“Jason? There you are. Where’s..” his excited mother hurried to her son. “Oh my…is this?”
Former Luna Norah looked at the pale beauty in her son’s arms and her eyes shone with tears. For years she waited for him to find his mate ever hopeful the Goddess would bless him with the perfect match. While his father complained he should explore his options and take advantage of his urges Norah encouraged the opposite warning him of the dangers of being too promiscuous. The last thing she wanted for either of her children was to meet their mate as she had hers.
Lucille’s mate had been Jason’s Gamma, Ben. Even growing up he had been particularly protective of Lucille.
He never showed interest in other females contentedly playing older brother to his friend’s kid sister. Though Norah had her suspicions she said nothing letting the bond naturally strengthen until first Ben then Lucille reached the age they could naturally feel their mate.
Both of them seemed oblivious to the bond which wasn’t uncommon for fated mates who grew up together. The strength of the friendship sometimes overshadowed the natural attraction of the mating bond. In fact it wasn’t until the celebration of Luke finding his mate that Ben and Lucille finally realized the truth. Lucille had gotten drunk and Ben carried her up to bed despite being tipsy himself.
After a passionate night they woke up together nursing hangovers and the embarrassing realization they were mates.
It had been awkward in the beginning but worth it in the end. Jason was genuinely happy for both his best friends and his sister but it left him the odd one out. For years he and his mother waited hoping the same happiness for him and finally it had arrived. Norah gazed at her daughter-in-law with tears in her eyes and looked at her son.
“Mom, this is Phoebe,” he said quietly. “You’ll have to wait until morning for official introductions though.”
“Oh, that’s all right. Don’t wake her. Let her sleep,” Norah smiled. “She’s beautiful.”
“And witty and gentle and charming,” Jason chuckled. “
Where’s Lucy?”
“Asleep. I told her you’d be arriving tonight but she said she’d see you in the morning.”
Jason shook his head. Phoebe stirred with a shiver snuggling closer to him.
“Get her upstairs before she catches cold. I’ll take care of the rest,” Norah urged. She turned her attention to the warriors unpacking the cars and noted the other new arrivals. “You must be Noah’s mate.”
“Ah, yes,” Bridget blushed. “How do you do, Luna?”
“What’s your name, dear?”
“Bridget. I was a nurse in my former pack.”
“And so you shall be here if you like. I’m sure Noah will be more than happy to give you a tour of our medical facilities tomorrow. Is all this yours?” Norah gestured to the luggage and boxes being taken out of the vehicles and piled at the front steps.
“Oh, no… Those are mine and those are Phoebe’s,” Bridget gestured to the piles. “And those are the pups’. I made sure some of their stuff was packed separately so they could use it as soon as we arrived.”
“Thank you for being so thoughtful. Goddess knows these males don’t know how to plan ahead. And where are my grandpups? Oh!” Norah spotted the sleeping pair being taken out of the SUV. “They are adorable. The pups’ rooms are all ready, upstairs on the alpha floor. Take their things and Luna’s things upstairs. Just place them in the sitting room. We can unpack it all in the morning. Someone help Noah so he and his mate can get settled in quickly.”
Jason left his mother to make arrangements. Pack members eagerly followed her directives and snuck glances at the dark-haired beauty in his arms. They all wanted a look at their Luna but also didn’t want to wake her. Jason could already feel the tension of the pack decreasing like a deep sigh. Once they built their bond with her he knew the strains of the past would be over.
The Blue Moon packhouse was a sprawling compound five stories tall worthy to be called a mansion. Communal rooms, rec areas, kitchen and cantina made up the first floor. The second floor had meeting rooms, offices and living quarters for the packhouse staff. The third floor was all residential and guest rooms. The fourth floor was large suites with guest rooms reserved for important guests. The fifth floor was the Alpha’s floor.
Most alphas kept the top floor of their packhouse for their exclusive use but Jason preferred his Beta and Gamma close so each had their own private wings on the Alpha floor as well. They were like family and it was a comfort to the pack to see their leadership maintain close ties, especially in the absence of a Luna.
Jason carried Phoebe upstairs acknowledging the congratulations filtering into his head. He assured them all they would meet their Luna in the morning. Reaching the alpha suite he quickly slipped into his room, their room.
From now on this would be their private space. He shivered with anticipation carrying Phoebe passed the sitting area and continued to the waiting king-sized bed.
Gently he laid her down tucking her in. She sighed but otherwise didn’t stir. Kissing her temple Jason headed to the bathroom before grabbing a pair of briefs to sleep in.
He gazed at the long, walk-in closet. Currently only his half was in use while the other half had always been empty.
Soon it would be filled with Phoebe’s things.
Already smiling with anticipation he returned to the bedroom to see Phoebe had shifted closer to the middle of the bed her face partially buried in his pillow. Though his scent had probably gone stale in his absence she was still drawn to it. Chuckling he slipped into bed pulling her securely into his embrace as he had their first night together. He would never be able to sleep alone again.
Jason nuzzled her and breathed in her scent already permeating the bed and spreading throughout the room.
This was pure bliss.
* **
Phoebe stirred. She felt safe, warm and secure. Sighing, she slowly opened her eyes quietly taking in the rich and warm interior. The walls were a deep, comforting hunter green complimenting the ebony tones of the walnut trim.
She felt immediately at home and relaxed no doubt due, in part, to her mate’s scent permeating every nook and cranny of the room.
She felt his presence before while at Rimrock but he had been suppressing his aura out of respect since he was on another alpha’s territory. Here he could freely wield it. Here he was king. Surprisingly she didn’t feel the least bit stifled or oppressed. It surrounded her like a warm, comforting blanket.
“Morning angel,” a voice husky from sleep greeted her.”
Sleep well?”
She flushed, ‘You could have wamed me he was awake!’
I figured you’d find out soon enough, Máni snickered
Phoebe rolled onto her back so she could gaze upon her mate. His dark eyes were filled with adoration. She could feel her face warm under his gaze and she shivered as his embrace drew her closer so he could nuzzle her.
“You smell heavenly, angel,” Jason mumbled nipping her ear lobe as her scent grew stronger taking on a spicy note that made his mouth water. He growled against her throat.
“Oh…angel…”
…J-Jason…” Phoebe shivered feeling his stubble against her skin as ever increasingly lewd thoughts filtered through her mind.
Jason growled again forcing himself to pull away. His gaze swirled amber as his wolf pressed forward. Her eyes shimmered silver in response.
“Angel, you are dangerously tempting this morning.”
Phoebe blushed. He rested his forehead against hers nuzzling her. Phoebe had never been so comfortable just being with someone. After her rejection she gave up on ever enjoying such an intimate moment.
“So…safe to assume we’re not at Rimrock anymore,”
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