she stands her ground, handles the situation like the badass she is. I make a mental note to have Rion run a full check on the aunt. Just in case.

Rion and the guys show up not long after, and Raine gives us all the boot, claiming the living room for our “boy’s club meeting,” as she calls it. I know she’s irritated I’ve taken over her space, but I don’t care. I have to take control right now, or I’ll break something—or someone.

A knock at the door drags me back to the present. I answer it, and there stands a young woman with too much makeup and not enough buttoned on.

“Your name?” I ask, flat and direct.

She gives me a once-over like I’m dessert. “Well hello there,” she purrs, eyes raking down my body.

Christ. This is Tiffany?

“I asked your name,” I repeat, voice sharp.

She straightens up a little. “I’m Tiffany. Raine’s assistant. She’s expecting me.”

Yeah. This should be interesting.

"However, I wasn’t expecting you, handsome. But it’s a bonus for sure," she says in a sultry tone, licking her lips.

Oh, for f**k’s sake.

"Right. I’m Raine’s boyfriend, so I suggest you tone it down," I say, flat as stone. She looks put out—not embarrassed, just annoyed she didn’t score a reaction.

I turn and lead her into the kitchen. "This way."

Raine glances up as we enter. I lean in and kiss her, slow but intentional. "I’ll be in the living room with the boys, baby. If you need anything, just shout."

She blinks, clearly clocking the shift in my mood, but lets it go.

When I walk back in, Rion catches the look on my face.

“Problem?” he asks quietly.

“She’s a problem,” I mutter. “Run a check on Tiffany—Raine’s new assistant. She’s… very forward.”

Rion raises a brow.

“You might also want to pop in and go over Raine’s security protocols with her before she starts Monday,” I add, smirking. Rion eyes me like he knows I just threw him to the wolves—literally—and nods.

I hope the poor bastard survives.

“Alright, down to business,” I snap, pacing like a caged wolf. “How the f**k is this guy free? Why is he after Raine?”

Rion straightens. “We’re on it. I’ve got every contact pulling strings. The building’s security tapes are being sent over now. And we ran a background on Mark—this guy’s not acting alone. He’s had multiple large deposits in the last month. Someone posted his bail.”

I stop mid-stride. “So he’s working for someone.”

“Looks that way.”

“What else?” I ask, voice low.

Sam steps forward. “We traced him to a car—plate numbers are being run now. But…” He hesitates.

“But what?” I growl.

“We can’t rule out a leak. He knew exactly where Raine would be today.”

I grit my teeth. “That’s what she said too.”

Silence thickens around us.

“This only gets worse from here,” I continue. “Her face is everywhere. Her name’s trending. We don’t have time to play catch-up. We take this guy out now—before he gets another chance to get close.”

Everyone nods.

“She’s our top priority,” I say, deadly calm now. “No excuses. We find him. We stop him. And whoever’s paying him—we burn them down too.”

We’d been at it for over an hour, piecing everything together, building a plan.

“I’m taking her to the pack house this weekend,” I say, cutting through the noise.

The room stills. Sam’s brows shoot up. Rion leans forward, wary.

“I want to see if being close to the pack helps bring her wolf forward,” I continue. “And I’m going to tell her who I really am.”

“You think she’s ready for that?” Rion asks carefully.

“No,” I admit. “But we don’t know what’s going to happen on her birthday. We need to prepare. All of us.”

Rion nods slowly. “Alright. I’ll brief the assistant on the security plan for next week.”

“Good luck with that,” I mutter, half amused.

Rion leaves, and when he returns, he looks… wrecked.

I grin. “You good, brother?”

“Jesus. I feel violated,” he says, rubbing a hand over his face. “I don’t think she heard a single word I said. Her eyes were glued to my mouth the entire time.”

Sam snorts. “Might have to put a muzzle on her.”

Rion shoots him a glare, then laughs. “You’re sticking close next time. I’m not taking that bullet alone.”

I chuckle darkly. “She must’ve interviewed like a saint.”

“Either that or Raine picked her on a sugar crash,” Rion adds, smirking.

I glance toward the hallway where Raine disappeared. “She’s going to have her hands full with that one.”

And if Tiffany steps out of line with my girl?

She’ll be looking for a new damn career.

Saturday morning couldn’t come fast enough—but we’re finally here. The team’s on their assignments tracking down Mark, and I’ve got one priority today: take Raine to the Jewel Moon Pack. I can’t fucken wait.

