"I know what I want to do."

Asra turned to me, confusion marring his brows. "About what, Tulip?"

"Let's go home first."

I scrambled to the side of the lake, taking a towel from the clothes store Asra had spoken of. I expected a small little bird house type thing, but nope, it was an entire cabin with shelves full of towels and clothes. Enough to dry the entire pack.

I had managed to get completely dressed before Asra's soft whimper caught my attention. I spun to eye him, finding him still in the water. Only this time, he was a wolf. I paused, staring across at the enormous beast.

"What... Why are you furry?"

Asra snorted, sneezing softly as he shook his head. He prowled toward me and I tensed, wondering what he was doing. I didn't even hear him shift.

Asra stopped six feet away, his tail swishing softly. I cocked my head, quirking an eyebrow at him.

"What do you want, doggo?"

He growled softly, fur bristling before bending down. His chest brushed the soft lapping lake, front paws spread wide as his tail swished playfully. I scowled, recognising his want to play.

"You wanna fetch?" I grinned, patting my legs. "Doggo wanna play?"

Asra growled, snapping his teeth closer to me. I felt him try to get in my mind, but instead of allowing him in, I used his distraction to my advantage. Without another thought, I ran. I heard Asra yelp in surprise as I bolted around the lake, but it wasn't long before I heard the scratching of his paws behind me.

Adrenaline pumped through my veins, my limbs burning with the urge to go faster. I propelled them quicker, sprinting around the waterfall and zigzagging through the trees. I was giggling like a child, climbing the nearest tree I could find to get out of Asra's reach.

About ten feet from the ground, I sat on a sturdy branch and stared down at Asra as he skidded to a stop. He growled; dark eyes locked on me in the tree. Laughing out loud, I waved down at him.

"Hi, doggo. Have you got smaller?" I teased.

Asra growled, standing up on his hind legs. I giggled, blowing him a kiss before looking around. The sun was going down, the winter sun going to bed earlier and earlier.

To my surprise, Asra backed up. I stared down at him, confused, but then my eyes widened because he came charging toward me. Thinking he was going to jump up and grab me, I braced myself. But he didn't, instead he ran straight into the bark, shaking the tree with such force I had to hold on tightly. The tree cracked and groaned and I shrieked my hands slipped from the branch.

With only ten feet to fall, it was a fast flying moment. I knew Asra was right at the bottom and he would catch me. Despite our chase, he wouldn't want me to break any more bones. I landed squarely on his wolf's stomach, grunting at the impact. He huffed loudly before I felt his teeth graze my lower back.

Next thing I knew, he was dragging me by the jumper and waistband of my trousers.

"Asra!" I squeaked, digging my hands into the dirt.

His wolfish grunt didn't help as he continued to drag me through the mud. I felt us go up an incline, and I raised my head to see what was happening. The surrounding area confused me, but then I heard it. Heard the splashing of the water beneath me.

"Asra..." I warned. "If you are going to do what I think you are, you are going to di-

I never got to finish. The wolfish bark from my mate was almost a laugh as he threw me. I screamed in protest as I flew toward the ground again, knowing I was about to meet my fate in the lake. The water was warm, but the weight of my clothes, and my annoyance, dragged me down.

The next splash was Asra's. Bubbles fizzled before the waves of his entry pushed me deeper into the lake. I saw him hit the bottom, back in his human form, as he turned to face me. Scowling, I pushed away and swam the opposite direction. Taking a deep breath once I reached the surface, I heard him chuckle before the sound of his swim strokes copied mine in canon.

Scrambling to my feet once I hit the shore, I felt the weight of my clothes drag me down. I was soaked and one thousand percent unhappy. Turning toward the bane of my existence, I placed my hands on my hips and gave him my best glare.

"That." I began. "That was uncalled for."

He grinned, his perfect body glistening with water. I had a hard time distracting myself from staring, forcing my attention to glare at his face. I conjured every single annoyance possible to aid my poker face as he strolled toward me.

