His Luna’s Already A Luna
Chapter 73

Nick POV

Handing her the book and asking her to read the chapter on her wolf was the easiest way to approach the subject, he figured. He allowed her the time to read it and absorb it as best she could. She pointed out the part about the moon goddess blessing the pack and lots of pups being born.

He just shrugged, he didn't know either. But Kevin was currently in his suite, and would be there for a few more days, likely as his mate was in heat. Then this afternoon he'd received 6 other mind-links from male wolves about their mates going into heat. Wouldn't be able to attend their patrol or training. Informed him of their Mate and that they obviously wouldn't be attending their jobs around the pack either.

It was definitely unusual for so many wolves to go into heat all at once. He'd mentioned it to Jeremy, who'd been in his office at the time. He'd laughed, "Guess it begins, boss. Better warn the pack hospital." Nick had simply shook his head. But it was odd indeed.

Lucinda, claiming she wasn't the Luna yet, annoyed him quite a bit. She already scented of being his Luna, felt like a Luna to him. Had done the minute, he came face to face with her. Just being his Mate had made it clear she was the Luna, it seemed. Could be to do with Ky'ra being Rips Mate, he supposed.

It also annoyed him because he'd already announced her to the pack as their Luna. Their Marking and Mating was just a formality. As far as he was concerned, it was going to happen. As far as he was concerned, she was the Luna. She was his Mate and she had not rejected him. So she was. When it became official was up to her though.

She wasn't the only one to think it was weird, that her being here would create pups in abundance throughout the pack. He had read in several other books that a goddess-gifted Alpha and Luna of a pack made the pack stronger and happier. That was what they were. One had said it would make him happier and then the pack would also feel happier in return. He had been quite the aggressive, grumpy Alpha he now realised. Not so much any more.

He was happier, his warriors had all seen it. His Alpha Unit, too, and the pack members watching him chase her through the pack a few days ago too. They had all seen him smiling and grinning like an i***t while chasing her. Not something they would ever have seen with exception to Jeremy and his antics.

She did make him happier. Right from the moment he'd held her in his lap, in the car all the way here. Couldn't stop smiling down at her. He'd changed pretty darn quick. He could only imagine how he'd feel once she was officially Marked and Mated by him. Just thinking about it made his heart swell. He couldn't wait to look at her with his Mark on her. Claimed and all his.

When she'd asked what he made of it, Nick could only shrug and tell her the truth, that he too was still absorbing the news and thinking about what it all meant.

Mostly, though, he was just more concerned about her well-being.

The question he knew was coming." Border patrol?" He knew outright telling her 'No' would set off an argument. She had already told him before. It was what Ky'ra was built for. He'd spent a lot of time this afternoon thinking about it to be honest.

All he had been able to come up with, was telling her 'no' wasn't going to do him any good. So, instead, it was a yes, but with conditions, number one being she could not patrol on her own. They could hash out the rest of the details in a proper discussion tomorrow. He'd brought up Matthew. Wanted to know more about them, seeing that the Luna Wolf only appeared when her mate was close by. Made him wonder if Matthew and Lucinda were fated Mates, or if she had been Mated off because she'd been wolf-less. Mated off to anyone willing to take on a wolf-less she-wolf. Chosen by this Matthew.

To his surprise, she actually answered his question and in full and complete detail. He'd scented her on her 18th birthday, which happened to fall on a full moon, a rare day when the moon had been seen in the afternoon sky. To hear that he had Marked her on the spot shocked him more than a little considering her resistance to him and Rip.

'Just you' Rip snorted 'Ky'ra likes me, always has.'

'Only after scenting you. Tore up your car.'

'Your car, not mine. She didn't like you.'

No point in arguing, Nick thought, and let it go.

When he told her he didn't think that Matthew or his wolf was Ky'ra's Mate, she wondered how that was possible. He was wondering that himself. Had yet to figure it out. There was no logic around it that he could see. Told her about Jeremy's theory and the questioning had suddenly turned to him.

Asked him if he didn't want a Mate? So he'd told her the truth, that he had not been actively looking for one. The question about him having an Heir, nearly threw him. But he explained what he had intended to do before meeting her. Selecting a high ranking warrior to produce an Heir when he thought the time was right for him.

She thought it sounded crazy. Called him weird. So he'd reminded her of his not so good bringing up. She stated it didn't particularly bother her, that he must have had his reasons.

That statement made Nick wonder what she thought his reasons were. But she'd just stared at him and told him "you tell me."

So he had tried to explain it to her, which only led her to state that a Luna would annoy him and he'd reject her later. He had corrected her right away. Telling her that if he did ever replace his Mate, he had always known he would claim her and would never treat her like the rest of his family had treated theirs.

