Riannon quietly got closer to her friend and concentrated on her hearing.Whatever it was, it seemed important to Maya and she never ignored her friend’srequests.

“I am telling you, he will be over this mate business in less than a month!” someshe-wolf snorted, “It’s Reid of all people! He will never be able to stay with justone woman!” Ria turned to look at Maya but the girl averted her gaze, clenching her lips tight.

“Unless she will be willing to take part in his orgies,” another girl chuckled, and agroup of them burst out laughing.

“And even then,” someone added, “Reid likes to switch it up! If that girl thinks thatshe has any kind of future with him, she is delusional!” Riannon had enough and she really wanted to walk into the room and explain tothose women to keep their mouths shut about matters that were none of theirbusiness.

But her Beta grabbed her hand, shaking her head and motioning for her not to do that.

The Luna sighed and pulled her friend into the next available room, which lookedlike an empty study with a desk, a few chairs and a long bookshelf.

She lookedaround, taking a mental note that this was the perfect place for a queen’s office.

“M, you can’t let it bother you like this!” Riannon said as soon as she locked thedoor behind them, “Those girls can talk but it doesn’t mean anything!” “Easy for you to say,” Maya shuddered slightly and went to sit in one of thechairs, “I don’t hear anyone saying things like that about Gideon.

They are allvery happy that he found you and no one has any doubts about his feelingstowards you.” “So?” Ria sat on the armrest and leaned over the back of the chair, “The onlyopinion that should matter here is Reid’s.

What is going on between the two ofyou?” “I don’t know...”.

The confession did not come easy for the Beta female.

“It allstarted so hectic with what was happening to you.

And then the king was angrywith him.

He had to work and I sat there alone, waiting and not being able to doanything.

When we try to speak, it’s awkward.

And he hasn’t made a single move on me.

I don’t know what to think,

Ria.

He doesn’t seem to like me at all.” “You’ve been thinking about all this too much,” the Luna chuckled, “And from thewrong angle.” “Elaborate on that, please.” Maya shot her brow up and Riannon saw howhopeful her eyes were.

She really needed this to work.

“Well,” she made a dramatic pause, “Reid is a known playboy but he hasn’t madea move like any other girl in his life because he respects you and wants more from youthan just s*x.

You were in a very difficult situation when you met each other andthe way I see it, he is giving you space.” “Or it is just your wishful thinking,” the Beta girl snorted bitterly, turning away, “Tell me something,” Riannon continued, “What happened yesterday during theexplosion? What did Reid do?” “He covered me with his body,” Maya smiled and bit her lower lip, “But in allhonesty, 1 think he would do this for anybody.”“Right,” Ria smirked, “And what do you think of him as the Beta of this kingdom?”“He is great,” the girl said at once, lifting up her knees to hug them, “One of thebest I have seen.

Even better than Ash.” “Then think of the fact that for you this amazing lycan Beta disobeyed his ownking,” Riannon stood up, “He had a task to stay by my side at all times.

But themoment he saw you, he chose you over his king and future Luna.

If that’s not ahuge signal of what you meant to him, then I don’t know.” Maya stayed silent.

She hadn’t thought of that before.

“You see,” Ria brushed her hand softly over her friend’s hair, “From day one hesaw you as the most important person to him.

Maybe he doesn’t know how toexpress it yet.

But neither do you.

In that sense, you are charmingly the same.” It was the truth.

Maya wasn’t big on dating either.

She had flings but never

anything serious.

It was as new for her as it was for Reid.

“And what would you suggest for me to do?” she looked at her Alphaquestioningly.

“I would suggest for you to claim your man,” Riannon chuckled, “So that no she-wolf here would have any ideas on his account anymore.

And so that he knewwhere you stand.

After all, you are a Beta.

And not some unconfident omega.

Actlike it, M.” She wanted to say something else but the door opened and they both saw Reid’shead poking in.

“I hope I’m not interrupting,” the lycan smiled awkwardly, “Luna, Gideon is lookingfor you everywhere.

He’s in his office now.” “Great,” she beamed, “then I will leave the two of you alone.

Maya wanted to talkto you about something.” Preparations him and hoping that the two would be able to figure everything out over time.

However, all she wanted now was to see her own mate.

She found him sitting bythat same desk that they deflowered yesterday and she felt her cheeks flush fromthe sweet memories.

“Morning,” she smiled, and Gideon growled approvingly at the sight of his Luna.

“Come here,” he stood up and met her in the middle of the way, pressing heragainst himself and crashing his lips into hers.

He left her warm body in his bedjust a few hours ago but was already missing her as if he hadn’t seen her forages.

