Page 33 of Crystal Luna

“Maybe you should ask her that without us around, Alpha,” Keelan chuckled.

“Ah yes. You could easily intimidate her to answer as you wish,” Alpha Heath agreed lightly, turning to her and dropping his voice. “I’ll ask you again once they leave.”

“They’ve been nice,” Velora assured.

“We’re just messing with you,” Leroy told her.

Velora fell silent. Of course, she knew they were joking—she just didn’t know how to do the same.

“Is our alpha allowing you to train with us?” Keelan asked.

“If that is what she wishes.” Alpha Heath kept a light tone, but his eyes told another story. “So, you all better be nice and behave.” He then turned to Mia. “How about we grab some food for you?”

He took a step, but Mia stayed rooted in place. “Is Velora not coming with us?”

His eyes darted between the two of them before he softly suggested, “Maybe you can ask her if she wants to grab a plate? Remember: we don’t want to make decisions for others without considering their feelings.”

“Yes, Father.” Mia then peered up at Velora with a smile on her face “Would you like to eat with me and dad?”

“I would love to.”

Mia quickly let go of her father’s hand to take Velora’s.

Velora helped Mia fill her own plate before the young girl helped her pick out the best foods for herself. Alpha Heath was nearby, watching closely but didn’t seem upset that she was stealing his daughter’s attention. With their plates loaded up and a drink in hand, Mia found them a seat with Evelyne and Beta Wayne. Rayline had been whisked away by her grandparents to be shown off to the pack.

Though she enjoyed her time with Mia—speaking to kids was so much easier than adults—she hoped that no one thought she was trying to steal the new pup’s attention.

After the plates had been emptied, Beta Wayne offered to take them away before tending to his beta duties. Mia wandered off too, leaving Velora and Evelyne to themselves.

“Mia quite likes you,” Evelyne observed.

“She does.”

“You seem distracted. Are you nervous about the ceremony?”

“A little.”

“I don’t blame you. But Alpha Heath promised it would be quick and then you can hole away with me for the rest of the evening.”

“Hey, don’t steal our new friend!”

Velora turned to see Leroy, Dan, and Keelan step up behind her. Rayan was there too, but he lingered behind them.

“I’m not stealing! I just assumed she’d rather have friends outside the likes of you animals.”

Leroy playfully yawned and plonked himself down next to Velora. “Boring!”

“Well, it’s just an offer and personally, I think fighting over her friendship might make her feel uncomfortable.”

Dan and Keelan found seats for themselves as Keelan added to the conversation. “Dan and I will just take the backseat and watch this play out.”

“I’m sorry the boys are being rude,” Evelyne apologised.

“Hey!” Keelan exclaimed clearly hurt by her words. “Boys? We are full grown men.”

“Full grown men don’t fight like preteens when they want the cool kid in their circle,” Evelyne scolded them.

“You hear that, Velora. You’re a cool kid now,” Dan chuckled.

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