Chapter 71
“What happens at the Luna ceremony Daniel?” I asked sternly.
“Do we really need to talk about this now?” He asked, as he threw the sweats on the bed and stomped over to my draw. I folded my arms, refusing to give in, I needed to know what was expected of me. “It’s really not a big deal, they give you a crown, okay? It’s not like an ancient, expensive crown, in our pack we use wildflowers and twigs. It’s symbolic, nothing more and no need to freak out over.” He argued as he pulled out one of the nighties and the sweats, he had bought me. “Nightgown or sweats?” He asked, grumpily.
“Okay, first of all, I didn’t say a symbolic crown scares me, leading people whose religion and traditions I know nothing about scares me. Secondly, that is not everything that happens in a Luna ceremony, or you wouldn’t be so defensive, so what aren’t you telling me?” I yelled as my frustration grew.
“We don’t have to do it; I don’t think any packs do it anymore. There’s a tradition after our vows, and you’re crowned... that the Alpha and Luna, go and try to conceive the next heir. But we don’t have to do that. It’s fallen out of fashion, and wedding ceremonies have become more popular, we didn’t have weddings, being mated was enough but over the past decade or so, people want to celebrate finding their mate.” He rapidly ran through everything, slightly panicked about how I would react.
“Do you want to do that? Leave the ceremony to try to impregnate me?” I asked, I kept my tone calm.
“I don’t want to do anything you’re not ready for. Do I want kids? Yes, I’m not going to pretend I don’t, but am I ready for them right now? I don’t know. On the one hand, I love you and I think we would have beautiful pups, er babies, whatever. But on the other hand, I only just met you, and I want to enjoy it just being us for a little bit before we add a baby to the mix... does that make sense?” I could help but laugh, he was obviously worried about me freaking out. I took a few steps towards him and kissed him softly.
“It makes sense, I want to enjoy it just being us too, for now anyway.” I smiled at him.
“So, you do want pups? Er- I mean babies?” He asked, as he threw my clothes down beside his and wrapped his arms around me.
“Maybe, I don’t know yet.” I replied as honestly as I could, I loved Daniel, but I had real, deep fears about being a mother, and of being left to raise a child alone like my mother.
“So, we don’t do that part of the ceremony, it’s really not a big deal.” He said as he kissed my forehead. “I’m happy to go at whatever pace you’re comfortable with.”
“You’re sure it won’t cause anymore issues? I don’t want to get through another tribunal, all this drama with Owen, only to have it cause uproar when we don’t have kids right away.” I mumbled grumpily.
“It might ruffle a few feathers, especially with the older members, but it’s not unheard of for an Alpha and Luna to wait to produce an heir. It’s becoming more popular to wait, I know a few Alphas that have mated but not had pups yet, the elders will get over it.” He said nonchalantly, which only made me more nervous.
“You don’t know that. You didn’t think there would be an issue with our relationship, and now I’m having to go through all this tribunal nonsense. What’s to say people won’t try another coup or put me through another tribunal if we don’t have kids right away?” I asked, I searched his eyes for the truth.
“Because apart from my mother, no one has said anything to Ben and Maria.” He sighed exasperated. “When I became Alpha, they should have tried to get pregnant, so if I died before finding my mate, the pack would have an heir, as tradition dictates. But they told the elders they would have kids when they were ready, and no one batted an eye. So, I’m not worried about us taking a year or two or whatever to have kids, we will go at our speed and the pack will adjust. Now, sweats or nightgown? And don’t think I’ve forgotten about your promise of lingerie, I was just too impatient to wait for you to change.” He whispered, he wriggled his eyebrows suggestively, making me laugh.
“I believe part of that deal was that you would get to decide.” I giggled, as I ran my hands up his bare chest and around his neck. He nuzzled my neck playfully, before groaning.
“Food first.” He ordered and adjusted himself as he headed for the bed and his sweats. I grabbed the nightie, threw my towel in the hamper and slipped the silky material over my skin. I heard him clearing his throat behind me, I turned to look at him, his towel visibly tenting.
“What?” I asked innocently.
