Chapter 9 - Goodbye to Pale Moon

The past week with Dominick had flown by for Kaleigh. They'd had a wonderful time spending every minute together. It was hard to avoid taking things to another level at times, but they had both been adamant about following their plan.

It was time to go to the White Raven Pack so Kaleigh could meet Dominicks' family, and she was beyond nervous. Kaleigh was scared they wouldn't like her and force Dom to reject her for a more appropriate Luna. She had decided that she would accept him as her mate if everything went well when she visited his pack.

Their time together had shown her how it would feel to be happy with Dom by her side. She never wanted to be without him again. They were lying in her bed; she was awake while he was still sleeping.

Kaleigh still feared the witches from the Dark Sphere finding her, but she took what Skylar said to heart and knew she had the power to defeat them if they came for her. A small part of Kaleigh wanted them to come after her so she could end them and not have that fear anymore.

"Kaleigh, sweetheart, what are you so worried about?" Dominick's sexy sleepy voice made her smile. Kaleigh hadn't told him she feared his parents wouldn't like her. It still amazed her that even though they had not marked each other yet, they could still feel the other's emotions.

"I'm worried that the Alpha and Luna won't like me. What if they tell you to reject me?" Kaleigh looked up into Dom's beautiful golden brown eyes with fear showing in her green ones. Dominick smiled and leaned down to kiss her softly.

"I told you, they are going to love you, Kaleigh. They're both excited to meet you. So put those thoughts out of your pretty head." Dominick held her closer to him and stroked her back while she breathed in his relaxing scent. She calmed down just by hearing his reassurance. Kaleigh was excited to see his pack. She had hardly been away from her packhouse other than for school and shopping.

"Alright, Dom, I will do my best to win them over." Kaleigh ran her hand over his smooth muscled abdomen the way she liked and flirted around with the waistband of his shorts. She heard him suck in his breath.

"Kaleigh, don't start something you can't finish. We said we would wait, but when you start playing these little games, it makes me want to throw that out the window and take you right now." Kaleigh smiled to herself. She liked to make sure she still had the same effect on him.

"Just making sure I can still get you hot and bothered. If everything goes well with your pack, can we speed up the process for our commitment ceremony? I don't know how long I can wait to mark you as mine. I don't like feeling jealous every time another female looks at you, no matter how innocent it may be." Dominick sighed when she looked up at him. He looked worried about something, and that concerned her. "What is it, Dom?"

"Speaking of jealousy, there is something you should know. When we go to my pack today, there will be a young woman who won't be happy I've found my mate." Kaleigh felt her blood run cold. Did he have a girlfriend he didn't mention?

"Is she your girlfriend or something?" Kaleigh couldn't keep the hurt out of her voice. Maybe when they get to his pack, he will change his mind and want to be with this woman who thinks she has a claim on him.

"No, Kaleigh, I told you I didn't have a girlfriend, and I haven't been with anyone in a few years. Her name is Amber, and she is the daughter of my father's Beta. Amber had been pushing my parents to force me to mate with her if I didn't find my mate by the time I was twenty-five. I never agreed to that, and neither did my parents, because I have always wanted my fated mate. Amber, however, rejected her mate and has been going around the pack telling everyone she will be the next Luna. I just wanted you to be aware that of everyone there, she will be the only one who will not be happy about you and me."

Dominick looked into her eyes while he talked, and she could tell that everything he said was the truth. That didn't make the weariness in her go away, though.

Kaleigh was angry that this woman would reject her mate and stake a claim on Dominick. She wasn't jealous because she could tell Dom had no feelings for this woman, but she was upset that Amber may try to make trouble for them.

"I just have one question, Dom." Kaleigh looked up at him with a little smirk on her face.

"What's that?" He asked, amused.

"Can I kick her ass?" Dominick was so shocked he busted out laughing.

"You could definitely kick her ass. She is more into getting her hair and nails done than training. I'm sure you will have no problem setting her straight." Kaleigh laughed at him while wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Well, if the ass-kicking doesn't work, I can always put a spell on her to mute her. I have never met her, and I don't know what she looks like, but I can already tell her voice will get on my nerves." Dom laughed as he pulled her closer to him so he could kiss her. He loved this woman already. Even if he hasn't said the words to her yet, she has captured his heart and soul. There would never be another woman for him, and if Amber tries to make trouble for Kaleigh, he will ban her from the pack for attacking her future, Luna.

"Kaleigh, are you ready to pack our stuff? I want to leave after breakfast if that's okay. The sooner we get there, the sooner I can claim you as mine in front of the world." They were still in bed, holding on to each other and kissing.

"Alright, Dom, let's get this show on the road. I will be ready to go after breakfast." They kissed once more before getting up.

Kaleigh had packed most of her things already. She just had to pack up her toiletries and other necessities. Kaleigh decided to wear a pair of white jeans with a black sweater and black ankle boots. She carefully did her hair, leaving it in long silky waves down her back.

