Alpha Markus
Chapter 44

Celeste P.O.V.

It felt good talking to Markus. Telling him everything that happened and that I didn’t blame him for what I saw at the restaurant. He never judged me or doubted me. He just listened and understood. As we made love in the shower, I sent up a prayer of thanks to Selene for deeming me worthy of such a mate. For once in my life, I felt like my heart was full. But I was wrong and when I walked down with Markus for dinner, I realized just how wrong I was.

As we got closer to the first floor, I heard people and a commotion. I looked up at Markus.

“What’s going on?” I asked as we paused on the 3rd floor.

“I’m not sure. I will ask,” he said and his eyes glazed over as he engaged in mind link conversation. I saw his face slowly transform into one of joy. He looked down at me with such love and adoration that it took my breath away. I squeezed his hand and c****d my head in question.

“It appears there’s been a change of plans and we need to wait a minute before we go down,” he said, pushing me to the wall and crushing his lips to mine, not allowing me to ask what was happening. By the time he let me back up for air, I was flushed, breathless and more than a little disoriented. What were we doing?

You were going to dinner – Kara smirked in my head.

I looked up at Markus, who was trying to get his breathing under control. He dipped his head and gave me a slow sensual k**s. “OK, they are ready now,” he said, “Although I’m tempted to just take you back up and lock us in the room for the next couple of weeks,” he laughed.

“What’s ready?” I asked.

“Come, you’ll see.”

We started back down the steps. Everything was quiet now. I started going towards the dining room when Markus pulled me towards the back yard. “Aren’t we going to dinner?” I asked. He smiled.

“We are, but the Pack heard that you were home and awake and they wanted to see you. Wanted to make sure you were OK. They were hounding Daniel and Gillian all day and Maya had the idea of having dinner with the pack. They set up catering in the backyard. He said as he opened the back door and I gasped.

Lined up from the door to the clearing were pack members. I was frozen in place with emotion as some of the children from the staff ran up to me, wrapping their little arms around my legs. “Luna Luna, you’re back!” They chirped. I bent down and hugged them both, tears in my eyes.

I picked Matthew up, one of the cook’s grandchildren, and relished his little hands wrapping around my neck and the k**s he gave my cheek melted my heart. Markus wrapped his arm around my waist and started leading me through the Pack towards the dining tables. Everyone either bared their necks in reverence, welcomed me back or bowed as they called me Luna. The tears were starting to flow from my eyes at the love they all showed for me when we got to the platform where Markus had announced our arrival. I stopped and realized that the dining room tables were packed.

“Is everyone here?” I sobbed to Markus.

“Yes, they all love their Luna,” Markus said. I looked up at him and his eyes were also brimming with tears of affection for me and his pack.

My eyes began to glow. Kara, help me please. Come forward with me. – I said.

Right here with you always. – She responded as moved with the showing of love as I was.

I stepped forward. I felt my eyes go black and my body began to glow. I felt the same love I felt when Selene had kissed me. There were gasps from the Pack members as they saw how I looked.

“Luna you’re glowing!” Matthew exclaimed with awe. I turned and kissed his cheek, my k**s left a glowing mark before the glow was absorbed into his skin.

“I know little one. I’m just happy,” Kara and I said together.

I let him down and he ran to his grandmother, “Gammy! Luna kissed me! Did you see?!”

I left Markus’ hand on the small of my back, guiding me forward with love in his eyes.

I turned to the Pack. Our pack. Ours to protect. Ours to love. Ours to help thrive. My voice mixed with Kara’s as we spoke to our family, our power flowing through our voice. My aura flowing over the entire space, “I don’t know what I did to deserve all the love you have shown me. I am forever grateful that you have accepted me and cared for me. I love you all more than you can imagine. You have made my heart whole. You are my family, the one I craved for 12 years. I will protect and love you with everything I have. I will fight with you and for you.”

Markus gathered me in his arms now and bent down to k**s me. I heard some gasps and when I opened my eyes, I saw that he too, was glowing now. “The moon goddess said you would share my gifts,” I whispered as I touched his surprised face. His eyes turned black and he turned to speak to our people.

“We are both thankful of the love, support and loyalty of our Pack. No other Alpha or Luna could be luckier than us. Now let’s eat and be merry. Our Luna is home,” His and Atlas’ voices were mixed together. His voice full of power and affection. The entire pack cheered and clapped.

“You are truly special. How could I have been so blessed by the moon goddess,” he said as he put his forehead to mine.

“I was thinking the same thing,” I giggled. He brushed his lips on mine and then my stomach grumbled. He laughed.

“Come, let’s get some food in you. Everything else can wait until tomorrow.” I nodded and took his hand as he led me down to the table with Danny, Maya, Gillian, Alexander and Marie.