"Tulip...."

"Don't you nickname me." I warned.

His chuckle was ethereal. Asra, when happy, was a poison. It sank into your veins and turned your blood into mush. It was lethal and yet... Ugh; I wanted more.

My jaw twitched, my composure wavering. Stopping before me, his hands found my waist.

"You look cute when you're mad."

I glared. "Cute? I am the luna, and lunas are not cute."

If it was possible, his grin broadened, and he leaned in for a kiss. I allowed him one before turning my head with a pout.

"I love it when you say that."

"Say what? That you're annoying?"

"That you are my luna." He mused.

"I did not say I was your luna. I said that I am the luna. There is a difference." I huffed.

"I am the alpha; therefore, you are mine." He growled softly.

Rolling my eyes, I allowed him this one little quirk. Shaking my head, I dropped my arms from my stubborn pose and frowned down at my clothes.

"Now, what am I supposed to wear?"

"Looks like you'll have to wear my t-shirt." He sighed.

"Yeah, you'd like that, wouldn't you?" I teased.

He chuckled. "Maybe."

"I'm sure there are clothes inside that giant bird box." I wondered.

Asra grumbled when I turned to move away, pulling me flush into his nudity. "No. You will wear mine."

"Why should I when you threw me in the lake in the first place?"

"I didn't throw you in the lake." He shook his head. "A wolf did! I scared him off."

My eyes narrowed at him, uninterested, even though slightly amused. "A wolf? Funny that. I didn't actually get to see what it was because it dragged me through the fucking dirt."

Asra laughed, taking hold of my jumper and pulling it over my head. He helped to dry both my back and my hair, before tying it into a plait down my back. I ran my fingers over it curiously before turning to look at him.

"Where did you learn this?"

He shrugged. "It's easy. Three strands."

"Yeah, but where?" I wondered.

He laughed. "I learnt it. Is that good enough for you?"

Piper.

I giggled, shrugging. "I suppose it will have to do."

Asra was more than eager to dress me in his shirt, leaving me completely nude underneath. Thankfully, the shirt was long enough to cover my privates, but one gust of wind and my nudity would be exposed. As we walked home, our hands bumped each other gently, but I refused to take hold. I didn't want Asra thinking I couldn't balance the damp terrain. It was drizzling, but it was so fine that it barely stuck to my skin.

The closer we got to the house, the more conscious I felt about my attire. Asra was shirtless, in nothing but his trousers and shoes from earlier. All of mine were wet and scooped into a pile in his arm. I felt like a cheap date, being snuck back into the pack house after a quickie in the trees.

"Why are you stressed?" Asra wondered as we grew closer to the house.

"I look like we just had a quickie behind the house." I frowned.

"Didn't we, though?"

"That's not the point!" I grunted.

He chuckled as we rounded the house, but my pace slowed when I recognised where we were.

My porch.

"What happened?" I whispered.

Tentatively, I reached out to press my palm into the wooden beam. It was broken, unable to hold the weight of the roof. The paint was chipped and fluttered to the ground under my touch, but everything else was...ruined. The bench, flowers and lights were all gone. Even the rug was missing. It was a blank slate, nothing here but the splinters of secrets.

"Asra..."

He cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact. "Yes?"

"Where's all the stuff?" I wondered.

"It got destroyed."

"What?" I inhaled sharply, staring at the side of his face. "Why?"

"During a... flicker." His jaw flexed, grinding his teeth. "I came out here and it must've triggered my memory. It was when I found out you were gone."

"You did this?"

"Not me, no." He shook his head. "When I realised what was going on, it took over pretty quick. Destroyed everything that reminded me of you, and I was gone."

My heart sank, and I looked away from him with a soft nod of understanding. Everything I had created to make the pack seem more welcoming was gone. Splintered just like the very fragments of the pack itself, it would need a lot of work to get back to its standard. Without supports, the roof wouldn't stand. I suppose without the alpha and luna; it means the same.

