Dead Luna
Chapter 75

Amelia's

POV

way he truly deserves.

Once I saw Jackson rush off, his clothes left in tatters next to the car, I couldn't help but be happy for him. And also relieved that his infatuation with me would finally run its course. I didn't like him idolizing me as he had done, with me not able to love him back the "He's got it bad." Glen says, laughing as Sky moves quickly out of sight. "Shall we go take a peek and see how our Romeo is doing?"

"You may, if you like," I say, giving him permission. I just spotted that the Royal motorcade is arriving, and I want to go see my parents. I replace some shorts in Jackson's luggage, hand them to Glen, and tell him I expect a full report. Then I go meet with my parents. After hugging my folks and a few minutes chit chat getting caught up, we are greeted near the entrance of the Bull Run pack house by Alpha Leo, his Beta Raghuram, and Gamma Desiree. I couldn't take my eyes off of Leo. He had grown a bit taller, but had also bulked up a bit since I had last seen him about three weeks ago. I suppose it must have something to h being an alpha, and vaguely I recall having read something about that happening back in my school days. He looked really good, physically, but he also looked tired as if he hadn't been sleeping well, and sad. I feel a bit guilty about that, since I'm sure at least some of that is my fault.

We all head inside to the Alphas office, but the king immediately requests to go refresh himself in his guest suite since the drive from the Seattle area to Bull Run was a long one, and he and his Queen Luna were tired.

"Certainly, your majesty." Leo responds to the request affably. "You and the Queen Luna will have the Alpha suite for the length of your stay. It's just been renovated and I haven't even moved in yet. Please enjoy!"

I notice a twinkle in my fathers eye when Leo said "please enjoy!", and my parents gave each other a loving book. I rather suspect they really aren't tired at all, and have other plans in mind. And I'm so glad that they've found happiness in each others arms after all they've been through.

Glen returns at that point and greets my parents, just as they are heading out. He explains that he was running a small errand for me, and also tells dad that everything seems to be going well. And then he gives me the report I had asked for.

"Well, I have to admit that was one of the most adorable things I've ever witnessed in my life," Glen assured me with a chuckle. "I'm pretty sure Lover boy is completely smitten. If I were a young pup like him, I definitely would be too. She's a sweetheart, but got instantly jealous and looked ready to fight you for him when I mentioned your name. But I was able to smooth things over perfectly, and I think it's going to work out fine." "Excellent!"

"Who is this guy?" Leo asks, pointing at Glen, as he and I sit down to go over the plan for the next few days. I thought I asked Jackson to be your gamma until after tomorrow?"

"I am the royal Gamma," Glen informs Leo. "Jackson found his mate just a few minutes ago. A sweet gal named Danika, I believe. I imagine he might be a bit busy for the rest of the day." "That's wonderful!" Leo says, nodding at that. "I'm happy for them both."

"And it also looks like your mom has become Queen Luna?" Leo continues conversationally, apparently having been too busy recently to have kept up with the latest news from the capital. "Congratulations! I assume that makes King Alexander your step father, and thats the reason why they came to the mating ball, and to be here for your first shift? Does that make you princess?

I look around the room at the few wolves who are present. Everyone will know very soon, anyway. But I still hesitate, and decide to use mind link.

I am a princess, but not because he is my step father. The Lycan king is my actual father.

Leo goes very still at that news. Eventually he opens his mouth, looking like he wants to say something, but not a sound comes out.

My wolf Ambrosia is actually a Lycan, Leo.

Leo makes a squeaky sound reminiscent of a mouse. He tries to clear his throat a couple times, then manages to say "really?"

I am the Lycan Kings first born child and heir. And my true name is Amelia Jane Worthing.

Leo excused himself for a few minutes, and left the room. When he didn't come back within 5 minutes, I send him another mind link. "Leo? We still need to discuss the plans for tomorrow."

"Ive been such a stupid i***t," he responds back. "The way I treated you in the past is completely unacceptable! I don't know that there is anything I could ever do to deserve your forgiveness."

"Moon goddess has asked me to forgive you anyway, so I have." I inform him, "Now get back in here before I change my mind."

A minute or so later, Leo finally returns, and we begin to discuss the final details of tomorrows events, as well as security measures. A large event like this will naturally draw the attention of any nearby rogues. All the guards and warriors who are already mated must be on duty during the event. All the tents for the event have been positioned in a circle with only one entrance, which will be a security checkpoint. Only wolves who have been pre-authorized will be admitted.

First, though, Leo will be having his Alpha ceremony. It is scheduled for 7:00 in the evening, just after a cocktail hour, and afterwards there will be a banquet. The full moon will rise at 10:32, which is when I will finally shift, and the mating ball begins.

"I'd like to be sworn in as Alpha along with my Luna. So it'd be preferable for us to meet, and get the mating and marking done before the ceremony begins," Leo explains.

"Mating and marking will have to wait until after the moon rises," I inform Leo. "You'll meet your mate just before the start of the ceremony, once I've chosen my mate. She can be sworn in without being marked first, it's really not that unusual." Leo didn't look too happy at that, but didn't argue with me.

"Are you going to at least tell me who she is?" Leo asks, hopefully. I know it's just a bit cruel of me, but I shake my head.

I laugh a little at the crestfallen look on his face. "I know, I know, but I want to be there when you see her for the first time! One of the greatest joys for me in doing this task is watching those I've brought together fall in love instantly. It makes everything I've been doing worthwhile." I explain. "You wouldn't want to spoil that joy for me, would you?"

Fit makes you that happy, then of course you may keep it a surprise," Leo begrudgingly agrees. "I'm hardly in any sort of position to say no to anything you want. But I'm worried that she might not like me, or maybe she won't be a good Luna for the pack. What if I can't love her enough to make her happy?"

"Well, just this morning Jackson was professing his eternal love for me, claiming that I was the only woman he had ever loved!" I inform Leo, irritably, which shocked him. "And according to Glen's report of just a few minutes ago, Jackson is now head over heels in love with Danika Lopez. Do you still doubt that you could love someone else?"

"I do doubt it, actually," Leo says quietly, and the look he gives me is heartbreaking. But then he shakes it off, and we work out the few details that were left to go over. Then we had a half hour to get refreshed before dinner in the private dining room. I decide to wear my new little black dress with the white contrast collar. It's fit was snug, but attractive, tightly hugging my increasingly ample curves. I had a moments doubt as I looked in the mirror, and wondering if I was getting too fat, but then Ambrosia was blasting me for thinking such a thing. You are fabulous, girlfriend! Some humans out there are paying big bucks on surgery to get an a*s and boobs as big as ours. Own it!

And then we go in to dinner.

When I see the look on Leo's face, I think perhaps Ambrosia might have a good point. He definitely had trouble keeping his eyes off of me.

The table was set with only eight place settings, with Leo and I at opposite ends of the table. My parents and the Royal Beta Alfred to one side, Beta Ragu, Deirdre, and Gamma Glen to the other. Mom and her cousin Deedee (as most people called her), were directly across from each other and had a lively chat about how their lives had both changed so much recently. Mom looked the happier of the two, as Deirdre had been moved to Bull Run pack rather reluctantly. Dad and Leo also had much to talk about, with dad doing most of the talking. Not seated near anyone I was particularly wanting to talk to, I was happy enough to just listen and eat, only joining in the conversation when prompted to.

We dined on tomato bruschetta, corn and crab bisque, salmon served with a flavorful rice pilaf and roasted zucchini, and there was cherries jubilee for dessert. The entire menu having been designed around the summer bounty, as well as the Lycan Kings love of seafood.

And then I hear the conversation between my father and Leo turn towards our past relationship.