Chapter 72 Long Overdue

~Liam~

“Calm down, bro,” said Gale. Maybe I would if he wasn’t obviously nervous in front of me. He’s been squeezing a stress ball since he got here.

I paced back and forth in my office, my nerves on edge all day. Tonight, she would be formally introduced to the pack as Luna. While it was traditionally an exclusive event for the pack, we invited the Black Mist Pack. Besides, I also wanted them to be there tonight. Since we had already broken tradition, we invited the allied packs.

Everyone I cared about, including proven allies, would be there, but it wasn’t why I felt like I was about to lose my mind.

As Gale and I pondered on our own businesses, Rigel, as always, was seated casually, actually wearing formal clothes for the event. Leaning back, legs crossed, and a glass of scotch in hand.

I was yet to learn how they found where I kept my alcohol – they’ve been raiding it since. I saved them for special occasions, but I guess today, I could let it slide. It was, after all, a very special day.

“Security, check. The venue, check -,” said Rigel then glanced at Gale before adding, “- Dates, check.”

Gale threw the stress ball at him and he easily caught it.

“You should calm down, yourself, bro. He’s coming. We went shopping for suits together,” he remarked.

“You two are awfully close,” asked Gale, catching back the stress ball.

“Aww… don’t get jealous, bro. We don’t fuck,” Rigel said, smirking.

Gale blushed and looked away, hand tightening on the stress ball, it might burst.

At least one of us was having fun. After the surgery, he recovered in less than a day. For now, he was taking a break from his Head Gamma duties to spend more time with Sabri and Aunty J. It was good to see them… close instead of the usual, distant.

He’d changed. The drinking wasn’t as frequent, and he was easier to get along with. Soon, he was going to be a proud father of a lovely baby boy. He was unaware for now and it wasn’t my place to tell him – just that, as Alpha, I had to know everything that concerned the pack.

What caused my brother’s return – it wasn’t mine to answer. In my case, it was one special person. It’d been a tumultuous year for all of us, but we emerged stronger and better. Our bonds reforged as we moved on with our lives, as we put the past in its place.

I was anxious as to where these changes might take us, but I also couldn’t wait to spend one day after another with my person. So was Luca.

“Don’t mess this up,” Luca warned.

“You also need to calm down,” I said coolly. “It’ll be fine. How hard can it be?”

I learned the answer as I stood in the waiting room. I adjusted my tie for the… I lost count. I wore a black suit with a red tie that matched the dress she’d wear tonight.

It was worn by fourteen Lunas in total since it was first made, including my mother and my first mate.

To complete the outfit, I offered her a necklace and earrings set. Although she was in awe, she insisted on using the same necklace her fathers gave her and kept the earrings.

Goddess, I love her.

The door opened by a crack. I caught the scent of vanilla and freshly cut roses. The flowy skirt of the dress glided across the floor. It was the first I saw, then she slipped in and I froze.

Stunning.

The see-through bodice glittered in the light, with the numerous tiny red diamonds sewn into it. Starting from the bodice across the length of the skirt were three jagged lines of a slightly lighter shade of red to symbolize the pack’s sigil.

The Luna’s dress hugged her body perfectly, highlighting her beautiful curves. She had light make-up on, her lips shimmering with lip gloss. Even Luca was left speechless.

I’d kiss her right away but tonight; it was all about her.

She smiled nervously as she blushed. “Say something?”

Taking long strides, I was in front of her in seconds. I held her hand and placed a gentle kiss on the back. “You look like a rose in bloom, my love.”

Her smile was everything.

“Thank you,” she said sheepishly, but not looking away. I could stare into her mesmerizing honey brown eyes for the rest of my life. “I can’t look away from you.”

I smirked.

“I know,” I said, offering her my arm. “I’m hot.”

She slapped my chest then linked her arm with mine. “All this ‘hotness’ is mine, so don’t even dare look at anyone else but me.”

I smiled inwardly. She was getting used to ordering people around – she was born to be an Alpha.

That’s my woman.

I thought of a quip to reply, but tonight, I was the perfect gentleman. Instead, I said, “All yours, my fiery Luna. Just as you are all mine.”

The doors opened for us, and we walked in. The entire room quieted in an instant.

A loud voice announced, “Ladies and gentlemen, leaders of the Red Claw Pack and Black Mist Pack, Sir Liam Rose and Madam Anna Bella Fiora Black.”

The lights dimmed and a spotlight shone on us. I led her to the center of the dance floor and held her waist while she placed her hands gently on my shoulders.