"Tulip, I'm sorry." He whispered.

His hand caressed my cheek, and I looked up from the ground to find his concern.

"Hmm?" I wondered before recognising his apology. "Oh, don't apologise. It's fine."

"Tulip..."

"Honestly, I can just redo it. It'll be fun! Maybe I'll paint it blue or yellow this time. Oh, or I could do a mural, get some more lights and make it like a little cloud." I shrugged, stepping up to the door. "I think blue ceiling, white clouds, comfy chairs, fluffy blanket and some-

I didn't get to finish, because as I rambled, Asra had stepped closer to me and secured me in his grip. With my face mashed between his palms, he pulled me in for a kiss so passionate my chest constricted with shock. Warmth coloured my cheeks when he pulled away, kissing my forehead tenderly.

"What was that for?" I breathed.

"Just because." He murmured.

"Asra..." I turned the tables to him. "That wasn't just because."

My mate chuckled softly, taking my hand. "You impress me every day for different reasons. You really are a luna."

"By talking about paint?" I mused.

He shook his head, leading me inside. "Not just that. The context. I destroyed this, I ruined all of this, and you just understand and move on. You think about things so openly, I cannot help admire you."

I groaned, shoving him away from me with a roll of my eyes to hide the warmth in my chest. He stumbled back, chuckling softly as I barged past him through the house. I narrowly avoided Mya in the kitchen as I headed straight for the stairs, and Asra was hot on my tail. He grumbled low, hands trailing up my bare thigh as I ascended the stairs before him. I squeaked, swatting his hand away from my skin when it tickled.

"Why are we taking the stairs?" Asra wondered, eyeing the elevator on the first floor.

"I don't know." I huffed.

"You going to take all of them?" He smirked.

I glared at him before glancing between both the stairs and the elevator. He was right. Why was I taking the stairs?

"Fine." I clicked my tongue, going toward the elevator doors. "I suppose I will take the lift to save you from staring at my ass."

"It is a fine ass." Asra shrugged. "By all means, continue."

The elevator dinged its arrival and the doors opened to reveal Rio. His eyes widened, automatically dropping to my bare legs. A soft grumble from Arsa, a possessive hand on my waist, made Rio look away and clear his throat.

Stepping in, Asra was sure to put himself in the middle. I found it humorous because Rio most likely meant nothing from it. If I saw someone barely dressed, I would stare too.

Sneaking a look at Rio, I noticed he was looking a little better than when I saw him on the battlefield.

"Hey, Rio." I greeted softly.

"Luna." He nodded, keeping his eyes straight.

"How are you doing?" I wondered.

"Better, Luna. Thank you." He smiled, glancing quickly at me. "You are looking much better."

Rio knew how to react to a possessive mate, and he was ticking all the boxes right now. Avoiding eye contact and calling me by my title. He was sucking up to Asra.

I grinned. "It's that magic wolf blood."

He chuckled softly. "I am glad you are back."

I smiled at the meaning of his words, thanking him softly. Asra remained silent between us, but I knew he was listening intensely. His fingers flexed on my waist as the elevator stopped again, and Rio left us with a soft goodbye. Once the doors shut, Asra's posture lessened, and he sighed, bringing me closer.

"What's that about?" I wondered.

"What?"

Scoffing, I glanced up at him. "Why so hostile?"

"I fucked them up a lot. But also..." Asra shrugged, glancing at me before focusing on the doors. "You're my mate."

"Right." I laughed. "So, the mark, the claim, the t-shirt, the scent... That isn't enough?"

Asra's gaze snapped to mine, narrowing with agitation. Still so handsome even when I annoyed him.

Sigh.

The doors dinged open, and I laughed softly, dragging him out of there and toward our room.

"Come on, why don't you show me how much I am yours when we are inside?"

Eyes lightening up with excitement, Asra did not need to be told twice.

****

ahhh its like the honeymoon phase all over again