Our Luna, Our Mate by Linda Middleman
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Chapter 22 Ares POV

I had been sitting in the dining hall with Eros, Kai, Seth and Sam as Lucas and Emma were at the buffet grabbing food for breakfast as they hadn't joined us during our morning workout routine. 'Do you think Emily will show up?' asks Zeus, who had yet to see Emily this morning as she had gone for a jog and had yet to return to the packhouse for breakfast.

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'She will, Emily never misses a meal no matter what' I say with a chuckle as Emily loved to eat, probably just as much as Sam did but neither would admit to it. Just then the sweet smell of warm vanilla and honey with just a small hint of caramel hits my nose, making me turn my attention towards the entrance of the dining hall only to spot Emily alongside our mate. "Mate' exclaimed Zeus who was prancing all along inside my head causing me to chuckle more as I glanced at Eros to see if he had sensed her as well only to smile when he nodded, letting me know he had. пад.

"Mate" whispers Eros, who was taken away by her, her cute petite frame dressed in only work out. attire giving us the perfect view of her body as we tak

in every inch of her. "She's absolutely beautiful."

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"Indeed" I murmur back, as I was also captivated by her as Emily talks to her only to see her pause when Emily says mething only for her to resume in her task as they move to get food as well. Good at least Emily has her eating, I muse as I had been watching her all last night and not once did she touch any of the food that had been prepared for last nights dinner making me worry that she wasn't eating properly. "Who's the girl with Emily?" asks Lucas as he and Emma move to join us, each taking seats next to their respective mate. "Mate" is all Eros says, his eyes glancing at Lucas briefly.

"Yes

"What?

What That's her" asks Lucas in surprise which earns him a glare from both Eros and I.

growls Eros. "Sorry my Alpha, I did mean to offend our Luna, I was merely surprised by her is

all," says Lucas hoping his Alpha's would forgive him.

Snorting, we move to turn our attention back to our mate, her body tense as Emily and her slowly mate Their way through the buffet, grabbing different foods as they did. Once filled with various things, Emily slowly leads her over in our direction, her eyes telling me that they had a slight complication outside but are now fine.

"MINE' growls Zeus, not liking that someone tried to touch or harm our mate and without our

consent.

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'Easy pal, we'll get to the bottom of this, I promise is all I can say to him just as Emily arrives. with our mate. "Guys, Emma, please let me introduce to you, Athena" smiles Emily as she gestures to the blushing girl before us. "Athena, please allow me to introduce to you Eros, Ares, Kai, Lucas, Seth, Sam and Emma" she says as she points to each of us. "Pleasure" she murmurs, still blushing.

"Welcome, please have a seat" smiles Emma as she gestures to a chair that was next to her but was also seated next to me in the process, our mates blush growing as she moves to sit in the empty chair, Emily moving to sit next to her mate,

"It's okay, we don't bite" replies Sam playfully to his Luna. "I-I know, thank you" whispers Athena once seated, her plate now sitting down in front of her. As her eyes gaze at it hesitantly. "No need to worry little one, you're safe" I whisper, my hand coming to rest on top of her arm as she relaxes, the mate bond kicking in as tingles run and along my fingertips. God, I mentally groan. If this was just from touching I couldn't wait until Eros and I would be free to fully mate and I mark with her.

Spotting her nod, she moves to grab her fork before eating, slowly at first before gradually picking up normal speed. Smiling, I move to return to my own food, feeling happy that our mate was now with us. "Athena" calls Kai, who catches her attention. "Yes?" asks Athena, her voice soft as her eyes move to greet him.

Will you be attending the ball?".

Blinking at his words, Athena pauses only to blush as she nods. "Yes, I'm meeting with Maya later to get ready, she promised me she would help."

"That's so cute, do you think we could get ready with you?" asks Emma, hoping that her Luna would say yes and allow her and Emily to join in knowing that it was her way of protecting her. "S-Sure, I'm sure Maya would allow it" admits Athena with a smile, her attention returning to that of her food. "Oh thank you" replies Emma with a smile just as someone decided to approach our table. "Why are YOU here?" snaps a voice, causing all of us to see the girl from yesterday's dinner. At the sound of her voice, I can't help but notice the way our mate flinches and the way Zeus growls. "She's eating with us, is that a problem?" I ask, suddenly annoyed at being interrupted. "Yes, it's a problem. She's supposed to be helping with the kitchen before the ball starts" sneers the girl.

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Chapter 22

"Excuse us, but who exactly are you?" asks Seth, annoyed by the girl as well. "Me? Why I'm the next Luna of this pack, Diana, Diana Lockheart" glares the woman, her eyes moving back to that of Athena's.

"Well Diana... Sorry to burst your little bubble but Athena will NOT be helping the kitchen as she will be spending the day helping us" growls Eros softly as he moves to glare at her not liking her at all. tall "WHAT?!" shouts Diana, who begins to draw attention towards our table. "My cousin will do no such thing! Just you wait till my father hears about this, and how you shunned your responsibilities." father r has no such say, Athena is her own person and she can do whatever she wishes" snaps Emily, as she moves to glare at the girl wanting to slap her across the face for talking so rudely to her Luna. "I'll have you know that my father is the Beta, ALL I have to do is tell him and he'll come straight over here and make her, she's nothing more than hired help anyway" scoffs Diana, making our mate tremble. "B-But Diana, Uncle already told me I would be attending the ball" mutters Athena sadly, her head hung low. "Ya, later, you still have chores to do" replies Diana, a glare now on her face as she looks at Athena.

"To hell she will... Our mate will do no such thing roars Eros who was now standing, making Athena jump and Diana to look at him with confusion.

"Mate?" laughs Diana once she regains composure "Please, she had a mate and he rejected her! She's nothing but a loser, a freak".

"No, she isn't" I say, moving to stand next to my brother. "Our mate is beautiful and kind, nothing like you" and with that I gently moved to take hold of her hand before moving to escort her from the dining room, deciding to head back to our room while the others followed, leaving behind a baffled Diana.

"This isn't over with Athena, I will tell father and when I do you'll be sorry" screams Diana before storming off.

"Thank you" whispers Athena once we were far enough away.

"For what love?" I ask, unsure of why she was thanking me.

"For stepping in... My cousin can be a b***h sometimes and won't hesitate for a second before

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Chapter 22

telling my family about it"