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.

[Alicia Blake]

Alicia laughed as she looked at him kissing him gently “and people like to think I’m the troublemaker” she smiled enjoying being close to him, Diadora hummed happily in her mind finally content now that they were with their mate again. She let him pull her closer laughing softly as he spoke about her being his. 

She knew she had to go through the ceremonies and play the part, but that didn’t mean she had to like it. She looked down at him stroking his cheek gently “so eager to show me off to everyone now that the war is over” she laughed softly resting her head against his “I will put up with these silly ceremonies for you, but only because I love you” 

She shivered slightly at his touch, smiling as she leant into him. Even knowing they both had places to be she couldn’t resist the urge to lay in his arms again, she knew it was where she belonged. She rolled her eyes as he called her his queen laughing softly as he pulled her in for a kiss. The moment was slow and passionate, far from the heated moments they shared at the start. This time there was no need to rush or hide it, they could openly adore each other. 

As he pulled away she looked at him smiling while placing her hands on his chest “you are stuck with me now, should have sent me away when you had the chance” she laughed softly and kissed his cheek “I’ll endure the dress for you, but don’t expect me to be dressing up all the time, I prefer to be practical” a smirk crossed her face as she looked at him “if I’m always in fancy dresses how will I ever prove that I can still beat you in a fight” 

She started to move away from him, letting out a small playful squeal as he pulled her back, their bodies pressed together “you are so needy” she placed her hand on his cheek smiling as she looked into his eyes “and here I am trying to be a responsible Luna, you are a terrible influence” 

She leaned forward kissing him deeply, her body pressed against his. She let her hand slide down his chest slowly as she felt a low growl rumble through his chest. Smirking against his lips she pulled away slowly “if we keep going you will make this more than just a kiss” she finally pulled herself from his arms this time not letting him pull her back “and as much as I love when that happens, we both have pack business to get to, and I know how you get when you get carried away” she stroked his cheek her fingers grazing the skin lightly “we’ll end up in here all day if I let you” 

She looked at him one last time as she moved towards the door “but I promise tonight I am all yours, no interruptions, just me and my alpha” she winked at him before slipping out the door before he could drag her back to bed. She loved when he would get carried away, but now that the back knew they were mates she needed to be more involved in back business. She felt a need to prove she belonged there even if no one would dare argue it with Dante. She couldn’t shake off the memory that just a few months ago she was nothing more than a rogue fighting to survive, becoming Luna of one of the most respected packs wasn’t part of her plan.

[Dante Morales]

Dante watched the door long after it closed behind her.

Her scent still clung to the room... warm, familiar, home. It wrapped around his senses and settled deep in his chest, easing something restless inside him even as frustration stirred beneath it. Umbra rumbled low, half annoyed, half pleased.

She promised tonight, the wolf reminded him smugly. We can wait.

“Barely,” Dante muttered under his breath, though the corner of his mouth curved upward despite himself.

He rose from the bed slowly, fingers brushing over the place where she’d just been, as if committing the moment to memory. Gods, how easily she unraveled him. The fierce rogue who once met him with bared teeth now teased him with laughter and kisses... and somehow that undid him far more completely.

“She thinks I’m eager to show her off,” he murmured, moving toward the washroom. “As if I haven’t wanted the world to know she was mine since the moment I scented her.”

Umbra’s presence pressed warmly against his thoughts, full of pride and possessiveness. She belongs beside us. Let them see. Let them all see.

The shower was quick... cold enough to clear his head, though not nearly enough to erase the memory of her hands on his chest or the promise in her eyes when she’d said tonight was his. By the time he dressed, the alpha was firmly back in place: dark tunic, leather bracers, the weight of command settling naturally across his shoulders.

Before stepping into the corridor, Dante reached out through the mindlink.

Reyes.

The response came instantly. Alpha.

You’re with her.

Always, Reyes replied, steady and respectful. She’s heading toward the eastern hall. Spirits are high so far.

Dante’s jaw tightened slightly. I want to know if that changes. Anything... looks, words, disrespect. You tell me.

A pause. Then, firm: Understood. No one touches her. Not with words. Not with intent.

Good.

The link faded as Dante stepped into motion.

