~~~~Anthea~~~~

The White Lunar Pack was so named because they all carried a rare genetic trait. The possibility of birthing a ‘Moonlit Alpha’ or werewolf with Albinism. Zakaria McCann is that Alpha, skin-kissed by the Moon Goddess herself. Though avoided by most pack members because of his ghostly pale skin and pink eyes, he is still popular as their Alpha. So Beta Joey tells me. I tried my best to pay attention to his lecture about the history of the pack, but I was a little distracted.

The former Luna, Marilyn, sat to my left, her unnerving gaze focused directly on me, even though she was supposed to help me learn how to handle these things. Joey was doing more than her, and I could feel my irritation growing. I wanted to learn from her because of her being my mate’s mother, but kept silent, not wanting to create problems for him. Instead, I forced myself to refocus, wanting to absorb any information about the pack Zak worked so hard to maintain I could. I took notes and became totally engrossed in Joey’s every word.

We moved to the office as he continued, and I finally remembered Zak’s mother was with us. Right as I considered offering to make some snacks in the kitchen, I heard her scoff. Her slender arms crossed over her chest, and she huffed again, louder this time, as she stared at me out of the corner of her eyes. This felt familiar, and I recalled my uncle’s expression before shaking it off as I took a seat in front of the desk to listen to more about The White Lunar Pack.

“You look so comfortable!” A snobbish voice startled me from my thoughts, and I turned to find her smirking at me with narrowed eyes. “One day into your Ascension to Luna and you’re already tuning your lectures out.”

I flinched, believing that is what it must have looked like to her, and my eyes fell on my notes. Reading and writing were really all I had. Everything else I would have to learn, but to have that gap in knowledge made clear was 24 already a lot of pressure. I honestly couldn’t tell if she was being rude on purpose, but felt I’d earned it somehow. It made sense, as I just showed up out of nowhere claiming to have a mate bond with her son. “When I served as Luna, we all took jobs to help provide for our pack.” Marilyn continued, crossing her arms as she leaned back, a confident expression on her face. “What do you plan to do when you become Luna? Are you just going to read to everyone?”

“Mother.” I watched her flinch when his strong, commanding voice ordered her silence with a single word. “Thea, just take your time. You’ve dealt with a lot since your arrival here.”

I turned to see him glaring at his mother, then a warmth fell over his features as he turned to me, his hand reaching out to stroke along my cheek. I still feared him a little, so I flinched but welcomed the contact by leaning closer to him as much as I could. His sparkling pink orbs narrowed happily, making my stomach fill with butterflies, as I adored the look of his happiness. There was nothing quite like seeing him smile.

“Mother, I need to speak with you about something.” Zak motioned towards the door, features cooling a little. “Let’s let our Beta and Future Luna have some privacy so she’ll feel more comfortable asking questions.”

I appreciated his thoughtfulness and sent him a small smile when he walked out of the room, her in tow, shutting the cherry-wood door behind him. Joey heaved as he took a seat in the office chair, relief settling over his features, and I almost laughed. Were it not for the glare she shot me before she left with Zak, maybe I would have. He drummed his fingers on the desk before crossing his arms in a huff, picking at his nails with a bored expression.

“She needs to focus on her tasks as the current Luna and help her daughter-in-law. Her feathers are permanently ruffled, so don’t worry, but how about this? ‘How dare she?!’” Joey stated first in his voice, then mimicked Marilyn’s voice, making me snort a chuckle that had him continuing; highpitched, and annoyingly loud. “‘I can’t believe she’d have the gall to treat the Luna like that! What a brat?! She’s lucky my son is obsessed with her or I’d...’”

“Couldn’t you get in trouble for speaking of her like that?” I whispered discreetly, leaning closer as his smile grew positively scandalous. “She IS the current Luna, after all.”

“Since her mate ran away, she’s been a little bratty, but she was the one who pushed him away. It’s no wonder...” He mumbled before sighing and shaking his head, a serious frown replacing the former smile. “Never mind. You still need to get things prepared for the Ceremony.”

In all the kerfuffle, I forgot why we were even discussing White Lunar History and paled. I remembered in one book I once read that the Luna prepares a party for the entire pack when she is to mate the Alpha. It is also commonplace for her knowledge of the pack to be tested by the Elders. Since it occurs on the full moon, many preparations need to be made and I needed to get things started. But I didn’t even know where to begin. I stared pleadingly at Joey, who sighed, his shoulders sinking under the weight.

“Alpha Zakaria told me you were a reader. Here.” He sat a book down on the table which looked to be a book on party preparation for our kind. “All you got to do is follow what you like in this book. The Alpha will be happy with whatever you decide, Luna Anthea.”