To his dismay, she had changed track. Asked him which warrior she-wolf he was thinking of choosing. He'd not actually even thought about it, or even started to think about that she-wolf, it was too soon. She did not believe him and told him as much. He was concerned now that she thought he might already have picked one and she would likely have competition. Not going to happen.

So Nick told her he'd not so much as looked at another she-wolf since scenting her. But then she'd gone on to question him about Valerie directly. Surprising him. Probably thought, seeing the way Valerie was acting, she was the warrior he'd likely have picked. So he told her that they had been together and that it had been over for more than a year now.

Lucinda, it seemed, was curious as to if his pack knew of his intentions before her. It was no secret. There were probably a handful of she-wolves, highly ranked warriors. He supposed that might have thought they could be his choice. Lucinda was definitely thinking about it. Told her he'd already announced her as the pack Luna via a pack wide mind-link the very day she had arrived. That she was his Mate and the future Luna, which he had done.

Told her she was worth the headache it had caused him. That he and Rip wanted no other. She just seemed to think about it. He'd thought they were making progress. But her lack of acknowledgement confused him more than a little. She had just really opened up to him about her first Mate and now, it seemed, had shut him out again. That news about him picking a warrior and likely Valerie's reaction to her, could sew doubt he supposed. But he had told her so many times, he didn't want anyone else. What more could he do? Other than Mark and Mate her to prove it, which she would not allow at this point.

Nick was at a loss. Did not know what else to do.

He cleaned up after dinner. She was still sitting on the lounge thinking it seemed. It was too early for bed and she was all healed up now.

"Lucinda, would you like to go for a walk outside?" he offered.

He'd never seen her move so fast, her eyes had shot right to his and then she was up, practically leaping over the back of the lounge in her hurry to go and get dressed. "Yes." she yelled as she moved. Was like a blur, she moved that fast.

Nick could only smile and wait for her. She came hopping out of the bedroom pulling on a shoe. He chuckled at her.

It was early spring and the nights were just starting to fill with the smell of native flowers that grew around the pack territory, it would be a nice scent filled night.

"Where are we going?"

"I thought, if you're up for it, there's a lake out on the eastern side of the pack about an hour's walk. Well, maybe more." he glanced at her "for you."

She poked her tongue out at him. "We could race, I bed I'd win."

"You wouldn't," he smiled.

"You don't know that."

"I caught you last time," he smirked. "Also no racing just yet. Technically, you are still on bed rest till tomorrow."

"Oh I'm fine." she waved him off.

It was a nice walk, he slipped his hand into hers and they just strolled along. She didn't seem to mind, he walked her along through the wooded path, it was quieter than the one through the town would be. It was the middle of the week and when they arrived they could see a group of young wolves all hanging out. He nodded to them, when they all stopped and looked at the two of them.

Nick knew, growing up here. This was a place where young wolves 16 to 18 would come with their girl friends. "Don't mind us." he smirked and tugged Lucinda along the path that would take them out to the waterfall that kept the lake filled at the northern end. It was pretty there, they could sit and relax. He was hoping, being that it was mid week, it was empty up there.

"I think we disturbed the make-out spot." she chuckled softly

"Indeed we did." he nodded with a smile.

"So...is that where you...lost your V-card?" she asked, a little teasing not in her tone.

Nick laughed. "No it was not."

"So where?"

"Where did you loose yours?" he teased her right back.

She snorted "In the pack-house, of course, where else would I when Matthew was the..." her voice suddenly trailed off, as she realised what she was about to say."

"Matthew was what?" he prompted, looking down at her. He did want to know the answer to that question.

"You didn't answer the question." she changed the subject. "Where did you loose yours?"

"My girlfriend's bedroom, her parents were both on patrol, I was 16." he added before she could ask.

In the pack-house, he thought as they walked on. Because Matthew was. A ranked member who lived in the pack-house, he thought to himself.

"You know you can tell me what Rank he was. I'm not worried about it, Lucinda."

"It doesn't matter, Nick. He's gone now. So what does it matter at all?"

She kind of had a point. He guessed "I'm simply curious is all." he let her know.

"Don't be. It's not necessary."

But he was more curious now. They way she'd trailed off at the end. The way she'd gotten away with a lot in her old pack, "Alpha Corey seemed to let you get away with a lot. Makes me wonder why! Actually makes me think you were Mated to a Ranked member of his pack. So lenience was given."

Lucinda laughed at that, a good hearty laugh. "I never got into trouble! Yeah right. At least twice a week since Ky'ra came along. She's naughty all the time.

"For what?" he asked.

"Mostly putting un-mated wolves in their place. Ky'ra doesn't like being touched."

"Yes she does." Nick laughed right back. "By Rip."

"He's her Mate, that's different." she countered

"Yes he is." Nick nodded. "And proud to be. I can tell you."