“How am I supposed to focus when you keep walking around naked and looking so sexy?” He asked seriously.
“You chose the nightie!” I replied indignantly.
“Yeah, but I didn’t think it would look that good on you.” He mumbled as he pulled on his sweats.
“I’m gonna take that as a compliment, despite the tone. I’ll meet you in the kitchen?” I asked, offering him time to calm himself down.
“You’re not leaving this room like that!” He growled.
“Excuse me?” I asked, gearing up for a fight.
“Please? Just wear my robe, the warriors are going to be doing shifts patrolling the grounds, to make sure you’re safe. I don’t want any of them seeing you in that. For my peace of mind, please?” He asked, he looked exhausted, I knew the coup and everything with his uncle had been stressing him out, but I saw the result of it for the first time.
“Fine, I will wear the robe, but next time ask, don’t order me around. And I’m putting that dressing on your back.” I told him as I slipped his robe over my shoulders.
“Thank you, and I will, ask next time. I’m sorry, I don’t like the way some of the males have been looking at you.” He said lowly.
“Who? I’ve barely met anyone, and looking at me like what?” I asked completely oblivious.
“Kyle Henry, I saw the way he blushed when you thanked him and the way he looked at you. I mean look at you, every man here would be stupid not to want you!” He almost yelled.
“Alright, but who cares, I’m not looking at them, so why do you care?” I asked him, I was getting frustrated with his possessiveness.
“I care! I don’t want them looking at you like that! I don’t want them thinking about you like that! And I’m worried one of them will try and act on those thoughts. We are animals, much more so than humans, and we have no idea what activates your powers, so we don’t know if you’d be able to protect yourself. What if I’m not there to protect you?” Daniel cried, he was flipping out, and clearly panicked.
“Okay, first of all, Kyle Henry would never act on anything, the poor boy can barely look at me. Second of all, my powers seem to be tied to my emotions, so I’m sure that if I was in trouble, I would be fine. And thirdly, you already said you’re not letting me out of your sight, so you are always going to be in screaming distance, and I can generate a pretty good scream when properly motivated.” I teased, as I nudged him softly. He laughed and raised his eyebrow suggestively.
“Oh, I know you can!” He chuckled; he pulled me onto the bed with him and captured my lips with his, his tongue invaded my mouth, and his fingertips grazed my bare thighs. I pulled back slightly.
“Our food is going to get cold,” I whispered; I climbed off the bed to the sounds of his frustrated groans. I stopped at the foot of the bed and offered him my hand; he took it with a sigh and followed me out of the bedroom. My stomach rumbled the moment we got downstairs, the amazing smell of whatever Kathy was cooking made my mouth water. We walked into the kitchen to see the table had been set, fresh warm bread was in sitting in the middle of the table. Besides it was a large bowl of salad, Kathy brought over two bowls of what smelt like heaven.
“Freshly made, beef, ricotta and spinach ravioli with a tomato, basil and mascarpone sauce,” Kathy announced, as she backed away from the table. “I’ll be heading home now if that’s all Alpha?”
“Yes, thank you for staying Kathy, and the food, it’s above and beyond. I appreciate it.” Daniel said sincerely, which obviously shocked the poor woman and almost brought her to tears again. She could only nod as she grabbed her purse and headed for the front door. I squeezed Daniel’s hand, to silently let him know he had done the right thing before I grabbed the dressing the doctor had left. I gently placed it over Daniel’s wound as he grumbled about not needing it, he then served our salads while I washed my hands at the kitchen sink.
I was lying on the bed after eating far too much of Kathy’s amazing cooking when Daniel came back from brushing his teeth.
“What’s wrong?” He asked concerned. “You’re not brushing your teeth?”
“I’m too full to move.” I groaned. “It’s not fair you get to eat so much and not have to worry!”
“Go brush your teeth and I’ll make sure you work off the calories when you get back.” He laughed, as he pulled me upright, then to my feet by my arms.
“No, don’t! I can’t move, and the bed is so comfortable!” I whined as he swatted my ass, forcing me to step closer to the bathroom. “Meanie!” I grimaced at him, as he collapsed onto the bed in laughter.
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