On the third day, a soft knock breaks the silence, and I hear Rikki's voice through the door, gentle yet persistent. "Airabella, it's Rikki. Can I come in?" Despite my inner turmoil, her warmth manages to penetrate the darkness shrouding my soul. With great effort, I manage a weak "Yes," my voice barely audible. The door creaks open, and Rikki enters, her presence a comforting balm to my shattered spirit. She sits beside me on the bed, her hand reaching out to gently grasp mine. "Hey, I've missed you," she says softly, her eyes filled with concern. I meet her gaze, a flicker of gratitude sparking within me for her unwavering support during these trying times.
Rikki's determination is noticeable as she declares, "You're getting out of this room, b***h. I don't care if I have to carry you myself. You need the sun and you need fun." I sit up, pondering her words. "Rikki, I don't know if I have a swimsuit," I admit. Undeterred, she rummages through my dresser and triumphantly exclaims, "Found them!" She presents me with two bikinis, one black and the other blue. Rikki's excitement is contagious as she praises Sylvia's shopping skills. "Sylvia did an amazing job," she gushes. "Trust me, you're wearing the black one. It'll drive Asher crazy." With a playful shove, she pushes me toward the bathroom, handing me the black bikini. "Change now, you b***h," she insists with a grin, and I can't help but laugh at her enthusiasm.
With Rikki's encouragement ringing in my ears, I slip into the black bikini, feeling a surge of confidence wash over me. Stepping out of the bathroom, I'm greeted by Rikki's approving nod. "Damn, girl, you look hot," she exclaims. Despite my lingering reservations, her infectious energy begins to lift my spirits. "Thanks, Rikki," I reply, mustering a smile.
Rikki quickly gathers the towels and her bag from beside the door, and I grab one of the towels to wrap around myself as we exit the room. Luke's face registers surprise as he sees me finally leaving the confines of my room. He quickly falls into step behind us, and Rikki, with her usual exuberance, shouts, "Tell Joan to get her swimsuit on, she is swimming!" I notice a wide grin spreading across Luke's face at Rikki's command.
As we arrive at the swimming pool, I'm struck by its grandeur. The pool stretches out before us, adorned with elegant fountains that spray shimmering arcs of water into the air. Surrounding the pool are rows of comfortable lounge chairs, inviting us to relax in the warmth of the sun. The atmosphere resembles that of a luxurious resort, with its pristine waters and meticulously manicured surroundings, offering a serene escape from the complexities of daily life.
I unwrap the towel from around me and slip into the refreshing pool alongside Rikki, who's donned a striking red bikini. Moments later, Joan joins us, her vibrant purple bikini adorned with delicate floral patterns. Rikki introduces her as her childhood friend, Joan, and memories of my previous encounter bring a smile to my face. Joan, with a mischievous glint in her eye, jests about her past adventures with Rikki, prompting laughter from all of us. She then turns to Luke with a playful grin, requesting margaritas. Luke, ever the gentleman, pledges to fulfill her request, leaving us to enjoy our time by the pool.
As Luke strides away, Joan leans in with a mischievous grin and whispers, "Okay Rikki, he's gone, did you bring the weed?" Her words catch me off guard, and I burst into laughter, realizing Joan's playful intentions. Without missing a beat, Rikki clambers out of the pool, retrieving the weed and expertly lighting it up before rejoining us in the water. The fragrant smoke fills the air, and we pass the joint between us, each puff bringing a sense of calm and relaxation. With a sigh of contentment, I confess to the girls, "Damn, you have no idea how much I needed this." Their smiles widen, and they envelop me in a warm embrace. Just then, Luke returns with the margaritas, his expression shifting from anticipation to disbelief as he takes in the scene before him. "Are you serious, Rikki and Joan? Weed? You know Asher will be pissed," he admonishes. Rikki, undeterred, retorts, "Hey, the Luna commanded me to get it for her. I just followed orders," prompting another round of laughter from all of us.
Despite Luke's disapproving glare, Rikki and Joan exchange a knowing look, their laughter echoing across the pool. Luke shakes his head in exasperation, but his lips twitch with the hint of a smile. Reluctantly, he hands us the margaritas, knowing he's outnumbered in this playful rebellion. As we sip our drinks and pass the joint between us, a sense of camaraderie fills the air, momentarily pushing aside the weight of responsibilities and expectations. For a fleeting moment, we're just three friends enjoying each other's company, reveling in the simple joy of being together.
Rikki's excitement fills the room as she shares her news with us. "I have some exciting news, girls," she begins, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "You know that tall redhead that hangs out with Will and Chester?" I nod, recalling the guy she made out with at the club. "Well, we finally f****d, and girls, he is amazing in bed!" Rikki exclaims, a grin spreading across her face. Joan's eyes widen with curiosity. "Is he your mate?" she asks eagerly. Rikki laughs, shaking her head. "No, but with how he performs between the sheets, I might just ask him to be my chosen mate." "Chosen mate?" I repeat, feeling puzzled by the term.
Rikki explains, her voice tinged with excitement. "Airabella, if a werewolf wants, they can choose a mate and mark them. It's not the same as the mate the goddess chose for you. It’s not as strong of a bond but it's better than being alone. People usually pick a chosen mate if their mate dies or if they get tired of waiting for them."She then takes another drag of the weed. "At 23, and I still haven't found my mate, a chosen mate doesn't sound like a bad idea," she adds with a shrug.