"Nick...what is that?" she drew his attention to the lake. Full curiosity in her voice and facial expression.

Nick turned his attention to the Lake. Mylan was out there swimming about, fully shifted into his Water Nymph. Nick pulled her to a fallen tree and encouraged her to sit down. So she could watch "That's Mylan, our resident Water Nymph. He's Mated to one of the she-wolves of the pack, Fay."

"Wow..." she sank down and stared out at him "I've never seen one before."

"Impressive isn't he." Nick sat down next to her, slipped his arm around her and pulled her closer to him, right into the crook of his arm. She was way too interested in watching Mylan to care about Nick's intentions on her body, it seemed.

He relaxed and turned his attention to Mylan himself. Realised the man was not alone out there in the water. A blue-haired nymph was also in the water with him. Not his Mate Fay. Nick watched them carefully, observing their actions.

Watched as the girl swam about, she seemed to be taking instructions from Mylan "That must be his daughter. She finally got her first shift, it seems."

"Wow, so pretty, did she always have blue hair?" Lucinda asked, was now leaning forward, her elbows on her knees and her chin in her hands watching intently.

"Not that I recall. Must have turned 18. Now don't go running over to him. He's a bit standoffish and can actually manipulate water. Likes to keep to himself and is very protective of his Mate and daughter."

"Okay." she nodded, but didn't take her eyes off the pair in the water.

Nick watched her, she was very interested, it seemed. Mylan and Faylan did both have blue hair in the shifted forms, and Mylan's tail glowed light blue as he moved about in the water. Kind of left like a blue phosphorescence trail in the water wherever he went. It was indeed pretty to look at.

Nick moved his eyes further around the lake and saw Fay sitting on the other side of the lake watching her Mate and child. She looked very proud of her daughter. She should be, Nick thought, and wondered if she would have the same water ability as her father. Nick and Lucinda just sat and watched. Lucinda, he saw, couldn't stop smiling at all. They watched until the girl headed for her mother on the far shore. Then Lucinda's hand was over his eyes to stop him from looking at the girl. He chuckled, "I only have eyes for you, my dear."

"Still she will be naked, when she shifts back." Lucinda told him.

"We should head back," he told her and got up.

They strolled back and she tucked her hand into his after getting up. He smiled to himself. She wanted to hold his hand. Made him happy.

"Are there any other magical shifters here?" she asked curiously.

"A Kitsune." Nick nodded.

That stopped her right in her tracks. She pulled him around to face her. Her eyes were really wide. "Really, who's the lucky she or he wolf?" "Phillip is the lucky wolf. Actually, you met him already. Put an arrow in him. The day we first crossed paths, he was one of the men sent to get you." "hehe, got to be quick to catch me." she smiled and then turned to start walking again.

Nick fell into step beside her, "Jeremy is totally jealous of Phillip. He has a love of red-headed women and Sabela is a Red Kitsune. Phillip always torments him about it." Nick chuckled. "So does Sabela actually. Got a bit of mean tormenting nature. Quite amusing to watch." "Awe poor Jere's," she giggled, didn't sound like sympathy to Nick.

"It's fun to watch, you'll see. Sabela plays on it a bit. Always telling Phillip she wants to go home and Mate. Though not that politely, she gets quite descriptive as she walks away...right in front of Jeremy."

"That's a bit cruel."

"Well, if he didn't ogle what wasn't his now..."

"Trouble?" she frowned up at him.

"No. not at all, Jeremy would never. He's actually big on the Mate Bond being protected. He and I have the same values. It's why he's my Beta."

"Oh, I thought it was to torment you." she smiled up at him, teased him.

"Mm, No. that's just...a side-effect."

"That's mean! A side-effect." but she laughed as she said it.

Nick smiled, this walk was going well. She was talking and learning about the pack. Seemed happy to have a Water Nymph and very excited about the Kitsune too. Good. They were back to getting along, and he was out showing her around.

"I'd like to sit and talk tomorrow. Properly, in my office. There are some things we should discuss. If you're up for it?" he asked.

"Mm, your office. Can't we just talk now?"

"Private, would be better. It'll just be you, Jeremy and I."

"Alright." she nodded.

"Why don't you want to come into my office?" he asked, curious about it, they had reacted very strongly to not going in there the other day too.

"I don't feel welcome in there." she shrugged.

That shocked him completely. He'd not once told her she wasn't allowed in there. "Why?"

"You! Don't want me to see things in there." she answered simply.

Nick sighed, he knew she was talking about the pack model and pack map of the surrounding area. "You are welcome. There will be no secrets from you as of tomorrow."

"Okay." she shrugged, but said nothing more. Her attitude was now closed off to him. Seemed she didn't believe him.

Nick sighed internally, again she was gone from him. One minute, happy by his side and then just gone the next. He couldn't understand it.