His Luna’s Already A Luna
Chapter 33

Nick POV

Leaving Lucinda alone to unpack had to be a good thing. He would have to give her some space after dragging her around all morning, and he now knew that was exactly what he'd done. He'd seen it for himself when he'd checked the packs security cameras. Something he had installed around the pack to help make his she-wolves, mated and un-mated alike, feel safer as they moved about on their own.

Liam and his Alpha Unit had terrified a lot of them during his reign, after Liam had killed his older brother Alex to take over as Alpha. Alex had been no better than their father, but Liam had been a bloody nightmare for his pack. His rule had been short-lived. Nick had seen to that it had been just 1 and a half years before Nick had felt he was strong enough to step up and take down his Alpha-blooded brother.

It had been a horrendous year and a half for every she-wolf and even their mates. Liam was exactly like their father was. He'd had no regard for anything or anyone in this pack. As far as he was concerned, they were his pack and he could do as he pleased with all members. He was the Alpha and took what he wanted when he wanted. Regardless of the she-wolf's status. Mated or un-mated alike. He had not even cared if they were Ranked members of the pack either.

Jeremy had to fight that day as well; his own brother. Between the two of them, they had taken down their own siblings, to take full control of the pack. He had killed the Gamma and Delta himself, though they had stayed out of the fighting, hoping to retain their positions. But Nick knew they were as rotten as Liam and as untrustworthy as him too. They had to go.

He had not spared anyone that had marked or mated over the top of another bonded wolf, leaving their mate to die as his mother had.

He wouldn't stand for it. His duel had taken place with half of the pack watching. Some didn't want to see another duelling Alpha pair from the Frost family. They thought Nick would be no different to any of his brothers or even his father.

He had been, the minute that Liam was dead and so was his Alpha Unit, he had announced his own unit and they had set out on a mission to hunt and kill all those loyal to Liam's reign and his sick way of running the pack. Some had fled and gone rogue, some had fled to other packs but mostly they had ended up dead by his hand or his units hands.

To stop the bad history of his packs abuse, he laid down some new rules. First and foremost, a wolf's bond to another can not be tampered with, and the penalty for it would be death, by public execution. A harsh rule, not one he'd ever had to follow through on at this point. Thankfully.

He'd spend a year cleaning up after his brothers' mess. Setting up security for his own pack to help them feel safe inside their own pack, something every wolf should feel. Made sure his Unit was in check at all times, though he'd known Jeremy since he was six and Kevin and Braidy before that, getting them to help him out to take over had not been an easy task. Well, Jeremy was in on it, hated his brother with a severe passion like nothing Nick had seen before.

Kevin and Braidy would only back him up if he'd won the duel. They'd heard how he'd wanted to turn the pack around and make it better. Both wanted that, but had not particularly wanted to have to deal with Liam and his unit if Nick had lost. But Nick had known he wouldn't lose. He had something none of his brothers had. Pure Alpha Blood.

His mother was actually his father's Goddess-Gifted Mate. His actual Luna, he now realised. Which made him the strongest heir to the pack. All the others were just bred from chosen mates, some willing, some not. His mother herself had also had Alpha blood. She was the 3rd born Alpha daughter from a smaller pack and his father had claimed her right away. Spent 5 years with her, the longest time for him with any one of his she-wolves.

Till he'd turned on her too. Goddess only knew why. Nick had some memories of his mother but not many, being so young, but there was one he held that showed him how much his mother had loved her mate, his brute of a father. He didn't know why she did. Nick had never forgiven his father for killing his mother. When his father had come home to replace her lifeless body on the floor and their two young children sitting crying next to her body. He'd sighed and had her body removed and that had been it. No explanation to his children. That bastard hadn't even seemed to care at all.

It had taken years for Nick to learn the truth about what had happened to his mother, and he'd been sickened to his stomach. Gone and confronted his father and demanded an explanation. He'd been 13 at the time. His father had beaten him savagely over it, putting him in the pack hospital, told him not to ever bring it up again.