Kaleigh scrutinized herself in the mirror, she felt that she was too tall and not feminine enough, but she had never cared. Now that she was Dominick's mate and was trying to impress his pack, she felt self-conscious. She gave herself one last look in the mirror before walking out. Dom was sitting on the sofa in blue jeans with a black leather jacket over a white t-shirt. He stood up and took her in his arms when she reached his side.

"You look beautiful, Kaleigh." She almost laughed out loud. Next to him, she probably looked like an awkward freak, but she didn't care. As long as he wanted her, that's all that mattered.

"You don't look so bad yourself there, handsome."

Dominick smiled when he saw his mate. He knew she didn't realize how alluring she really was. She showed off all her best assets in those white fitted jeans and tight sweater. He couldn't wait until he could touch every inch of her beautiful body. He grabbed her two suitcases and his, and they headed out the door. After loading his truck, they went back to eat breakfast in the packhouse dining hall so that Kaleigh could say goodbye to her family. They sat down with Alpha Randal and Luna Leila.

"Kaleigh, dear, are you packed and ready to go?" The Luna asked after they sat down.

"Yes, I have everything I want to take. If I decide to stay there, I will come back for everything else later." Kaleigh smiled at her aunt. She was already feeling a little homesick going into the unknown. When she looked over at Dom, those feelings went away. Home would be wherever he was.

"Okay, whatever you want, you know we are here for you. At least you won't be that far away, and Allie will be there with you once they return from Hawaii. Is there anything I can do for you before you leave?" Leila directed her question to both Kaleigh and Dominick. She could already see in Dominick's eyes that he was head over heels for Kaleigh, but she was glad he was willing to go slow. The couple looked at each other and smiled. It was Kaleigh that answered.

"No, we don't need anything. We will want our commitment ceremony pretty quick. Can you both come to that when we have it?" Leila and Randal looked at each other in surprise. They had picked up on Kaleigh saying when and not if.

"Kaleigh, of course, we will be there. You're like a daughter to us. Young man, I expect you to treat my niece with the utmost respect. If one hair on her head gets hurt, we will rain hell down on your pack. Do we understand each other?" Alpha Randal was not a big man, but Dominick could see he was all business and cared about Kaleigh very much.

"I understand, Alpha. Kaleigh will be safe with me. I will never hurt her." Randal nodded his head at Dominick and then smiled at Kaleigh.

"Alpha, you know I can take care of myself. I'm not a piece of fragile glass that can be broken on a whim." Kaleigh was shocked by her usually quiet uncle's words, but they warmed her heart.

"I know you can, Kaleigh. You can take down just about everyone in this pack. I promised your parents I would always look out for you, and I plan on keeping that promise." Kaleigh stood up and walked to the other side of the table where he was sitting. He stood up as well, and they gave each other a long hug. She hugged her aunt next. Kaleigh knew she would miss them, but this was something she needed to do for herself. She was tired of hiding in fear and was ready to face it head-on.

After quickly eating breakfast and saying their final goodbyes, they headed away from the Pale Moon Pack in Dominick's truck. Kaleigh was nervous yet excited at the same time. Dominick told her the ride wouldn't take long.

The White Raven Pack was only about an hour away. It was located deep in the Sierra Nevada mountains. The terrain was rough and required trucks to get there. As they drove deeper into the mountains, Kaleigh couldn't get over the peacefulness that came over her.

There was nothing but snow-tipped mountains and trees as far as the eye could see. Kaleigh was used to living in the mountains, but this was deeper than she had ever been. Even when she let Skylar out for a run, they typically stayed right around the Lake Tahoe area.

There was still some snow on the ground deep in the mountains, and the temperature was slightly cooler here. Kaleigh scooted over in the truck until she was sitting against Dominick. His touch and scent calmed her nervousness immensely.

Dominick was surprised when Kaleigh moved over to sit right up against him, not that he was complaining. He loved touching her in any way possible. Her scent was intoxicating, and being close to her made him feel like he was swimming in it.

Dominick was excited to show her off to his pack, especially his parents. His dad's Beta may be upset that he found his mate meaning there was no way he would ever mate Amber, but he didn't care. Dominick never had any intention of mating her anyway.

He knew Kaleigh could protect herself, but he didn't want Amber to put a bad taste in her mouth about the rest of the pack. He had told his parents to make sure Amber knew he found his mate so she wouldn't make a scene, but that probably wouldn't make a difference. Drama was her middle name.

As they got close to the pack grounds, he could hear the howls of the guards alerting the Alpha that they were coming. They passed a few smaller houses before pulling up to the large packhouse. Dominick was proud of their packhouse.

Dominick was excited to show Kaleigh around, but his heart sank as they pulled up to the house. Next to his parents was Amber looking like she was ready for a fight. He could see her dad trying to talk to her, but she pushed him away and stomped toward the truck when it stopped.

"Kaleigh, that girl coming towards the truck is Amber. Do you want to wait here while I deal with her?" Dominick would leave it up to her.

"Hell no. I'm your mate. Let's make sure she understands that you are mine." Dominick helped Kaleigh out of his side since she was already in the middle. As soon as her feet touched the ground, Kaleigh wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a long kiss right in front of everyone watching. They could hear Amber growl under her breath.