Page 30 of Bonded Beyond Trickery

I had to blink back tears because of the smiles on everyone’s faces and the acceptance that washed over me. Well, almost everyone was smiling. There were a few she-wolves who looked like they had sucked on a lemon, but that didn’t surprise me.

The funny thing is that I was never particularly interested in the power of the Luna position, or any position of power in the pack. I just wanted my mate and to be useful, to be more than a womb and to be accepted for who I really am.

The she-wolves who wanted power didn’t care about their mate. And that is probably why they would never be mated to a wolf with power. The Goddess doesn’t make mistakes.

The way the pack embraced me made me feel like I was finally home. While I was introduced to members of the pack, chatting with them, and seeing more than a few people who I had already forged a relationship with, like Maggie, Whitaker stood at my side the entire time. Even if we weren’t bonded, I could have felt his pride.

He was proud of his pack and the way they opened their arms to me. But he was also proud to have me next to him as his mate.

Since then, some things have changed, like Maggie calling me Luna even though we haven’t had the ceremony yet. It makes me a little uncomfortable. I also know, at least for her, it’s about her showing me respect. The first time she used the title I don’t officially have, I told her to continue to call me Tilly.

Clearly, that didn’t stick.

“Would it be okay with you if I spoke with the Alpha about your concern?” My voice is gentle as I ask.

If she doesn’t want me to then I won’t betray her confidence, but I have an idea of how we can help Nyx, if she’s open to it. I’m not willing to say anything without talking to Whitaker, but I’m positive he’ll want to know how much Nyx is struggling.

Maggie shoots me a look filled with fear. I lay my hand over hers and give a gentle squeeze while reassuring her, “I think hewould want to know. He would want to help her. No one wants any member of the pack to suffer.”

The breath that wooshes out of the woman in front of me is shaky. I feel for her. It must be so difficult to see her child hurting and not being able to do anything about it.

“Thank you, Luna,” she murmurs.

Without warning, I wrap my arms around the baker who is one of my favorite people in the pack. She relaxes into me and amazes me. I grew up seeing my mom give emotional support and relief to members of the pack, but until this moment, I never really understood it. She could always make me feel better, but she was my mom. This is different.

It’s so much more.

When I release her, there are unshed tears filling her eyes. We take a deep breath together and I watch as some of the tension eases from her face. I smile and turn to leave after promising that I’ll be in touch soon.

Two steps away from the door to the bakery, the door swings open and a gorgeous young lady rushes in. She must be around eight years old with thick hair that’s been tamed into a gorgeous fishtail braid. She beams up at me before her gaze shifts to Maggie and she shouts, “Gramma!”

I can’t help but giggle as the girl rushes to Maggie and slams into her with the force that would lay someone out if they weren’t prepared. “Aisley,” there is so much love in Maggie’s greeting for her granddaughter. “You rushed right past our Luna,” she admonishes softly and without any real heat.

Aisley turns around with a gasp, her eyes going big and round as she looks up at me. I barely have time to brace myselfbefore she wraps her arms around me. I hug her back and have to swallow past the lump that forms in my throat when she whispers reverently, “Luna.”

I’m smiling so big that it hurts my cheeks. When she pulls back and looks up at me, she gushes, “I’m so glad we have a Luna now. You’ll make it all better, I know you will.”

My eyebrows pull together, and I brush little wisps of her hair back from her forehead as I ask, “Make what better?”

“How sad Mommy is,” there’s sadness in her voice that makes me want to wrap her in my arms and shelter her from every storm. But I know it’s not possible. “Lunas are the pack’s mom and mom’s help sick pups feel better. That’s how I know you’ll help.”

I don’t think twice about dropping to my knees and wrapping Aisley up in my arms. She burrows into my hold, and I swear I can feel the way she gives me her burden. I take it readily. I’m more than capable of bearing it.

“I’m going to try to help your mom,” I promise. “It might take some time. We might have to try different things, but I won’t give up.” I pull back just enough to be able to look into Aisley’s eyes. I want her to see how sincere I am. “Okay?”

“Yes,” she breathes, her shoulders slumping with relief.

I share a long look with Maggie, something passing between us. An understanding. A kinship. Something that goes beyond Luna and her pack. We’re now a team and our goal is to help Nyx.

After I kiss the top of Aisley’s head, I head out of the baker with a purpose. Just like I did days ago, I don’t stop until I’mstanding in front of Whitaker’s office. The driving force for this visit is completely different than it was days ago.

Now, the bond between us buzzes under my skin. He hasn’t put his wall back up and I frequently feel him poking at the bond, and me, throughout the day. I revel in the connection between us.

This time I also don’t even bother knocking. Not only is my mate alone, but he would probably scowl at me now for thinking I need to knock. I’m thankful for the change in my mate and the way he’s willing to leave the past where it belongs and focus on the future.

I storm into the room and don’t stop until I’ve rounded his desk, pushed him back and am straddling his lap. Whitaker’s dark eyes are wide and filled with surprise before they drop with lust and his hands grip my hips.

My mouth twists to the side and I try not to snap at him as an urgency to right the situation for Nyx, even if it’s next to impossible, takes hold. Yes, it’s hard to concentrate when I’m on my mate’s lap. But I’m a mission.

---