-Chapter Seven-
Self Love

"How are you feeling Gorgeous?"I shrugged as I brushed my teeth, "Normal I guess."

Braxton had to wake up early to head back to the pack house, so by default I woke up alongside him.

He smiled, "So I think it's safe to say your idea of having me bite you worked."

I rinsed my mouth and smiled at him, "I think I definitely enjoy your love bites."

"Is that so?" He said as he playfully took me in his arms and nipped at my neck before he kissed the same spot. "Well not to nitpick or anything, but why not just take my official mark last night?"

I sighed, I could tell my not taking his official mark to become the Luna had hurt his feelings.

"I want to say that I am looking forward to becoming your Luna and all that's associate with that, your official mark included..." I smiled softly, "but please try and see that I want your official mark to be done because it's something that happens naturally and not because I feel forced into taking it."

He looked at me as he took in my words so I continued.

"Look, I won't be in heat a week from now." I said with a more mischievous smile. "And let's just say I'm looking forward to another one of your intoxicating Love Bites."

"So what I'm hearing is you're giving me the green light to fully mark you as my Luna whenever it feels right AFTER your heat?"

I nodded and he kissed me, "then I'll look forward to it...and at least I can breath a little easier knowing you aren't in any more pain."

"About that." I said now, "Since I have your mark and my heat seems to have been taken away...do you think maybe I could go back to town?" I asked.

He sighed, "You know I want to give into your every request my Love...but humor me please, just one more day to ensure that your heat is fully gone."

I could give him that, I nodded and smiled, "Fine...but you better hurry back to me."He smiled and moved his hands from my waist and in turn took my hands into his, his thumb now lightly caressing my new mark on my inner wrist just along the bend just at the base of my palm.

My breath hitched in surprise at how his simple touch had ignited a blaze of desire instantly.

I had to lean forward and rest my head on his chest just to steady myself now.

"What's wrong Gorgeous?" He smirked handsomely.

I looked up into his darkened eyes, he was picking up on my arousal now."Mmmm, Please don't tease me Handsome."

He kissed me and then let go of my hand, "Alright...I really do have to go Love...But I will do everything I can to be back with you sooner rather than later so long as these council members get their business done early."

"When do they get into town?" I asked worried now.

He sighed, "This afternoon."

"You're nervous." I pointed out.

"It's the council members of course I'm never...I already know they're eager to see how we're progressing as a pack, and part of that is seeing where we stand in regards to You taking the proper steps in becoming my Luna...so, marking and in turn your Luna training..."

"Wait what?"

He rubbed the back of his neck now, "I'm sorry...I didn't know about Luna Training otherwise I would've told you sooner," He said as his ears turned slightly red now. "I mean thinking about it now it makes sense but I never stopped to think you'd have a lot to learn a bunch of stuff, but then my mom brought it up the night after your presenting."

I sighed, he was right...no he didn't tell me about any training I would have to do...but as he said, it makes sense. "And the council, what are we going to do from keeping them from getting upset with us?"

"They'll be upset with me Love, no you." He said.

I could tell he was trying to calm my worries but it only made me worry more that he'd be in trouble because of me.

"I can probably stall them from probing too deep, I can tell them I've marked you and we may be able to get away with the mark you have, but worst case scenario they'll want to see your Luna mark."

A slight panic set in. "W-what will happen if I don't have the Luna Mark or my training started?"

He shrugged, "I'm not too sure, most mates tend to mark the females early on in their relationship but if we can give them some dates it might appease them."

"Well" I nodded, "how about next weekend?"

"You sure about this?" He asked.

"Yeah." I said with full certainty

He smiled, "I'll do everything in my power to make sure you have the most romantic Luna marking ever Gorgeous, even if the condition are anything but romantic...now I really do have to go Love, I'll call you through out the day to check in on you."

"Please do, and keep me updated on the council."He nodded and kissed me one more time before he finally left.

