Once I reached his side his arm came around my waist and he pressed a firm kiss to my neck without any preamble. The butterflies in my stomach erupted immediately and my arms prickled with goosebumps before I could prepare for either reaction. The bond between us hummed with a thick and purposeful warmth, aware of what was building between us and entirely impatient about it.
"This is my mate, Nova," Phoenix said.
I looked up to find an older wolf standing across from us, looking down at me with the relaxed confidence of someone who had been around long enough to not be surprised by much. He smiled and extended his hand and I observed him briefly before accepting it in a proper handshake.
"Quite the unusual sight, I must say," he hummed warmly.
"Nova, this is Alpha Demetrius from New Moon Pack," Phoenix said. "He is a long-standing family friend."