She’s sprawled across my chest, bare skin against mine, her breath warm and steady. She spent the night under me—and, on occasion, on top—and now she lies here like she belongs. Because she does. She’s mine. And today marks the beginning of her awakening. The beginning of everything.

Still, a flicker of doubt nags. What if she walks away when she learns the truth?

She stirs, stretching, her body sliding against mine. Her lashes flutter, and when her eyes meet mine, I feel it all over again—this bond, this need.

“Morning, Angel,” I murmur.

“Oh hey,” she says with a sleepy smile, letting out a soft moan as she shifts.

“Sore?” I ask, brushing hair off her face. “Sorry if I was a bit rough last night.”

“Mmm… a little,” she admits, stretching again. “But nothing a hot shower and coffee won’t fix.”

I chuckle. “Of course—your two great loves.”

“Don’t forget the third,” she says with a wink, running her fingers down my chest.

I catch her hand and kiss her knuckles. “Come on, baby. Let’s get you in the shower. I’ve got your coffee ready after.”

I lift her gently off me and carry her toward the bathroom. “You’re mine today, Angel. All day. And we’re heading to my home in the mountains.”

he springs out of bed with a burst of energy and bolts into the bathroom. I laugh, following her in.

In the shower, I take my time washing her from head to toe, giving extra attention to my favorite places. Her breathy moan is all the reward I need—and the morning orgasm she gives me doesn't hurt either.

After, I brew her coffee while she towel-dries her hair, and we settle onto the couch. I flick on the TV, check my emails, and Raine curls up beside me with her mug.

She suddenly stiffens. “Oh my God,” she mutters.

I look up to see her face on screen. Some over-dramatic entertainment reporter is flashing images of her from yesterday’s shoot, followed by a blurry shot of the two of us outside the hotel. The caption reads: “Chic’s New Darling Linked to Billionaire Max Crawford.”

I sigh. “Don’t worry about it, Raine. We’ll manage your privacy the best we can, but we won’t be able to stop the media completely. They’ll always report on this kind of thing.”

She nods slowly but doesn’t say anything—just watches the screen, frowning.

She’s cute when she frowns. And yeah, I know I sound like a damn lovesick fool.

“Yep, you do.” Tyson snickers in my head.

Shut it, I mutter back at him.

She packs her bag, moving quickly but with a quiet tension in her shoulders. I watch her, already planning how to ease the weight off her. Rion and Sam are heading out behind us to trail our route, ensuring no one follows.

“You ready, Angel?” I ask.

She looks up, zipping her bag. “Yeah. I’m really looking forward to getting away. I won’t lie though—I’m nervous about leaving the safety of this apartment.” She exhales slowly, biting her lip. “But I feel safe with you, Max. And for some reason… I feel like this weekend will be good for me. Lately I’ve been so stressed, sometimes I honestly think I’m losing it.”

I walk over and take her hands in mine. “You’re not losing anything, baby. I told you—everything will make sense soon. I promise you it’s going to be okay.”

She nods, holding my gaze, and I know she wants to believe it.

Once we’re in the car, I tap my phone, calling ahead to the pack. I’ve already ordered no shifts on the main grounds until I give the all clear. The entire pack is buzzing—eager to meet their future Luna. They’ll welcome her with open arms. But first, I need to ease her into it. I won’t let anything overwhelm her.

As we drive, I glance over. She’s staring out the window, her expression soft but thoughtful.

“My home is a village tucked in the mountains,” I tell her. “It’s small, kind of like a quaint town. The lake borders the woods, and this time of year the peaks are snow-capped. It’s peaceful. Private. You’ll love it.”

She turns to me and smiles—genuine, radiant. It hits me in the chest.

God, I hope I see more of that this weekend.

We’d been driving a while when the mountains came into view, rising tall and snow-dusted against the horizon.

“Gosh, they’re beautiful,” Raine murmurs, eyes wide as she watches them draw closer.

“They’re home,” I say simply, my chest tightening with both pride and nerves. I just hope everything back at the pack is sorted—especially the younger wolves. They’re good-hearted but can be mischievous little shits, always looking for a laugh at someone else’s expense. This weekend is too important for games.

“We’re almost there, Angel,” I say as I take the turnoff, the road narrowing beneath a thick canopy of forest. Pines and oaks press in around us, and the hum of the tires on the old asphalt is the only sound for a moment.

I hear her sigh and glance over.

Her forehead rests against the window, a soft smile on her lips as she gazes out into the trees.

“You okay, Angel?”

She turns to me, her voice dreamy. “Yeah… I just love the woods. Being out here like this—it’s like I can breathe again. Thank you for bringing me.”

