In The Wake Of Us - Dante and Alicia

[Dante Morales]

The moon still shimmered in his memory, a silver witness to all that had changed. It had been nearly a week since the Moonlit Unity Ball... a night that had turned the tide of his life. The world had seen her not as a rogue, not as a threat, but as his mate. His Luna. The Luna of the Dreadspire Pack.

Peace, for once, had settled over their world like a warm breath after a long run. The days since had been filled with soft laughter, stolen kisses, and quiet moments where nothing mattered except the weight of her hand in his. The pack was abuzz with preparations for the Luna Ceremony... a sacred tradition that would mark Alicia’s official welcome, binding her not just to him, but to every wolf who called Dreadspire home.

This morning, sunlight spilled like gold through the high windows of their private chambers, casting a warm glow over tangled sheets and bare skin. Dante stirred first, his arms still wrapped protectively around Alicia’s sleeping form. Her scent, wild and grounding, filled his senses like the forest after a storm.

He pressed a kiss to her shoulder, then her neck, just below her ear, and whispered, "How did I live so long without you?"

Umbra purred low in his chest, their bond humming with contentment. For the first time in what felt like a lifetime, there was no battle to fight, no storm overhead... just her, curled into him, safe and his.

She shifted slightly in her sleep, and he smiled to himself. Even now, even after all they had endured, he couldn’t quite believe she was truly his.

He brushed a lock of hair from her face and rested his forehead against hers. "I love you," he said softly. "More than power. More than legacy. You are the only thing that ever made any of this mean something."

He knew she would tease him later for being soft before sunrise, but he didn’t care. Let her laugh. He loved that laugh... gods, how he lived for it now.

He nuzzled her again, whispering reverent things only she would ever hear. "You’re mine. My Luna. My mate. I should be allowed to worship you every damn day."

Outside their doors, the world turned. The pack moved. Reyes, now officially named Alicia’s personal guard, stood at his post just beyond the archway, ever watchful. The preparations for the Luna Ceremony continued at full speed. But in here, for just a little longer, there was no need for titles, no past to overcome.

Just Dante and Alicia.

And the peace that came from loving without fear.

[Alicia Blake]

Alicia smiled as she woke up in bed beside him, she had gotten used to being by his side, and now they didn’t have to hide in the shadows. Everyone knew of their romance, saw the way he looked at her now that it was safe to let others know they were mates. She smiled, feeling his lips moving up her neck giggling softly at his words.

“Careful alpha, anyone would think you have a soft spot for me” she smirked as she teased him slightly. She loved teasing him about his usually cold attitude softening when it came to her. Though even with her teasing she loved hearing the sweet words that he only shared with her. 

Kissing him gently she slowly moved out of bed “we can’t stay in bed all day love, as tempting as that is” she smirked and looked at him before heading to the bathroom for a shower. 

Their secret moments together had meant so much to her, stolen kisses while hiding from view. But now all that had changed, there was no more sneaking into his room when no one else was around, now she could proudly stand by his side where she belonged.

Alicia hummed softly in the shower as her wolf whined softly wanting to return to her mate’s arms. She couldn’t help but laugh softly at the beast, she had never seen herself craving someone’s presence but just something about him was so addicting. 

“Quit the whining Diadora, he is just in the next room” Alicia spoke softly in her mind, careful not to let it into her link with Dante. 

Diadora on the other hand didn’t care if their mate could hear her protests “but we could be with our mate, and you left him” 

Alicia rolled her eyes as she washed her hair “I hardly consider leaving the room as leaving him” 

Though to calm her wolf’s cries she did finish up quickly walking back to the bedroom wrapped in a towel as she dried her hair looking as Dante sat up on the bed “don’t even think about it, I can see that mischief in your eyes” she laughed and kissed him gently “you have meetings to attend, and apparently I’m meant to go help with the preparations for the ceremony” she rolled her eyes slightly hating the idea of the ceremony, but she knew she had no choice but to follow the traditions of his pack especially as their new Luna. 

She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck gently “you are lucky you are so irresistible or else I wouldn’t be putting up with this stupid tradition” she smiled and kissed his cheek gently “not only do I have to stand in front of a crowd, but you are going to make me wear some ridiculous dress” She had never been once for formal wear, preferring something practical which she could easily defend herself in, though she supposed that came from a lifetime of running away.

[Dante Morales]

Dante’s gaze lingered on her the moment she stepped out of the bathroom, droplets of water clinging to her skin, her hair damp and tumbling over her shoulders as she dried it with the towel. Mischief flickered in his eyes despite her warning, and Umbra rumbled in his chest, amused by her scolding. His wolf never cared for schedules or ceremonies either... only for her.

“Meetings can wait,” Dante said, his voice low, roughened by the morning. He leaned back against the headboard, watching her as though the rest of the world did not exist beyond their chamber doors. “The pack will still function if their alpha takes a few more minutes with his mate.”

Umbra pressed against his thoughts, urging him closer, urging him to take her back into their arms where she belonged. She should never leave us. Not for meetings. Not for anyone.

“She’s not leaving,” Dante soothed silently, though his wolf’s possessive edge echoed in his own chest. Out loud, he smirked faintly, tilting his head as she wrapped her arms around his neck. “You call it a stupid tradition… I call it the moment they finally see you for who you are. Mine. Luna of Dreadspire. No one will doubt it when you stand at my side.”

He brushed his knuckles down her cheek, lingering at her jaw before trailing lower to the curve of her neck, savoring the shiver that followed. “And as for a ridiculous dress…” he allowed a smile to curve across his mouth, softer than the words that usually left him, “You’ll make anything look like it was made for a queen. Because you are. My queen.”

She rolled her eyes at him, but he caught the faint flush beneath her skin. Umbra purred, satisfied, their bond humming as if Alicia’s wolf had brushed against them in agreement.

“Let them see you in silk and lace,” Dante continued, his tone dropping, “but only I will ever know how to take it from you.” He leaned in, kissing her slowly, deeply, his hand sliding into her damp hair as if he could anchor her to him forever. When he finally pulled back, his lips lingered a breath’s distance from hers. “The meetings, the ceremony, the traditions… none of it matters if it doesn’t end with you by my side. I’ll endure every pointless speech, every bow, every whispered doubt from the pack... for the sight of you there.”

He pressed his forehead against hers, closing his eyes, letting the peace of the moment wash through him. Umbra growled contentment, their bond wrapped tight, thrumming with warmth. “You endure the dress for me,” Dante murmured, a rare smile tugging at his lips, “and I’ll endure the rest of the world for you.”

His arms tightened around her waist, pulling her fully onto his lap despite her half-hearted protest. “Now,” he said, a hint of his alpha edge breaking through the tenderness, “if you think I’m letting you leave this room without at least one more kiss, you don’t know me as well as you think you do.”

Umbra’s agreement vibrated in his chest, a possessive echo: Ours.