Page 54 of A Luna's Dynasty
“Looks like you’re wearing your spoils, Lita,” Caden teased, his gaze softening around the edges as he reached out with a leaf he’d plucked from the ground, offering it to her as a makeshift napkin. He watched her cheeks turn red as she swiftly wiped the sauce off her lips.
“We have to remember to always remove all traces of the evidence.” Caspian shook his head in defeat. He then looked up at Caden. “We’ve been caught by the beta. What is our next move? Retreat or capture?”
“Or recruit.” Kristen tilted her head, smiling up at Caden.
“Join forces with the new luna? Sign me up!”
“Then, welcome to the fold, Caden,” Lita said, extending her hand in mock solemnity. “May your skills serve us well in the greatest rib snatch of our time.”
Caden laughed, “You do realize we’re allowed to simply take the food, right? It’s not like it’s contraband.”
“What would be the thrill in that?” Lita replied with what Caspian had said before, making him beam with pride. “It’s about the game, Caden. The stealth, the strategy, the sweet victory of tasting the fruit of one’s ... sneakiness.”
“Well then, let’s up the challenge.” Caden squatted to the ground and the others huddled closely. “Stealing a few pieces of food is child’s play. The real challenge would be to acquire an entire pie.”
“Then it's settled.” Kristen pointed to a stack of cream pies. “We take one of the cream ones, but if anyone grabs a key lime pie, they lose.”
“Why is that?” Lita asked as Kristen scrunched up her nose.
“Because I don’t like it.”
“Okay, no key lime pies.” Caspian rubbed his hands together. “Let’s get to it!”
Lita laughed and thoroughly enjoyed herself with her friends. She felt like this silly moment was an important bonding experience. It was more than just fun, though … it was a moment of working together and enjoying each other’s company. It was something she would always remember … a memory she would always cherish.
Chapter 32
Lita and her food-stealing gang were sitting in a secluded part of the wood. Caden was telling stories about Asher when he was younger as they snacked on their stolen goods.
“And then, oh this part is good … and then Asher was jumping in the mud puddles. We were trying to see if we could empty the puddle if we jumped hard enough. He jumped in one and went completely underwater!” Caden laughed. “It was a big sinkhole of mud, and not a puddle. He came out looking like the swamp monster—”
“What stories are you filling my mate’s head with?” Asher’s gentle voice rumbled behind Lita. She turned, looking up at him. “I see you’re corrupting her as well.” His tone was teasing, but there was an undercurrent of warmth there.
“I’m merely educating her on the finer points of your … childhood,” Caden retorted with a smirk, and Asher snorted, shaking his head with fond exasperation.
“Come here, Lita,” Asher said, striding over and gently taking hold of her hands, drawing her up to stand beside him. “The party is going to start soon. I need to speak with you for a few moments … if you’ll excuse us.”
Asher’s hand, warm and firm, guided Lita through the bramble of ferns and flowering nocturnes that edged the secluded woods. Lita was curious as he led her to an isolated spot nearby. The pavilion was within their sights, and she could see her new friends making their way there.
“Lita, I wanted to talk to you.”
“I don’t have to give a speech or anything, right?” Lita pursed her lips as Asher chuckled.
“No, you don’t. I just want to show you off … with my mark on your neck. It’s a possessive thing.” He gave her a cheeky grin, cupping her cheeks.
His silver eyes were locked onto hers. She felt the sweet tingles of his touch as he slowly leaned in, lightly brushing his lips over hers. “Lita, I am so sorry. I was feeling a bit vulnerable and downright jealous. Bo used the moment to push himself forward. I never would have asked you to quit being a healer.I don’t like you touching other men, but I understand that, as a healer, you have to. I know the touches don’t mean anything, but it’s just … your touches mean EVERYTHING to me. I love you, Lita. Bo is very possessive and animalistic, but I’ll do better at not letting him take control. I don’t want to be that way with you.”
She stepped closer, placing her palm on his chest. “I understand those struggles all too well. I’ve had my fair share of fights with Mira. It’s weird … like wrestling your inner, powerful voice. They are their own creatures with their own personalities. They are us, but they aren’t.”
He nodded, a silent signal that he understood. “Do you forgive me … and Bo?”
“I do.”
Asher’s lips crashed against hers in a passionate yet brief kiss. He then looked toward their friends with pride. “You’ve become a part of them,” he said, gesturing toward the pavilion where the pack had gathered, their laughter and chatter riding on the breeze. “Seeing you with them, it’s as if you’re the missing piece we never knew was missing.” His voice was a hushed vow, resonating within her chest. “They’re excited about you, Lita. Black Ice has become a stronger pack overnight. We’ve worked hard to make ourselves stronger, and you were the last piece of the puzzle.”
Lita stared at the pack members with a small smile while her insecurities began to bubble inside of her. Stronger pack … since she'd arrived at the Black Ice Pack, she’d heard about the pack’s strength numerous times. And she’d heard how Asher made it his goal to do whatever it took to make them stronger. He even built up their tolerance to silver and wolfsbane, a risky move that paid off. But how far would he go for the sake of the pack? Was she just ‘for the sake of the pack’? Did he throw away the woman he loved just to accept his fated mate?
She decided when she accepted Asher’s mark that she would let the unknowns go and that they would build a relationship for the future, growing it into something beautiful. She couldn’t help but feel the cracks of doubt penetrating, though. Especially because of how he’d dropped Felicia, the woman he loved. Yes, she might be the one marked and mated to Asher, but was it just because she made the pack stronger?
