**Hey everybody! I am so sad to say there are only FOUR chapters left of HOLDEN! What a journey this story has been! I know you're all going to ask when will I start working on the third and final story for the Dark Moon Series, which is yet to be titled, but it won't be for a while. I have another story that I need to clean up and a sequel that needs to get started. 

But I will post little specials and bonus chapters if requested just to keep you interested! Also I am going to do a spin-off story about Yulia Remer and Alexei Ivanov! It's going to be short but man is it going to be good ;)

I really appreciate all of your love for this story as it is by far my favourite! So sit back and enjoy because things are about to get CRAZY!!!

RAELYNN'S POV

The only good thing that has come out of this whole gathering is the party that they're throwing. As usual when this pack throws a party they don't hold back and tonight is no exception. I can hear the music blaring from the pack house and that says something.

"Which dress do you think looks better?" Willow asks as she switches between a beautiful silver dress in front of her mirror and a blue sequined dress. We both know she's wearing the silver dress because that's what she told Tobias and she went through enough work finding it. I don't know why she bothers.

"Why are you acting like there's a choice? You're going to wear the silver dress. So why don't you do your hair and makeup and then start on mine." I tell her throwing myself on her bed. Ralph saunters in and barely regards Willow before he jumps onto her bed and lies on my stomach. He's becoming much more affectionate with his aging.

"Obviously I know that I just want to look at this cute dress I bought. I mean come on its gorgeous! We need to have more parties like this so I can wear it." She puts the dress back into her closet and sits at her large vanity mirror where all of her makeup and hair products are waiting.

"Alright I'm going to go with minimal makeup today as per Tobias' request." She says grabbing her foundation and blush.

She literally follows her word because a few seconds later she's finished with her makeup. She takes her hair out of her rollers and I watch as each curl falls out and bounces on its descent. It's funny how much work people put in to get hair like my own.

"That was fast." I say as she grabs my arm and pulls me to her table. "I'm not a huge fan of makeup so minimal too please. And I like your hairstyle. Can you do it for me too?" I ask as I look at myself in the mirror.

"Uh huh. Don't worry I know what I'm doing. Just remember what I said about the shoes." Willow says already applying the light makeup.

"I still don't know how pink shoes match a yellow dress but whatever I can admit that it does look pretty cool." She scoffs when I say that and starts working on my hair.

"Pretty cool? Please more like pretty sexy. It's the perfect accent. The necessary pop of colour that will make you stand out just enough to grab either my brother or Naal's attention. And if not them then I know Gamma Brayden will want you either way." She says poking my back. I blush slightly at the comment because I know it's true.

In the beginning I was only interacting with Brayden to make Luka and Naal jealous but as I got to know him better I found myself liking him. His accent alone is enough to have any girl ensnared but he's very respectful and kind and he's honest. Like most guys he admitted to being attracted to my eyes in contrast with my skin. And of course I was both bored and annoyed by his superficial analysis of me, and yet what he said next is what made me interested.

***Flashback***

"I've met many human females in my life but I've never met one that exuded such strength and charisma as you do. There's something about you that has me both attracted and intrigued." The Gamma from England says to me as I am totally ignoring him. I think he knows I'm ignoring him which is why he's putting in the effort.

"I've been through enough to know that weakness is not an option even for a human like me." I say with my back still to him. He doesn't seem to mind since I can hear him coming closer. Soon I'm encased by his shadow.

"This pack is one of the strongest I have ever come across and not just because of their strength in numbers, but their strength in heart. The fact that Alpha Luka doesn't ignore the point that you're human is encouraging. He's smart but you are formidable indeed. My name is Brayden Alastair. I am the Gamma of the Lunar Howl pack." Brayden says moving from behind me and extending his hand to shake mine. I look down at it in boredom and then back up to him.

"My name is Raelynn Dawson. I am the daughter of the human informants for this pack." I give him my hand to shake it but he takes it and brings it to his lips to give it a small kiss. The touch sends sparks up my arm and straight to my chest.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Raelynn. Goddess you have a beautiful name." He says finally moving my hand from his lips. He smiles down at me with a hunger I've seen many times in Colin's eyes and I stop myself from blushing.

"Right back at ya."

***End of Flashback***

Now that I think about it I'm pretty sure it was the kiss that made me like him so quickly. It's such an endearing and chivalrous act that I fell for him. Pretty pathetic now that I think of it because he probably uses that on every girl he meets... Who cares it's not like anything is going to come of this.

"Lynn are you even listening to me?" Opening my eyes I look into the mirror to see Willow staring at me.

