Frustration

Zayne could not fathom how he’d found himself in this scenario again, with the only difference being that, this time, it would be more of a challenge because there were no risks involved.

They are no longer concerned about Aubrianne’s magic and unbinding her powers.

Now it was free reign, and Zayne was not even going to sugarcoat this... He was struggling with it. So much so that he was willing to give in and let the chips fall where they may. He was not even going to try and lie to himself.

It is what it is.

But as time passed, more and more, Zayne battled with his conscience, simply because he was actually thinking of saying to hell with it. And he could not believe he was willing to.

He needed to do this the right way for his people, to do right by them, and here he was willing to look the other way.

Zayne realized he truly needed to talk to his mate for his sanity.

Meanwhile, Aubrianne was oblivious to her mate's battle as she was having one of her own. Goddess, she did not think she could wait, and she did not need to do things in the proper order.

Says who? Surely they would not be the first to mark each other before the Luna ceremony.

Although she did not know for sure, but given how her mate had been tempted to mark her since they met, she figured it might not be that big of a deal. Maybe it was flexible.

And to Aubrianne, if it was not that big of a deal, then she did not mind at all. He could mark her right now for all she cared.

She certainly would not choose to do things that way, ‘the right way,’ and experience it how it was supposed to be over having him now.

Not in this lifetime or the next. So as far as Aubrianne was concerned, she did not mind and would not hold it against him if he marked her before the ceremony.

She was ready to be claimed.

Nonetheless, the evening was terrific for Aubrianne, who was touring her mate's community. They all ventured to all the facilities, checking out where the Elites held their meetings.

They visited the community centre, where major town meetings were held. The training grounds, burial grounds, and hospital.

Though they did not venture to all the rooms, Aubrianne was impressed with the hospital and all the medical equipment it possessed to tend to any injury or have major surgery.

And somewhere in the hospital, Jane Doe's magic ignited evermore and continued its dance of life.

Meanwhile, Aubrianne gawked at her mate in amazement. He was genuinely resourceful. Rafael, who was leading the tour, had gushed about the changes for the better since Alpha Zayne took over.

That they no longer had scums hanging around, Alpha Zayne had completely cut ties with all his father's "risky" businesses and strived to keep the likes far away from his people.

These people, whom Alpha Zayne’s father messed with, were into some unspeakable activities, not limited to human trafficking and kidnapping female wolves for breeders and children for slaves.

Aubrianne grimaced, and anger flared. Maybe they needed to put a stop to them too. This was unjust. It was heartbreaking to hear, as she imagined them all being torn away from their families and kids being ripped away from their parents.

Young she wolves never getting the chance to meet their mate, thrust into bondage and forced to bear children.

And more and more, Aubrianne understood her mother’s decision to keep her away.

Nevertheless, those lone wolves banded together, refusing to live as humans, believing they were on top of the chain and humans should bow down to them.

They had and still harbour strong beliefs that they are far superior to mere humans and, as such, should be treated that way. Why do they have to hide? THEY should be the ones in power to lead.

Nevertheless, Aubrianne was proud of her mate for not falling into the trap of that type of arrogant thinking and instead stepping up and cutting all ties, freeing his community from their clutches.

And the more they toured and Rafael shared, the more Aubrianne's heart swelled with love and adoration for her mate.

They walked past the field where the bonfire would be held, where tents were being set up, wood was being cut down to size, music boxes were set up, the drum section was set up, fireworks were being prepped, and the fire pit was dug.

There was a lot of buzzing around, and the atmosphere was charged with anticipation and excitement. For what? Aubrianne did not know.

Aubrianne and Zayne walked hand in hand as they roamed the community. Basking in each other's closeness and the warm comfort it brings them.

On the tour, they even met more community members. Some expressed their happiness for them, and some said that they could not wait for the bonfire tonight.

Some even expressed that they could not wait for the Luna ceremony tomorrow night.

By the end of the tour, Aubrianne attempted to contact Jada again, but it went straight to voicemail.

Aubrianne and Alpha Zayne had been joined by the hip since her arrival. Only because they were unable to be away from each other any longer.

Mekhi was still missing in action, and Aubrianne hoped he would show up for the bonfire. She wanted to check in on him, but Zayne said he would come around.

A couple of hours later, the community started gathering out on the field for the bonfire as the sun had set.

During those hours they had to themselves, things got a bit tense between the lovebirds.

Aubrianne could not understand why Zayne was refusing to be with her.

While, Zayne, after their tour and when they came upon the field where they were preparing for the bonfire, could no longer deny his people's anticipation and excitement.

They wanted to uphold the tradition, and he wanted to do this for them. The way he saw it, after what they had been through, this was something he could do to bring some joy and happiness back into the community.

While simultaneously bringing home the blessings of the Divine Moon Goddess.

Mekhi was right. It really uplifted the people and gave them hope for the Divine Goddesses' blessings on the way forward.

As such, Zayne can no longer treat the Luna ceremony in such a casual manner.

And that meant, now he could not mark her before time and simply refused to risk it. He could wait another day for his people also for him and Aubrianne to be together.

However, Aubrianne was totally blinded by her need for her mate. She was blinded to Zayne's need to do this for his community, completely not grasping Zayne's explanation.

She simply could not see past it, or she refused to see past having her mate now. If he could not be intimate with her and not mark her, then mark her.

She does not mind. She still wondered what the big deal was.

"Listen." Zayne grabbed her shoulder, steadying her, and looked into her beautiful, mesmerizing brown eyes.

"I really need you to make it through this night unmarked for me and my people, please, Aubrianne." Zayne was pleading now, wanting her to grasp the importance of this.

"Whyyyy?" Aubrianne whined as she reached up to caress his face, and Zayne could not help but weaken in that moment. All his mate wanted was him. Her voice sent shivers of delight down his spine.

However, again, just like earlier, they were interrupted.

After all, Zayne was Alpha.

At this point, Alpha Zayne needed Aubrianne to understand its importance and hoped she would get a better understanding tonight at the bonfire.

While Aubrianne could not wait for this bonfire to be over to have one-on-one time with her mate, she hoped they could get past the elephant of him marking her that had taken up the space in their room.

Aubrianne tried Jada again as they were about to leave Zayne's home to join the others, and it still went straight to voicemail.

Aubrianne was not worried; she knew Jada was safe. However, she wanted to tell Jada they were having the Luna ceremony tomorrow, and if she could not make it, Aubrianne would settle for a video call.

But she would like Jada there somehow. So it was about more than just Mekhi for Aubrianne.

Walking out the door. Dressed in a light gray, long, flowing casual jersey dress with high slits on either side almost to her waist, dark gray leggings beneath, and a pair of gray sneakers.

While Zayne's look complemented hers in his dark gray T-shirt, light gray sweatpants, and gray sneakers.

Aubrianne sighed as she placed her phone in Alpha Zayne's back pocket. Zayne gazed at his amazing mate because he felt her frustration: "Still no luck?"