I furrow my brow in confusion. "Is he a werewolf?" I inquire. Rikki shakes her head. "No, he's a shifter," she replies. Seeing my puzzled expression, she elaborates, "He can turn into another animal. When he turned 16, his soul picked a mountain lion." Joan chimes in with enthusiasm, "Oh, that sounds fun!" Rikki grins, her excitement contagious. "Werewolves and shifters get along, so who knows what will happen, ladies," she says, her voice filled with anticipation.
As Asher's presence draws near, a ripple of excitement courses through me. "He's almost here, I can feel it," I inform the girls, a mischievous glint in my eye. Despite Rikki's attempt to discreetly dispose of the weed, it stubbornly resurfaces, prompting fits of laughter from us all. When Asher arrives at the pool's edge, his expression betrays his disapproval, but I can't help but tease him. "Are you seriously smoking weed?" he questions, to which I respond with a playful smile, "I'm not smoking weed right this moment; I'm drinking a margarita," before taking a sip. Laughter erupts among us, and even Rikki chimes in with, "Hey, she's not lying."
Asher turns to Luke, his expression a mixture of frustration and amusement. "Luke, what the f**k happened?" he demands. Luke, ever the mediator, responds casually, "They've been smoking and drinking, but hey, at least the Luna is out of her room now." Asher directs his attention back to me, his warning clear but tinged with a hint of indulgence. "Don't get too wasted," he advises before walking away. I respond with a playful salute. "Yes, sir," I quip, prompting laughter from everyone around.
As we lounge in the sun, Rikki's question breaks the relaxed atmosphere. "Sooo, have you and Asher f****d yet?" she asks, her tone teasing. I can't help but laugh, the effects of the weed making it even more amusing. "Nope, he has tried, but I turned him down," I admit with a grin. Joan's reaction is immediate. "Damn girl, that's brutal," she remarks, clearly surprised. Curious, I turn to her and ask, "How long did you wait with Luke?" Joan's response is unabashed. "Once we found out we were mates, it took less than 5 minutes before we were f*****g," she reveals. Luke stands nearby, his smile saying more than words ever could.
Rikki's statement catches me off guard, leaving me puzzled. "You're so lucky you're not a werewolf because if you were, then heat would hit and you would be f*****g no matter what," she says with a grin. Perplexed, I turn to Rikki and inquire, "What is heat?" She elaborates, explaining, "If a mated couple don't have s*x or mark each other, then the woman goes into heat, and it's extremely painful, I've heard. The only way to make the pain go away is s*x with your mate." Surprised by this revelation, I press further, asking, "What is being marked?" Joan steps in to provide an answer. "It's where your mate bites you," she clarifies, revealing her own bite mark. Curious, I ask, "Does that hurt?" Joan's laughter fills the air as she reassures me, "No, it's amazing. It will be the best orgasms you can have."
Then Rikki interjects, "Airabella, I kind of feel bad for the poor dude, you know? He's probably been an ass since he has all this built-up s****l rage." I turn to Luke, seeking confirmation. "Has he been more of an asshole than normal?" Luke remains silent for a moment before responding. "Come on, Luke, as your Luna, I command you to tell me," I urge. He chuckles and retorts, "I only take orders directly from the Alpha King himself." Joan jumps in, coaxing him to share. Finally, in a hushed tone, he admits, "Yes, he's been more on edge and spending extra time in the training center, taking out his frustrations on the men training."
Then we hear the bell go off, signaling it's time to eat. Luke announces, "It's time to eat," and we all wrap our towels around our waists before heading in. Sensing I should change, I mention, "I better change before eating," but both Joan and Rikki reassure me, saying, "No, you're fine," with Rikki adding a wink. Joan takes my hand and guides me to the table, where she sits right beside me. As Asher approaches the table and notices me in a bikini with my towel covering only my lower half, his mouth drops in surprise. It's clear he's never seen so much of my skin before. Feeling the effects of the weed, I jokingly say, "Hey Asher, eyes up here," prompting laughter from Joan and me. Asher's expression remains unamused as we're served our food. I can feel his presence even stronger than normal, and I can't help but wonder if this is the bond he keeps mentioning.
As we begin to eat, the atmosphere around the table feels tense. I notice Asher's gaze lingering on me more than usual, and it's clear he's still processing seeing me in such revealing attire. Joan nudges me discreetly, whispering, "Girl, you got him all riled up." I try to suppress a smirk, realizing the effect my casual comment had on Asher. Despite the tension, I focus on enjoying the meal and the company of my new friend.
After we eat, I retreat to my room, trying to familiarize myself with the layout of this grand mansion. I sense Asher's presence close behind me, his proximity sending a thrill through me. As I step into my room, he presses me against the wall, his lips meeting mine in a fiery kiss. The sensation is intoxicating, igniting a rush of desire that courses through me. Every touch sets my skin ablaze, and a soft moan escapes my lips as I lean into him, craving more of his touch. Reluctantly, he pulls away, his words cutting through the haze of desire. "We have to stop," he insists, concern etched in his eyes. "I don't want to do this while you're high and have been drinking." Despite his words, I reassure him, longing for his touch. But he walks away, leaving me alone with a feeling of s****l frustration and annoyance swirling within me.