"Sorry did you say something?" I ask standing up. Checking out myself again I can say I look great and I haven't even put on my dress yet.

"No I didn't say anything at all... Other than the fact that it would be really cool to live in England... you know with Brayden." My eyes catch hers in the mirror and they narrow.

"I'm not moving to England with Brayden. Not a chance. Besides accent aside he's not that great of a guy." I tell her going to grab my dress.

"Sure he isn't." Willow responds.

She slips out of her house clothes baring herself completely nude to me and walks to the closet to put on her dress. If I wasn't so used to her doing that I'd be disgusted and annoyed but right now I'm just annoyed.

Following her actions I get undressed as well and begin to put on my dress. I bought it with my mom a month ago when I found out the itinerary of the gathering. It took me an hour to find only because I wanted to be sure I wore something that would tease the hell out of my Alpha and Beta but it also had to be something that was pretty modest. Like Naal said there are a lot of unmated lycans here and I don't want to draw too much attention to myself.

Slipping on my dress I adjust the bodice so it's not restricting my breathing and look at myself in the mirror one last time. Turning to see the back of the dress I see my scar plain and clear and I sigh. It's healed immensely but it's still very noticeable. Thankfully the top of the scar is much fainter than the rest so my hair can do a good job of covering it up. I'm not ashamed of the scar I just know that it can distress people sometimes when they see it.

Willow comes out of her closet wearing her dress and she joins me in front of the mirror and catches me staring at the scar. I still get satisfaction at the grimace she shows when she sees it.

"Goddess I hate seeing that scar." She says fluffing my hair to hide it better. I roll my eyes and turn around.

"Well believe me I hate having it." I tell her with still annoyance lingering in my voice.

"Even though we've gotten past that I still feel like garbage every time I see it. I was such a jealous kid. I had so many issues and insecurities." She gets a faraway look in her eyes as she speaks.

"The past is in the past." I say it to her every time. It's an automatic response anytime people question me about the scar and who gave it to me. Especially with how close Willow and I have become.

"You sound like a robot when you say that." I hear the slight tinge of hurt in her voice when she says that and I feel a little guilty. Though honestly I have no reason to.

"Sorry it's a force of habit. I'm going to get going my parents should be waiting downstairs by now." She smiles softly at the apology and goes to check her phone. Probably awaiting a call from Tobias.

"'Kay see you there." Putting on my shoes I leave her room with Ralph following behind me, his nose curiously sniffing at the side of my dress where the material stretches longer than the hem of the dress. As long as he doesn't bite it I'm fine with his sniffing.

I nudge him towards my room and pet him thoroughly.

"Do you want to stay in my room until I come back or do you want to roam around outside? Be forewarned I am highly suggesting you stay in my room." I ask him opening my door.

His blue eyes look towards my room and then back to me before he nudges my leg indicating he's going outside. Yeah I figured he would.

"Alright just don't wander far please. It's still dangerous out there and even though I know you can hold your own I can't stand the thought of any harm coming to you okay?" I kiss the top of his head and scratch under his chin as he loves and he licks my hand.

We both head downstairs and I find my parents waiting at the door as I figured they would be. I open the door for Ralph and he gives me one backwards glance before he ventures outside to enjoy the freeing atmosphere.

"You ready to go sweetheart?" Mom asks pulling her shawl closer around her shoulders.

"I'm as ready as I'm ever going to be." I say smiling. Walking out of the door we get into the dad's SUV and he drives us to the recreation centre where the party seems to be getting into full swing.

We all enter the party at once and are greeted with champagne and appetizers which taste amazing together. I leave my parents near the front and walk around the beautifully decorated ballroom. There's mood lighting on the pillars and reflecting off the walls and beautiful centrepieces that I may just take back to my room if I get the chance to.

My eyes are all over the place watching the different pack members interacting with each other and the newly forming couples still speaking flirtatiously to one another. I'm actually happy to see that the lycans are coming together to mate. So happy that I miss a smug looking Colin making his way over to me.

"Well look who's here. Wait why are you here exactly? You literally have no status at all with this pack so you shouldn't have been allowed to get in at all." I know he's still hurting because of the breakup, it's obvious in his eyes but he doesn't have to be such a dick.

"Why don't you run off to one of your many flings or should I call them whores? I'm not sure if that would be describing them or you though." I bite back.

He growls low and takes a step closer to me. Before when we were together being this close to him, especially with him dressed in a sleek black suit, white shirt and deep blue tie, I would be so turned on but now he just looks like an overdressed pup trying way too hard to get the attention of one of the visiting lycans.

