After Iris's speech, Jessica was introduced to the pack as Rickon's mate. Rickon wanted to introduce her, but Matthias did so since the two were still working on their issues. Jessica decided not to say anything because she still wanted to take it slow and overcome her trauma and trust issues. She wouldn't take him back unless he completed her conditions.

Afterward, Matthias explained Hecate's findings, and the pack listened intently. Matthias then warned everyone that the pack's village, where tourists went, would be closed until Derek was captured, and the Christmas festivities would be on hold. Everyone was disappointed but decided not to anger their Alpha. Everyone knew they were in danger, and they had to think of their safety. The males of the pack were to assist in finding Derek or guard the pack's territory. 

The meeting went on until the sun was setting. Iris and Jessica had the opportunity to meet more pack members until it was time for them to leave. Laura and Iris picked up the boys, who were asleep. With everyone together, it was decided that Jessica would still stay with Iris and Maverick while Rickon would stay with Matthias and Laura. The group split up and went to their places. Maverick, Iris, Jessica, and Asher arrived at the house. Jessica wasn't hungry and wanted to rest since she was still not feeling well after finding out about Andrea's death. No one complained, and the young woman went to the guest room. Iris then put Asher in his room and bed, where he slept peacefully.

Maverick walked behind them and watched the sight of Iris and Asher; it warmed his heart. It was a sight he always wanted to see, the love of his life with their child. He stilled momentarily. Although Iris admitted her feelings for him, there was always a possibility that anything could go wrong. His mind was interrupted when Iris gently patted him on the shoulder. "Maverick, let's get out. We wouldn't want Asher to wake up," Iris whispered. 

The duo walked out of the room and closed the door. They then walked to the living room, where the lights were still off. Maverick didn't feel like being inside the house, but he still felt hungry; an idea came to him. "Hey, want to make a little camp fire outside? We can make some hamburgers and hot dogs. It'll be fun and relaxing."

Iris smiled and agreed to the idea. Maverick went to the garage to get the wood and some blankets, while Iris went to the kitchen to get the pan and food. Then, the duo went outside to a path that gave them a reasonable distance where they weren't too far from the house. There, they laid out the materials. Iris began cutting the lettuce, tomatoes, and onions while Maverick prepared the wood and began the fire. Afterward, he helped set the pan by fire and prepared the meat and buns. The Beta began cooking the food, and Iris finished cutting the rest.

The two sat before the fire, enjoying the warmth as the night air settled. "You we e great in the meeting. Also, I m sorry you had to go through the outbursts from the pack."

"Please don't worry about it. I didn't expect everyone to be cheerful. I was a stranger to them, and whether you want to admit it or not, I have some blame for what is happening." Maverick looked like he would argue, but Iris raised her hand. "I am the reason why everything is happening, Maverick. I should've known him better but I ignored the red flags and now look at this."

Maverick sighed as he flipped the meat. He knew that it was pointless to argue with his mate. It was not her fault, but he couldn't convince her. "We can't change the past, but now, we can only focus on the present and future. I know that bastard will be caught, and he will pay for everything he has done." Some of the meat was finished cooking, and they were put inside a pan where he and Iris picked out how much they wanted. They also put on the toppings they wanted and began to eat quietly.

While eating, Iris couldn't help but wonder about certain things. She admitted her feelings to Maverick and knew he was worried for her. However, Iris didn't want to think negatively about the worst-case scenario; she wanted to think positively. "M-Maverick, when everything is done, what will happen next?"

The Beta swallowed a piece of his hamburger. "What do you mean?"

The young woman blushed. "Wh-What I mean is that, what is the plan for us? For Asher?"

"I meant what I said that I want to adopt Asher. He is slowly starting to open up to us, and I will also hire a speech pathologist to assist with his speech and language." Maverick gulped his hamburger and thought about the next thing to say. "I also want to begin my life and future with you. I want to do it the right and traditional way. I want you to be certain that I am the one you want."

"M-Maverick. I already told you that I-I love you. Even Derek never made me feel the way you do. I feel complete." Iris put her plate of food down and focused on him. "I-I want us to be more..."

"Iris..." Maverick's heart felt complete and happy; he would have the life he always wanted. He felt so grateful to the Moon Goddess and Ofelia that they had given him a second chance in life. "I also want the same thing."

The two looked at one another as the fire crackled. They motioned their faces closer to one another and kissed. They could taste the meat on their lips, but they didn't mind. Their tongues twirled with the other's in a passionate manner. They separated momentarily, looking into each other's eyes. The two kissed again, but Iris wrapped her arms around his shoulders this time, pulling him closer to her. Maverick wrapped his arms around her waist; the food was long forgotten, and the other meat was being burnt. 

Iris stopped the kiss as she was regaining her breathing. "I-I want you to make love to me."

Maverick's eyes widened; he didn't expect that from her. Not so soon. "Iris, are we going too fast? I mean..."

