(Audrey’s POV)

    “Cassandra Stormhowl asked me to buy them.”

    Florian’s golden eyes narrowed at me with a meaningful nce. His lips curved into a slight smirk as he continued, “She said that if you want to pursue me, you must be ready to live together at any time and prepare these she-wolf necessities.”

    My ears burned with embarrassment. “There’s nothing like that between me and your cousin. I’m not pursuing her.”

    “I was referring to you pursuing me,” he rified with a chuckle.

    Oh Moon Goddess, the embarrassment was overwhelming. I tried to step back, but Florian swiftly wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close against his chest.

    “I missed you, Audrey,” he whispered, his voice suddenly serious.

    Before I could respond, he bent down and pressed his lips against mine. The kiss was brief but filled with emotion. When he pulled away, his golden eyes held mine intently.

    “Are you satisfied with our current status?” he asked. “Friends who can kiss and hug?”

    I couldn’t help butugh at his directness. “You’re such a rogue wolf, Florian Stormhowl.”

    I tried to break free from his embrace, but he caught my wrist, his expression turning more serious.

    “Define our rtionship, Audrey Winter,” he pressed, his thumb gently caressing the inside of my wrist.

    I raised an eyebrow, deciding to tease him. “Shouldn’t the pursuer take the initiative? Why rely on others to do the work?” His eyes widened slightly, and I seized the opportunity to change the subject.

    “Speaking of which, don’t you want to see your birthday gift?”

    I noticed something slightly unusual about Florian’s mood today. Despite his yfulness, there was an underlying intensity in his eyes, a hint of desperation I hadn’t seen before.

    “I’ll be right back,” I said, slipping out of his grip. “Wait here.”

    I hurried up to my territory den, retrieving the gifts I’d prepared earlier. When I returned, Florian was sitting on the sofa, his expression thoughtful.

    “Here,” I said, cing a long rectangr box and a paper bag on the coffee table in front of him.

    Florian raised an eyebrow. “Two gifts?”

    I nodded, trying to keep my expression neutral. “One I prepared in advance, and one I picked upst night.”

    “Which should I open first?”

    “You can only pick one,” I teased.

    “No,” he said firmly, a yful spark returning to his eyes. “I want both.”

    Without waiting for my response, he reached for the rectangr box first. He opened it carefully, revealing a neatly folded hunting shirt. The rich, deep brown fabric was adorned with an intricate wolf emblem I’d embroidered myself. It had taken me several nights of work, but seeing the appreciation in his eyes made it worthwhile.

    “You made this?” he asked, running his fingers over the embroidery.

    I nodded, suddenly shy. “Yes. Do you like it?”

    “It’s beautiful,” he said softly. “I’ve never received a handmade gift like this before.”

    He set the shirt aside carefully and reached for the paper bag. Inside was an expensive moonstone-iid watch I’d picked out the night before. The sleek design and color schemeplemented Florian’s mboyant and carefree style perfectly.

    Florian examined the watch with obvious appreciation. Then, to my surprise, he began removing the watch he was currently wearing.

    “Help me put it on?” he asked, holding out his wrist.

    I took the new watch from the box and fastened it around his wrist, acutely aware of his steady gaze on me. When I finished and stepped back, he suddenly grabbed my waist and pulled me into hisp.

    “The gifts aren’t enough,” he dered, his voice calm yet intense. “I want you, Audrey.”

    My heart skipped a beat. “What else could you possibly want?”

    “You,” he repeated, his golden eyes burning into mine. “Just you.”

    I swallowed hard, overwhelmed by his directness. I remembered Sarah’s advice about setting clear boundaries early in rtionships.

    “I…” I hesitated. “I’m on my moon cycle, remember?”

    Florian brushed his lips against my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “Be my mate, Audrey Winter.”

    My heart pounded against my ribs. After everything we’d been through, after the misunderstandings and separations, the request felt both terrifying and right.

    “Okay,” I whispered, cautiously.

    He chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest against mine. Then he kissed me deeply, passionately. I caught the faint scent of wolfsbane cigar smoke on his breath – a scent I hadn’t noticed before. It suggested he had been enduring some kind of hardship, perhaps using the cigars to calm his nerves.

