Chapter 229
HANNAH
A YEAR LATER
"Worchmount doesn't know what's coming for them."
Willa smiled. She spun around a little to show off her new, designer outfit with matching heels.
"Is that a good thing or a bad thing?" she said.
"Definitely a good thing," I replied.
Her smile grew a little sad.
"I'm going to miss you," she said.
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak at that moment. There was a lump in my throat and I had promised myself I wouldn't cry. I had been looking forward to this day and yet I had been dreading it too.
Willa and I had been close for so long. Now she was going to school in Worchmount miles away from home. I didn't know how I would live without her now. But I would try.
It was time for her to leave the nest. Time for her to grow and learn. To find a mate and love.
"Come home whenever there's any break," I told her.
She saluted. "Yes Luna." She suddenly pulled me into a hug. "I'll promise I'll bug you until you get tired of me."
I laughed as she pulled away. "How? You'll be thousands of miles away from here."
"You obviously don't know Willa then," Jace said.
Willa rolled her eyes at her brother. "I'm going to text you from the moment I get off the plane. We'll Facetime and then I'll show you my classes, my room. Everything! It's going to feel like you're there with me."
Jace groaned. "Please create time to study too. You aren't going to Worchmount to start a reality show."
Willa approached her brother with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes. "You know, that's not such a bad idea. A show like that at Worchmount will get me millions of followers."
"I honestly hope you're joking," Chase said, sounding a little alarmed.
I found myself giggling. You never knew with Willa. Now that Jace had planted the idea in her head, she might just decide to go through with it.
"Be good, kiddo," Jace said as he took her in his arms.
Chase elbowed his brother out of the way.
"My turn," he said.
Jace moved away, rubbing his arm and muttering something that sounded like 'grow up.'
"I heard that," Chase said and grinned at Willa who put her arms around him. "How old are you again? I can't believe a tiny thing like you is going off to college."
"You better believe it," Willa said, grinning back. She began to squirm. "And... ouch! Let go. You're squeezing too hard. I'm not one of your gym equipment."
Chase held on a little longer then let go. He waved a hand in Cade's direction and bowed deeply.
"Over to you, Alpha," he said with a teasing grin.
Cade ignored him and hugged his sister tightly.
"Stay out of trouble," he told her.
"And you make sure you make good decisions as Alpha," Willa said. "If you don't, I promise I'll write to the werewolf council. You know how annoying I can be. I have my eyes on you, Cade."
Cade made a face. "How come you never told dad that? Or warned him to be good?”
"That's because he was a good Alpha without even trying," Willa replied.
"We are good Alpha's," Jace said and everyone laughed.
"Yeah," said Willa. "That's true. You're actually all Alphas." She gave her head a little shake. "It will take me some more time to get used to that." She turned to me. "Good luck with these three."
"Thanks," I said.
Willa glanced at her watch, and sucked in a breath. "Oh shoot! If I don't hurry, I'll miss my flight."
She gave us hugs all round, hurried into one of the waiting cars which were stuffed with her luggage. We watched as the cars drove away and finally went out of sight.
Cade's arm slipped around my shoulder. "Worchmount really has no idea what's about to hit them."
I agreed. I hoped Willa would make a success of it, that she would be happy always.
I cried out when I suddenly felt my feet leave the ground. Jace spun me around, put me down and planted a loud kiss on my forehead.
"Finally!" he exclaimed. "We can do whatever we want without Willa butting in."
"Still within limits," I pointed out. "Remember I also have women to train. That's even apart from the others things I have to do as Luna now."
"Yea yea. But you've got to finish up sometime, don't you? After you're done, I'll be waiting. In your room," he added and cocked his brows.
"You won't be the only one waiting for her," Chase reminded him.
"And of course there will be me," Cade said. "At this rate, there'll be tons of little Wallace's in no time."
Jace shook his head. "No. No babies yet. Hannah has women to train and a book to write. The pack needs her more now."
"Fine," Cade said, taking my hand and leading me into the house.
******
"Mum!" I exclaimed, hurrying over to hug her.
She did and then held me at arm's length. "You look radiant, dear."
"You always say that every time you see me," I said.
"That's because it's true."
"Where's dad? He didn't come with you today?"
My mother sat, took a sip of the wine the maids had served her. Then she slowly and deliberately set it down.
Her lips twitched in amusement as she said, "He's out playing... golf."
"Golf!" I laughed. "Since when?"
"Since I told him he was packing on the pounds. I told him he had to get some exercise or I wasn't going to give him second helpings at dinner anymore.... so he opted for golf. I'm thinking of talking him into tennis, maybe."
I grinned. "Good luck with that."
She smiled fondly. "He was trying to emotionally blackmail me by pointing out how skinny he had been when he returned to the pack. I told him those days were long gone."
"Way to go, mum! Don't tell him I'm on your side though."
She touched my arm. "I heard a lot of nice things about the trainings you've been organizing for the women and all the other projects you're doing at the pack. It's all everyone talks about these days. I'm proud of you, honey. So is your father. We were talking about you last night. We just couldn't believe what a strong and confident woman we raised."
"Thanks, mum," I said with feeling. "I'm planning on doing more. Much more. I was given the gift of being the white wolf for a reason. I'm going to use that gift to help as many people as I can."
"I couldn't agree more, dear. You're doing the right thing. You were born to be a Luna. How else would you fit into the role so perfectly?"
"Thanks, mum," I said again.
"How are your mates? Where are they?"
I gestured vaguely outside. "They are around somewhere. I think Cade's in a meeting upstairs."
"And... they do have time for you?" she asked. "I know things can get really busy really fast, but in the midst of all that, you must still find the time to be with your mates."
I frowned. There was a note in her voice now that I didn't quite understand.
"I'm aware of that," I said slowly, feeling embarrassed. "It's not all work, you know. Lots of times we hang out. Jace has been teaching me how to paint. I'm not very good yet but I've been-"
"Hannah!" she said sounding half amused, half exasperated. "That was me asking if you four have been trying to make a baby."
I gaped at her and immediately remembered what Cade had said about having babies. "Mom!"
She raised a brow. "What?"
"Wait. Why does everyone keep asking me that and looking at me like they expect me to just... pop out a baby? I'm just 20!"
"And you're Luna."
"Huh? What does that have to do with anything?"
"Everything," my mother replied. "The continuity of the pack lies in your hands, sweetheart. You'll be expected to give your mates heirs. Little Alphas and Lunas." She smiled sweetly. "Frankly, I wouldn't mind a grandchild or two. Or three."
"I will give them to you, mum. I promise but not at this point. For now, I just want to enjoy the love of my mates."
******
"Who do you love most?"
I drowsily looked up at Jace. He was stroking my hair, clearly waiting for an answer to his question, a question he had asked so many times before that I had lost count.
I didn't answer. I traced a finger down his bare chest. I loved the way the slight sprinkle of hair on his happy trail curled around my little finger.
He grabbed my hand, kissed and held onto it.
"Keep doing that and you'll set my thoughts off in a whole other direction," he warned.
I pouted. "Whatever do you mean?"
He chuckled and then his face grew serious again.
"Answer the question, Hannah," he said softly.
"For Pete's sake, Jace!" Chase snapped from the other side of the bed. "Don't you ever get tired of asking that question? Drop it, will you?"
"I won't," Jace said and looked expectantly at me.
"You'll really like to know?" I said.
"Yes," replied Jace.
Cade raised himself on his elbows to hear better.
"Well, then I'll tell you." I knelt, spread my arms and let my fingers wander around all of their naked bodies. "I love all of you."
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