Caleb
I woke up feeling more refreshed than I had in weeks. Even the pain had been surprisingly mild, allowing me a rare night of uninterrupted sleep again. I stretched, feeling the tension ease from my muscles, and made my way to my laptop.
As I sipped my coffee, I checked my emails. The usual flood of messages greeted me, but one stood out. The next Council of Alphas meeting was scheduled in a few days. I smirked, feeling a surge of satisfaction. This was the perfect opportunity to introduce Ava formally to the broader werewolf community. I quickly put in a ticket for an announcement from the Darkmoon pack, informing the council of our recent changes.
As I sat in my office, checking through my other emails, my thoughts drifted to Ava. I found myself increasingly protective of her. The urge to show that she was claimed, that she belonged to me and our pack, was growing stronger each day. It wasn't just about marking territory or satisfying some primal instinct; it was about solidifying her position and ensuring that everyone, especially the other alphas, respected and acknowledged her as my Luna. I wanted to reassure her, to eliminate any doubts about her place here. The upcoming meeting would be the perfect opportunity to make a statement, to show everyone that Ava was not only my wife but my chosen partner in leading the Darkmoon Pack. This wasn't just about protecting her; it was about embracing our future together, with no room for anyone to question her role or our bond.
I finished my coffee and headed downstairs for breakfast. The smell of freshly cooked food greeted me, and I couldn't help but smile. Ever since Ava had taken over breakfast duties, the kitchen had become a hub of delicious smells and cheerful conversation. Lily, in particular, was very happy to have some free time in the mornings. Although, she often hung out with Ava as she cooked, and the two had grown close over the weeks.
"Morning," I greeted as I entered the dining room. Ava and Lily were already seated, plates of blueberry pancakes, sausage, and scrambled eggs in front of them.
"Morning, Caleb," Ava replied, her smile warm. "How did you sleep?"
"Better than usual," I admitted, taking a seat and loading my plate. "This looks amazing."
"Ava did most of the work," Lily chimed in with a grin. "I just supervised, per usual."
Ava laughed. "That just means she is my tries to eat all the food."
"Well, it's delicious," I said "Thank you again, Ava."
Ava's cheeks flushed slightly. "You're welcome."
As we ate, I decided to share the news about the upcoming meeting. "By the way, there's a Council of Alphas meeting in a few days."
Ava froze, her fork halfway to her mouth. "All the alphas will be there?" she asked, her voice carefully neutral.
"Yes," I replied, watching her closely. "It's a good opportunity to introduce you formally."
She took a deep breath and smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh, okay."
I nodded, not pressing further for now. Ava was strong and determined, but I could see the tension in her shoulders. She was worried, but I knew she could handle whatever came her way.
After breakfast, I watched Ava as she cleared the table with Lily's help. Her movements were precise, almost methodical, but I could sense the turmoil beneath the surface.
"Ava," I called softly.
She looked up, her eyes meeting mine. "Yes, Caleb?"
"Don't worry about the meeting," I said, trying to reassure her. "We'll face it together."
She hesitated, then sighed. "It's not just the alphas I'm worried about."
I frowned, stepping closer. "What is it, then?"
Ava took a deep breath, her eyes troubled. "I'm worried about seeing my old alpha. I left without saying anything, and I don't know how he'll react."
Understanding dawned on me. Seeing her confidence waver at the mention of her old alpha stirred something deep within me.
"You think he might cause trouble?"
"I don't know," she admitted. "But it's been weighing on me."
I reached out, gently taking her hand. "We'll handle it together. If your old alpha causes any problems, I'll deal with him."
"Thank you," she said softly, squeezing my hand. "I just... I needed to tell you."
"I'm glad you did," I said, my voice firm. "We're in this together, Ava. No matter what happens."
She nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know. Thank you, Caleb."
Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed her softly. She responded immediately, her lips warm and tender against mine. When we finally pulled apart, her eyes were shining.
"Don't worry, you have me now." I whispered.
She smiled, a real one this time, and kissed me again. "Yes, I do."
I watched her for a moment longer before heading to my office to finalize preparations for the announcement. This meeting was crucial, not just for the pack, but for us as well. Introducing Ava as my Luna to the council would solidify her position and hopefully start to quell any doubts about her abilities.
