Page 70 of Luna: Posy 2

So I did. Before I knew it, I was scarfing down the best cheeseburger I'd ever had in my life and laughing hysterically as Wyatt shoved a French fry up each nostril and mocked Cole over something.

"All right, Emerson Jones, the boys want to keep you." Alpha Mason stood up, pulled out a pocket knife, and moved closer. "If you want to join Five Fangs, give me your hand."

"You're inducting him into the pack right here and now?" Ash squeaked.

"Why wait?" the alpha shrugged.

They're either really good or really bad judges of character, I chuckled silently.

I think good, Cove yipped happily.

"Papa issogoing to give you an ass-chewing," Cole warned him.

"He gives me an ass-chewing every day, anyway." Alpha Mason shrugged. "Might as well do something to earn it for once. Besides, I don't needanyone'spermission. He gave up that right when he handed me the reins of both Great Rocks and Five Fangs."

Making my choice, I stood up and held out my hand. The alpha slit my thumb, then his own, and smashed them together. Moon magic danced between us and, just like that, I was a member of Five Fangs.

As everyone took turns giving me a bro-hug, my chest burned. One hot tear streaked from the corner of my eye, and I swiped at it with a red face, ashamed to be caught acting so soft in front of my new alpha and pack members.

"Hey, it's okay," Jayden said quietly and reached up to pat my shoulder. "Everything's going to be all right now."

"Yeah, dude, you can relax." Wyatt grinned. "You're home."

#

~Present day~

Posy

"I think I'd like the stones to go all the way around."

The queen and I had slept a good bit as Emerson drove Jayden's SUV and Luke kept him company in the front seat. Once we were awake again, we started talking about wedding ring designs for my mates. Queen Lilah shared her idea to incorporate the stones their wolves were named for, and I loved it!

"Because a circle represents forever, right?" I smiled at her. "And their wolves are mine forever, too."

"It's a charming way to include their wolves, which will flatter and please them," she agreed.

I couldn't wait to sketch out my ideas and see about having the rings made. The betas had agreed to help me and keep the designs secret from my mates. They were going to love them; I just knew it!

"All right, everyone," Emerson said. "We've crossed into Tall Pines territory. Another thirty minutes should see us at the alpha house."

The queen squealed and I bounced in my seat. We reached for our bags simultaneously and brought out brushes and started to straighten up our hair. I'd missed Ash doing mine for me; the only style I could really do was a high ponytail. Knowing they'd want to pet my hair, I ended up brushing it out and leaving it down.

As soon as Emerson brought the car to a stop, the queen flung her door open and was off to find the king, Luke following close behind her. I was super excited to see my mates, too, and unbuckled my seat belt only to notice Emerson hadn't moved. I could see his dark brown eyes in the rear-view mirror. They swirled with emotions, but the only one I recognized was fear.

"Em? What's wrong?"

"I, um." He swallowed hard and met my eyes in the mirror, then whispered, "I smell my mate."

Joy bloomed in my heart, and I clapped my hands.

"That's great, Em! Come on! Let's go meet her!"

"Uh, about that." He rubbed the back of his neck and dropped his eyes. "Yeah. Never mind. I'm ... going to stay here for a bit."

"What? Don't you want to meet your mate? I'll go with you if you want."

"No, that's okay. Thanks." His shoulders curved down and his voice turned to a husky whisper. "You go ahead, luna bunny. Go to the alphas."

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