“Slept well?” he asked her with a smirk.

“Like a baby,” she replied, not getting his little hint.

“You know, Riannon, you are the first woman to fall asleep so fast after havings*x with me and I don’t know where to take that as a compliment or if I should beworried,” the lycan taunted her.

“You should be worried if you want to compare notes to what was happening toall those other women in your bed,” she quirked her brow up at him and he

cleared his throat nervously, realising his mistake.

“Anyway,” he lifted her into his arms effortlessly and went back to his chair, sittingin it and placing her in his lap, “I have something for you.” – “Oh?” she laced her arms around his neck and watched him producing a folderfrom the depth of his desk, “What is it?” “Just what you asked for, my love,” he said, “I did the research on that omega.” “Really?” Riannon grabbed the folder and opened it, greedily reading the fewpages inside while her mate was caressing her bare arms and playing with herlong blonde hair which she left loose today.

“It’s not much as you can see,” Gideon commented when she was done, “Buteverything inside is confirmed.” “It’s more than I ever had before,” she turned to kiss him, “Thank you for that!” “You don’t need to thank me,” he slowly brushed his palm over her cheek, “I willdo anything for you.” “I will be going to my pack today,” she told him, “I need to claim my land andmake sure that the separation of the packs will go smoothly.

It cannot bepostponed.” “No, Gideon, you have your own matters to attend to.

The war is not goinganywhere.” she reminded him, “And I have to deal with it myself.

Otherwise, theywill never respect me as an Alpha.” “I am just worried about your safety.

That woman has killed you before and yourex...

How do I put it mildly...” “...is an a**hole?” Ria giggled, finishing the sentence for him.

“Yes,” he pulled her closer and breathed in her scent, “I don’t trust any of them.And you still have no wolf.

I guess I am just worried about your safety.” “I’ll be fine,” she assured him, “The pack is full of my people.

I am sure that theywill follow me.

And Maya will go with me too.

And as for Onyx...

I felt her againyesterday.

She is there.” “I would be calmer if you could shift,” he said, and she felt a prick of pain deepinside.

It was hard still not knowing what was happening to her wolf.

He sensed thatthrough their bond and placed a soft kiss on her shoulder.“I am sure she will get

back,” he added, “As soon as we are done with our current affairs, we will give allour attention to smoking her out of her sleep.” “I take your word for it,” Riannon smiled, relaxing in his arms, “She only reacts toyou anyway.” “I am honoured,” the king chuckled, but then got serious again, “However, I insiston you taking Reid with you as well as a few of my best warriors.

Safety first,Riannon.” “Gideon!” she rolled her eyes.

“Ria,” he placed his finger on her lips to stop her from protesting more, “Just do itfor me.

Otherwise, I would not be able to concentrate on my work today and willend up coming with you anyway.

You are a queen now and a few guards aroundyou is a must.” “I am not a queen yet technically,” she reminded him.

“You are my queen since the day I laid my eyes on you, my love,” he did not buyit and she decided that it was easier to let him win this battle.

“Fine!” she groaned and kissed him on the cheek, “I will take them.” She stood upand took the folder with her, preparing to leave.

“Ria,” Gideon looked at her thoughtfully, “When you come back we will also haveto decide what to do next.

How are we going to arrange our life with you being aqueen and an Alpha.” last time, “I am not going to refuse any of the titles.

I want it all.” “And all you shall have, my beautiful mate,” he made her a promise that heintended to keep.

Riannon left his office in the best of moods and bumped into Reid and Maya inthe hallway.

The girl had swollen lips and the guy had a smug smile on his face,which told her that they finally were able to take that first step towards being truemates.

It was something! She informed them briefly about what they agreed on with Gideon and Reid wentto get the warriors to take with them.

But to Ria’s surprise, Savvy was the first tojoin them in the car as they were waiting, followed by Kyle.

“What?” the princess snorted, “I am one of the best warriors in our pack and so is

Kyle.

And I am not missing the opportunity to see what all the fuss with your packis about.” “Actually, I am glad that you’ll be joining,” Riannon confessed, “My brand is allabout girl power and you will fit just fine.” “See,” Savannah sneered, “This is why I like you! I always wanted to have asister just like you.

And now I have two!” Soon the preparations were completed and they drove all the way to The SilverRiver pack, discussing their course of action when they would arrive.

However, when they reached the main territory, they were stopped at the maingates.

– “What is going on?” Ria looked out of the window and the three guardslooked at her apologetically.

“I am sorry, Luna,” one of the men practically stuttered, “We have an order not tolet you through....