"Oh poor little Raelynn calling me the whore when she was the one lusting after someone other than me. Why don't you look in the mirror before you use words that only describe yourself?" He says bitterly. I knew he would bring that up again. He does it every time we distastefully have to talk to each other.

"Just because I said I was in love with someone else does not mean I was lusting after them Colin. I tried to love you but I couldn't and thank God for that. If I knew this was who you really were I would have never given you a chance." I say clenching my fists.

Even though I totally just lied it doesn't mean he needs to know that. His nostrils flare, a sign that he's really mad, and he clenches his own fists.

"You're a liar." He says looking both broken and furious.

"And you need to back off pup." I hear a man's deep voice behind me and for a second I think it's Luka or Naal but then I recognize the accent.

"Whatever. You can have her. She's spoiled anyways." Colin turns to stalk away but Brayden grabs him by the shoulder stopping him.

"You should watch your mouth kid. Talking like that, especially about a young woman as marvellous and beautiful as Raelynn will have some dire consequences." Brayden says as his eyes begin to swirl to black. Rolling my eyes I place my hand in his and pull him away.

"Don't waste your breath. He's my ex." I tell him. He lets go of Colin's shoulder, albeit very slowly and nods.

"He's a shitty ex and a pathetic man at that." He says breathing deep to calm down.

I laugh because he's completely right and the look on his face shows he's pleased with himself for lightening my mood.

"Yeah he is. Do you want to get something to drink?" I ask him already feeling my mouth getting dry because of the champagne. He smiles and nods, placing my hand on his arm and escorting me to a waiting pack member with a selection of drinks.

I take the water because what else am I really going to drink and Brayden goes for the flute of champagne. We walk around a little more and talk casually as we always have when I get a sensation that someone is watching me and watching me hard. I try to keep conversation with Brayden and even force myself to laugh when he tells a very confusing joke but all the while I'm trying to find a way to see who's watching me. Carefully I turn around slowly knowing that Brayden will follow the movement and find that the person staring at me so intently was Luka!

JACKPOT!

Choosing to play this game for as long as I can I pull Brayden a little closer and whisper something stupid but obviously seductive in his ear. He leans closer to me and places a hand on my waist possessively and I grin in satisfaction as Luka begins to make his way over here with a look of lust, annoyance and confusion all dancing across his face. I'm happy to see that Naal isn't far behind him.

"Excuse me Gamma Brayden I need to have a word with Raelynn." Luka says calmly. He's definitely learning to control his emotions, because even though his voice is neutral the look in his eyes isn't. Oh I'm in trouble!

I smile politely at the two men and sweetly remove Brayden's hand from my waist where Naal's eyes haven't moved from. He mutters something under his breath but nods anyways and moves just a little out of earshot. He's quite eager to keep our conversation going.

"Hello Luka. Hello Naal." I say in a slightly seductive but mainly sweet voice. I know they're both mad because I literally did not listen to a word they said beforehand.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Luka demands practically snarling. I'm shocked by his choice of words that I find I can't respond. "You have no status here Raelynn. You are going to give the lycans here the wrong idea." He stops talking for a second and I see his face soften and his eyes become the warm brown I've always loved.

"Rae you look beautiful. Achingly beautiful. Goddess if you only knew the thoughts that are going through my head right now you'd be so ashamed of me... I'm so ashamed of me... But still... It's one thing that you're only human but Goddess did you have to dress so provocatively? You need to leave now. Please. For both of our sakes." He finishes softly.

I feel a rush of pain and hurt hit me deeper than Willow's claws ever did. It wasn't supposed to go this way. He was supposed to see me and immediately know that we were meant to be. He was supposed to just know that we are lovers and sweep me off my feet. He's supposed to know!

I can see how he feels conflicted right now and my heart aches for him. The words are on the tip of my tongue to tell him how I feel and how badly I want him and yet nothing comes out. But he shouldn't ask me to leave. We should be talking about these feelings not ignoring them. I want him to want me. This is all I wanted. Yet as I look into his eyes again and see that he is just getting more and more confused I already know how this will end.

"W–What? D–Do I not belong here now? Am I not good enough to be around all these high ranking lycans? Poor little Raelynn is only a human and a damn good looking one too but that's not enough?" I say locking away the tears that are threatening to spill. Finally Naal seems to have had enough and he speaks up.

"Luka, Raelynn has every right to be here and we both know that. And there's nothing wrong with what she's wearing she looks beautiful and appropriate. How about we all just relax, forgive and enjoy the party?" He says calmly.

