CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
When Karen is done getting everything she needs at the grocery store, they begin to head home. Karen tries to interact with the guards as she interacts with Taurus but they respond to her with this high tone of respect that she doesn't really like.
"Why aren't they free with me?" whispers Karen into Taurus' ear.
"Is that even a question? You are their Luna, how could they not?"
"Hmmm…I am not fit to be that Safe. My wolf still hasn't reawakened and a wolfless female cannot be Luna not to speak of Supreme Luna" said Karen.
"That is a stupid law. I wonder how and why it even exists. My uncle is going to announce to the world that you are his mate either way. I overheard him saying he would do that after the fourteen dates you so badly want. I think he was speaking with Beta Steph…" said Taurus but Karen cut him off.
"So soon?"
"Yes, so soon and trust me because you have nothing to worry, my uncle would protect you to the last and you also have me…I have been going on some tasks and even Alpha commented that I am getting more matured and stronger"
"Good for you, Safe! I don't think I can ever forget you man" said Karen as she gave him a playful slap on his chest.
"Owww, that hurts!"
"So much for being matured" said Karen and they both laugh.
"You talk as if you are going anywhere. You won't need to forget me because I'll always be here"
"Thanks so much for everything" said Karen and she surprisingly hugged Taurus. Taurus wanted to return the hug but Ralph's warning rang in his head and he held himself back.
"Can you put on some music?" asked Karen and when the music was turned on, she placed her elbow on the window and stared outside.
She was really going to miss a lot of persons when she finally left - little Eva, Nanny Freya, Dexter, Alejandro, Beta Stephan, Dr Kate and…and…her mind felt heavy to chant his name.
They soon get to the mansion and she quickly erases the foul mood her mind puts her in. She smiles cheerfully as the maids come to help her get the ingredients into the kitchen.
Ralph isn't in the house as he has a meeting with the Alphas of the North. She and some maids she chose begin to prepare the large dinner.
By the time they were done Beta Stephan and Ralph were back and the food was shared to everyone in the mansion, guards, maids, warriors and every single human. Nanny Freya was all smiles as she saw how merry everyone was. The last time such joy radiated the atmosphere was when the last Luna, Alpha Ralph's mother, was alive.
Seeing such a mood was exhilarating. Karen, Alpha Ralph, Beta Stephan, Taurus, Nanny Freya, Dexter and Alejandro all sit down on the dining table to have their meal.
After the meal, dessert is served which is made up of various ice creams - sorbet, gelato, vanilla flavoured etc are served. Ralph studies and looks at Karen throughout the whole meal. Gratitude, praise and love fills his heart for her show of concern.
'So this was why she wanted to go grocery shopping?"
Standing up, Karen looks at everyone before saying, "this is my little way of saying thank you for all you have done for me since my coming here. You all on this table have been nothing but nice even though I haven't been the best of persons…thanks for handling all my shit now and to come ''. Everyone laughs with her at her last statement before she continues, "especially to the man who hit me with his car" and a lopsided smile grazes Ralph's lips.
"Thanks Mate" finished Karen and Ralph looked at her. This was the first time she had ever addressed him as that. She noticed Ralph was still staring at her as she is about to take a seat and she leans over the table to the side of his seat at the head of the table and plants a kiss on his lips.
This act of hers causes a round of applause and light squeals from those present and those that were attentive enough could have seen a spread of red on the cheeks of their Alpha.
"My mate has been good to you all and I guess it's time for her to be good to me" said Ralph before drawing her seat from under the table and in one swift and slick movement, lifting her onto his shoulder. Karen squealed like a little child at the sudden unexpected movement and her squeal caused Ralph to spank her ass.
"I smell something steamy Alpha" teased Beta Stephan as Ralph begins to match up the stairs with his game on his shoulder.
"No! No! Definitely don't smell anything steamy Stephan, trust me we haven't gotten to that extent yet" said Karen.
"Do enjoy yourself Karen!" teased Taurus.