    Florian’s kiss was both tender and passionate, as if he was pouring all his enthusiasm into me. He held me close, one arm around my waist, the other hand gently cradling the back of my head.

    Slowly, he maneuvered us to the sofa, deepening the kiss. His hand traced down my side, his touch bing increasingly intimate.

    I struggled for breath, feeling overwhelmed by the intensity of his affection. Sensing my difort, Florian paused.

    “Are you ufortable?” he asked, his breathing ragged.

    Then, seemingly remembering my moon cycle, he gave a frustrated chuckle. “The timing is not ideal.”

    “It’s not like I had a choice about when my moon cyclees,” I protested.

    His expression softened, emotion welling in his eyes. “I’m no stranger to waiting, Audrey. I’ve waited for you for twenty years.

    The sincerity in his voice touched me deeply. I reached up and caressed his cheek.

    “Florian Pup,” I said softly, using the childhood nickname I’d given him when we were young.

    He froze, his eyes widening with shock. “What did you just call me?”

    “Nothing,” I teased, a smile ying on my lips.

    “Say it again,” he demanded, his voice hoarse.

    I shook my head. “You always hated it when others called you that.”

    “You’re not ‘others,”” he countered, his gaze intense. “You’ve never been ‘others’ to me, Audrey.”

    His words warmed me in a way I couldn’t describe. For a moment, we were those young wolves again, free from theplications of pack politics and adult responsibilities.

    “Florian Pup,” I repeated, my voice hardly above a whisper.

    He smiled then – a genuine, unguarded smile that transformed his face, making him look younger and more carefree. In response, he began tickling my sides mercilessly.

    “Stop!” I gasped between fits ofughter, trying to squirm away from his yful attack.

    Just as I was about to retaliate, a howlmunication rang out, interrupting our moment. Florian sighed and reached for his pack device.

    “What is it?” he asked, his tone shifting back to the Alpha wolf I knew so well.

    I could hear Kevin’s voice on the other end, asking where Florian was and reminding him about the birthday celebration. “We’ll be there immediately,” Florian replied smoothly. “We were held up. I was with my mate.”

    My head snapped up at the word “mate.” Florian winked at me as he hung up, leaving his friend undoubtedly shocked on the other end.

    (Third-person’s POV)

    Kevin stared at his pack device in disbelief. Had Florian Stormhowl, the notorious bachelor of Central Territory, just referred to someone as his “mate”?

    Thest time Florian had shown interest in anyone had been Serena Shadowcrest – now known as Audrey Winter – and that had ended in heartbreak. Kevin had watched his friend suffer through her disappearance, her return, and her ultimate choice of Arthur Moonstone over Florian.

    Kevin pocketed his device with a frown. Knowing Florian, this was likely another of his casual flings – nothing serious, just a distraction from his true feelings.

    As he turned to rejoin the gathering, Kevin spotted Sarah Mitchell near the entrance, scrolling through her pack device. His expression immediately soured. This was the she-wolf who had challenged him at the Central Territory Business Alliance, using him of unfairness in rejecting Winter’s Remedy’s application.

    “Looking for another territory to invade?” he asked sarcastically as she approached.

    Sarah’s head snapped up, her eyes narrowing when she recognized him. “Oh, it’s you. The judgmental Beta who thinks two she -wolves can’t run a sessful healing practice.”

    “I never said that,” Kevin retorted, bristling at her usation. “I simply pointed out that your friend’s… inconsistent history suggests ack ofmitment.”

    “Inconsistent history?” Sarah repeated incredulously. “You know nothing about Audrey Winter or what she’s been through!” Kevin scoffed. “I know enough. She abandoned my friend once before. She’ll do it again.”

    A dangerous gleam entered Sarah’s eyes. “You’re basing business decisions on personal grudges. That’s hardly professional.”

    “It’s called loyalty,” Kevin corrected her. “Something your friend knows nothing about.”

    Sarah opened her mouth to deliver what was undoubtedly going to be a scathing retort, but Kevin continued before she could speak.

    “Tell your friend not to think Florian will wait for her forever,” he said coldly. “She should find someone else. Florian has a mate now.”