Chapter 39

Amelie

"Time to get up," I feel Gideon nuzzling my neck.

His touch makes me want to enjoy the moment, "Can't we stay in bed a little longer."

"Come on, up." He bites my neck playfully. It is instantly making me want to keep him in bed. "We are leaving tomorrow, and we have a lot still to prepare."

"If you keep that up, neither of us will leave this bed." I pull myself closer to him. I nuzzle and kiss his chest. It's become my favorite place cuddled up next to him.

He picks me up, "We will have time again tonight, my storm." He carries me to the bathroom and puts me down; he turns on the shower. We jump in, still teasing each other but hurrying at the same time. Every second we are together, I can't help but smile.

We get dressed and head down to the kitchen. Benjamin and Becky are already down there. It has become routine for us to interrupt their morning flirting. It never gets old watching how uncomfortable Benjamin gets when he's caught kissing his mate. This is our last few days here at the Ashwood Pack before Becky and I leave our home to join a new pack. It's almost hard to remember life 30 days before Gideon. I mean, I can, but the last few weeks have been the best of my life; why think about unhappy memories.

Becky has been a fantastic help to me. I had so much to prepare, and today the moving truck was coming. My work studio has been packed, and it is ready to go. I had prepped many plants for the journey as well. I haven't even packed all my clothes and personal belonging. Becky had all her cook wear and personal items too. We were lucky to have such great mates to help us move all our things.

Benjamin being a high-ranking Delta lived in the Packhouse. He would move to the mated wing, and Becky would take over as the personal chef to the Alpha, Beta, and Gamma families. We had a lot to do once we got there. Not just unpacking, but we had to learn the new pack. Becky and I would need to meet the Beta and Gamma along with their mates. Gideon said they each had a little boy that were playmates to Rose and Daisy.

In only a few days, I would be face to face with my new stepdaughters. I was going to be who they remembered as a mother for the rest of their lives. I was going to be responsible for their upbringing and welling being. I was extremely nervous, and if that was not nerve-racking enough, two weeks after we arrived, I had the Luna ceremony. Even though I was not even there yet, it was being planned, and invitations have already gone out to other packs to witness my ceremony. At least for the ceremony, my mother, stepmother, and sister would be there. It calmed me a bit. There was just so much still to do.

"Amelie!" I was snapped back to reality by Gideon using his Alpha aura on me. I look down, and I am burning the French toast in front of me. The smell makes me a little nauseous.

"Oh crap," I pull it off and drop it in the sink. "I guess I'm a little distracted. Sorry."

Gideon sips his coffee, "I promise everything is going to be fine. You have a whole pack to help you."

"You have a whole pack. I'm not their Luna." I sigh. I feel like crying, and I do not know why. It is just burnt toast.

"You bear my mark. It's a mark gifted by the goddess you are their Luna! Ceremony or not." I could tell this was not up for discussion with Gideon. I also couldn't deny the facts. I knew I would receive the Luna markings since I was Gideon's, fated mate.

I never wanted to lose Gideon. I was simply scared that somehow my happiness was going to be stripped from me. Now that I know what the mate bond is and the love of a true mate, I could not handle it if these somehow all came crashing down. I would not be able to live.

Gideon can sense my fear and anxiety and comes around the counter to hold me. Usually, he's not allowed past the counter, but I need to feel his touch. I need to be reminded that I am his mate, and this is the fate blessed by the goddess.

He pulls me through the bond-link, "It's going to be fine. I am with you."

"Thank you. I will get through it. It's just everything is going to change again, and I'm just a bit scared." He rubs my back while resting his head on mine. I don't even notice everyone around use coming in and out of the kitchen and eating. Everyone leaves us be; they were acting like we don't even exist. I am somehow OK with it, and I just needed my mate for that moment.

Gideon pulls away. "I have to go and meet your father and brother in the office. I will come to find you when I am done."

"Remember. My mother, Celeste, and I are going dress shopping for the Luna Ceremony gown." I sigh.

"Yes, Alpha Logan and Luna Ann will be here shortly." I can tell he mind-links Matt because he gets up and leaves the kitchen.

"Do you not like my stepfather?" I am a little confused.

"Not at all; Alpha Logan and I have a great relationship. Why would you say that?" He looks at me farrowing his brow.

"You sent Matt out like he was on a mission." I give him my one eyebrow raise. "It felt odd."

He laughs, "You need to not be so presumptuous. I sent Matt to get something I have prepared for your mother, if you must know." He starts swaying slightly while still holding me.

Matt comes back into the kitchen with a small book in hand. "What is that?" I ask with wonder.

"It's a Luna prayer book. It is a tradition in my family to give the Luna's mother a prayer book to write in, requesting blessings from the goddess. It is meant to keep you safe and to keep you connected to your family for support. I already gave one to Celeste." I can feel my eyes tear up. That was so beautiful! This large intimidation warrior pack had such a sweet and loving tradition.

I hug him tightly, "Mom will love it. You might need to give her a new one every year. I'm sure she will fill it up quickly." I was feeling very emotional lately.

"Why don't you go out to the garden for a bit till your mother gets here. I need to see your father and James. I'll send Matt with you." Gideon kisses my head and goes to see my father.

He was right; a nice walk through my gardens and beds would help me feel better. I didn't like having a guard at all times, but that was Gideon's new requirement. I had to have an escort if I walked outside of the house. He was so sure Tate would come after me again he would have Matt or Benjamin follow me around. I tried to be calm about it and instead get to know them better since I would be their Luna.

Matt came out to the garden shortly after me, "I guess you're on babysitting duty today."

"Luna, it's an honor to be your guard. Plus, I get a break from training." He gives me a slight smile.

I smile back. "Well, as long as you are OK with it. I guess if you are stuck with me all day, might as well help me pull weeds."

"No problem Luna." He bends down and pulls a few weeds. "Luna, may I speak freely?"

I stop pulling weeds and turn to him. "Matt, I'm not Gideon; you know you are welcome to speak your mind with me."

"Luna, as you know, I was sent here to help with the investigation into your ex-mate. I saw firsthand the aftermath of the fight with him and your rejection ceremony. I was the one who carried you back that night; you almost died in my arms. Now you are Alpha Gideon's second-chance-mate, soon-to-be stepmother, and Luna of the Druit Guard. Most people would have broken down by now from all the stress and ups and downs. I know you are nervous about your responsibilities, but from someone who has been an observer, you are what our pack needs." I am in shock. It is the nicest thing, anyone, outside of my family and Gideon has said to me. "We are the guardians, warriors and, investigators for all packs. We see the worst of what our kind can do and what others can do to us. It's easy to lose your humanity and become robotic. I'm sure you know that many of the Druit Guard are orphans or the second or third children of Alphas and Betas. We all have one thing in common. We want to make a difference and make a name for ourselves. The drive and determination can blind us to simple joys. Just being around you has made me well as cheese as it sounds, stop and smell the roses. You don't even realize how much light you bring to us."

"Matt," I'm in tears at his words. "I will work as hard as I can always to bring light the Druit Guard needs."

Matt smiles and chuckles, "there's going to be a lot of sad she-wolves when we get back. That's for sure!"

My tears dried quickly, "What? Why would there be upset she-wolves." Rage and jealousy started to bubble in me, and Inari was completely locked into the conversation as well.