Chapter 22 Luna
Luna
Notebook: There’s a difference between having to and wanting to and between surviving and living. Maybe it’s time I start living.
“Want to see my favorite spot?” Axel asks as we make our way back after spending the afternoon with the tenants.
Before I can answer, he’s already directing Ethan to pull over near a secluded trail.
“Come on,” Axel says, practically pulling me out of the truck. His fingers wrap around my wrist, warm and insistent. “You’ll love this.”
Ethan follows behind us, grabbing a few towels and a large blanket from the back. He catches my eye and shrugs, a slight smile on his lips. Clearly, this isn’t the first time Axel has dragged someone to his “favorite spot.”
The path narrows as we walk, forcing us to go single file.
Axel leads, occasionally glancing back to make sure I’m still following.
“How much further?” I ask, ducking under a low-hanging branch.
“Almost there,” Axel calls back. “Trust me.”
Just as I’m about to complain about the hike, the path opens up, and my breath catches in my throat.
A waterfall cascades down a rocky cliff face, crystal clear as it tumbles into a clear pool below. Sunlight filters through the trees, creating dancing patterns on the water’s surface—it’s like something out of a fairytale.
“Wow,” I breathe, taking in the scene’s beauty.
Axel grins, looking pleased with himself. “Told you, you’d love it.” He kicks off his boots and starts unbuttoning his shirt. “Want to go for a swim?”
“A swim? It’s only June. The water must be freezing,” I protest, but my eyes are drawn to the expanse of tanned skin revealed as Axel strips. “And I don’t have a swimsuit.”
“Who needs swimsuits?” he says with a wink. “I’ll keep you warm, Wildcat.”
My cheeks flush as Axel continues undressing.
Ethan chuckles behind me. “You don’t have to if you’re uncomfortable,” he assures me, setting down the towels and blanket. “Axel just likes to show off.”
There’s something freeing about standing here in this hidden paradise.
Maybe it’s the rush of the waterfall drowning out my thoughts, or the wild beauty surrounding us, but I feel my inhibitions slipping away, leaving room to embrace the joy I’ve found here.
Thinking of everything I’ve overcome to be here, and seeing so many others who have had similar or even far worse suffering than I have, I decide to embrace this moment.
With a deep breath, I reach for the hem of my shirt and pull it over my head.
I kick off my shoes and shimmy out of my jeans, trying to ignore how both men’s eyes are on me.
As I stand there in my underwear, I resist the urge to cover my scars. Years of hiding them, of seeing disgust in others’ eyes, have conditioned me to expect the worst. But Axel’s gaze rakes over me appreciatively, his eyes darkening with desire rather than repulsion.
“You’re gorgeous, Wildcat,” he growls, his voice dropping an octave.
So I let him see me. All of me.
But then he scoops me up in his arms. I yelp in surprise, my hands automatically gripping his shoulders for balance.
“Axel, don’t you dare—”
He leaps into the water with a whoop, taking me with him as I scream at the top of my lungs. The icy chill steals my breath as we plunge beneath the surface. Then we swim up together, breaking through. I come up, relishing the shock of the cold and pushing my hair back out of my eyes.
“Fuck, that’s cold. Axel! You’re crazy!” I gasp, but I’m laughing.
He grins, pulling me close until our bodies press together, and I can feel his warmth radiating through the water. “Crazy for you, maybe.”
Ethan dives in gracefully beside us, barely making a ripple. He surfaces and shakes the water from his hair.
We float and splash in the cool water, and despite the initial shock, it feels nice. Axel keeps finding excuses to touch me: a hand on my waist to steady me, fingers skimming along my thigh, brushing wet hair from my face. Each contact sends warm sparks dancing across my skin.
At one point, he pulls me flush against him, my back to his chest, as he points out a bird soaring overhead. I’m acutely aware of every hard inch of him pressed against me.
Ethan swims over, concern etched on his face. “Everything okay?”
I nod, smiling. “Yeah. Everything’s perfect.”
Axel doesn’t let go and turns me around. His gaze meets mine as he leans in slowly, giving me time to pull away.
I don’t.
His lips meet mine, his tongue traces the seam of my lips, demanding entry, and I open for him, meeting his hunger with my own.
The kiss is breath-stealing.
His hands slide down my back, cupping my ass and pulling me tighter against him. I can feel his arousal, hard and insistent, against my stomach. A moan escapes me, swallowed by his demanding mouth. When we finally break apart, I’m breathing hard, my lips tingling.
I glance at Ethan. He’s watching us, his eyes laced with desire, his chest rising and falling rapidly. The hunger in his gaze makes me bold.
