Ava

The memory flashed back vividly, taking me to the night of intimate desire of my mate, and Alpha, Rae.

He tugged at my arm with a smile. I smiled back at him, knowing what was next. Mating.

"I wanna show you the bedroom," he said.

"I wanna see the bedroom," I replied.

Rae led me into his bedroom. I had my bath and changed into a form-fitting white dress that accentuated my curves. I felt my cheeks flush as his gaze moved over me, the intensity in his eyes clearly telling me that he liked what he saw.

Slowly he lifted his gaze to mine and our eyes locked. Heat blazed from the depths of them, warming me from the inside, drawing me to him like gravity and I found myself taking a few steps forward.

"Why me Rae?" I asked, still surprised.

He replied, "Because you're my mate, Ava. Can't you feel it? I've wanted you since the day I set my eyes on you, but you weren't of age. I couldn't wait one more day. You are mine, today and forever."

"Forever," I whispered. The moon goddess surely had a sense of humor. Mating me to a future alpha? But what can I do? I've always wanted him too.

He pulled me in by putting his arm around my waist. His free hand gripped my hair roughly and drew my face dangerously near to his as his grip tightened around my waist, forcing our bodies together. I closed my eyes, expecting him to grab me and kiss me brutally, but instead I felt his lips brush across mine with such gentleness that it sent thrills down my spine. My breath caught at the feel of another gentle brush on my lips.

I put my arms around his neck, but he pulled my hair and threw my head back before I could even put my lips to his.

His lips slid deftly over my throat, kissing and nibbling as I clung to him, unable to stand on my own. His hands gripped my hips and went down my back, forcing me further closer to his body as though I wasn't close enough. His scent engulfed my thoughts, impairing my ability to think.

I was lost in a sea of pleasure, drowning. I felt like I was floating on air and my feet were no longer feeling the floor, then I abruptly found myself on the bed with Rae on top of me, trapping my hands above my head. His eyes were burning with need and hunger as he smacked his lips against mine. His kiss was powerful and raw, heating me from the inside out. His hands slid beneath my clothes and stroked me in ways that were at once frightening and sensual.

Rae's kisses turned from sweetly intense to painfully intense, almost bruising my lips. I heard the tearing sound of fabric.

He studied my face, then slowly drew back and removed his shirt. My eyes were veiled with desire and my cheeks flushed. As my eyes swept over his exposed upper torso, he could hear the ferocious pounding of my heart.

Placing my hand on his chest, he held it, sensing that I wanted to touch him. After a little pause, I cautiously started to feel his body with my hands.

I ran my hands down his chest, stomach, up his arms and shoulders, my eyes showing nothing but admiration as I touched him. Then my fingers traveled down his spine and he groaned with pleasure that burned so deep it was nearly painful.

He waited patiently as I satisfied my curiosity and got to know his body, even if he was in a sweet torment. It was his time after I was finished. He brought his body close to mine, using his hips to keep me in place as his lips found mine to kiss. He groaned deep in his throat as his tongue slid across my bottom lip and I writhed beneath him, producing a delicious contact. He repeated the act, aware of the impact it had on me, and I groaned in return. He removed my clothes with ease and used his lips, tongue, and hands to explore my body. I could tell that he enjoyed the taste of my skin, as well as the sound of my moans.

"Rae!" I gasped as he grazed his finger down my inner thighs, coaxing shivers out of me. He did the same thing again but this time with his tongue, making me quiver uncontrollably. He couldn't help but smile at my reaction as he continued teasing me with his lips and tongue.

"Please Rae..." I said breathlessly as my hands fisted in his hair, bringing his face to mine.

He gave me the kiss I desired, and I gave it to him with a fervor that shocked and painfully aroused him at the same time. I let out a cry of delight as his fingers moved between my thighs and felt my tender, hurting skin.

As Rae's hand slowly stroked me, the pressure in the pit of my stomach increased rhythmically with each stroke, leaving me dumbfounded and almost out of breath. As the sensation grew stronger, I dug my fingers into his hair. My muscles tensed, a spasm passed through my body, and I cried out as my head fell back.

I just lay there, my body limp, astonished by what just happened. Whatever it was, I didn't want it to end.

"We're just getting started, honey," Rae whispered in my ear.

And then the kissing and stroking began and my body was on fire once again.

Rae grabbed my hips and I felt a sharp pain, but it was only brief. Then came the amazing sensation of our skin touching and the friction starting a fire inside of me.

