Page 54 of Crystal Luna

“Well, it’s been a long time for me as well, so we’re on the same page there.”

The next time their eyes met, the fear was clouded by amusement—yet it was still there. “What will happen if we do this?”

“What are you afraid will happen?”

“I don’t want to be luna.”

“I’m going to be honest, and my words might hurt you.”

“Okay.”

“I don’t want you to be luna. Our luna died in my arms. No one but my son’s mate will be this pack’s next luna. I’m not saying you would be a bad one, but you are not my mate and therefore, you can never take her role.”

She let out a sigh of relief and with it the fear dissipated from her eyes. “I don’t want to replace Laureen. But… this morning felt good.”

“It did. I haven’t slept that well in years.”

“Can we do it more often?” she asked, voice quiet as if she would pop their little bubble of happiness if she spoke too loud.

“I would love to.”

The smile that she graced him with was so damn precious he swore his heart stopped beating. They stayed quiet, simply enjoying each other’s presence. Though his soul was still broken, Velora had somehow figured out how to ease that pain.

“I don’t want to go back,” she admitted softly after a while.

“And why is that?”

“I’ve been avoiding Rayan—he keeps asking about last night.”

“And what is so bad about that?”

She answered with a shrug.

“You can tell people about us if you like. Wayne said our attraction to each other is apparently quite obvious.”

“Rayan said the same. Maybe they’re in this together.”

“It was a set up all along,” Heath joked.

“So, you don’t mind?”

“People knowing? Not at all.”

“Okay.”

“Do you mind?” he asked.

“No. I just don’t want them to think I’m only here for you.”

Heath brought his hands to his chest, dramatically feigning injury. “You’re not? I’m heart broken.”

She laughed, a glorious sound that Heath could listen to all day long. “You know what I mean.”

“I do and I promise no one will think of it that way. Do you think I only asked you to join us so I could be with you?”

She shook her head. “I’m pretty sure it was part of it but no.”

“I was afraid it would make you feel pressured.”

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