Lunas Wildfire

Confessions

Carter sat in his office, staring out the window as the bustle of pack life played out below. His desk was piled with papers—reports, updates, schedules—all things he should have been focused on. But his mind was elsewhere.

It was on her.

Emmaline.

The taste of her lips lingered on his, sweet and intoxicating. Her scent—wildflowers and something uniquely her—was etched into his senses. The way her body had felt pressed against his, warm and yielding, sent a jolt of heat through him every time he remembered. And the look in her eyes when she whispered mate… it had shattered every wall he’d ever built.

She was perfection—fiery, beautiful, and so unapologetically herself. His mate.

He leaned back in his chair, dragging a hand through his hair. He’d always admired her, always noticed the way she carried herself, the way her laughter lit up a room. But this—this was something else entirely.

The mate bond had flipped his entire world upside down, and he was helpless against it.

A knock at the door pulled him out of his thoughts. Before he could answer, Aaron walked in, a stack of files in his hand.

“Carter,” Aaron said with a grin, dropping the files onto the desk. “Welcome back to chaos. I’ve been holding the fort, but there’s a lot you need to catch up on.”

Carter forced himself to focus, sitting up straighter. “Thanks, Aaron. I know it’s been a lot. I appreciate everything you’ve done while I was gone.”

“Don’t mention it. That’s what the beta does,” Aaron said with a shrug. He flipped open the top file. “So, first off, there’s been some tension with the northern pack. Nothing serious yet, but I think we need to—”

“Aaron,” Carter interrupted, his voice low.

Aaron looked up, his brow furrowing. “What’s up?”

Carter hesitated, the words catching in his throat. This wasn’t how he’d planned to do this. But he couldn’t keep it from Aaron—not his best friend, not the man who had been his rock through everything.

“There’s something I need to tell you,” Carter said, his tone serious.

Aaron straightened, his expression shifting. “Okay. What is it?”

Carter took a deep breath, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. “I found my mate.”

Aaron’s eyes widened, a grin spreading across his face. “Carter, that’s amazing! Who is she?”

Carter’s stomach twisted. He looked Aaron in the eye, his voice steady but soft. “It’s Emmaline.”

The room fell silent.

Aaron froze, the smile slipping from his face. He blinked, as if trying to process what Carter had just said. “Emmaline?” he repeated, his voice low.

“Yes,” Carter said, holding his gaze. “I found her in the forest last night. The bond hit us both, and…” His voice trailed off as memories of their kiss, their connection, flooded his mind. “She’s my mate, Aaron.”

Aaron’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, Carter thought he might lash out. But instead, Aaron let out a slow breath, his shoulders sagging slightly. “I knew this would happen eventually,” he said, his voice quiet. “I just didn’t think it would be you.”

Carter frowned. “Aaron, I need you to know—I respect what you and Emmaline had. I know she meant a lot to you. But this bond… it’s not something I can ignore. She’s my mate.”

Aaron nodded slowly, his gaze dropping to the floor. “I get it. I do. The mate bond is everything. And you’re right—Emmy and I had something special. But it’s over now. I have my mate, and she has you.”

Carter felt a pang of guilt. “I didn’t want you to hear it from anyone else. You’re my beta, my best friend. I needed to tell you myself.”

Aaron looked up, his expression unreadable. “Thanks for that.” He paused, then let out a dry chuckle. “So, the alpha and the girl who used to drive me crazy with her teasing. That’s going to be interesting.”

Carter managed a small smile. “She’s one of a kind.”

Aaron snorted. “That she is.” He ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head. “I’ll be fine, Carter. Honestly. It’s just… a lot to process.”

“I understand,” Carter said. “And if there’s ever anything you need to say—anything at all—don’t hold back.”

Aaron nodded, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “You’re a good man, Carter. And Emmy… she deserves someone who will love her completely. I know you’ll be that for her.”

Carter’s chest tightened at the sincerity in Aaron’s voice. “Thank you, Aaron. That means more than you know.”

Aaron stood, grabbing the files off the desk. “I’ll leave you to it. And Carter?”

“Yeah?”

“Don’t screw it up,” Aaron said with a faint smile before heading for the door.

Carter watched him go, the weight of the conversation settling over him. He knew this wouldn’t be easy—for Aaron, for Emmaline, or for himself. But as he leaned back in his chair, the memory of Emmaline’s touch still fresh in his mind, he knew one thing for certain:

He would do whatever it took to honor the bond and make her his.