Chapter 30

Chapter 30

Amelie

"Umm… You, miss Amelie. I can smell the Alpha on you, and you have the Alpha's mark now" He gestures his head toward my mate mark.

Crap, I forgot, since we are still at the Ashwood Pack. Here I'm the Alpha's daughter, but to the Druit Guard, I am their Alpha's mate and Luna. "Sorry Benjamin, I'm not used to it yet. You don't have to call me Luna while at Ashwood."

His eyes widen, and a spark of fear shows on his face, "I'm sorry, Luna, I can't do that. I value my life, and Alpha Gideon would not allow it."

He's not wrong, and I cannot override an Alpha order, "I understand, but please be mindful when Luna Celeste is around also to use my first name to lessen the confusion. The same you do with my father and Gideon." I always hated all the titles but knew they were necessary to keep order.

"Yes, Luna, do you and Miss Becky need assistance?" He is standing at attention like a solder waiting for my orders. I had a feeling this was just a taste of the world I was going to be joining.

"To be honest, your skillset is not suited for the kitchen. I think Becky and I can handle it. This is our battlefield." I wink at him and gesture him out of the kitchen.

"OK, Becky, the men have a heavy training schedule today, so we are going to carb and protein them up! Buttermilk pancakes, bacon, and three cheese scrambled eggs." What I didn't say was that these were all James' favorites. It was my way of encouraging him.

We got to work; we got both ovens going and got the bacon on sheet pans. We had two griddles plugged in and heating up and two large pans for eggs. Becky kept an eye on the eggs, and I man the griddle and pancakes. I did about softball size in diameter. This way, there was plenty of room on the plates for everything. Gideon was the first one down.

"What an honor to have the Luna of the Druit Guard cook for me." I knew it. He already told his men to call me Luna. He comes around the counter into the kitchen.

"Stop right there, Alpha. When I am in the kitchen, I am in charge! Out! It's almost done." Gideon looks at me, stunned. I'm sure no one has ever told him No since becoming an Alpha. He takes another step in. I raise my eyebrow and look right at him. "If you want to eat breakfast, you better get out of my kitchen."

He shakes his head and retreats. He sits on one of the counter stools and watches. "This is no way to treat your Alpha. I'll have to find some way of punishing you later." He looks at me with a devilish smirk again.

I giggle; I can't help it. I look over, and Benjamin looks terrified someone talked back to Alpha Gideon. "Benjamin, would you please let the other Druit Guard know food is ready. I'll let the Ashwood family know." I want to see Gideon's reaction when he calls me Luna.

"Yes, Luna." Benjamin response. There it is, a big toothy grin. I was right.

I set a plate down in front of Gideon over the counter. I lean in close, "you better eat up. Our Alpha will need his strength today… and tonight." A low growl leaves him, and I see a quick flash of red in his eyes.

Becky fixes a plate for Benjamin, and he turns as red as Becky's hair. "They are so cute together." I look at Gideon, "I'm glad they found each other. I'm happy you came to train my brother." I hand Gideon the syrup I made yesterday. "Oh, try this. It's made with the violets you had with you yesterday." I turn and get back to my griddles.

James is the next to burst in the door, "Did I miss it! It's still breakfast, right?" I can tell from his bedhead he jumped out of bed and bolted down the stairs.

"Yeah, it's still breakfast. Sit down." He takes a seat next to Gideon and rubs the sleep from his eyes.

I hand him a plate. "Thanks." He looks up at me, then grabs my arm and pulls me closer. Gideon gets tense for a moment. "What is that!" He is looking at my new mate mark.

"James' I'm about to knock you out if you don't let go." He let go of my arm.

"Oh, sorry, Am. I was just in shock. So, you guys…" He nods his head the shoots me finger guns, and winks one eye.

I turn to Gideon, "Please make sure he trains till he vomits." Then, I turn and stick my tongue out at James.

"Sorry little Alpha, my new Luna says I have to, so I must." He chuckles and slaps James on the back.

