To Break a Wolf

Chapter 36: The Morning After

Mira awoke to silence.

For a moment, she forgot where she was and what had happened. Her body felt heavy, her limbs tangled in the sheets as she lay on her side, staring at the soft morning light filtering through the thin curtains.

Her chest rose and fell slowly, the cool morning air a stark contrast to the heat she’d drowned in last night. Then, the memories crashed in. The chase. The bond. Finally giving in. The first thing she noticed was the smell. Warm. Sweet. Buttery.

Bastian.

Mira’s eyes snapped open. She sat up too fast, sending her head spinning as the room came into focus. She was alone. The space beside her was empty and cold as if he had never been there.

Mira’s fingers twitched against the sheets, betraying her. She hated that she noticed and felt the absence of his warmth. She shoved the thought away and sat up slowly. Last night had been… overwhelming, but it had also been so powerful, primitive, intense. Unstoppable.

She remembered the way he looked at her, his hands trembling with restraint, her voice shaking when she said yes. The memory of his mouth on hers, his body pressed to hers, their souls seeming to lock in place. And yet… even through this powerful connection, she didn’t fully understand. She felt respect, admiration, and attraction, but was love part of the equation? How could she be in love with a man she had just met, whom she barely knew?

She stood up slowly, wincing a little, her body bruised and sore in places she had never experienced before. She glanced toward the door. She could hear movement in the kitchen and the soft clatter of dishes. Her gaze drifted around the room, landing on one of Bastian’s shirts on the chair beside the bed.

She pulled it over her head, breathing in pine, woods, and a scent that was all him.

She padded barefoot into the hall.

He stood at the stove, bare-chested, hair damp from a shower, flipping crepes like a man who wasn’t Alpha of a secret shape-shifting pack. His back was broad, shoulders relaxed as though today was any other morning between two people figuring out what they were to each other.

She paused in the doorway, watching him. Something twisted in her chest.

He turned slightly, sensing her. “Morning.”

“You made crepes?” she said softly.

“I owed you breakfast,” he said, flipping a crepe. Through this new connection, a wave of guilt washed over her.

“Guilt doesn’t suit you,” Mira said, leaning against the door frame.

He turned off the stove and placed a crepe on a plate with almost ridiculous care. “I’m trying something new. About last night—”

“You think food will fix it?” Mira teased, sidling into the kitchen. There was a note of seriousness behind her words that she couldn’t quite disguise.

A wry smile curved his lips. “Worth a try.”

She observed him for a moment, wondering how someone who seemed so capable of dominance could be gentle enough to cook such a delicate dish as crepes. He handed her a plate, piled high with golden perfection and drizzled in syrup that mirrored the honeyed edges of his eyes.

“Don’t act like you know me,” Mira said, her voice dropping an octave. “I could be anti-crepe.”

“Is that so?” His tone was playful, but she caught his probing glance.

Mira raised an eyebrow and dug in with abandon. “Oh my god, I hate how good these are.” She chewed with dramatic flair, feeling lighter than she had expected, given the trajectory of their conversation.

Mira paused mid-chew, tilting her head. “So, uh… am I gonna turn into a werewolf now?”

Bastian blinked, then barked a laugh. “What the hell gave you that idea?”

She pointed to her neck. “You bit me. Isn’t that how it works? One full moon and boom, suddenly I’m howling at the sky?”

He rolled his eyes, still chuckling. “That’s a completely bogus myth. Humans made that up to scare children and sell horror movies.”

“So, it’s not true?”

“Nope. You’re either born with it or you’re not. It’s that simple.” He leaned on the counter, smirking. “Although… you are eating like a wolf this morning.”

Mira threw a piece of crepe at him.

Bastian ducked out of its trajectory before he sat across from her, sliding his chair back to stretch out his long legs. He watched her with an intensity that made her feel like a bug under a magnifying glass.

“I wanted to make sure you’re okay with what happened last night,” he said, his words hanging between the clinks of their forks.

She swallowed. “I’m trying. It’s just—” She gestured vaguely, crepe-laden fork illustrating her confusion.

“Unexpected?” he supplied.

“The understatement of the century,” Mira said, slumping back against the chair. “And don’t think you can just cook for me and pretend I didn’t wake up alone.”

He stood up slowly, reaching for an object on the countertop and returning with a small bouquet of wildflowers she hadn’t noticed before. “I picked these too, but I suppose they don’t count now.”

Flowers? With the crepes? These gestures were a full-scale domestic assault.

“Are you serious right now?” Mira tried to mask how much it affected her, but her voice betrayed her with a whisper of awe.

“You were asleep. I made a choice.” His lips twitched as he set the flowers in front of her. “It appears to have been the wrong one.”

