Page 71 of The Barren Luna

“What do you mean?” she frowned.

I laid my cutlery down on the table and interlaced my fingers on the white tablecloth, trying not to appear shy about what I was about to say.

“From the moment I’d met you, I wanted to know all there was to know about you, but since we didn't have the typical start that most mates do, my options were kind of limited. I knew you were connected to many different packs in different ways so Idecided I would court you in all of their ways, and then it became a compulsion, I guess. I wanted to show you I was worthy to be your male in as many ways as I could.”

“David, that is so beautiful. You do know you are absolutely worthy and are the best mate I could ask for, right?”

“I do now,” I grinned because the truth of her words emanated from her so strongly I could almost touch it.

“Good. So wait, you did the Pembrokeshire theft. You waited for me, and youalwayswear something green,” she pointed at my boxers.

I immediately felt myself hardening. I would have to quit my job if I continued reacting to her like this.

“You gave me your wolf’s braid. Was there anything else?”

“I hunted and skinned that deer for you, the one we ate at our first breakfast together.”

“But... you must have caught it while my trial was still ongoing?” she was visibly taken aback.

“Yes. Why are you surprised?”

“I sometimes still can’t fathom how easily you accepted me. Dr. Jackson helped a lot, but it still sometimes sneaks up on me, the insecurity.”

“Were you happy with her and the work you did together?”

“Oh, she was the best. And therapy was life-changing. I’ll actually let you read my journal entries from the last three months if you’re interested?”

“I’d love that, thank you.”

“You’re welcome, but back to you courting me,” she grinned. “Was there anything else?”

“Do you remember that first dinner you cooked, when everyone came over?”

“Yeah?”

“I picked the currants from the greenhouse and had the Omegas give them to you,” I said proudly. “And then when we went to the greenhouse, I wiped my sweaty forehead with a handkerchief and gave it to you,” my mate had silent tears streaming down her face as she processed my words, but unlike before, I wasn’t alarmed because now I could feel how overwhelmed with love and gratitude she was.

I stood up and went over to my bag that someone must have carried up while we were in the shower last night.

“Before I left for Spruce Mountain, I arranged to start apprenticing with a carpenter here in town to build you a bed. And I brought you this,” I took the spoon pendant out of my bag and handed it to her.

She froze before grabbing it and hugging it to her chest, sobbing almost painfully while rocking back and forth, hugging the spoon as if it were Dorothy.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she kept saying through tears, and I picked her up and held her in my lap until she calmed down.

“I can’t believe you remembered.”

“You were so devastated at the trial that I couldn’t get your face out of my head. And I figured you'd also want to give her a proper burial, so I made arrangements to have her exhumed before I drove here. Now all that is left to do is for you to decide where to move her body.”

“As much as I would like to bury her here, I think she needs to go back to Wales, to be where Thomas is. Can we go to the funeral?”

“Absolutely, my love.”

???

In the evening, we went downstairs to have dinner with my mother, John, and Elizabeth. I hadn’t seen Mom in a long time, and it was nice to see her finally healing a little bit after my father’s death. We talked about the pups, who apparently missed their favorite (and only) uncle while he was gone; John updated me on Court matters, and Elizabeth and Regina seemed to have become close friends while I was away. My heart was full. I had everything I’d ever need right here at this table.

“I see congratulations are in order,” Elizabeth had said as soon as she laid eyes on our necks. “So, when are you guys having the mating ceremony,” she asked teasingly.

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