"You guys should save the tease already cause I have marked those who have teased and maps have been created in my head on the workload they would shoulder starting from tomorrow morning " said Ralph and the dining room instantly quietened.
"Quit being such a buzzkill" said Karen as they reached the top of the stairs.
"Sleep with me tonight Karen" said Ralph as he opened the door to his room.
"What…what?"
"I do not mean that kind of sleeping yet, I mean that you should stay in my room, on my bed with me" said Ralph before he places her down.
"And if I don't agree?" asked Karen.
"You remain on my shoulder"
"You are the one who is going to feel the pain"
"Trust me you are the one who is going to be uncomfortable" said Ralph.
"That's true. I agree, I can barely speak properly as it is"
Ralph brings Karen down from his shoulder and immediately Karen's legs touch the ground, she tries to sprint off again but Ralph had predicted her movements and threw her lightly on his soft bed. She bounced with delight and a guffaw and Ralph began to tickle her at her sides. She laughs hard and long and when she feels like her breath isn't catching up with her laughter, she would tell Ralph to stop. He would stop and after watching her catch her breath for about five seconds, he would resume.
After some time, he lets her reddened face and body go and lays by her side. She looks at his face and he looks at her and they smile.
They both say nothing as Ralph grabs Karen's hand and holds it, Karen also holds his.
They both say nothing and it seems the air in the room is changed and replaced with a kind of sliceable tension - sexual tension.
After some more unbearable seconds of silence, Karen lets go of Ralph's hand and stands up abruptly. "Is it just me or it's kind of hot in here" said Karen as she places her rakes a hand in her hair and tries to blow air on herself with her hands.
Ralph smiles in understanding and places both of his hands behind his head as he watches her drama.
"I'm kind of sweaty, Ralph. Let me go have my bath in my room and also get something to change into"
"You can have your bath in my bathroom and also get changed into any of my free clothes here. I really want to see you in my clothes"
"Alright then"
"Would you like company?" asked Ralph.
"Nope, I'm all good. Thanks" said Karen in a hurry and Ralph chuckled.
Karen runs into the bathroom but ten seconds later she walks out still in her floral patterned gown.
"Sorry to disturb you Ralph but can you help me with my zip. It's kind of stuck"
"Sure little one" said Ralph and he stood up to help her zip down. The zip is indeed stuck as the zipper has eaten into some threads of the cloth and it takes a while but Ralph is able to unzip the gown - all the way down.
Seeing her hair fall over her bare back, Ralph is intrigued and he shifts her hair to a side of her neck. Karen shivers at his touch as everywhere his fingers brushed was like the soft imprints of a hot iron. He touches her neck with his finger and glides along it before placing his head there.
"I also want to thank you pequeño, for walking into my life and gradually changing me to a man I never thought I could be. You are the best thing to ever happen to me and I am eternally grateful for that. Thanks for being a part of my world" said Ralph and he held her waist and drew her close to himself.
He closes his eyes and places a lingering peck on her neck - where she would bear his mark and he basks in her scent.
He hears sniffles and he opens his eyes to see tears running down Karen's face. He swiftly turns her around to find out what is wrong but Karen keeps staring down at his chest as more tears fall off her eyes.
"Why are you crying? Did I say or do anything wrong little one?" asked Ralph in a gentle voice as he bent to her eye level.
"No, it's just that I feel so overwhelmed by everything and I…and I" said Karen I'm between sobs.
"You deserve all and more mi corazon. You'll be by my side forever and that's all that matters" said Ralph and Karen burst out into more tears. Feeling like Karen is just being in a normal feminine emotional mood, he hugs her and pats her back. When she still keeps on crying, he lifts her from her waist and wraps her legs around him before gently seating on the bed with her around him.
Karen cries because she is fighting a battle between her heart, the mate bond, her dead family members and a promise.
"I'm sorry for being such a baby" said Karen.
"It's alright mi pequeño. With me, you can be anything you wish"