Sitting in his office today, Nick looked around. Nothing remained of any of them. He'd gutted this room along with the Alpha Suite. He had security cameras everywhere, even in this office, all his pack members would feel safe no matter where they were. Today he'd accessed that security system and actually watched himself pull his mate around, his long strides too much for her, he'd not even taken her small stature into account today. It was no wonder she had said she was tired and gone so quiet. He was giving her space right now, hoping he could talk to her later about it. Kevin had gone to see how she was, but had relayed nothing back to him as of yet. For once, Nick didn't interrupt and push the subject, had to give her time.

When Kevin had returned later that afternoon he'd been smiling and joking with Braidy. Jeremy, who'd been in his office all afternoon waiting to see what had happened, had wandered off a few minutes prior to Kevin's return after stating he had to go and deal with a little spat between some juniors. Nothing unusual that was part of his job. Though from what Nick had read was actually Lucinda's job as the Luna, the juniors were teens without wolves yet, and apparently her department. Nick had looked at Kevin expectantly.

"She did unpack." he commented.

Nick felt a wave of relief wash over him. "And?"

"And nothing, she seems fine. We had a chat. Couldn't get her to talk about her previous mate. I tried. Nothing on the subject.

Just looked at me and then changed the subject. Thought that someone had tried to assassinate you in this office and asked if she should be concerned about it."

He'd gone on to explain she'd seen the state of his chair and so Kevin had informed her about their little games. That she'd actually found it quite amusing and he'd gotten her to laugh about it. Seemed happy she'd annoyed him with that arrow and knife to his boot that day.

Nick was glad, it appeared she was feeling better. He'd gotten a good look at her bow. Was very impressed by it. Not even Nick had seen it up close yet. He was a little curious. Though she wouldn't let Kevin touch it, something about no-one ever touches it or the case for that matter. Had closed it when he'd tried to get a closer look at it. A little odd.

But Nick didn't like people touching his things either, so he could understand. He'd also asked casually if she was going to let Nick, Mark and Mate her and her reaction had been a shrug and told him who knows, that it was her choice apparently. Well at least it wasn't a no, he thought, hoped it was a good thing, that she was actually considering it.

Nick could only hope that her unpacking was a good sign. He had to take it that way. Not that he was willing to accept a rejection from her. Neither was Rip. His wolf was still not talking to him over the bruising he'd unwittingly left on their Mate. He went upstairs to collect her for dinner and she was not there. Her scent was weak, which meant she had left the suite sometime ago. He was unable to mind-link her yet. She wasn't a member of his pack at this time. He'd not yet initiated her into his pack. Thought he'd give it a few days, before he even approached the subject. He didn't think she would be okay with it right away and was trying to do the right thing by her.

His eyes moved to the Bow Case that was sitting by the wall near the balcony, she hadn't gone to train with it, she would have taken the case with her, he imagined. He glanced at the walk in to see if she had indeed unpacked, and was surprised to see she had completely rearranged it. He smiled, she had made herself at home. Liked the idea.

Noted her two suitcases were on the floor at the back, she couldn't reach the shelf above, too short. He smiled to himself, she really was tiny. He picked them up and put them on the top shelf next to his. His were both matt black and hers were a sparkly pink in colour. He also noted the difference in their colour choices. His was all dark and hers all pastel.

Nick walked along and looked at some of her things, touching a pretty soft purple dress that hung on one of the hangers, wondering when he'd get to see her in that. It looked figure hugging and he knew he would like her in it, the material was soft and silky to. Touching her in it would be nice too. He shook his head to clear it. Not yet, they weren't there yet.

He noted that her retrieval outfit was not hanging up, it would be clear to see it was black, but it was not there, perhaps in a draw. He was tempted to open a few of them but opted not to. She might think he was prying or creepy.

He headed out of the suite and asked his unit if they knew where she was, no-one knew. He frowned, she had unpacked and her Bow was here. She couldn't have gone that far. Maybe just looking around on her own. He checked the dining room, in case she had gone off to replace something to eat. She hadn't had lunch today, but not there either.