James winces, "I'm your brother! Why would you do that to me." We all laugh, and dad and Celeste come in, and the other two elite knights follow shortly. Everyone is served!

"OK, Becky, it's our turn. Let's eat. Then we can clean up the kitchen." She nods and gets a serving of eggs going for her and me. I also start another pot of coffee. "Oh, dad, are you going to be training with Gideon and James today, or are you going to be in your office?"

"I'll be in my office. What's up, kiddo?" He sips his coffee.

"I wanted to do some research. I wanted to see if any of the old books would have what I'm looking for." I flip a few pancakes.

"OK, come over when you are done here. We can talk more. Oh, and kiddo, nice mark" He shoots Gideon a look. Gideon looks away.

"Am, this syrup is great. I didn't think I would tase the violets, but you can." Gideon is trying to change the subject.

Celeste, on the other hand, wants to stay on topic, "It looks lovely. It suits you well."

"Thank you. I sent my mom a selfie earlier, and she said the same thing." Gideon is stiff, not saying a word.

"Alpha Gideon, what tree did you get." He turns and looks confused.

"How did you know it was a tree?"

Celeste giggles and moves her collar to the side. "All mates into the Ashwood family receive a tree. Mine is a cherry blossom tree."

He looks at me, I shrug. "I didn't know that. Dad, how come you never told me that before?"

"We will talk later. Eat your breakfast. So Alpha Gideon, what's your tree?" Dad sips his coffee.

"He has a eucalyptus tree with wide roots. It means strength, protection, and survival." I say with pride. It's my mark on him, and I should be proud.

Celeste perks up, "Oh, that is so fitting. Amelie, I'll be in your father's office as well. I want to hear more about your mark. I know you already know what it means."

Gideon is beat red. It's the funniest thing. This big tuff Alpha is shy when he's talking to his mate's family about their marks. It makes me want to tease him more, but I won't, not today.

Everyone finishes and leaves. Becky and I are left sitting at the counter stools. I take a sip of coffee, "so, how is everything going with Benjamin?"

She looks up at me and is beaming, "Oh, Miss… I mean, Luna he is just the best. So sweet but a little awkward, but he tries really hard. I never thought I would be matted to an elite warrior. I'm just an omega."

I drop my fork and look at her with my one raised eyebrow; it's kinda my thing, "Becky, first of all, you don't have to call me Luna. Second of all, you are more than good enough for him. Third, is he good enough for you? Finally, you are cute, talented, and driven; it doesn't matter if you are an Omega."

"Thank you. Oh, and I want to call you Luna. I'll be going back with you and will be part of the Druit Guard. Also, I respect you so much it feels right to call you Luna. It feels natural somehow." She smiles and sips her coffee.

"I'm delighted you are coming with us. It will be nice to have a friend with me. Plus, I have a feeling we are going to revamp all their meals. Also, plant an herb and vegetable garden, flowers too. I'll have to set up a new workshop as well." I take a deep breath and think of all the things I will have to do when I get to the Druit Guard packhouse. "I'll also become a mom when I get there."

"Really! A mom!" I nod.

"Gideon has twin daughters, and they just turned three. I talked to them on face-time last night." I take another sip of coffee. I look over at Becky, "I think I will need you as my assistant when we first get there. Becky, will you be the Luna's Beta?" We giggle because there is no such a thing, but she knew what I was trying to say.

"It would be my honor to be your Beta." She stands up with her hands on her hips with her chin in the air and chest out, giving her best superhero pose. We both laugh; I was so glad the goddess mated her with Benjamin.

"OK, it's time to clean up." I take one last sip of coffee, and we go back into the kitchen. Even though this is the family wing kitchen, it's still more than the average house. For one, there's two of everything, so clean-up is a breeze with two sinks and two dishwashers.

Once we are done, I check to make sure we have what we need to make lunch later. We need a few more things, so I send Becky into town with a list.

I head to my father's office to meet my parents. I just had a feeling that I would learn more than I bargained for.