Today was a wonderful sunny day. As I ate dinner with my friends, I couldn't help but feel content with how things were moving on. Asra entered my line of vision, giving me a small smile as he approached. I gently placed my drink back down, raising my eyes to meet his.
It had only been a day since we mated, and I couldn't get enough of staring at him.
"Hi." I smiled as my mate stopped before.
Asra smiled, locking his eyes onto mine. "Hi. Have you finished your food?"
I nodded. "Yeah, why?"
"We need to have a talk in my office."
"Ooh..." Mya drawled.
I shot her a glare, but it just caused her to snicker into her hand.
"We do?"
"We do."
"Now?"
"Yes, now."
"Oh, okay." I shrugged.
He chuckled, leaning closer to kiss my temple. I flushed at the sweet gesture before saying a quick goodbye to Eve and Mya. Asra's hand settled on the small of my back as he gently guided me toward his office.
Once inside, he shut the door behind us and I slowly slid myself into a chair before his desk.
"So..." I hummed, looking around.
Asra's footsteps carried him around the room, his broad figure coming round to sit beside me. I quirked an eyebrow about the fact he didn't sit in his desk chair, but when his hand wrapped around mine, I knew it was something personal.
"Why are we in your office?" I wondered.
"It is soundproof."
"And... we need that?" I gulped.
Is this the part where he finally kills me?
He chuckled, shaking his head at me in amusement. "It is time we talk about your role here."
"My role?" I quirked an eyebrow. "So soon?"
"Full of questions today, aren't you?" He sassed, squeezing my hand. "But yes, now you are a claimed female, you are officially mine."
I tried to hide the blush, to repent the butterflies that flittered in my stomach, but they burst open with a fervour. I had never enjoyed being called property, but something about how Asra said it made my insides feel like mush.
"Oh?" I mumbled. "I am, am I?"
He growled softly, bringing my hand to his mouth to nip the skin. "Yes."
"Sucks to be you." I clicked my tongue, smirking.
Asra chuckled, releasing my hand. "Where shall we start?"
"My roles, right?"
"Right." He nodded, getting up to go sit at his desk.
I watched him as he sat down and pulled out a notepad and pen from a drawer. He passed it to me and I hummed before dragging my chair closer so I could lean against his table if I needed. He still towered over me slightly, those midnight eyes watching my every move.
"Right." I imitated. "What now?"
His eyes glimmered with amusement as he pulled out another piece of paper, this time with information sprawled across it. I tried to get a glimpse, to see what his penmanship was like, but he pulled it away with a cheeky growl.
I huffed. "Get on with it. I have places to be."
"Oh, really?" He mused. "Is that place somewhere involving work?"
"Maybe..." I mumbled, looking away.
"You will have more roles now. I will read to you the basic luna ones, and you tell me what you would find interesting." He explained.
"And what if I don't like most or all of them?" I cocked my head, frowning.
"I think you will like at least half." He responded casually.
I hummed, my interest peaked. "Okay then, Alpha. Please go on."
Over the course of an hour-yes, an hour-Asra guided me through the various tasks and roles of being a luna. I hated to admit it, but I did like quite a few.
"So... I get to arrange parties?" My eyes widened with delight. "The décor, the food, the company?"
"Yes." He chuckled. "I will help with the guest lists, of course."
"What else?" I beamed, writing it down.
"You can set dinners for the weeks with the chefs, but you already do that." He narrowed his eyes.
I grinned, shrugging it off. "Fit for the role, I say."
"Help in the nursery with pups, care for women and pups when they need it."
"Pups? I have seen no pups here..." I frowned.
"There hasn't been a pup born in about eight years." He shrugged. "Not a lot of mate pairings in my pack."
I hummed a reply, waiting for him to continue.
"Luna's are required to learn medical training to assist in the event of a war, injury or birth."
"I am?" My eyes widened.
"It is an honour for a pack member to have their Luna look after them. You are the heart of the pack, Ailia."
The heart of the pack? Now that was just absurd.
He scowled at the snort that escaped me, and I hesitated, unsure of what to say.
"What is it?"
I sobered up. "How am I, the human stranger, the heart of a pack?"
He sighed, running a hand down his face. "A luna is the alpha's mate, right? She is the shoulder to cry on, the leader of hearts and emotions. She guides the pack, guides her alpha, she supports us all. Many think that lunas are blessings from the Moon Goddess to watch over them. Many think they are a friend. A luna is simply a leader, someone who takes another's hand and shows them the way. How the moon guides you through the dark."
I fell silent, watching the truth conveyed in his eyes. The more he spoke, the more the heavy weight of dread washed over me. My shoulders sank, a frown falling upon my lips as his words sunk in. How was I supposed to lead people? Me?
"You are strong, Ailia. You have proven it on the training grounds, but I know you are strong on the inside. Sometimes, people just need someone to talk to. Being a luna doesn't have to be scary. You would not be my mate if the Moon Goddess did not destine you to be here."
Destiny.
Such a strange subject.
I still can't wrap my head around the whole concept of it all.
"It has taken me this long to get you. I don't see how welcome the pack will be." I muttered.
He sighed, taking my hand across the table again. "They already see you as luna the moment I lay my claim on you. You are Goddess blessed, Ailia. This is who you are meant to be."
"What if I don't want all of that responsibility?" I whispered.
"Then..." He inhaled deeply, looking down at the paperwork. "We start slow. We have all our lives to find out what you like to do, okay?"
