Forsaken by the Moon Goddess novel Chapter 53

Bennett

I had every intention of quickly saying hello to my friends and family and then getting back to Sloane. My mother, however, had other, not so subtle, plans.

“Benedict, you can’t just run off! I’ve invited some of our allies to come early to watch you graduate. You must come say hello. They’re just outside.”

Bethany had given me a look which told me everything l needed to know before I walked outside with my parents.

Before leaving the auditorium, I looked to make sure Sloane wasn’t searching for me. I nearly snarled out loud when I saw her hugging Alpha Will. I had no idea he was coming tonight. I watched, longer than was appropriate, to make sure he didn’t try to kiss her.

When I stepped outside, I realized that my mother had indeed invited several of our allies to come to my graduation. Every single one of them are Alphas who have eligible daughters near my age.

“Benedict, you remember Alpha Stephanie?” my mother says.

“Of course. How could I forget?” I say congenially. These are our allies, and I want to keep them that way, but I have no intention of spending the evening chatting with these women.”Oh, Benedict. Don’t act like the two of you are strangers!

These are our allies! You’ve practically grown up together.

Give the woman a hug.”

Stephanie gives me a demure smile, then opens her arms.

I could kill my mother. I know she’s doing this intentionally.

“Congratulations, Alpha. I hope it’s alright that your mother invited us to come early and stay the weekend for all your festivities.”

“Of course. It’s good to see you.”

It went like that with Stephanie, her sister, and the two other Alphas daughters, making it five women whose scents are going to be on me when I finally get back to Sloane.

“Well, I’m sorry to cut this short …” I begin.

“Benedict, I’ve prepared a party back at the pack to celebrate. It’s a post-graduation, pre-Alpha ceremony celebration,” my mother says, giving me a satisfied look.

“I’m sorry mother. You are well aware that I have other plans this evening. You’ll have to have the party tonight without me,” I say, making the smug look fall from her face. I turn back to the Alpha females watching me. “I do apologize. But my plans were pre-made and can’t be broken. I will see you all tomorrow night at my Alpha ceremony,” I say, then turn and walk away before my mother can attempt to waylay me again. ‘BENEDICT!’ my mother hisses in the mind link.

‘If you ever do that to me again, mother, you can find somewhere else to live, I snarl back at her.

I feel her jerk at my words as | jog back into the auditorium, only to find it empty.

I turn, as.my heart sinks. Did she leave? Even worse, did she leave with Alpha Will?

I saw her walking out to the parking lot about twenty minutes ago,” Bethany mind links me.

I race out to the parking lot, hoping beyond hope that she’s waited for me. When I see her leaning against my car, everything inside me relaxes.

“Sloane!”

She turns and looks at me with the same relief in her eyes that I feel inside me that she’s still here.

I race up to her and pull her into a hug. I feel her body tense and I’m sure she smells the she-wolves scent on me, but she doesn’t pull away, and I take that as a win.

After apologizing for taking so long, I help her into the car.

I’m so excited to have an entire night with Sloane. It isnt just about the sex, although I am hoping that’s part of our night. But I just love being with her. I love how relaxed I can be around her.

“You look absolutely gorgeous tonight,” | tell her, takingher hand as I pull out of the parking lot. “Are you hungry?

I thought, since I had to get the Presidential Suite, that we could order room service. What do you think?”

She smiles at me. “You do realize that you don’t have to wine and dine me, right? Kd be fine with a burger and fries.”

“I’m pretty sure a burger and fries are on the room service menu,” I say. “It’s just that the view from that room should be pretty spectacular.”

It better be for the price I’m paying.

“Room service sounds good. I wouldn’t mind getting out of these shoes. I’m not used to wearing heals.”

She takes the key. When we get in the elevator, she slides the key into the slot and the elevator begins to rise.

“Is it ridiculous for me to say I feel like a queen?” she asks softly.

“You are a queen. Or, at least, you should always be treated like one.”

She wraps her arms around my neck. “Thank you for tonight.”

“The night is just getting started.”

” know, but I don’t want to forget to tell you how much l appreciate what you’ve done for me. No one has ever done anything like this for me,” she says, blushing softly.

Okay, it doesn’t matter how expensive this room was, it’s worth it for her to look at me the way she’s looking at me right now.

I gently press my lips to hers. I’ve barely had time to enjoy the kiss when the elevator doors open. I walk into the room and stop.

“Damn!””Holy Mother Moon Goddess,” she says.

The elevator opened into the main room where one entire wall is sliding glass doors with blinds that have been opened completely. Inside, the lights are dim. Outside, the city lights are twinkling like stars.

I set Sloane on her feet as we both just gape. The room is fantastic. It’s huge, and open, and in the distance, we can see the forest where we live.

“Benedict, this is incredible,” Sloane murmurs as she pulls off her shoes. I couldn’t agree more.

I take her hand and we walk onto the balcony that looks out over the city below us.

1 pull her in front of me and wrap my arms around her as we look out over the city.

“Happy graduation, Sloane,” I murmur in her ear.

“Happy graduation, Benedict.”