For the second time today, he sent out a pack wide mind-link to see if anyone had seen her. Only one uncertain reply "there's a non-pack member girl in the pool swimming laps Alpha."

Had to be her. He headed off to the indoor pool and sure as the moon in the sky, there she was. He sat and watched her. Waited, counted her laps. The life guard on duty, Barry, strolled over and said "At 42 laps Alpha."

Nick frowned, "that's a lot."

"Yes, and just keeps going. It doesn't seem to be slowing her down at all. I'll leave you here then. I was going to close up the minute she stops."

"It's fine." Nick nodded to him and waved him off duty.

He counted out another eight laps before she pulled herself up and out of the pool. She was wearing a bright blue bikini and all of her was on display for him to look at. Damn, she was perfect. His eyes moved over her tiny fit body, lightly defined abdomen was nice to see. But his eyes were drawn to a scar on her inner left thigh. Must have gotten it before she got her wolf, otherwise Ky'ra would have healed it. Made a mental note to ask her about it.

She was staring at him as he was her, though he knew his staring was different to hers. If they were closer he'd walk over and have his way with her right here in the damn pool room. Standing around practically naked in front of him was more than gaining his attention. He wanted to pull her into his lap and touch her in all the right places to make her gasp and moan with pleasure. But damned it couldn't at this point. Bloody frustrating, he realised, and she'd only been here a day.

"Do you know what time it is?" he asked her and she'd replied with a simple "Nope" like she didn't care.

He'd not been impressed by the amount of laps she'd done, it was too much, especially since she'd not eaten lunch either. Not even he did that many laps. He might do 20 or 25 but never had he done 50.

When she asked if she needed his permission to use the pool or gym, he'd frowned at her. Of course she didn't. He just didn't like not knowing where she was. She'd almost laughed at him, found something funny, he realised. He really did like seeing her like that. Until she'd asked if he'd thought she'd run off.

He'd walked right over to her and asked her directly if she intended to. It was a question he wanted answered, it was always in the back of his mind. Saw the bruise on her wrist was now gone. Ky'ra had fully healed her. She took a shot at him about not knowing or being allowed to know where the pack was, then shrugged and followed it up with a statement that he did not like at all. " So at this point, unlikely." The implication was that she might, if she knew where his pack was. He did not like it at all. Made him think he needed to keep it covered for now, that having it covered had been the right decision.

He halted her when she was about to leave the pool area. While carrying her towel in her hand, he realised she was about to walk through the pack-house practically naked. That thought had pushed him to halt her, though he'd remembered to keep his touch gentle on her, not wanting to hurt or mark her skin again, he suddenly didn't want others seeing her nearly naked and that swimsuit she was wearing left little to the imagination.

She had casually reminded him that wolves often saw each other naked and commented about her assisting in rogue attacks. Rip had growled his displeasure inside Nicks mind at her wanting to get into fights with rogues. Nick didn't like it either, which was stupid because he'd seen Ky'ra fight and knew she was an excellent fighter, good and strong. Her old packs back up. But the thought now irked him, his mate would be risking injury to herself and he didn't like that either.

She became argumentative with him, when he'd told her he and his unit would be dealing with any rogue attacks, and that she would not be.

Then she walked off and told him to stock the suite's kitchen and that she liked milk in her coffee. He had watched her walk off her towel around her, to please his need for no-one to see her that close to naked. It did seem she was actually making herself at home up there in their suite, and just told him one thing about herself, liked milk in her coffee. Though he had picked that up this morning. It was nice of her to tell him. Rip was happy with that and so was Nick.

They just needed time to get to know each other. He would have the fridge and pantry stocked for her, she was more likely to stay if she was getting what she wanted. If he could make her comfortable with him in even a small way here and there, their Mate Bond would surely work out.

He let her go upstairs by herself, sat himself down with his unit for a meal. It took her a good 30 minutes before she strolled herself into the dining room. He watched as she helped herself to food and then walked in his direction.

A small child went running past her and nearly knocked her over. The mother was hurrying after him "terribly sorry." she bowed quickly, knew who Lucinda was and showed her respect. He liked that.