Ava
The morning passed in a blur of activity. I tried to focus on my chores, but my mind kept drifting back to Caleb's announcement about the upcoming meeting. The thought of facing all those alphas, especially with Lucas likely to be there, sent a shiver down my spine. But I couldn't let my fear show. I had to be strong for Caleb, for the pack.
As I scrubbed the dishes, Lily's voice broke through my thoughts. "You okay, Ava?"
I forced a smile. "Just thinking about the meeting."
"Don't let those alphas intimidate you," she said, her tone firm. "You're Caleb's Luna, and you've already proven yourself here."
"Thanks, Lily," I replied, appreciating her support. "I just need to keep reminding myself of that."
"You'll do great," she assured me. "Just be yourself."
I nodded, taking a deep breath. "Right. Just be myself."
But as I continued my tasks, the worry crept back in. What if Lucas was there? The thought made my stomach churn. I hadn't seen him since rejecting him, and the idea of facing him again was daunting. But then I remembered, he isn't alpha yet. Surely, he wouldn't be there representing his pack. I tried to convince myself there was nothing to worry about.
After finishing the dishes, I decided to spend some time in the garden. Working with my hands always helped clear my mind. As I pulled weeds and tended to the plants, I thought about the upcoming meeting. I couldn't change who I was, but I could control how I handled myself. I would face the alphas with the same determination and strength that had brought me this far.
Caleb found me in the garden later, his expression thoughtful. "How are you holding up?" he asked.
"I'm okay," I replied, looking up from my work. "Just... processing everything."
He nodded, his gaze steady. "You don't have to do this alone, Ava. We're in this together."
"I know," I said, standing up and wiping my hands on my pants. "And I appreciate that. It's just... a lot to take in."
"It is," he agreed, stepping closer. "But I believe in you. We all do."
"Thank you, Caleb," I said, feeling a swell of gratitude. "I won't let you down."
"You know, you don't have to prove yourself to anyone. Do what you think is right, I trust you to make the right choice."
Without thinking, I leaned in and kissed him softly. He responded immediately, his lips firm but soft against mine. When we finally pulled apart, I blinked back tears.
"Thank you for saying that," I whispered.
He smiled, and kissed me again. "I meant every word."
"Why do you trust me?" I asked, my voice quiet but steady. "You barely knew me before we got married, and yet you trust me with so much."
He leaned forward, resting his hands on my waist. "Because I can see your sincerity and your dedication to the pack. You've already done so much to improve things around here. Your actions speak louder than words, Ava."
I nodded slowly, absorbing his words. "But we barely knew each other. It just seems... I don't know, surprising that you'd put so much faith in someone new."
"I understand," he said softly. "Trust is something that's built over time, but sometimes you have to follow your instincts. And my instincts tell me that you're someone worth trusting."
I nodded, taking his words to heart, but there was still something else I needed to know. After a moment's hesitation, I continued, "And... who is Lily, really? I mean, she's clearly important to you, but you've been very vague about her."
Caleb tensed slightly, not expecting this line of questioning. "Lily is... she's like family, but I can't tell you everything yet."
I frowned, my curiosity piqued. "Is she... a mistress or something?"
Caleb gagged "Absolutely not! Lily is only sixteen, Ava."
I know I looked embarrassed, my cheeks flushing. "I'm sorry, I didn't know. It's just that... it seems like she's very close to you. I do like her I just..... I wanted to know before we got close and you know..... Alphas have ...needs, and we haven't..... you know." He smirked at me.
"She is close to me," he admitted, calming down. "But not in that way. Lily has been through a lot, and I keep her close because I trust her and she helps me with many things."
I nodded slowly, processing this information. "I see. Do you ever plan to have a mistress, then?"
He looked at me, his expression serious. "No, Ava. I believe in loyalty and honor. I married you, and I intend to be faithful."
My eyes softened, and I reached out to touch his hand. "Thank you for being honest with me, Caleb. I appreciate it."
He squeezed my hand gently. "Always, Ava. Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship, and I want you to feel secure here."
I smiled, feeling a genuine warmth in my eyes. "I do. Thank you, Caleb."