Slow piano music played. Following my lead, we danced to it. She was graceful, beautiful, and with every turn and step, for a few moments, I forgot where we were. It was just the two of us, dancing to music that played in the background. It was just her, my Anna, staring back at me with genuine adoration.

Unfortunately, the music came to a stop and so did we. The crowd cheered and we took a bow. Then, for all of them to see, I kneeled on one knee in front of her and presented to her the Luna Ring. The titanium prongs held a red diamond as a centerpiece, two smaller diamonds on each side.

“Will you, Anna Bella Fiora Black, Alpha of the Black Mist Pack, honor the Red Claw Pack as it honors you, from the moment you accept this Luna’s ring until your last, in the Moon Goddess’s name?”

“With the Moon Goddess as my witness, I will honor the Red Claw Pack as it honors me, and accept Luna’s ring,” she said aloud. I slipped the ring on her finger and kissed it.

The crowd erupted into a series of cheers and applause.

“On our honor!” the pack said in unison, bowing to her.

“Let the night begin!” I exclaimed, and the lights turned back on.

People gathered on the dance floor and music played. I took her to where they were.

“It’s finally official!” squealed Lexy in her lovely baby blue gown, hugging her. “This is one long overdue ball!”

“Congratulations, Bella,” said Carson, hugging her.

“I… I don’t feel anything,” she said excitedly. “Did you-“

“Yeah…” answered Carson, grinning. Lexy was blushing as she held Carson’s hand.

Did they –

“You marked her?” I asked, a little too loud.

That means they –

I glared at Carson. “You –“

Anna tugged on my arm, pulling me in another direction as she chuckled.

“Leave the lovely couple alone, Alpha,” she said.

“That’s my sister he’s screwing!” I whisper-yelled.

“Get over it, Liam. They’re mates!” she said.

I know that!

“Aren’t you glad I’m no longer affected by the curse?”

That was a good thing. I didn’t have to witness her blushing or fawning over him. I’d have to get used to the fact that my little sister now had a mate – it happened too fast. She should have had a mate when she was thirty!

“Liam, you know Carson,” she said. “And Lexy’s all grown up now. He’ll take care of her.”

I watched their slow dance, my little sister giggling at whatever he was whispering in her ear.

I sighed. She grew up so fast.

“Liam! Princess!” called Rigel. They were hand in hand, and Sabri’s baby bump was noticeable through her light blue-gray mermaid dress. She hugged Anna tightly.

“Have you asked her yet?” he whispered as Sabri and Anna talked about babies and dresses.

“I’m waiting for the right time.”

I was trying not to let it show and have a good time tonight.

“Keep waiting and it’ll be morning,” said Rigel, going to his mate and taking her to the dance floor.

“I’m going to be an aunt,” Anna said excitedly.

There was no distraction insight. This was it. I wasn’t waiting around until morning.

“Anna-“

“Bella!” Andrix called from behind me. Beside him was a blushing Gale. My brother, Beta, and Head of the Red Point Unit were acting like a fucking teenage girl around his mate.

Where was the cold and furious Gale? He was somewhere in there, but he was happier now.

I guess it’s about time…

“Liam, do you mind if I steal the lady from you for a moment?” asked Andrix.

How could I say no to those sparkling gorgeous eyes of hers? My chance is gone, I watched as Andrix led Anna to the dance floor. He was her only living relative now – it was only proper that he do the honors if there was no one else.

“Have you asked her yet?” asked Gale.

“What do you think?” I replied, taking a flute of champagne from a server.

“Sorry. He wanted to see her.”

“I’m glad you two worked it out,” I said, and he shrugged.

“We’re getting there.”

Andrix finally returned my mate to me and took Gale somewhere… else.

For the rest of the night, I introduced Anna to our allied packs. I had to chat with the other Alphas, so she was once again, out of my sight as the other Lunas took her.

I excused myself as I felt a familiar presence.

“Sharp as ever, Alpha,” said Helia. It was always good to see her. She hugged me and we chatted for a bit until a certain gentleman caught her eye.

Looking around for my mate, I was in confusion when I couldn’t see her anywhere. She wasn’t on the dance floor, not in the bar, not at the top of the stairs. Her scent was everywhere, making her difficult to track.

I spotted Carson by one of the pillars.

“Have you seen Anna?” I asked. “Where’s Lexy?”

“Anan said she wanted to get some fresh air,” he said. “And Lexy’s in the lady's room.”

Thanking him, I turned to look for my mate before I did something I’d regret. Going up the stairs again, I made my way to the balcony. Her scent grew stronger as I neared her.

She had her back to me, the clear night sky the background to her lovely figure. She must’ve sensed me for she turned her head, smiled, then called me over.