"I know, Maverick. Although I volunteered to help capture my crazy ex, there's always a possibility that something could go wrong."

"Don't say that, Iris!"

"I'm being realistic, Maverick. Anything could go wrong since Derek is unpredictable. However, I know you will do everything possible to keep me safe." Iris kissed the right side of his neck. "Still, if something were to happen, I at least want to feel your love for me, as I want you to feel mine." She gently motioned him down on the grassy ground as she sat on his waist. "Please Maverick." Iris gently touched his clothed chest.

Maverick's heart was beating rapidly at the current situation. He wanted her badly and to make love to her. The Beta couldn't deny the possibility of something going wrong, although he wouldn't let that happen. Iris looked determined on what she wanted. Maverick put his hands on her waist. "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Iris then began to dry hump him slowly; she felt his member. She blushed but already decided on what she wanted. "Maverick, I want you to feel good. I want to feel your love."

A low growl escaped Maverick's lips. Her humping on his member was making him slightly shiver in excitement. It had been so long since he had made love to another. After Ofelia's death, he did sleep around, but it was only to get rid of the pain. It made him realize that sleeping with random women made the hurt even more prevalent. Now, it was different; he had a woman he loved. "I-Iris, if you continue to do that, then I won't be able to control myself." His eyes widened more; he gasped when he saw Iris slowly taking her shirt off, exposing her black lacy bra and parts of her breasts. 

She stopped humping him and slowly undid her bra, exposing her Cup C breasts, making them bounce out. Her light brown nipples became erect as they were exposed. "Maybe that was the plan, my love." Iris began to take off his shirt; Maverick assisted her, exposing his muscular chest. The young woman couldn't help but marvel at his physique; not even Derek had so much muscle. The young woman then got a hold of his left hand and put it on one of her breasts. Suddenly, Maverick turned both of them around, making him on top and her beneath him. He then passionately kissed her again, and his chest touched hers; her breasts connected with his skin, making him erect.

The kiss was done, and Maverick didn't try to bother his excitement that was trying to rip through his pants. "Iris, you make go crazy for you. I'm giving you one last chance to decide. After this, I won't be able to contain myself."

Iris smiled as she reached down and touched his erect penis, giving it a gentle squeeze. "As I said, I want you to make love to me." That was it; Maverick assisted his mate to take off her pants as she did the same with his. Iris got so intense that she also took off his boxers, exposing his six-inch erect penis; veins were apparent. 

The sight made her wet, and Maverick could smell it. He then looked at her white underwear and slowly took them off, exposing her entrance and juices. "You're so beautiful and perfect, my beautiful mate." He then kissed her on both sides of her neck until his tongue trailed down onto her breasts, where he gently and slowly licked and suckled each nipple, making them more erect than they already were. Iris's moans echoed, and he then trailed down to her stomach until he got to her wet entrance. "You're already wet." Maverick knelt up as he got a hold of his erect penis. The sight of it made Iris want to do something to it.

"I am, but you're not." The young woman then sat up, confusing Maverick. She then lowered herself toward his penis, got a hold of it, kissed the tip, and slowly engulfed it in her mouth. He had a big girth, which made it a little difficult for Iris, but it didn't let it stop her. She began to bobble her head up and down while using her tongue to make it pleasurable for Maverick. 

The Beta never thought his mate would do something like this, but he should have known she had some experience. He growled at the thought of Iris and Derek, but that was the past. Now, he and Iris were the present and future. Maverick groaned as he felt her soft and warm mouth on his member; he was cutting it close. His heavy breathing indicated to Iris that he was ready; she stopped and laid back on the blankets. She spread her legs and felt her insides burning with desire. "Make me yours, Maverick. Make me your woman."

Her words were too much on him; he got her legs and pulled her closer to him. He lowered himself close to her entrance, got a hold of his erection, and placed the tip onto her entrance. Maverick then slowly entered her and felt her walls clenching onto him. He growled in pleasure as he was able to feel her pleasure spot. Iris gasped in pleasure when she felt him inside her; she moved her head back and forth in euphoria. "Ooooooh, Maverick, so big..." The young woman wrapped her legs around him.

"Mnnngghhh, Iris...so good." Maverick waited a little longer for Iris to adjust to his size. When Iris gave him the look, that was when he knew that she was ready. The werewolf bucked his hips upward and downward and repeated it slowly. Iris's moans echoed along with the fire, and he continued quicker. 

With every thrust, her breast gave a bounce, making Maverick brimming with desire. His thrust got faster and rougher; his tip collided with her pleasure spot, earning him a moan. Iris then motioned him to turn, which he did since he knew what she wanted. With him still inside her and she now on top of him, she began to take charge as she moved and bucked her hips up and down and sideways. Maverick groaned and arched his head back with pleasure; Iris knew how to move, and it made him want more of her.

Both lovers switched positions; their moans and groans echoed throughout the night. However, unknown to them, they were being watched from afar.