My chest warmed, and I flipped my hand over to squeeze his in return. I know how much he enjoys reassuring touches and giving them, his love language loud and clear. So, I conveyed to him an acceptance with a simple squeeze of my fingers.
"Okay." I nodded.
He beamed, kissing my knuckles before letting go. "Now, being luna means you get to manage stock and job roles, but also help with wages."
My eyes lit up, no longer worried about the luna roles. "Wages you say?"
He chuckled. "I thought you would like that one."
"Can we get started on that one now?"
"We can take notes..." He grunted. "You will need to be updated with our finances before you make any decisions."
I frowned, but otherwise nodded. He was right, of course. I couldn't jump the gun when I didn't know how much things cost and how much the pack brought in. However, having the go ahead was a start.
Perhaps being a luna wouldn't be so bad if I could make things easier for the people that lived and worked here.
"Is that everything?" I wondered.
"For now." He nodded. "I believe you need to have a word with a certain someone."
"I do?"
A light knock came to the door that startled me, a frown pulling at my mouth. Asra gestured for me to open it, and with sudden nerves, I rose from my chair. He seemed calm about it, a small smile teasing his lips. Pulling open the heavy door, I was face to face with none other than Piper.
"Hey..." I breathed.
"I came to say goodbye."
My eyes widened as tears immediately threatened to spill. "Already?"
"It's afternoon." She shrugged, laughing sadly. "My car is arriving for three."
With wide eyes, I desperately searched for a clock.
I had half an hour.
My lower lip wobbled as I pulled Piper into my arms. "You're not allowed to go, remember?"
A lone tear dripped down her cheek. "I told you I would visit and we can always call each other."
"Who am I supposed to have breakfast with now?"
"Well, Asra seems to take good care of you." She waved his direction with a smirk.
I laughed, blinking through the emotions. "Well, let's go have one more coffee on the porch before you go, okay?"
Smiling up at me, Piper nodded. "Let's do it."
***
A few days later, I found myself back in Asra's office. I was in the middle of making lunch when he barged in and claimed he had to speak with me. It didn't impress me, and I had half a mind to make him sleep on the floor tonight. Wehad been to the doctors and requested my birthing pills. They were not suppliedhere and had to be ordered in, but even so, I couldn't start them for another tendays.
Damn wolves.
I had thrown myself back into work after Piper left, unable to find anything else to keep me occupied. She had become another part of me in the couple of months since being here, but we had extended her stay too much. They expected her to find a mate so her father could retire, and without one, the title would have to go to someone else.
Piper didn't want that for her pack.
So now she was hours away in another pack. Without me.
Dramatic, I know.
I finally had a best friend, and she was leaving me.
I made sure to take in her every feature before she left so I could note them in my mind. Our hug lasted too short, our tears pooled and saturated too many tissues. It was a heartfelt goodbye. The time we spent together had been surprisingly wonderful, considering her original purpose here.
"Sorry again." Asra interrupted my thoughts. "But I figured you needed to know about this as soon as I did."
"It better be important." I sighed, his office door closing behind us. "I'm in charge today."
"Oh, it is." He smirked.
I eyed him curiously, a million thoughts running through my head. It had only been three days since we mated. What could've possibly gone wrong in that time?
"We have been invited to an evening with the head alpha." He explained, sliding me a soft paper envelope.
The head alpha? Continental alpha number one?
I opened the envelope, running my finger along the wolf wax emblem. Inside was a simple white piece of thick paper, neatly folded three times. I unwrapped it, curiosity burning me.
Dear Alpha Asra Zenith of Cardinal Pack.
I cordially invite you to a grand celebration of life; the birth of my second child!
13th July 6pm in the Grand Hall.
We welcome you and your help for a one-night stay in our own home.
Yours Sincerely,
Alpha and Luna Augustus Black
P.S. Congratulations on your mate-ship. I look forward to meeting your new luna.
The rest of the page was full of intelligent penmanship, detailing the address and formal attire. I swallowed thickly, looking up at Asra with a sudden sense of dread.
"We have to go?"
"Of course." He nodded. "It will be disrespectful if we don't."
"Can't we just say I am sick?"
"They will expect me to give you my blood, like a fit mate." He mused. "Do you now want to go? I thought you liked parties?"
"Ones I control." I frowned. "They have paraded me as jewellery more times than I care to admit."
He grumbled softly, taking the invite from my hand. "You are not a trophy, Ailia. You are my equal, my mate. Nobody will think lowly of you."
"But I am human."
"So?" He grimaced. "You think they will get their opinion past me?"
I couldn't help but smile as he puffed out his chest to appear larger, the male never failing to amuse me.
"Okay, big guy, I get it." I smiled softly. "So... three weeks' time, hey? Better get me a dress."
He grinned. "Glad you came round to it. Take Eve with you. I fear for Mya's opinion of you in a dress."
"Scared she may steal me?" I teased.
He narrowed his eyes. "I wouldn't put it past her."
Laughing, I shook my head at him. "I am a mated female now. I will have you know."
He grinned slyly. "Oh, yeah?"
"Yep." I smirked.
"How can I be so sure? You don't smell like one."
I cocked my head. "I don't?"
"No, you smell very... bare. Perhaps you just need some help to boost your smell."
I squirmed in my seat. "Help? What kind of help?"
"Why don't you take off your dress and find out?"
*********
Welcome back!!!!
I hope you enjoy book 2 as much as book 1!!!