A Mother Before A Mate
Chapter 28

The last 2 weeks have been pretty great. I took a week off before starting to train with the warriors. I wanted to let Molly get settled, and I also wanted to go to the daycare with her for a few mornings, so she would be comfortable when I left her there. I've been training with the warriors for a week now, and I really enjoy it. I'm getting along with almost everyone, but I seem to really click with Becka.

She was rated 3rd before I got here. It's exciting to train with all new warriors. I also love the advanced warriors class, because it's for advanced men and women, and Jack leads it. He's the strongest wolf I've ever seen. I thought Jett was unbeatable, but Jack would whoop his a*s. It's impressive and extremely sexy! I've actually been learning a lot from him, and he's super sexy while he's in full Alpha training mode.

A little too sexy sometimes. I had a little moment with one of the she-wolves yesterday. She was looking at him like he was a delicious dessert. And he totally is, but he's my delicious dessert. Her eyes were black with l**t, and she was shamelessly licking her lips. I may have embarrassed her a little... Or a lot when I growled at her in front of the whole class to, "Watch your f*****g w***e eye!" I made everyone uncomfortable, except Jack. He just wore a cocky smirk.

He thinks it's 'cute' when I get all jealous, but she didn't. She was scared, and she apologized right away. And in training today, she was completely professional, and I didn't see her eyes swirling with black from l**t. He's mated, and it is so disrespectful for her to conduct herself like that.

We just finished the final class of the day, and it was the advanced class. "Good work, babe!" Jack smiles, as he walks up while I was chatting with Becka, and pulls me close.

"Thanks! Right back at ya!" I say as I lean in to give him a little kiss.

Alex walks up to us and snakes his arm around Becka. Alex is the top warrior here, and he's mated to Becka. I really like Alex, he's super funny and always cracking jokes. Alex is tall and muscular, with light brown shaggy hair. Becka has the most beautiful auburn hair, and green eyes. She's easygoing, and she is a genuinely kind and sweet person.

We were fast friends.

She and Alex actually have a 3-year-old little boy, Toby, so it's great that we can get together in the afternoons for playdates.

"Ready to go, babe? We don't want to be late," Alex says to Becka.

"Yes, definitely. We'll see you guys later. I'll text you after and maybe we'll take the kids to the park after nap time?" Becka asks. "Sounds great!" I agree.

I only train mornings, just like at Cold Moon. Molly is young, and it's important to me to have afternoons with her. Most warriors train in the mornings, and then also do shifts keeping guard of the pack lands, or the advanced warriors give personal training lessons to other warriors.

All of which we would get paid for, but because of my savings from my parents, I've had the luxury of only working mornings. I had a talk with Jack about how I would use my savings to supplement my not working in the afternoon, but he basically laughed at me. He said that since I'm his woman, and also soon to be Luna, money will never be an issue.

He told me to work as little or as much as I want. I talked to Jack about not wanting to be financially dependent on him, and I mentioned my savings and how I wanted to contribute, but he insisted that, as Luna, I would be contributing in many ways for many people. He gave me a black credit card and insisted if I purchased anything I use it instead of my savings. I feel grateful that I am still able to have my afternoons with Molly, and that Jack was so supportive.

"It's 11:30, what do you think about letting Molly have her nap at daycare today and we can shift and go for a run?" he asks.

"I could really use a run," I admit.

-

We've been running through the forest for the last 30 minutes, zig-zagging, and I tackle him any chance I get. We're having so much fun. We did this last week too, and it felt really good. It felt like we connected on such a deeper level. We're both black wolves, but my fur is a little longer than Jack's, and Jack is much bigger than I am. He's huge.

My eyes are blue, and his eyes are green. His green eyes stand out so much against his black fur, he's beautiful. We're coming up to a creek and we walk side by side so close, we're touching. Even in wolf form, his body touching mine feels so nice. He makes me feel so safe, secure and loved. Not to mention the sparks, and his scent makes me want to ravish him any chance I get. Jack Mind-links me after we get a drink.