He watched as her eyes lit up when she laughed at the child's antics. "No worries," she called after the mother who was chasing her child. She just chuckled and stood watching as the small boy, maybe aged 4, was crawling under a table to get away from his mother who was chastising him about needing a bath. Clearly, the little boy didn't want one.

Nick leaned back in his chair and just watched her. He wasn't alone either. Rip was all ears up watching too. She was smiling, tracking the child and his antics, liked watching them, it seemed.

'told you our mate would want pups! Rip snorted at him.

'Happy to watch doesn't mean she will want a litter, Rip.' Nick replied.

'She will, he snorted again.

The child was snagged by his mother finally and ushered out through a side door of the dining room, he watched as Lucinda just giggled and shook her head. His heartbeat had picked up at that giggle and the smile that was on her face. He was going to love seeing that all the time.

She sat down next to Jeremy and winked right at him, nudged him with her shoulder playfully. An aggressive growl ripped right out of him before he could stop it. They were too close for his liking. They didn't even know each other. How could she be like that with him? Both of them were staring at him now. Jeremy was a little wide eyed, both his hands were up instantly to show their interaction had meant nothing. But hers were filled with amusement still.

'Ours, Rip growled possessively.

Nick's smile from watching her had disappeared in an instant, he was glaring at his Beta. It wasn't the first time she'd toyed with him like that. Had done so back in her pack as well. Nick didn't like it at all. She barely gave him the time of day, but was happy to sit and play with Jeremy, it seemed.

'A word. he shot down the mind-link at his Beta.

'I'm not interested in your Mate, Nick! he stated back right away, knowing exactly what Nick wanted.

'What the hell was that then?' Nick snarled at him. His anger was all there for Jeremy to hear.

'I don't know. Maybe she's trying to tick you off."

'I don't like it.' Nick snapped at him and severed the link.

He refocused on the table to replace Lucinda watching him. She would have seen him linked to his Beta, his eyes would have glazed over. She had one eyebrow arched up at him as she sat staring at him.

He was more than annoyed with what he had seen. He knew Jeremy wouldn't do anything stupid. It was not who he was, none of his unit would risk another wolf's bond to their Mate. But that sudden playfulness had raised instant jealousy and anger in him. He couldn't take it out on her, not after what had happened today. So Jeremy had copped the brunt of it.

She returned to eating her meal. He didn't say anything else throughout dinner. Jeremy, Kevin and Braidy went about chatting like nothing had happened. She just sat there and watched them, listened to them, but didn't inject anything into their conversation. When she stood to leave, so did he. She stared at him for a long minute. "Don't get up on my account." she'd stated calmly " I'll be going up stairs, in case you must know." and he'd watched her turn and leave. Let her go.

Turned and glared at Jeremy, couldn't help it, was still annoyed about the moment he'd seen pass between the two of them. He retreated to his office and buried himself in the mountain of paperwork he had on his desk to do. Even his unit left him alone after dinner.

It was late when he made his way to his suite, he walked into his bedroom. She was asleep in their bed, a wall of pillows had been placed behind her to keep him at bay. Like that was going to work, to stop him from pulling her into his body or snuggling up to hers. He showered and changed for bed. Shifted all the damned pillows out of the way, slid right up next to her, he wanted to be close to her. No damned pillow was going to stop him. He knew she was no longer asleep, her heart rate had increased slightly and her breathing pattern was a little faster. Nick curled an arm around his tiny mate and said nothing. Pretended he had no idea she was awake and felt his body relax once he was settled right against hers, closed his eyes and breathed in her scent.

It was really odd, all his life he'd always slept alone, never had anyone, allowed anyone, to sleep over and yet with her it just felt right. There was no way he was not cuddling her body with his all night long.

Till he had scented his Mate out, he had never even once thought about it. He never felt lonely in his bed. He had never desired a body next to his, but now not only did he want her in his bed, he wanted her right next to him. The only thing that could make it better right this minute, was if she was cuddling him right back.