Page 26 of A Luna's Dynasty
Lita laughed. She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something familiar about him, like a half-remembered dream. She searched his face, trying to place the elusive sense of recognition, but it slipped away like smoke through her fingers.
"How are you finding Black Ice Pack so far?" Caspian asked, his eyes glinting with genuine interest.
She glanced around, a small smile tugging at her lips. "It's ... overwhelming, but in the best possible way. Everyone’s been so welcoming. It's more than I ever dared to hope for."
Caspian's gaze softened as he looked into Lita's eyes. "I must say, Luna, your eyes are truly magical. Like emeralds catching the sunlight." He paused, a hint of wistfulness in his voice. "I hope we can become good friends. The pack could use more of your warmth."
"Thank you, Caspian," she replied, her voice soft. "I'd like that very much. Friends are ... well, they've been hard to come by in the past."
Before Caspian could respond, Caden's deep voice cut through the moment. "Now, now, Caspian," he drawled, slinging an arm around Lita's shoulders. "Don't go getting any ideas. Our luna here is spoken for, remember? Asher might not take kindly to you sweet-talking his mate."
There was a teasing lilt to Caden's words, but Lita didn't miss the underlying seriousness in his tone. His loyalty to Asher was evident, a protective edge sharpening his usually easygoing demeanor.
A striking brunette sauntered up to their small group, her eyes fixed solely on the blonde werewolf. "Caspian," she purred, her voice dripping with honey. "I was hoping to catch you alone. Would you do me the honor of being my date for the upcoming banquet?"
Lita watched as Caspian's expression shifted, a flicker of annoyance crossing his features before he shifted into polite neutrality. "I'm flattered, Vericia," he said, his tone firm but kind. "But I'm afraid I'll have to decline. If you're interested, please submit your application like the other ladies have. It's only fair."
Vericia’s smile faltered, but she recovered quickly. "Of course," she said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. "I'll do that. See you around, Caspian." With a final, curious glance at Lita, she began to saunter away.
“HEY!” Caspian growled at her, making her turn with a jump. “Show your luna respect.”
“I—” Vericia turned to look at Lita.
“It’s okay—” Lita began to say, but Caspian glared at the woman.
“Luna.” She bowed her head and backed away.
“Now it’s okay.” Caspian snorted. “I apologize for the interruption.”
“That wasn’t necessary.” Lita frowned as she watched the woman disappear into the crowd.
“Caspian is right. That was necessary. The alpha and the luna are to have automatic respect. They are our leaders and our protectors.” Caden shrugged. “Even if they’re jealous of our luna,” he teased.
"I see," she said softly, her green eyes darting between Caden and Caspian. "It seems I have a lot to learn about pack dynamics here."
Caspian's gaze flickered to Caden for a moment before settling back on Lita, a mischievous glint in his azure eyes. "Speaking of the banquet," he began, his voice casual yet tinged with curiosity, "I was wondering about Asher's plans. Will he still be escorting Felicia?" He paused, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Because if so, I'd be more than happy to accompany you, Luna Lita."
"Funny, Caspian," Caden chuckled, clapping a hand on Caspian's shoulder. "Always the opportunist, aren't you?" His brown eyes danced with amusement as he turned to Lita. "I can assure you, our alpha won't be taking Felicia as his date. He's got his sights set on someone far more captivating."
Lita's smile faltered slightly as she nervously tucked a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. "To be honest," she admitted, her voice tinged with vulnerability, "I've never attended a pack banquet. The first thing I ever attended was the alpha meeting, which was obviously a party. Still, I bet it’s nothing like a pack banquet, is it?”
“Lots more dancing and socializing. No pack business is talked about. It’s all about relationships and finding mates.” Caden watched as Lita frowned slightly.
A pack banquet? Lot’s of dancing? This really was not her thing. "Maybe Felicia would be a better choice for Asher after all. She probably knows how to handle these events." The truth was that Lita felt guilty. Not only was Felicia’s engagement canceled, but now she was losing her date for an event that was planned probably months ago. This would only make this woman hate her more.
Caspian's handsome face twisted into a look of disbelief, then disgust. He scoffed, shaking his head. "Felicia? A better choice for Asher? Not in this lifetime or the next." His blue eyes locked onto Lita's, intense and earnest. "Trust me, Lita. Felicia may know how to work a room, but that's about all she's good for."
He ran a hand through his blond hair, frustration evident in his gesture. "She's manipulative, self-centered, and cares more about her status than the well-being of the pack. I've seen her step on anyone who gets in her way, all with a saccharine smile on her face."
"Caspian is right, Lita. Felicia's about as fit to be Luna as a fox is to guard a henhouse." His brown eyes glinted with amusement. "She's got a temper that'd make a volcano look tame, and a jealous streak deeper than the Grand Canyon.” He ticked off on his fingers, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Not to mention her tendency to gossip, her complete lack of empathy for others, and her blatant disregard for packtraditions." Caden's gaze softened as he looked at Lita. "You, on the other hand, have a heart of gold and the strength to match. You're exactly what this pack needs in a luna."
“You barely know me.”
“I know enough.” Caden smiled as Caspian nodded his head in agreement.
"But if Felicia's so terrible," Lita began, her voice barely above a whisper, "how did Asher fall in love with her in the first place?" Both men grew silent, and she could tell there was a story there that they didn’t want to tell.
Caden finally cleared his throat as he rubbed the back of his neck. "That's ... well, it's a complicated story. One that Asher should really tell you himself."
