Olden Days

Aubrianne was on a roll, and in her comfort zone, in which she excelled, she went on to discuss colleges with a group of young she-wolves.

Aubrianne had shared her experience in life, her education, and her career plans as examples when she explained, displaying that she was not just a talker but that she’d walk the walk and encouraging them to do the same.

Even with the adults, she clicked with them wholeheartedly, listening to their day-to-day lives and already giving advice and comforting words. One member even complained about sales in his business, and Aubrianne had discussed cost-effective ideas to spice things up a bit.

Even though Aubrianne was casually chatting, sharing her knowledge, and learning from them as well, she did not know just how much this meant to Zayne.

Pride swelled in his heart. She was the perfect Luna, so natural at it, and the thing is, she did not even know that. Recalling how nervous she was earlier.

Aubrianne was spinning out of control for a good minute, wondering if they would accept her, and here she was. His people were eating off the palms of her hands.

He saw his people falling for their Luna the more she spoke and was open and candid with them. There were no pretenses. Once you got her started on business, college, and finances, you could not shut her up.

Then there was a woman in her forties who had suffered a loss recently in the battle, her mate, and Aubrianne simply got up and engulfed the young woman in a hug.

Zayne watched as the woman slumped onto his mate, and Aubrianne needed to steady herself under the weight, but she got this.

He almost moved to her side, but Shawn stopped him. He knew what she was doing. Aubrianne hugged the woman and offered her comforting words as she rubbed her back and eased her pain.

When she was done, she pulled away. This was the second time this had happened, where she felt deep in her soul to help ease the pain. The woman dropped to her knees and called her the Goddess of mercy.

Zayne's pores stood on end at her words, only because he knew his mate was singular, but her true identity only Mekhi knew. And he was planning to keep it that way. And he did not need anyone to suddenly be curious about her more than necessary.

When it came to his mate, he would protect her at all costs. As such, he did not want people to suddenly think she was THAT special and start asking questions.

Nevertheless, they were quickly falling for his mate just like he did, and soon everyone was having the time of their lives. His mate was the center of attention, and suddenly, a wave of jealousy threatened to choke Zayne to death.

They were getting ALL HER attention. But there was a flurry of activity happening.

Games and more games. Zayne gave them space and time with her.

Rugby, tag, telephone, two truths and a lie, horseshoes, cornhole, or cards. Even charades, ghost stories being told, and naming that song played.

There were dart boards set up on some of the trees.

And there was his mate, front and center at every game played, even the mini-football. By the end of the night, Aubrianne had found her way closer to the fire, where some of the elders sat.

She had not gotten the chance to sit and chat with them. They were old wolves and could be one hundred and fifty years of age, some older.

Hence, they were sitting closer to the fire to warm their bones, but they still had plenty of life if you ask them.

It's just that the cold sometimes affects them. Nevertheless, these people opened Aubrianne's eyes as to how important the Luna ceremony was to them and most Wolf communities.

They said that, nowadays, the ceremony has been watered down, and it was not up to the same standards as they were long ago. They spoke of how much they longed to at least experience this auspicious event the way it was meant to.

Bringing back the old days of their ancestors. Now, in this day and age, it has always been a rushed process, with the Alpha and Luna always marking each other before the sanctity of the union.

Another scoffed. "Yes, watered down," they then said again.

And suddenly, Aubrianne's heart ached to give these people what they wanted. Zayne's people were now her people.

Why does she always have to be selfish in her thoughts? No, she would not be selfish about this.

Goddess, how could she easily want to dismiss Zayne's beliefs like that, realizing this is what he was trying to get out, and she would not give him the chance or they would be interrupted.

Suddenly a wave of guilt flowed through Aubrianne, and she was thankful they had been interrupted earlier.

Because she was ready to plead that she did not care about that, why should she wait? She wanted him now. Goddess, how selfish could she be?

And Zayne was even excited about her experiencing things the right way, and there she was, ready to tell him how absurd this was.

Oh goodness, and to think she had planned to torture and seduce him till he gave her what she wanted.

She intended to tell him about it and apologize to him.

Meanwhile, Leandra had watched Aubrianne and the people all night long. They loved her!

And Leandra wondered what she had to show for herself—nothing. As she had been dragged into her father's schemes all her life, she felt stupid in comparison. However, she does not understand why she kept comparing herself to Aubrianne.

Nevertheless, Aubrianne continued assessing things from her mate's POV and his people's. And she learned this was a tradition. It had not been done in ages, and she would bring them back to the good ole days.

Aubrianne scolded herself for her selfish ways again.

She had sat and listened to them talk about traditions and how no one barely held up the olden days anymore, and it was not only in their community. Most wolf communities had fallen prey to settling for halfway-done Luna ceremonies.

One member also spoke, giving insight. She said she remembered how, on the day, both the Alpha and Luna would get groomed and prepped for the occasion ahead and the night they would spend together.

They had thanked Aubrianne for doing this from the bottom of their hearts, as they could only assume that with the preparation their Alpha had been ordering around to be put in place.

But at this point, Aubrianne simply could not and would not refuse. She unreservedly chose to do this for them, bringing joy where she could in these times.

At that moment, Aubrianne decided to let them all experience the olden-day traditions together.

Then she asked about the day of prepping, and they all had a mysterious smile and a glint in their eyes all of a sudden. Then one finally spoke up, "You'll see, but I suggest you sit back, relax and enjoy yourself."

Explaining that her day tomorrow would be one of cleansing and readying her body and mind for the mating and marking her form would receive.

Soon, Tuesday morning was upon them, and Aubrianne had yet to get on to Jada and it was not for the lack of calling she had tried when they got in early that morning.

A knock had sounded at the door at eight am. However, Aubrianne was still draped over Zayne's chest.

They had settled for a little foreplay, meaning Zayne had insisted on eating her out till she lost her mind. But in the end, all she wanted was to have him stiff and hard pummeling into her soaked heat.

But she had made up her mind.

Aubrianne had shared about the wonderful time she had tonight at the bonfire with Zayne and he had gushed about how amazed and happy he was to see her so natural at that. Further solidifying that she was meant to be his.

As soon as they got to the room, Aubrianne had chosen one of her long nightgowns to hide her body for tonight. Zayne had watched her incredulously, as if THAT would keep him away under different circumstances, but he appreciated her efforts nonetheless.

Nevertheless, they got into bed, and before Zayne could attempt to reason with Aubrianne, especially after tonight and how the people vividly expressed their excitement for the ceremony tomorrow, "Babe," Aubrianne spoke first, tilting her head back, her head sliding on the pillow, she gazed at her mate...