Page 67 of Fated to the Rogue

22 | Luna

“Ihate you,” my third-in-command muttered under his breath after I told him I had made the right choice by sending him to Sapphire Pond with Malin. Despite his usual vexed expression, his voice sounded slightly softer.

“No, you don’t. You love me!” I laughed amusedly.

“I wanted to murder you.”

“Wanted?As in don’t-want-to-anymore?” Malin’s eyes widened in fake amusement. “Yep, you’re definitely in a good mood.”

“It’s alright, man. You can thank me later.” I smiled as I patted Zach’s shoulder, making him release an annoyed growl in response.

It was Sunday morning. My Gamma and Beta had arrived from their short trip an hour ago, and I was surprised to see them return home with yet another female. And she wasn’t the only good news they brought. At first, I was shocked to learn that, aside from sealing the deal with Ruben, they also established an alliance with a neighboring pack who was willing to help us for a very fair price. Moreover, I was overjoyed to see my introverted friend come back with his mate. I made a mental note to call the Alpha of Dune Drifters later to thank him for arranging a meeting that proved so fruitful, but first, I wanted to celebrate with my boys.

The three of us popped a bottle of champagne in my office while they filled me in on every detail regarding their business trip. Malin told me all about how Zach had run away from his mate at first, and of course, I didn’t miss the opportunity to tease him. I would make it a point that the event went down in Wind Howlers history; every future generation would know about the legend of Zachari, the Great Fleeing Eagle.

After we were done celebrating, my men went back to their mates, and I did the same. Valentina was also thrilled to learn there was a new girl in the family. While she went off to greet our Gamma Female like the perfect Luna she was, I sought out Alex to ask her to prepare the welcome dinner for Nisha.

In the evening, I performed the joining ritual, tying Nisha to our pack and to her duties. Later on, we gathered at the dining hall. We toasted to our new alliances. To the winds of change. To our recently-completed family.

That night, we celebrated like we hadn’t in a while, for at last we had hope again.

???

The week went by in the blink of an eye as my team and I focused on the preparations for my mate’s Luna Ceremony. Invitations were sent out to our remaining allies, guest rooms were vacated and cleaned for their stay, a special gourmet menu was organized, and the high quality ingredients we would need to cook the luxurious meal for the event had already arrived. Everything was ready for my Luna’s night to be unforgettable.

When Friday finally came, I rushed to the Alpha suite after training, anxious to hold her in my arms. As usual, she was still asleep when I left early in the morning, but to my surprise, she wasn’t there anymore when I returned. I tried to mindlink her,only to find out she had a block up. Thankfully, my Delta knew her whereabouts and told me where to find her before I could start worrying.

I made my way to the pack hospital in the same hurry. The building was now much larger after its expansion was completed. It was one of the many structures that required construction work following the recent growth of our pack. Since werewolf builders were stronger and more resilient than humans, they also worked a lot faster. Now, the medical building was prepared to accommodate the needs of our 400-member pack. We also got ourselves a second doctor, who was previously part of the pack we absorbed, and she happened to be mated to our current doctor.

After roaming through the maze of white hallways, I eventually arrived at my destination - the maternity wing. I tracked down my mate’s unique scent until I found the room she was in, but as soon as I noticed that my mother was with her, I had to do a double take. Once I realized what was happening, I fought my desire to run into Valentina’s arms, deciding to stop by the door to silently watch her.

“You have a beautiful little girl, Isabella. Congratulations,” my Luna whispered to an Omega lady who was laying down on the bed. I recognized the thirty-year-old male sitting beside her as her mate.

The couple exchanged joyful smiles and I couldn’t help but mimic them as I watched Tina carefully rocking the newborn baby in her arms, humming the sweetest melody to him; it reminded me of the times Dawn would quietly sing inside my head. Maybe it was instinct, but I immediately found myself fantasizing about what a good mother she would be. The thought of her bearing my pups was heart-warming, and at the same time, it filled me with lust.

“Does she have a name yet?” Mom’s voice pulled me from my daydream.

“Yes, my Luna.” The Omega turned to her mate, who nodded reassuringly at her, before facing my mother again. “We will call her Marsha.”

“A powerful name. Great choice.” Mom showed them a serene smile, touching Valentina’s shoulder soon after. “Now, you bless her, my dear.”

My mate looked into the pup’s eyes, drawing in a long breath. “I, Luna Valentina, welcome you, Marsha Baker, to Wind Howlers Pack. May the wind follow you wherever you go, lifting you higher towards your dreams.” She lowered her face to touch her lips to the newborn’s forehead. “You have a bright future ahead of you. I’m sure of it.”

“Thank you so much, Luna Valentina.” The Omega bowed her head, her eyes tearing up as my mate returned her pup to her arms.

While the couple went back to showering their first born with love, Tina finally seemed to notice me. Her nose picked up on my scent before her golden hazel eyes met mine, causing a smile to light up her face. She excused herself, leaving my mother with the pup’s parents, and made her way towards me. At last, I got to hold her in my arms.

“Good morning, sunrise,” I whispered close to her ear, brushing my lips against her skin.

“Have you been watching me this whole time, my moonlight?” She flashed me a scolding gaze, but the soft chuckle that escaped her lips proved she was far from reprehensive of my stalker tendencies. “I’m sorry for disappearing without a warning. Luna Delilah called me last minute, and I figured it would be best for me to put up a block so I could properly focus. It was my first time blessing a newborn pup and I didn’t wanna mess it up.”

“Don’t worry,” I reassured her, moving a strand of her caramel hair away from her face. “And you nailed it perfectly.”

Her lips parted, and I could see her holding back her habit of thanking me. “Anyway, what did you need me for?”

“Do I need a reason to wanna be with you?” Eager to relish in her taste, I leaned forward to give her a quick kiss. “I wanted to enjoy the short time we have before the maids steal you away. Once they do, I’ll only see you again at the party. They say it’s bad luck for the groom to see his bride in her dress before the ceremony.”

“It’s not our wedding, Zephyr, and you’ve already seen me in my dress.” She rolled her eyes at my silliness, but smiled nonetheless. Despite her reaction, she soon rewarded me with another kiss. When she pulled away, there was a hint of hesitancy in her expression. “I’m a little nervous about the preparation rituals. I’ve never done anything like this.”

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