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“Lunch will be served in the dining room in about fifteen minutes. Thank you for coming to my luna ceremony, and my apologies for any inconvenience or stress yesterday’s events caused any of you,” Celeste said as everyone started walking out of the conference room. Alpha Troy hung back after everyone left.
“I don’t know if you were aware, but her alpha mistreated my Kiara before I found her. She is the sweetest thing.” I could see the love for his mate in his smile. “If you don’t mind, I would like to tell her your story. I know she is already comfortable with you both. Perhaps, if she were able to talk about her experiences with you, she would find some comfort and hope that things can get better and that she doesn’t have to hide anymore,” he said to Maya and Celeste.
“I think that would be a lovely idea,” Celeste replied.
“There’s one more thing,” Alpha Troy said, his eyes glazed over momentarily while he mind-linked someone. A minute later, Luna Kiara walked in with little Cade hanging from her hip, looking scared but determined. “One of the unfortunate effects of her upbringing is that Kiara is unable to carry children. We’ve been considering adopting for the last year, and to be honest, Cade has captured both of our hearts. I learned what happened to his parents from the headmistress of the orphanage and would like to discuss the possibility of you allowing us to adopt him,” Alpha Troy explained. I looked at little Cade playing with his teddy on her hip like it was the most natural thing to him. I didn’t even have to ask Celeste what she thought. I could feel her joy through the bond.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea. We will talk to the headmistress before I leave so she can get started on all the necessary paperwork,” I said, while Celeste completely abandoned me as she ran to Luna Kiara. She hugged Luna Kiara fiercely and kissed Cade, who seemed a little confused about what was happening, and asked Luna Kiara why she was crying. Alpha Troy, Luna Kiara, Cade and her guard left, and we were left with just the Crescent Moon gang.
We stood silently for a couple of minutes, processing everything that just happened before Dad brought out a bottle of champagne from under his seat and a bunch of cups.
“You did it. Time to celebrate!” he cheered. He poured everyone some champagne, though when he got to Celeste, he put the bottle down and brought out a juice box from his pocket, making us laugh when he poured Celeste some apple juice.
“To justice for Cory and Bella and all of Sky Moon Pack,” he said, and we all drank. Celeste’s stomach rumbled.
“How about we get some lunch? I’ll have someone get the bus and our vehicles ready to travel,” I said, and we all filed out towards the dining room.
Chapter thirty-seven
Celeste
Afterlunch,onceallthe guests left, we began our journey to Blood Moon. We were in a convoy of several SUVs and a large empty bus.
Kelly left with Alpha Rhett, promising to return in a few days. Alexander and Marie agreed to stay and look after pack matters along with Mrs. Quinn while we were away retrieving the girls. Two SUVs were full of guards to make sure none of the warriors at Blood Moon attempted to prevent us from taking the girls.
We were about two hours from the pack grounds when I felt Maya fidget. It was subtle at first, but as we got closer, she became more agitated. Danny was trying to distract and soothe her, but about ten minutes away from pack borders, she started freaking out.
“Stop the car. I can’t. Please stop the car. STOP THE CAR!” she screamed in complete panic. Markus pulled to the side of the road, and we hadn’t come to a complete stop before the door flew open, and Maya ran out. I made a move to go after her when Danny stopped me.
“I got this one, Luna,” he said solemnly before he jumped out and walked to where Maya had dropped to her knees. I watched Danny hold and talk to her while Maya visibly shook.
‘I want her and Danny to stay behind when we go to Mexico,’I told Markus via mind-link a few minutes later.
‘I’m sure she will be fine. It’s that fucking place. Even I want to turn around and head home the closer I get,’Markus said, but I shook my head.
‘She hasn’t healed like I thought she had. She hides it well, but she never had to be alone without me as a barrier. I’ve never let her face anything by herself. I thought I was doing my job, trying to protect her, but I think I’ve just been keeping her vulnerable. I want her to stay and see how strong she is without me. I want her to train. Actually, I want all the girls to train. I want them to find the power that was taken from them over the last twelve years. I want Maya to know she is strong and can face anything without me. I know she can, but she needs to figure that out too,’I explained.
‘I will talk to Danny about it. I’ve never asked, do you need to talk to someone about what you went through?’I turned to look at his worried face. From the mate bond, I knew it was concern for both Maya and me and the monumental task we signed up for. I smiled at him through the mirror, thinking about how much I loved the man the Moon Goddess had gifted me.
‘It probably wouldn’t hurt. Maya and I have already talked to the pack therapist about group sessions. It might do us some good to have some individual sessions too.’He nodded, pride flowing down our bond at my words.
‘I love you, Tuli.’
‘I love you more,’ I responded.
Maya and Danny came back into the vehicle a little while later. She tried to apologize, but Markus didn’t let her. She looked at me to do the same, but I popped a grape into her mouth before she could, making her laugh. We set back on the road, and when we passed the pack territory borders, I couldn’t help but shiver. This had never been a happy place for anyone. No one ever came here, so no guards were present at the gates. I once thought the Moon Goddess must have cursed this place, or at the very least, forgotten it. Kara paced the further we drove into the pack grounds, and I wondered if my theory was correct.
We parked at pack house steps. Gamma Richard was waiting for us with a dozen or so Blood Moon warriors standing behind him, having sensed their borders breached. He had a right to be worried. We hadn’t called ahead, afraid they would hurt the girls. We had instead requested an official decree from the council to avoid confrontations. Gillian also spoke to Dr. Castle, asking him to gather as many girls as he could in a hospital room around the time we were to arrive. He and his family agreed to join Crescent Moon, so we stopped on the way in to grab a rental truck for him. It was already on its way to his house with several guards to help his mate and children load and protect them.
“Alpha Markus. Alpha Geoff went to your luna’s ceremony and has yet to check in since yesterday to let us know of their return. Now we find you arriving without my alpha,” Gamma Richard said calmly, but the suspicion was thick in his voice, the wariness palpable in his tense posture.
“I’m afraid I’ve come with some bad news, Gamma Richard,” Markus began as everyone stepped out of the SUVs and placed themselves behind their alpha. The Blood Moon warriors were twitching for a fight, waiting for the nod from their acting leader, but Markus simply handed the decree to Gamma Richard.
I could see the surprise and disbelief pass quickly through his face while he read it. He stared at me with an emotion I couldn’t decipher before Atlas’ threatening growl pulled his eyes back to Markus.
“You’re dissolving the Blood Moon Pack?” he asked incredulously.
“No. As the letter states, the council has chosen to do that, and they will be here in two days to begin the process. I am only here for the girls from Sky Moon. They are joining my pack and getting the help they need.” Markus explained more calmly, now that Gamma Richards wasn’t staring at his mate.