~~~~~Zakaria~~~~~

I loved how serious she looked when she studied. She’d stick her tongue out when she got really focused on what she was doing, often leaving me wanting to watch her. Cute was all I knew how to say, by this point, and it was the ultimate distraction, but I didn’t want her to be alone with Joey for too long. Sure, I trusted the male, though there was something strange about him. I didn’t quite know how to put my finger on it, but of course, my new mate had to wipe my thoughts clean when she walked in.

My chest heaved as I took in her wondrous scent, my body itching to satisfy her lust when her innocent gaze turned up to me. She clearly hadn’t expected me to be in here, but as soon as our gazes locked, her green eyes dilated a little with a sweet, childish desire. I watched her approach, her blue tee shirt and white jeans shifting in all the right places to make my body harden under my desk. Control always fled when she was around, leaving Zain to rise in its place.

“Zak...” she breathed, before pausing, her deep emerald pools widening. “I am so sorry I am late.” Thea bowed a little, her smile turning polite. “I only just heard you called for me from Beta Joey.”

“Don’t bow to me.” I watched her flinch, something that broke my heart, before continuing with a softer voice. “I mean, you are my Luna; my mate; my equal. You never have to bow to me.”

“Right...” she hesitated before raising her head, her eyebrows knit together in confusion. “What can I do for you?”

“So formal. Why not come closer?” It was the first we were really alone since her arrival, so her hesitation made a little sense.

If only she didn’t fear me. This could be a moment we both enjoyed here, secreted away in my office. Her steps were unsure as she walked around the desk, and I turned my chair to follow her movements. A slim hand gripped nervously at an elbow as she came to a stop, her gaze averting to the maroon carpet at her feet. I didn’t want to rush her, so I stood, hand reaching out to brush carefully along her the soft flesh of her cheek. Her full lips parted, and a hot sigh ghosted across my palm, sending shivers down my spine.

Every time I was around her, I craved her like a drug. It was difficult to avoid pushing her too far when just being around her had my wolf panting. Zain had done nothing but whine for her since I first set eyes on her, and it was driving me wild. I needed to let him out a little, but I worried. Would he scare her? As if she could sense my inner conflict, she bowed her head in a brief nod, flinching when I moved closer.

“What happened that you fear your mate so?” I ventured, reaching out to hook a finger under her chin, drawing those pretty green pools up to clash with my gaze. “I would never harm you.”

Her stunning eyes widened as she stared into my soul before they dropped to my lips, and I watched her lean a little closer. I could hear her sharp intake of breath before she relaxed further into my touch, her cheek nuzzling into my palm. Wolves were scent-based creatures, and being around our mates were especially relaxing moments, so I was glad she was trusting me this much. Her eyes drooped closed, and I cautiously drew my arm around her waist, pulling her closer still.

“My uncle.” She whispered before falling silent, basking in my presence with a wary smile on her lips, then continued. “He wasn’t good...”

So, she was fearful, but she wanted to trust. I could tell that much by her reaction to me. This was only our second day near each other like this, completely alone, with no one to interrupt for a while. I wanted to help her realize nothing bad would ever happen to her with me around, at least if I could help it. Her arms slowly circled my waist and she buried her face in my chest, her stiff shoulders sagging.

“But I don’t want to think about him...” Thea whispered, her warmth ghosting down my skin and sending shivers of desire down my spine. “I don’t want to be scared.”

“We won’t let you be.” I could hear my wolf saying in unison with me, making my voice deeper and her emerald gaze lifted to stare at me with hope blooming across her features. “You’re safe. You can do whatever you want.”

I wanted to give her the world. To show her with all of me just how precious she was to me, but I didn’t want to scare her. Now that she was finally here, I didn’t want to face rejection. The mere idea of her rejecting me made my chest feel empty. To ease the sinking feeling, I wiped my imagination clear, then wrapped both my arms around her, wanting her to feel as at peace in my arms as I did in hers.

“...” She seemed to hesitate before getting my attention by tapping on my shoulder. “Can we just... stay like this... for a little while?”

My heart squeezed hard in my chest as I looked at her innocent, yet hopeful, reaction. Without another word, I lifted her in my arms and whisked her over to the white fabric loveseat in my office, and sat down, cradling her in my lap. She fit so right, felt so warm, and I knew I could hold her forever, if she’d let me. As she relaxed again, my hands dove into her soft-looking blonde locks to stroke gently at her scalp.

“If there’s anything you want from me, just ask. If I can make it happen, I will.”