“I’ve been looking for you,” I said, taking off my suit jacket and placing it on her shoulders. “Have you been here long? You’re cold.”

“Sorry,” she said, turning her gaze back to the sky.

“Is something wrong?” I asked.

Did something happen when I wasn’t looking? She was being… silent.

She shook her head and smiled up at me. “Nothing’s wrong, Liam. I’m just… overwhelmed is all.”

I nodded, pulling her to my side.

“I’ve never thought that I’d be… this one day. I was supposed to be Head Gamma of the White Lake Pack, maybe even its Luna, then die in battle or of old age. Then, that happened, and I thought I’d just live as a rogue with humans.”

She turned to face me, holding my hands. “Then you saved me and now, here we are. Alpha and Luna. Luna and Alpha. Thank you, Liam.”

I shook my head.

I was lost, drinking to keep going, drowning in sorrow. Lexy couldn’t get me to stop, and I ignored my brothers. Salina was an added headache, unless she was sleeping, then I could pretend that Sarina was still alive. I was fucked up until she came along.

“You think I saved you that night?” I asked and she nodded.

“You did,” she replied. “You did so much more to me, Liam. I wouldn’t be who I am now if you weren’t by my side.”

“I wouldn’t be who I am now if it weren’t for you, my love. I didn’t save you that night, you saved me.”

“From a badly thought-out agreement?” she said, smiling.

“Not that,” I replied, placing my arms around her waist. “From myself.”

This bond we share is stronger than any vow or tradition. In our world, we are already one, but… I want to make every moment special, for you, for us.

I got down on one knee for the second time tonight. Luca howled in my head.

She gasped as her eyes went wide, hands flying to her mouth. I smiled. I presented to her another ring.

It had an exquisitely cut red diamond as a centerpiece. On each side were two smaller white diamonds. I had this ring especially made… just for her.

“Liam.”

“Anna Bella Fiora Black, Alpha of the Black Mist Pack and Luna of the Red Claw Pack, I –“

“Yes!” she exclaimed, cutting me off.

I chuckled.

“Babe, you have to let me finish.”

She rolled her eyes. Lately, she’d been giving me a lot of sass.

“Then ask me and forget the cheesy lines!”

“Anna Bella Fiora Black, will you marry me?” I asked, skipping to the last line of a thought-out dialogue that Luca and I had been practicing for days.

“Yes!”

I slipped the finger in her hand, marveling. She threw herself at me and pulled me into a kiss. Then she kissed me all over my face.

“I love you,” she said, hugging me tightly.

“I love you, too, Anna,” I said, hugging her back.

She was happy. Luca was happy. I was happy.

I could finally relax and enjoy this night.

“You know, I prepared a poem for you.”

She hushed me with a finger on my lips. “I have a lifetime to hear your lines.”

Fair enough.

“What?” I asked when she giggled.

She took my handkerchief and rubbed it on my cheeks as she giggled. “Sorry.”

“What?”

“Keep still,” she said, rubbing harder.

Oh…

As she rubbed off the marks she left, my eyes fell on her gorgeous lips. Unable to help myself, I leaned in for another fervent kiss.

Mine.

“You are mine,” I said, growling, holding her by her hips and pulling her closer. She smiled into the kiss. My heart swelled.

I can’t wait… to spend another day and another and another with you.

She pulled me down by my tie, so I was face to face with her, then pecked my lips. “As are you mine.”

All of me.

“Let’s get out of here,” I offered, sweeping her up into my arms.

I’ll keep doing this until I can’t.

“What about the party?” she asked, feigning concern.

“We’ll be back before anyone notices,” I answered, and she giggled, fluttering her legs. “I still want to hear that poem!”

I jumped up the ledge and she yelped as she clung to me.

“No! Don’t even think about it!”

Too late.

I winked at her.

“Don’t you – ah!”

We landed safely, just behind the building where no one could see us. She slapped my chest a couple of times, glaring at me.

“Not the first time we did this, babe,” I teased. “Luca wants to run. Come with me.”

I let her down then shifted into Luca. He circled her, nuzzling his head at her thighs while she giggled and directed his head somewhere else.

Seriously?

Luca purred when she scratched his head, down under his chin.

“Hello, again,” said Anna.

Luca licked her cheek in response. Then he lowered himself so she could ride on his back.

He smirked at me, but I scolded him.

“Don’t. Not tonight, Luca,” I said firmly as I took partial control.

He took off, but not too fast that it’d scare our mate. She laid on our back, her fingers running through our fur. The wind in our face as our paws pounded on the earthly floor and the trees went past in a blur. We went up a cliff, then to the moon, raised our heads, and howled.

Just me and her… now and forever.