“Oh, you’re not getting off that easy,” she said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, pretending her heart hadn’t just skipped several traitorous beats. “I’m still mad. Sort of.”

“Let me know when you decide.” He gave her a look that was part heat, part humor, and all Bastian.

She huffed dramatically but couldn’t keep the smile from tugging at her lips. The man was aggravatingly perfect at playing both infuriating and thoughtful.

Mira stabbed another bite of crepe and tried not to enjoy it too much. “So what happens now? You keep feeding me until I c***k under pressure?”

“Tempting,” Bastian said, his gaze steady on hers. “But—’’

Suddenly, Bastian tensed. His whole body stilled, and his eyes lost focus like he was listening to a sound far away.

“What is it?” she asked.

He exhaled through his nose. “Selene. She just sent a call through the link.”

Mira blinked. “The Wi-Fi mind thing?”

He looked at her. “Yes.”

‘‘I can’t hear it, because I’m not… a werewolf?’’ she asked, taking another bite of the delicious food.

“Not entirely,” he said, studying her expression. ‘‘Usually, the Alpha’s mate only gets that connection to the pack after the Luna ceremony.’’

Mira choked on a mouthful of crepe. “Ceremony? Is it a secret werewolf wedding?” she asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but alarm bells clanged in her head.

“Among other things,” he said, his expression blank, but she could feel the amusement beneath as he fought the smile that tugged at the corner of his mouth.

She pointed her fork at him. “I can see right through that macho, bullshit stoic expression of yours now. You’re having way too much fun with this.”

“I promise to explain it thoroughly. When there’s time, but for right now, you need to get ready.” He stood and pulled on a shirt.

“Get ready for what?” she asked, planting both hands on the table like she was going to fend off an imminent attack.

Bastian sighed like he was already tired of this conversation. “The council has summoned a meeting.”

Mira froze. Then she turned slowly, arms crossing over her chest. “Good for them. That’s an Alpha problem.”

Bastian’s jaw tightened, his golden eyes darkening. “And as my mate, that makes it your problem too.”

Mira’s stomach dropped. No. She shook her head, taking a step back. “I don’t think so.”

Bastian arched a brow. “You don’t have a choice, Mira.”

Her blood boiled. “Like hell I don’t.”

Bastian took a step closer, towering over her. “You think you can just pretend this isn’t happening?”

Mira’s hands fisted at her sides. “I don’t owe them anything.”

“You’re the Luna of this pack,” he said firmly.

“First of all, I didn’t agree to that. Second, you just said there was a ceremony for that, to which I’m pretty sure I haven’t been a part of yet,” she replied stubbornly.

“It doesn’t matter. You’re my mate, you have my mark on your pretty neck.” He reached over, his fingers trailing the piercing, glowing red teeth mark impression at the base of her neck. Bastian’s voice was firm, unwavering, as if it were fact, and there was no room for argument.

She flinched at his touch as it shot pain, but also a wave of pleasure, through her body, making her breath hitch. Luna. She wasn’t even supposed to be here; she wasn’t supposed to be part of any of this.

Mira shook her head again, steeling herself. “I have nothing to say to them, Bastian. Nothing.”

Bastian’s eyes flashed. “You don’t have to say anything. You just need to be there.”

“No.”

He exhaled sharply, his patience slipping fast. “Mira.”

“I said no, Bastian.”

His golden eyes burned into hers. “If you don’t walk there, I’ll carry you.”

Mira’s mouth dropped open. “Excuse me?”

Bastian’s lips twitched. “You heard me.”

She gaped at him. “You wouldn’t dare.”

Bastian just arched a brow. “Are you sure about that?”

Mira’s pulse spiked because she knew he would, without hesitation or a second thought. Bastian had already thrown her over his shoulder once, and he’d do it again, whether the pack was there or not, in front of everyone. Heat rushed to her cheeks, anger and embarrassment taking over at the thought.

Mira clenched her teeth, glaring at him. “You’re a bastard.”

Bastian smirked. “You already said that.”

Mira wanted to punch him and wipe that smug look off his face, but more than anything, she wanted to win. She lifted her chin. “Fine. I’ll go.”

Bastian’s smirk faltered slightly, as if he wasn’t expecting her to cave so easily.

Mira took a step closer, standing so close that she had to tilt her head up to meet his gaze.

Then, in the sweetest voice she could muster, “But if you think for a second I’ll be playing the perfect Luna for your council, you’re in for a hell of a surprise.”

Bastian’s eyes narrowed slightly. Mira just smirked, then walked past him, head held high, heart pounding, because if she had to go to this damn meeting, she was going to make him regret it.