Page 71 of Crystal Luna

“Curtis is going to ask you today if you would like to spend time with all of us. He was very excited to introduce you to them. But you can say no.”

“I don’t want to. I want to meet your friends. Plus, how could I ever resist Curtis.”

Heath buried his hand in her hair and massaged her scalp. “He adores you to pieces.”

Almost as if he’d been summoned, tiny footsteps approached the door before it pushed open with a gentle knock, revealing Curtis standing on the other side. “Dad?”

“I’m here, little man.”

When Curtis’s eyes landed on Velora, his whole face lit up. “Good morning!”

“Hey there,” Velora grinned, lifting the blanket for him to climb in. “Wanna cuddle before we have to get up?”

He slid under the blanket, curling up against Velora’s side as she pulled him into a hug.

“I heard you made plans for me today?”

“Would you like to meet Domenic and Madeline?”

“Can I meet Alexa and Warren too?”

“Yes!” he cheered. “We’re going to the lake today.”

“Well, we better have a big breakfast, so you have enough energy for the hike.”

“Dad, can I go see if Warren is already up?”

“Only if you promise not to wake anyone.”

“I promise!”

“Then go put on some clothes and invite them for breakfast.”

Velora watched as Curtis hasted away while Heath pulled her back into his chest.

“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”

“I want to.”

He hummed in approval, his chest vibrating as he pressed a kiss to her hair. “I would love for you to come to the lake as well, but you can decide once you’ve met everyone.”

“Okay.”

They enjoyed each other until Mia was up and ready for breakfast herself. While Heath braided his daughter’s hair, Velora ignored his insistence that she didn’t have to cook. She missed being in the kitchen—having it as a daily chore had taken the fun out of it for her, but this was good.

Velora only felt the first wave of anxiety hit when the front door opened. Along with meeting someone outside of the pack, this would be the first time she’d be introduced as Heath’s girlfriend. Curtis and a young boy she presumed to be Warren stormed inside and barrelled straight to the kitchen like little piranhas.

Domenic stepped in first. He was short in stature with broad shoulders and dark, wild hair with a beard to match. Madeline appeared next to him, her dark hair tied back in a bun and a young girl hidden behind her skirt. Once Mia made herself known, Alexa separated from her mother.

“Velora, meet Beta Domenic and his mate, Madeline, from the Silvermoon pack.”

Velora offered a hand to Domenic, who took it in a tight grip. “It’s nice to meet you, Beta Domenic.”

“Call me Domenic. We’re just here with an old friend, nothing official about this.”

She nodded with a smile and turned to Madeline. “It’s nice to meet you as well.” She then focused on the kids. “And you two must be Warren and Alexa.”

“Yes, Luna.” Alexa gave her a shy giggle.

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