And hearing him say it like that makes me want to just stay and ignore what I've gone through already but something in me breaks at the look disappointment and self-disgust in Luka's eyes.

I have to leave. Before it breaks me. His words are one thing but the look in his eyes speaks louder.

"Fine... I'll leave." I tell him trying my hardest not to scream in his stupid gorgeous face. Instead I save up all the dignity I have left turning around and heading straight for the door. Deep down I pray to God that Luka follows me. But I know he doesn't.

He never does.

***

NAAL'S POV

Raelynn makes her way out of the ballroom and I feel a strong urge within me to follow her and make sure she's okay.

That strong urge is me! Go to her now! It is your chance. The time has come. My wolf says frantically. Heeding his warning I take one last look at a conflicted Luka and leave the party in search of Raelynn.

Thankfully she doesn't make it far because of her heels. I hear her murmuring her annoyance of the bright pink shoes as she rips them off her feet and continues to stomp her way up the stairs of the recreation centre making her way down the hall to the east wing. I don't think she knows where she's headed so I make my presence known.

"Raelynn slow down and please look at me." I tell her making my way towards her easily. She stops walking and I see her wrap her arms around herself.

"Why?" Her voice isn't louder than a whisper but with my hearing I still catch it. "Why am I never good enough for him?" I don't know if she's asking me this question or if she's just saying it rhetorically but I answer anyways.

"I don't know Raelynn. And that is the absolute truth. I don't know why he acts the way he does or says what he does. I don't even think he knows half the time." My hands lightly touch her shoulders and she turns and buries her face into my chest.

Goddess she smells so good.

I need to reign in my thoughts even though I am still very aroused by the sight of her in this dress. When I told Luka there was nothing wrong with her outfit I was being honest because there isn't a damn thing wrong with it, in fact everything is right with her form fitting dress.

When I first saw her talking to Gamma Brayden I was jealous that he was getting her attention and affection. It's a childish form of jealousy but I couldn't help myself. I wasn't completely sure that it was her in that golden dress because there were too many scents affecting my senses but once I caught the remains of the scar Willow left on her I knew it. So how could I not be jealous? The dress looked as if it was made for her body and Brayden was able to see every curve and dip in her luscious body while I had to strain from afar.

"I hate him. More than I ever have before. I hate him." She says softly into my shirt. I force myself to focus on her emotions right now pushing the dirty thoughts as far back as I can.

Make your intentions clear now! NOW! My wolf screams in my head.

Gently I hold her in my arms for a little while longer before I scan the rooms to see which one is available. If I remember correctly the Lunar Howl pack didn't have as many men as we suspected so one of these rooms should be free. Raking through my memory I scan the room numbers and know that room thirteen is free. I move her slowly with me to the room and thankfully I was right.

Opening the door I let Raelynn walk in first and then I close it behind me being sure to lock it. Turning back to her I see that she's sitting on the bed wiping at her eyes in frustration.

"Do you want to talk anymore? Or do you want to just watch something on the television instead?" I ask coming to sit beside her. For a moment she's completely quiet and then her back straightens and she gets a look of determination on her face.

"No I don't want either of those." Her voice is still a little strangled from the crying but I hear her fine.

"Then what do you want sweetheart?" I ask her earnestly. Raelynn turns to face me and gives me a look I've never seen before.

Desire.

"I want you Naal." I can barely get a word out before she kisses me firmly on the mouth. My first thought is that this is a dream, as it usually is but when I feel her hand travel up my shirt and touch my bare chest I know it's real.

Releasing the need I've held for her for all these years I kiss her back deeply. My hands move on their own accord, taking out the pins from her hair and running my fingers through her soft curls. She moans at the feeling and I feel myself becoming even harder than before. I'm still patiently kissing her full lips but I want to taste her so badly that I accidentally bite her bottom lip. She gasps in surprise and pulls back and I feel embarrassment wash over me. My canines have never grown so quickly before.

"Naal... did you just bite me?" Raelynn asks curiously. I feel my cheeks getting hotter and hotter by the second.

"I apologize I didn't mean to. My canines have grown." I tell her flashing said teeth. She eyes them cautiously before she dives right back into the kiss this time opening her mouth and licking at my own closed lips.

Taking the invitation I begin to taste her mouth and I have to keep my hand fisted in the sheets because of how good she tastes. There's a mixture of food and champagne and mint gum but underneath all of that I can taste her as she is. Natural and delicious and all Raelynn. She knocks off my suit jacket and I kick off my shoes knowing she's already done that herself.

