A Mother Before A Mate
Chapter 27

It's almost time for the warriors training class so we head straight there. The building is huge and there are 2 front doors. Jack points to one door, "That's the gym if you want to go to work out. This is the training grounds," he says as he opens the other door. I walk in, and it's huge and it's full of people, both men and women. When they notice Jack walk in, everyone quiets down and stands watching us. Jack walks to the center of the room with Molly in one arm, and his other hand on my back. I am so nervous. One day I'm supposed to be their Luna. That's a lot of pressure, and the last thing I want to do is disappoint them. When I see Zac, I feel a little relieved to see a familiar face. He nods with a big smile, and I wave in return.

"Good morning everyone. I'm not sure if everyone knows why I have been away the last few days, but I have found my mate at the Cold Moon ceremony over the weekend," and he's cut off by the clapping of his pack members.

I can't help but smile. I look up to Jack, and he's looking at me with pride. It must feel good that his pack cares about his happiness so much. He looks back out to the crowd, and they soon quiet down. This is Lexi, my mate. Some of my advanced warriors will recognize her from game day over the weekend. For those of you that weren't there, my lovely mate came in first place for both of the women's races and also the warrior fights," I look at Jack, and he's beaming.

I'm probably a little rosy-cheeked because of the high-praise introduction, and soon everyone is clapping again. I give everyone an appreciative smile and nod, hoping that will make them stop. When they quiet down, Jack continues, "On top of her impressive game- day achievements, she is also kind and thoughtful and I know she'll be a great Luna. I also want to introduce you to Molly. Molly is our daughter, and I know you all will do a great job of making them feel welcome, and treat them with nothing but kindness and respect," he finishes. He kinda said the last part in a threatening way. He's looking a little scary, so I start to rub circles on his back to calm him. It seems to have worked because he looks at me and smiles. When he smiles, it's like you can hear an audible sigh of relief throughout the whole room.

"That's all," he adds.

Everyone starts to scatter. Zac comes up to us. "You nearly scared everyone half to death there, Jack," he chuckles, but Jack is stone-faced.

"Good," he states and I move into him, giving him a little hug.

"Down," Molly says with a wiggle. Jack puts her down and she makes her way to a thick blue mat.

I would let Molly jump on one at Cold Moon's warrior building once in a while when I'd swing by for something with her. I follow her, making sure she doesn't get in anyone's way. When she makes it to the corner where the thick mat is, I lift her and put her on top. No one is using it, so she isn't interrupting.

She's jumping her little heart out. Her feet are barely even coming off the mat when she jumps, but she loves it. She's laughing, and when she loses her balance and falls she says 'fall down. I'm watching her, and a woman that I don't recognize comes up to talk to me. She has her red hair tied back, and she has freckles. We have a similar body type, but she's just a bit taller than I am. She's very beautiful, in a very earthy, natural way.

"Hi, I'm Brit," she says, and extends her hand, and I shake it.

"Hi, it's nice to meet you."

"I just wanted to say welcome to Black Moon, I'm really happy we're getting another strong female warrior," she says proudly.

"Thank you, I'm happy to be here. I'm really excited to get to know all of you, and train with you all as well."

"Me too!" She looks at Molly, "That laugh though, I mean she's seriously adorable," she gushes.

"Thank you!" After chatting for a few minutes, Jack walks up to us.

"See, I told you she'd like a trampoline," Jack says, feeling proud of himself.

"Alpha," Brit says with a nod. "Brit," he nods.

"I'll see you around, Luna," Brit says, and then turns.

"Just call me Lexi," I add as she's walking away. She turns back to smile and nod.

Jack and I leave and continue our tour. Now we're heading to the child care centre. In this pack, they have their own building. When it's in sight, I see the chain-link fence all around it. There's a sandy area, with a play structure, and a bunch of outdoor toys. "This is awesome! They have an outdoor play area!"

Jack smiles, pleased to see me happy. We go inside and there are around 10 women and about 30 little kids. They have a lot more little kids than Cold Moon too. Jack introduces us as his mate and daughter. I see the confused looks he's getting but we just ignore it. The women seem really nice and warm. I feel comfortable with the idea of leaving Molly here when I have training.

Then Jack takes me to another building close to the packhouse. It's the 'rec hall. It has pool tables, Foosball tables, air hockey, tables and chairs, a bar area, and a few large TVs against the wall.

"We don't stock booze in here unless we're having a party or if in the evenings people want to come, they bring their own, just because this place gets a lot of traffic from the kids too," he explains.

It's empty now, but I'm sure after school lets out, this place is pretty popular.

Then he shows me the hospital, the convenience store, and the big playground and the splash pad. The splash pad is turned off, given that it's still chilly in April, but I know Molly will have a lot of fun there when it's all set up. The tour is done, so I decide to let Molly play at the park before I head home.

"I know you have a lot of work to catch up on, babe. I'll stay here with Mol so she can burn some energy. You can get back to work."

He looks at his watch, "I want to talk to you about your Luna ceremony first." I really don't want to have this talk. I'm not ready to be Luna. Plus, it just seems wrong, I barely know anybody here.

"Your face just looked like you were in physical pain when I mentioned the Luna ceremony," he confesses.

"Sorry, what did you want to say?" I ask with a chuckle.

He pauses. "I want to start planning your Luna ceremony."

"For when, exactly?"

"Not this Friday, next Friday... so 10 days."

"What? How about in a few months? Even a few months seems too soon to me," I plead.

He shakes his head. "Lexi, you're my marked mate, that I now share a child with. I wanted to do it this Friday, but I thought 10 days would be more to your liking," he tells me plainly. I start to groan.

"It's too soon... 6 weeks?" I ask in my sweetest voice. He seems totally unfazed by my attempts and just smiles and shakes his head no. "5 weeks? Please?" I whine.

"17 days. That's the most I'll agree to. 2 2 weeks. Even saying it out loud, I hate the idea of waiting that long. I want you in your rightful place, beside me," he adds as he pulls me closer.

"I'm still beside you, you're my mate. A title can't change that," I assure him.

"To us, it doesn't. It's everyone else I'm worried about. If you're not their Luna, they'll think they can talk to you, or treat you as less. Like we're not a team, and like I won't tear them to shreds if they f**k with you," he booms, and I chuckle.

I think it's sweet how he's getting all fired up at just the thought of someone not treating me well. "I love you. You made it quite clear earlier that Molly and I are to be treated well. You don't have to worry. Plus, I could kick every she-wolf's a*s in there," I tease and now he's chuckling.

"Yeah, you could!" He admits proudly as he pulls me in to kiss me.

"17 days!" he says as he pulls away, and then says goodbye to Molly."

***

Molly and I spent the day together, and I haven't seen Jack since the park earlier, although he has texted me a few times. He had to go into town for business earlier.

Molly and I are making a cinnamon swirl cake with vanilla frosting before we get started on dinner. Molly likes to help me bake all the time. I love this time with her. BUZZ BUZZ* I grab my phone.

Jack