-There is something I want to show you. Follow me,-

I follow him. Ever since we marked each other, I can mind-link him. I can't mind-link anyone else from his pack yet, not until the Luna ceremony in a few days. I'm still technically a member of the Cold Moon. We walk for a few minutes before coming up to a clearing in the forest. There, I see blankets and pillows, with a beautiful canopy on top. What the heck?

As I get closer, I can see it looks so plush and comfy, and there is champagne, a picnic basket, and there are light pink and white flowers everywhere decorating the romantic getaway. Jack shifts and grabs an outfit that was placed there. He grabs a light pink summer dress that I've never seen before and hands it to me when I shift.

"What's going on here?" I ask as I slip the dress on, and look at every beautiful detail.

"I just wanted to do something nice," he states and pulls me close.

"This is so sweet," I gush, as I give my sexy mate a grateful, passionate kiss. "Thank you!" I whisper in between kisses.

After we break apart, Jack and I sit down, and he opens the champagne and pours us a glass. When I see what he's packed for us, I'm very excited. There is an amazing charcuterie board, fresh bread, an amazing fruit platter, and also a beautiful dish of different desserts. "This is the best picnic EVER!" I admit excitedly. We eat and talk. Jack wanted to discuss some details about the Luna ceremony. I didn't want anything big, just our pack and Jack hesitantly agreed.

"I know I said that it could just be our pack for the Luna ceremony, but I did invite a few members from outside ours," he admits. Oh no.

"How many?" I groan.

"5."

"Oh, okay, that's not bad. Who are they?"

"Your family. Lev, Grace, Jett, Jos, and Cora," he smiles." Mila and Eli couldn't make it," he adds.

"Really?" I'm grateful to hear they're coming. I miss them. I didn't think it would be appropriate to invite only a few members from one pack, and I'd prefer to have them not come than to have to invite everyone. "Isn't that going to upset other packs?" "Nah. They're from your old pack. If anyone gets mad, I'll take care of it," he smiles, and I can't help but smile back. When we're done eating, Jack moves the food off the blankets, and we lay down together, to cuddle.

"I've been really struggling with something," he tells me. I hate to hear him say that. I immediately replace myself leaning on my elbow to sit up a little to look at him. "What's wrong?" I press.

"It's about the Luna ceremony. I've been thinking about how I'll introduce you and I hate it." I furrow my brows in confusion. "I'll be naming you Luna Alexandria Smith." "Yeah?" I question.

He shakes his head with disappointment. "I feel like it just makes us sound so uncommitted. I was thinking... Luna Alexandria Lavard. What do you think?" He asks, plainly. "Uhhh... I don't know how to answer that." What is he even saying? Is he asking? He seems to have read my mind.

"I love you, Lexi. I know that we haven't been together that long, but you and Molly are everything to me. I would give anything and everything for you both. I can't live without you. I crave having every bit of you. I want you to be bound to me for life, not only through the mate bond but also through marriage. I want you to carry my name, and one day carry our pups. Be my wife! Marry me!" he asks.

One of his hands is on my face, as his thumb lightly strokes my cheek. His other hand snakes under the blanket and pulls out a small box. He places the open box in front of me, and I see a large oval diamond ring, with small diamonds that wrap around it. The band is thin, dainty white gold.

"Oh my gosh, really?"

For some reason, I'm immediately crying. He smiles and nods. I smile and nod back. "Yes!" I whisper before our lips meet.

He kisses me, and I feel the sparks are erupting on my skin. This is pure bliss. Jack pulls away and then puts the ring on me. As soon as the ring was on my finger, I move in to kiss him. My need for my mate is all-consuming. Our kiss becomes heated very quickly. I love the way he tastes. I'm on top of him, and he's starting to unzip my dress. It doesn't take long before we were both naked and filling the quiet forest with the sounds of our lovemaking.