My free hand goes back into her hair and I cup the back of her neck to bring her closer to me. She complies easily and I feel her hands unbuttoning my dress shirt. I sense warning bells going off in my head telling me that I shouldn't let it go any farther than kissing but the depravation I've faced all these years wins me over and I allow her to keep going.

My lips move from hers down to her neck where I suck and lick at her lightly perspired skin. Everything about her is so damn good that I find myself lapping at her like a dog. I try to control it even a little bit but I can't. I've wanted this too badly.

"Naal..." She moans out my name and sets my body on fire. This is it. We will definitely not be having sex tonight but this is it. It's the beginning of forever. Finally.

Raelynn puts her hand to my chest and pushes me down on to the bed making me lie flat. Instantly I want to sit up because I don't want her to see my obvious attraction to her in my pants but she keeps her hand on my chest as she begins to straddle me.

Again the warning bells go off but I tune them out completely.

My hands go to her waist as she settles herself against my member and I groan at the feeling of her grinding against it slowly. She's extremely hot down there and I can feel it through my pants and underwear and f*ck it feels amazing. I squeeze her waist as she continues to dry hump me and throw my head back at the pleasure. Soon she's picking up the pace and I find myself moving my hips up to meet her grinding head on. Anything to cause a little more friction.

It doesn't take long for the momentum to build and I know that I'm about to release soon, in my pants no less.

"I can take it out if you'd like. That way there's less of a mess." Raelynn says innocently. I'm just about to say yes but I don't. It's too much. No matter how badly I want to I would rather take soiled pants than push this too far.

"N–No it's fine." I tell her as my voice chokes out.

She looks disappointed by my answer but she leans down to kiss me hard and deep anyways. I feel my claws trying to extend and I have to painfully keep them back so I don't ruin her dress. Kissing her with everything in me and moving her in the right rhythm to get my release I cry out her name as it finally hits me. But I am more than surprised when I smell and hear Raelynn reach her release as well. It's so stimulating I find myself getting hard again.

"Oh God Naal." She whispers out climbing down from my waist. Kissing her forehead I pull her close to my body and spoon her. This is all I've wanted.

"That was very unexpected but the best thing I've ever experienced." I tell her honestly. She laughs softly and turns her head to kiss me on the lips again.

"Better than Mara?" She asks jokingly. My mind flashes back to our conversation in the forest and her kiss.

"A thousand times better sweetheart. A million times better." I bite her neck softly and she lets out a moan before she starts to rub against me again.

"Naal... can we..." I love her timid voice.

"If you're up to it yes. I'm more than content to stay like this." I say finding my own voice becoming just as timid.

"I'm more than up to it. I need it." Raelynn admits turning in my arms.

Somewhere deep down I find myself beginning to understand just why Raelynn truly kissed me but I'm too damn happy to pay it any attention. Instead I pull her even closer to me, kiss her fervently and wrap her leg around my waist.

Just like before we grind against each other harder and faster. She may say she needs this but I crave this; this intimacy and sexuality that I could never pursue because she was so young. Now that she's seventeen finally and embracing her beauty and sexuality more openly I am not as afraid to make a move.

By the time we've finished again there are hickies on both our chests and necks and while Raelynn will be able to hide hers easily I don't know how I will be able to. But I don't care. Let the world see what she's done to me in passion. I'm more than proud to wear her mark.

"Raelynn?" I call out her name and it sounds like a purr coming from my lips.

"Yeah Naal?" She responds cuddling closer to me. We're spooning again and my face is in her sweet smelling hair... though that's not the only part of her body that smells sweet.

"Raelynn... I love you." I say softly.

"I love you too. You know that." I smile at her answer but it's time I tell her to whole truth.

"I know you do and I am forever grateful for that knowledge but I love you Raelynn. The way a male should love his mate. The way a husband should love his wife. I've loved you forever it seems. And I've waited so long for this moment to happen between us. I–I want you to be my mate. Or I am asking if you would be my mate. I would make you happier than you've ever been. I'd treat you with respect and love as all men should. And we wouldn't have to stay confined to the pack; we could travel the world and see the sights I know you long to see. We can do everything to your heart's desire my love. Please be my mate Raelynn." I say sincerely.

The words rush out of my mouth like a flood and I feel my heart pounding harder than it ever has but it's all worth it now that she knows the truth. But as the seconds pass by and then minutes without an answer I begin to get worried.

"Raelynn? Love?" I try not to let the panic I'm feeling seep into my voice but it does. I'm about to turn her when I hear a soft snoring coming from her and I realize with a sinking heart that she's fallen asleep...

She hasn't heard a word I said.