“Well?” I whisper, my voice trembling with desire and nerves. “What are you waiting for?”
Ethan’s gaze intensifies, but he hesitates instead of swimming toward me. “Are you certain this is what you want?”
I blink, caught off guard by his question. “What do you mean?”
He moves closer but maintains a respectful distance. “I need to know you’re doing this because you want to, not because you feel obligated.” His eyes search mine. “You’re not here to service us… not anymore. That’s not what this is about—not for me.”
Axel’s arms tighten around my waist as he whispers in my ear, “Not for me, either, Wildcat.”
“I want you to want this for yourself,” Ethan continues. “Not because it’s expected or because you think it’s part of some arrangement.”
I hadn’t realized how much I needed to hear them say that until now.
“I…” My voice catches. “Thank you for saying that.”
Ethan nods, a small smile playing at his lips. “Take all the time you need. There’s no rush.”
“What if I want this?” I ask. “What if I’ve wanted it for a while now?”
My wolf stirs inside me, pushing closer to the surface with a purr of approval.
“I’m not doing this because I have to. I’m doing this because I choose to,” I add, my voice dropping to a husky whisper. “Because I want you. Both of you.”
Ethan’s eyes dilate as he closes the distance between us in a heartbeat, his warm, firm lips crashing onto mine.
Where Axel’s kiss was wild and demanding, Ethan’s is controlled, but no less intense.
His strong hands grip my hips, pulling me closer until our bodies are pressed together.
Behind me, Axel’s hands continue their exploration, his lips trailing hot kisses down my neck.
Ethan breaks the kiss, his forehead resting against mine as we catch our breath.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates through me. “Not ever. I’ll keep you safe, Luna.”
His thumb traces my cheekbone with devastating tenderness before he claims my mouth again.
Axel’s laugh is dark against my neck. “Oh, I’ll do more than keep you safe, Wildcat.
” His teeth graze my earlobe, sending shivers down my spine.
“Anyone who tries to hurt you, I’ll personally separate their head from their shoulders.
I’ll use my favorite axe.” His voice drops to a growl.
“Then, I’ll mount their heads on pikes around the property as a warning to others. ”
I laugh, twisting to look at him over my shoulder. “There’s really no need for violence… or graphic descriptions of decapitation while we’re making out.”
“There’s always a need for violence,” Axel argues with a wicked grin, but his eyes are serious. “Especially when it comes to protecting what’s mine.”
Mine.
Should I say otherwise? I don’t want to. In fact, the word ignites my body.
Here I stand, Luna Woods in cold water, sandwiched between two powerful males, and I don’t feel trapped or panicked.
I feel protected.
I close my eyes, letting the sensation wash over me; their touch, warmth, and promises. My wolf purrs with contentment.
Could these males truly be ours?
“You’re turning blue,” Ethan whispers against my lips, and I suddenly realize I’m shivering. The water isn’t as warm as their touch made me believe. “Let’s get you warmed up.”
We swim to the edge and climb out, water sluicing off our bodies. I’m hyper-aware of my near-nakedness, of Axel and Ethan’s appreciative stares as I wrap a towel around myself.
Ethan lays the large blanket on a patch of soft grass near the water’s edge in the warm sun, beckoning me into his arms. I go willingly, letting his arms wrap around me, his body heat seeping into my chilled skin.
Axel moves to my side as Ethan helps me onto my back.
His lips find the sensitive spot where my neck meets my shoulder, and I shudder at the sensation.
“Is this okay?” Ethan asks, his fingers tracing slow patterns on my hip.
I nod. It’s more than okay.
It feels right.
Ethan cups my face, his thumb brushing my lower lip. “Luna,” he says softly, “is this your first time?”
“I know how to take care of myself,” I admit. “But… It’s my first time with a partner.”
Ethan nods. “We’ll go slow,” he promises, kissing my forehead gently.
Axel’s hands pause their exploration. “No rushing,” he agrees, his usual manic energy softened. “We want you to feel good, Wildcat. Safe.”
Ethan leans in again. “We stop anytime you want. Just say the word.”
“I know. I trust you.”
A moan escapes me as Axel’s hands slide around to cup my breasts through the damp fabric of my bra. His thumbs brush over my nipples, which harden instantly at his touch. Ethan’s mouth finds mine again, swallowing the sounds of pleasure as Axel continues his sweet torture.
Axel unclasps my bra, sliding the straps down my arms and tossing it aside before rolling me onto my back. Axel’s warm mouth engulfs one sensitive peak, teasing it with his tongue and teeth before moving to the other. I arch my back, unable to contain a soft groan from my lips.