The pack parted instinctively as he passed... bows of the head, fists to chests, voices lowering in respect. He acknowledged them with brief nods, his thoughts still trailing after Alicia even as duty pulled him forward.

The council chamber was already alive when he entered.

Reports followed one after another... patrol rotations, border stability, trade routes reopening after the war. He listened, asked precise questions, gave clipped orders. Everything ran smoothly… until one of the scouts hesitated.

“Alpha,” the wolf said carefully, eyes flicking up. “There’s… another matter.”

Dante’s gaze sharpened. “Speak.”

“We’ve had reports from the lower dens. A substance circulating again. Duskthorn.”

The name hit like a spark against dry timber.

Umbra snarled instantly, hackles rising in his mind. Poison.

Dante’s hands curled slowly against the table. “I burned the last of it after the war.”

“So we believed,” the scout said. “But healers have confirmed traces. At least three pack members have used it. One collapsed during training last night.”

Silence fell heavy across the room.

“Names,” Dante said, voice calm in a way that made even the elders straighten.

They were given. And he memorized every one.

“Contain it quietly,” he ordered. “No public punishment. Not yet. I want to know where it’s coming from—and who thought it was acceptable to bring rot back into my pack.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

As the council dispersed, Dante remained seated for a moment longer, jaw tight, thoughts darkening despite the peaceful morning he’d left behind.

Umbra pressed close, grounding him. We protect her. We protect the pack.

“I know,” Dante murmured.

His gaze lifted toward the doorway Alicia had walked through earlier... toward the life waiting for him beyond meetings and reports and threats that never truly vanished.

Tonight, he reminded himself. For now, he would lead. For her, he would always lead.

[Alicia Blake]

Alicia smiled as she went to the grand hall talking to some of the pack members about the plans for the upcoming ceremonies. The pack was still weary of her of course but most seemed to have adjusted to the idea of a former rogue being their Luna. 

She looked in the shadows behind her seeing Reyes lurking close by as he always did when she was away from Dante. She rolled her eyes slightly and turned to him “stop hiding in the shadows, I know you are there” she crossed her arms as she smirked playfully “don’t make me order you out” she had no real intention of using her authority as Luna, but Reyes had become a close friend within the pack, mostly due to Dante entrusting him with her protection. 

As Reyes reluctantly approached she smiled “since you know more about the pack traditions than me you can at least help with the planning if you intend to be lurking around anyway” she knew he was on orders from Dante, and she wasn’t surprised. The war had done a number on their pack, it was only natural they would be nervous about the one member of Darkfrost who was within their own ranks. Not that she ever wanted to be associated with that pack after what they did. 

She turned away from Reyes and went back to focusing on the preparations giving her opinions on decorations and food. 

One of the women approached her “ma’am it’s tradition that the colours and sigils of the Luna’s pack be represented” 

Alicia froze at the suggestion, she didn’t want darkfrost anywhere on their day, that life was behind her. She looked to the woman forcing a kind smile “I had no pack before coming here, there is no where to be represented, if I see anything related to that pack I will tear it down myself” her voice came out more menacing than she had intended. But she meant every word of it. 

She didn’t want darkfrost to be shown anywhere on the day, not after what they did to her, and especially not after what they had done to her new pack. 

The woman nodded before rushing away.

Alicia sighed rubbing her temple “great I’m sure that will somehow turn into the new Luna being unstable and feral” she shook her head slightly as she walked away smiling as Reyes walked beside her “and here I thought it went without saying that Darkfrost wasn’t my pack” she laughed softly shaking her head. 

After the war had ended and they announced their bond, Alicia had chosen to be honest about her past with the pack, willingly sharing what she had gone through before being banished by the pack that had raised her. Yet still some treated her like she should be the enemy. 

She sighed as she walked to the kitchen “I’m starving” she looked at Reyes smiling “plus the food is the fun part of all this planning, much more interesting than tapestries and gowns” she laughed shaking her head slightly as she entered the kitchen. There was a spread of dishes prepared for her to try in order to choose what would be served after the ceremony.

As she started testing the foods she looked at Reyes venting about the planning “did you know they were trying to suggest a backless gown? I had to remind them that perhaps showing off the scar that marked me as the enemy’s outcast might not be the best plan when winning their trust”