He was gentle at first but then he pounded into me like it was his last.

And there went my innocence. We made sweet love all night but something was missing. I was unmarked.

We were mated and that too for three years. Since I was mated to him and we became a significant pack member, I didn't care about Rae's reputation or the fact that he didn't mark me. Marking was a serious decision to take, so maybe he was just taking his time. After all, he loved me. It was enough. Also, I was relieved from the misery of living with my aunt Aurelia.

Ava

PRESENTLY

I thought he loved me, but I was wrong. Mates were known to love each other and are unable to live without each other. Why was my case different?

With a broken heart and a child growing inside of me, I ran hopelessly. I was sprinting down the path that would take me directly into the human realm.

I vowed to myself that I would take care of myself and be a good mother, all the while keeping Rae in the dark about the existence of our child.

I was at a loss over what to do the next day. How do I get help, and who should I ask? The pain in my chest made me feel miserable and I was hungry.

I was looking for food in a garbage can when I felt a soft hand on my arm and heard a woman's voice.

"Are you hungry, miss?" she said with a twinkle in her eyes, yet there was sadness in her gaze.

I shrank back. Although the woman didn't look dangerous, I had lost all faith in people. I responded to her by nodding my head.

"Come with me. I'll get you something to eat. You shouldn't be searching the trash can, you can get sick."

The woman persisted, and eventually I gave in to her persistence and trusted her. She treated me with so much respect and I got to know that Leila was her name. I felt secure next to someone for the first time.

Leila insisted that we visit the doctor right away after noticing that my tummy continued to swell as the months passed.

Although I was aware that I was pregnant, I had no idea how many children I would be carrying.

"Quadruplets?" I fell back into the chair.

The doctor was talking about how blessed I was to have four lovely babies at once, and I was buried in my own thoughts.

The torment I'd experienced since leaving the pack made having quads seem like a minor thing. I was afraid, though, and I couldn't hide it. I was afraid of how I would care for four infants on my own, so I sobbed while my wolf howled at the full moon.

"You're no longer alone Ava, you have me now," Leila said.

The hardest times I had to face in order to adjust to life as a person were the one thing I would never forget. Leial took me into her home. At the same restaurant where she worked, she got me a job. I was eager to start over somewhere new, somewhere no one would find out about my secret and away from the humiliation of rejection.

It had been seven years since I buried the past in the depths of my memory.

I began to feel more human as I adjusted to my new life.

And I had much more motivation to survive and fight for the quads after they were born.

The quads were running around my bed in a frenzy the moment I had opened my eyes.

My cell vibrated on the other side of the bed. I extended my arm across the bed to grab it.

"I'll be ten minutes late."

It was Leila's message. How could I doubt Leila's devotion to the kids when she had taken on the role of their protector? It made my heart feel warm.

I finally made it to the door and Leila grinned broadly as she stood there and gave me a hug.

"I apologize for the mess, these kids are driving me crazy," I said, feeling down because I was never able to keep the house clean.

"Everything will be in order when you return."

Leila stopped to gather the toys that were strewn all over the house's entryway.

"You know that's not necessary, Cat," I told her. "The kids are a handful already"

She chuckled, "Don't overthink it, Kamara. You know I enjoy spending time with the boys."

As they spoke, the kids hurried towards her like they did every time Leila arrived, and gave her hugs that nearly suffocated her.

"Are you sure that spending the night here won't be a problem?" I asked.

With her arms still around the kids, she said, "That question is getting annoying, Ava. You can leave peacefully to work. I'm good with the kids."

I hugged them all before I left.

"I'll look after my siblings, mom, I promise." Logan hugged me tightly. He always felt responsible and protective of everyone around him, including me. The instinct to protect ran deep in his bones.

It was impossible to look at Logan and not remember Rae. His father's bravery was even more like his own.

Running my hand through the boy's hair, I said, "You're my Alpha, and because you're strong and fearless, you'll guard the entire pack."

At midnight, a knock came at the door.

Leila frowned, looking at the time and wondering if anyone would be there at that hour. She set down the cup and thought about responding as the knocks grew louder.

Her heart was beating fast as she paused halfway, hoping the person would give up and go away. With four children in the house, Leila felt helpless and refused to open the door. She heard footsteps fade away after a while, and then the knocking stopped. Just as her heart began to stop and she made her way quickly to bed, the front door was ripped clean off its hinges and violently hurled across the room, barely missing her.