I reach over and squeeze her hand. “You’re welcome, Angel.”

And I mean it. She has no idea how much this weekend means—not just for her, but for me. For us.

We pull up to the gates marking the edge of the pack’s boundary. I link the guard mentally and the gates swing open without hesitation.

Raine’s eyes widen. “You live in a gated area?” she asks, curiosity and surprise dancing in her voice.

“Yes, Angel,” I reply, smiling as I ease the car forward. “You’ll love it. It’s safe here—and fully equipped with everything we need.”

We drive on for another fifteen minutes through thick trees and winding roads before the village finally comes into view.

She gasps, then frowns slightly, her eyes scanning every detail as the scene unfolds in front of her. Quaint cobbled streets, cozy cabins tucked in among the trees, children playing in the distance, and at the heart of it all—our home.

I pull up in front of the pack house and kill the engine.

Raine doesn’t move, her wide eyes fixed on the towering building. I look over at her, my heart full. “Angel?”

Her voice comes out in a hushed whisper. “Max… is this your house?”

“Yes,” I say, my hand reaching for hers. “Kind of. It was built for my family, but it also houses others from the village. It’s more than a home—it’s a sanctuary.”

She nods slowly, still staring. “It’s a mansion,” she squeaks.

I chuckle and open my door, walking around to hers. Taking her hand, I help her out of the car and pull her into my arms, grounding her. “This is my home, baby,” I whisper, brushing her hair back from her face. “And I want you to love it like I do.”

“Max!”

My name is shouted from the top of the stairs in a voice I know all too well.

“Mum,” I say with a smile.

She jogs down toward us, wraps me in a tight hug, then smacks my shoulder—hard.

“About time you came home, son,” she scolds, before turning her full attention to Raine. “Oh, darling girl, you are stunning,” she gushes in a pitch that makes Raine blink. “Max, she’s beautiful!”

I roll my eyes. “Mum, don’t scare her off. We just got here.”

“Stop it.” She waves me off. “I’m Katherine—Max’s mum.” She beams and pulls Raine into a warm hug.

I catch the surprise flash across Raine’s face, but true to form, she goes with it. “I’m Raine. It’s lovely to meet you.”

Mum claps her hands and keeps glancing between the two of us like she’s about to plan a wedding on the spot. I groan and link Dad. Please come save us. Mum’s already planning grandbabies.

I pop the trunk and grab our bags just as Dad appears at the top of the stairs.

“Max!” he calls out.

“Hey, Dad.” I grin as he pulls me into one of those firm man-hugs.

“This is Raine Marshall,” I say, glancing at her as she stands a little straighter. “My ma—my girlfriend.” s**t. That was close.

“Nice to meet you, Raine,” Dad says warmly. “Come on in. Max can get you settled, then we’ll catch up over a cuppa.”

“Nice to meet you too,” Raine replies, smiling. “You look a lot like your dad, Max.”

Of course, Dad hears that. “Well, all my boys got their good looks and sexy bods from me,” he says with a wink.

“You wish, old man,” I shoot back, and he laughs as we head inside.

Raine nearly trips stepping into the foyer, too busy taking it all in. I catch her elbow, chuckling. “Eyes forward, Angel.”

She laughs, slightly flustered, and I lead her down the hall. “Let’s go up to my quarters so you can freshen up,” I say. “Then we’ll grab that cuppa and I’ll show you around the house and village.”

Tyson is pacing like a caged beast in my head, all fired up about something. I shove him back, irritated, but focused on her.

“We’ll take the lift,” I say, guiding her into the hall elevator. She blinks at the polished doors like she didn’t expect a lift in a house.

The moment the doors close, I can’t help myself. She’s standing there looking up at me, those wide eyes sparkling with curiosity and wonder. f**k, she’s beautiful—and she’s here.

“Angel,” I whisper.

She turns to me, and I move in, pressing her gently against the wall. “I’ve wanted you in my room... and in my bed... since I saw you at the airport,” I murmur.

Her breath catches, and I take her mouth in a hard, claiming kiss. She gasps, and I take it deeper, tongue tangling with hers as I press my hard length against the soft heat of her body.

“See what you do to me, Angel?” I growl against her lips.

Her smile is slow and wicked, and I can’t resist kissing her again, more urgently this time. Her fingers curl into my shirt.

“Mate,” I whisper into her mouth, unable to stop myself.

The lift dings.

She blinks up at me, dazed. “What did you just—”

I cut her off, gently grabbing her hand. “Come on, Angel,” I say, tugging her forward before she can question it.