It was early and I knew Val would still be asleep, so I decided to have a bath before I make my way down to start breakfast for us.

I let the water fill the tub as I grabbed a fresh towel and removed my robe before I got into the tub. When the water threatened to spill out I turned off the water, but I ended up letting some down the drain when the thought of vast amounts of water spilling onto the floor and me having to clean it became too overwhelming for me.

I let out a content sigh.

I really do love baths.

but I enjoyed them so much more with Braxton...

And as I thought about him I looked down at my wrist I could see the mark...at first it was something anyone could easy overlook, mistaking it as just the natural creases of my inner wrist...but if you looked closer you could see his teeth marks.

My mate was clever and thoughtful when marking my wrist as when he did bite down he bit with my arm extended meaning his bite went up in an almost 'u' shape point towards my palm and fingers...had he bitten me with my arm bent up his bite would've made a small 'n' shape pointing toward my elbow and it would have been much more noticeable...but he knew I wanted our marks to be special and not for the world to see...well not this one anyways.

I smiled and let my right index finger gently glide over the mark and as I did I had to close my eyes as Memories of last night consumed me.

My hands dropped into the water as that familiar lust filled me, only this time it was different, as if every single pore on my body were now pleasure receptacles and every move I made in the water felt better than ever.

I smiled.

The feeling was similar to when Braxton and I get carried away from time to time and his hands begin to wander.

Suddenly it felt as if every organ inside of me began to pulsate with want, no...need. And it was a strong need at that, and with every moment that I laid in the water doing nothin it seemed to grow more insatiable.

Soon I found my hands under the water mimicking the memory of Braxton's skilled fingers...the way he's grab my breasts, the way he'd rub my very sensitive core in a circular motion...so that's what I did.

I've never been one so wanton, and I'm basically a novice at self pleasure...but right then it didn't seem to matter as it felt amazing. Water splashed around as I quickened
my actions and even used my fingers to enter myself as well just like he does, puddles began to form outside of the tub as my body began to respond even more to my own touch.

I heard the sounds escaping me and I didn't care if anyone heard me, and without warning my full release sprang forward.

I remained completely still, only my chest heaving as my breathing attempted to even out. Once I seemed to be back to myself I removed the drain plug and got out of the tub. I pulled on my robe before I went straight to the linen closet and pulled out a couple more towels to clean up the mess I had made. I collected all of the towels and made my way downstairs.

I walked through the kitchen and made my way into the laundry room, I started the load and soon left.

"Morning."

I turned around to find my sister sitting at the island eating a bowl of cereal.

"Oh, good morning." I smiled...I knew I'd still be flushed from my orgasm.

"Sounds like it...is Braxton coming down too?"

I shook my head, "nah he left earlier, so you planning on staying today too?" I asked trying desperately to change the subject as I'd just revealed that I was masturbating upstairs.

"I really wish I could, but I guess Braxton talked to Ryder already and he emailed me this morning, he asked if we can set up a study session this afternoon to sort of I guess officially meet one another and go over my courses so he knows what we'll be working on, so I'm going to take off here pretty soon so I can shower and meet up with him."

"Oh...well I'm glad you two will be working together, Ryder really is a very dedicated student and he's also extremely intelligent so you are going to be working with the best of the best." I smiled.

She made a worried face, "great now I'm worried I'll look airheaded compared to him."

"Don't be ridiculous, you are smart Val, plus you two are going to school for different things and Ryder isn't some snob so I'm sure he wouldn't judge you like that."

"Thanks sis."

"Anytime." I sounded "and hey, whenever you want to get away and just chill out here just let me know, you're more than welcome to drop in."

She smiled, "I really do hate to cut it short H, I promise we'll hangout again soon."

"I'm already looking forward to it." I said, and I meant it, I knew having Valerie here would selfishly serve as a distraction.

My sister got up gave me a quick hug and then made her way to the guest room to collect her purse, once she was gone the emptiness looked over me...and I realized quickly that I couldn't just do nothing.